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Wed, 07 February 2018
Former Pope Benedict hinted that he is nearing death
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23:47 Former Pope Benedict hinted that he is nearing death
Pope emeritus Benedict XVI hinted on Wednesday that he is nearing death and ready for his final "pilgrimage" at the age of 90.
"In the slow decline of my physical strength, internally, I am on a pilgrimage to the House (of the Lord)," Joseph Ratzinger wrote in a letter published in the Corriere della Sera daily, which had told him many readers were concerned about his health.
The former pope, who will turn 91 in April, said he was moved that "so many readers want to know how this last period of his life is going."
"It is a great grace for me to be surrounded, in this last point of a sometimes tiring path, with affection and kindness that I would not have imagined," Benedict added.
Since his resignation five years ago, the German-born pope has been living in a small monastery in the Vatican, with four nuns and his personal secretary, Georg Gaenswein.
Two years ago, Gaenswein reported that Benedict was "going out like a candle, slowly and serenely.
23:23 Opposition expresses regret to Naidu for boycotting RS proceedings
The leaders of opposition parties, which had boycotted the Rajya Sabha proceedings yesterday, sought to leave the episode behind, saying they had the "highest respect" for the chairman, and expressed regret to him if he felt hurt, sources said.
Some opposition parties, led by the Congress, had boycotted the post-lunch session yesterday, alleging that their voice was being "muzzled" and that they were not allowed to raise issues due to long adjournments. They had also written a letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu,
expressing their anguish.
The opposition leaders met Naidu this morning, when Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad broached the issue and referred to the rules and conventions of the House, the sources said.
When one of them, quoting media reports, wanted to know if a letter was written against the chairman, some others said, "Let us leave behind what happened yesterday. We have the highest respect for the chairman. If he felt hurt, we express regret."
-- PTI
22:29 Saudi Arabia allows Air India to use its skies for flights to Tel Aviv?
Saudi Arabia has allowed Air India to use its airspace for flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv, Israeli daily Haaretz reported.
However, a spokesperson for Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation was quoted in another media report denying that any such permission was granted to Air India.
It could not be confirmed from either the ministry of civil aviation or Air India, whether the national carrier has been given right to use Saudi airspace for flight to Tel Aviv.
According to a spokesperson of the airline, the national carrier has sought permission from regulatory body DGCA for thrice-a-week flight services between Delhi and Tel Aviv from March, which is awaited.
Another Air India official said the airline is also waiting for slots at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport and Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport.
Many Arab and Islamic nations do not recognise Israel and, therefore, disallow airlines from using their airspace for flight services to that country.
-- PTI
22:09 Kasganj: Police recover weapon used to kill Chandan Gupta
Police today claimed to have recovered the weapon used by the main accused in the murder of Chandan Gupta here on Republic Day during a procession.
The country-made weapon was found on the basis of the information provided by Salim, the main accused, during interrogation, Superintendent of Police, Piyush Srivastava said.
Two arms licences issued in Salim's name have been suspended following a directive by District Magistrate RP Singh.
"There were two licences - a revolver and DBBL gun - in Salim's name. It is also being probed if they had been used during the January 26 incident," Singh said.
Gupta was killed in communal violence that broke out in Kasganj on the Republic Day. He died of gunshot wounds. The killing led to a spiral of violence in the western UP town. At least three shops, two buses and a car were torched in the violence.
-- PTI
21:16 Planning for US military parade now underway
Initial planning for the military parade requested by US President Donald Trump is now underway, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford has confirmed.
It is expected that the Army Military District of Washington, which oversees some military activities in the city, will be designated to coordinate parade planning, according to a senior defense official.
One option being considered is to hold the parade in November in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the ending of World War I on November 11, 1918, the official said.
Military planners will now look not only at dates and locations for the parade, but also costs, logistics and whether it is feasible to hold a parade displaying large weaponry such as tanks on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Pentagon spokesman Charlie Summers said that Trump asked for the military parade, adding that the planning process was in its "infancy."
According to The Washington Post, which first reported that Trump asked top brass at the Pentagon for a military parade, the President was inspired by France's Bastille Day celebration.
Trump was French President Emmanuel Macron's guest on Bastille Day last year, and later called the French military parade he witnessed "one of the greatest parades" he had ever seen.
20:57 Jeetendra's cousin alleges he sexually assaulted her when she was 18
Veteran Bollywood actor Jeetendra was on Wednesday accused of sexually harassing his cousin, who has come forward to file a police complaint 47 years after the alleged incident.
Jeetendra, whose real name is Ravi Kapoor, is the son of the victim's father's sister.
The victim made the allegation in a police complaint filed with Himachal Pradesh's Director General of Police.
As per the complaint, the incident took place in January 1971, when the victim was 18 and Jeetendra was 28. It happened when he "arranged" for the victim to join him from New Delhi to Shimla on the set of his movie without the complainant's "awareness".
The victim has claimed that on the night they reached Shimla, Jeetendra returned to the room in an inebriated state, joined the two separate beds and sexually assaulted her.
The allegation comes amid the #MeToo campaign as part of which women have come out about facing sexual abuse at the hands of powerful men. While several ladies have accused Hollywood's powerful men, the Hindi film industry -- while admitting the prevalence of abuse -- have not named and shamed as openly.
Jeetendra, now 75, is a well-known name in the Hindi film industry. He is also a film producer and has daughter Ekta and son Tusshar with wife Shobhaa.
20:32 Pakistan bans media coverage of Valentine's Day celebrations
Pakistan's electronic media watchdog today directed the local media to refrain from promoting and showing celebrations of Valentine's Day as such activities were against the Islamic teachings.
The Islamabad high court in a verdict passed on a petition submitted by a citizen on February 13, 2017, had prohibited the celebration of Valentine's Day (on February 14) in public spaces and government offices across the country "with immediate effect".
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority issued the directives in the light of the IHC verdict passed in February last year.
"In the meanwhile, respondents are directed to ensure that nothing about the celebration of Valentine Day and its promotion is spread on the Electronic and Print Media," the PEMRA said in a statement.
"No event shall be held at official level and at any public place. Chairman, PEMRA is directed to ensure that all the TV channels shall stop the promotion of Valentine Day, forthwith," it said.
-- PTI
20:10 Trump supporters share more fake news than anyone else, study shows
Trump supporters share more fake news on social media than any other political group, according to a new study from Oxford University.
Researchers studied more than 13,000 Twitter users and 47,000 Facebook pages in the days leading up to President Donald Trumps State of the Union Address to determine which social media users spread the most junk news.
They discovered that Trump supporters on Twitter shared more unreliable news than all other groups combined. On Facebook, extreme conservatives share more junk news than all other audiences put together.
The researchers found that 96 per cent of those in the Trump support category shared junk news on Twitter in the days leading up to the State of the Union. This group also shared more junk news than any other group combined. On Facebook, 91 per cent of the hard conservatives group shared junk news even more than members of the conspiracy group.
19:27 Renuka accuses PM of 'denigrating the status of a woman'
'What else do you expect from him?'
It was the Congress Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury's reaction over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dig at her during his speech in the Upper House of Parliament.
"PM made a personal remark, what else do you expect from him?' she told reportes.
"I can't fall to that level to reply to him. This is actually called denigrating the status of a woman," Chowdhury added.
The Congress leader's loud chuckling had infuriated Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu, who stopped PM Modi mid-sentence to admonish the 63-year-old.
"What happened to you," Naidu asked Chowdhury sternly.
Even when being told off by Naidu, Chowdhury was heard laughing.
Modi cut in and urged Naidu not to stop Chowdhury.
"Sabhapati ji meri aapse vinti hai Renuka ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan serial ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai (I request you to let Renuka ji continue. After the Ramayan serial, we got the privilege of hearing this kind of laughter only today," he said, to the amusement of top BJP leaders and other ministers sitting around him.
18:56 4,799 stone pelting incidents in J-K in 2015-17; 19 killed
Altogether 4,799 stone pelting incidents were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in last three years in which 17 protesters and two security personnel were killed, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said there were 730 stone pelting incidents in 2015, 2,808 such incidents in 2016 and 1,261 stone pelting incidents in 2017.
During the last three years, 17 protesters and two security personnel were killed in these incidents, he said replying to a written question.
Ahir said the central government had constituted an expert committee on July 26, 2016 to explore possible alternatives to pellet guns as non-lethal weapons.
The recommendations of the committee were taken into account by the government for appropriate implementation and accordingly, various measures such as using PAVA-Chilli (shells and grenades), STUN-LAC (shells and grenades) and tear smoke shells were used to disperse the unlawful violent protesters before the use of pellet guns, he said. -- PTI
18:23 Govt rejects allegations on Rafale, says followed due procedure
The government has rejected allegations on Rafale deal.
In a statement by ministry of defence, the government said that it had taken all the necessary approvals before the finalising the deal.
"The procurement of 36 Rafale aircraft through an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with France to meet the urgent need of the IAF is strictly in accordance with the Defence Procurement Procedure in all aspects including mandating, conducting and monitoring of negotiations and seeking all necessary approvals, including that of the Cabinet Committee on Security, before entering into the IGA. The aircraft had already been evaluated successfully by IAF during 2009-10," the statement said.
Here is the full statement:
Unfounded allegations are being made regarding the 2016 Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to procure 36 Rafale aircraft in fly-away condition from France. This would normally not have merited a response but for the serious damage being caused by the misleading statements, sought to be repeatedly perpetrated on a serious matter of national security.
It ought to be remembered that it was under the ten-year tenure of the previous Government at the Centre that the earlier initiative of 2002 to meet requirement of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for much needed augmentation of its fighter strength ran aground. In 2012, the then Defence Minister exercised an unprecedented personal veto on the laid down institutional process then underway for procurement of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA). All this happened when there was an alarming decline in IAF's fighter strength.
In another effort to twist facts, the Government is asked why it did not conduct negotiations with a particular company representing a competing fighter aircraft. It seems to have been conveniently forgotten that the then Government itself had rejected that company's unsolicited offer made days after closure of the bid process, declared Rafale (DA) as the L1 bidder and had commenced negotiations with it in February 2012.
The demand that the Government disclose the details and value of the contract for the Rafale aircraft contracted in 2016 is unrealistic. [In keeping with confidentiality requirements, the UPA Government had also expressed its inability to disclose the price of various defence procurements, including in its responses to Parliament Questions]. The approximate acquisition cost of the Rafale aircraft has already been provided to the Parliament. Provision of exact item-wise cost and other information will reveal, inter alia, details regarding the various customizations and weapons systems specially designed to augment the effectiveness and lethality of the assets, impact our military preparedness and compromise our national security. Such details would also come under the ambit of the security agreement signed in 2008. Thus, in not revealing the item-wise details of the contract, the Government is merely following in letter and spirit the confidentiality provisions of a bilateral India-France Agreement of 2008 signed by the previous Government.
As doubts are sought to be created about the 2016 contract for 36 aircraft, it is once again strongly reiterated that the deal secured by the Government is better in terms of capability, price, equipment, delivery, maintenance, training, etc., than that notionally negotiated by the then Government in a process it could not conclude in ten years. Moreover, the present Government completed these negotiations in just about one year.
It is also stressed once again that the procurement of 36 Rafale aircraft through an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with France to meet the urgent need of the IAF is strictly in accordance with the Defence Procurement Procedure in all aspects including mandating, conducting and monitoring of negotiations and seeking all necessary approvals, including that of the Cabinet Committee on Security, before entering into the IGA. The aircraft had already been evaluated successfully by IAF during 2009-10.
It may also be noted that contrary to the impression sought, to be created by the Opposition, in the earlier proposal to procure Rafale, which ended in a stalemate, there was no provision for transfer of technology but only to manufacture under licence. The Government was unable to agree on the terms for even that in its negotiations with the vendor, resulting in the long-drawn exercise under the earlier Government ultimately turning futile. Further, no Indian Offset Partner for the 2016 deal for 36 Rafale Aircraft has been so far selected by the vendor (DA) because as per the applicable guidelines, DA is free to select the Indian Offset Partners and provide their details at the time of seeking offset credits, or one year prior to discharge of offset obligation.
18:17 Is it a car? Is it a bike? It's the Mahindra UDO!
Among the most unusual, and interesting, concept vehicles unveiled today at the Auto Expo in Greater Noida was the 2-seater, Mahindra UDO.
Is it a car? Is it a bike?
The company is not telling, but we will know when the zany concept vehicle is formally announced.
Photograph: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com.
18:11 Govt more concerned about industrialists, not farmers: Anna Hazare
Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare alleged that the NDA government was more concerned about industrialists rather than farmers.
He also claimed that nearly 12 lakh farmers have committed suicide in the last 70 years in the country.
"The government is more concerned about the industrialists like Ambani, Adani, rather than farmers," he said while addressing a public meeting in Madhya Pradehs's Satna.
"I had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which I categorically stated that farmers were not getting adequate price for their produce and the government is directly responsible for this," he added.
The veteran social activist said that after coming to power, Modi had said that efforts would be initiated to rid the country of corruption, but it has not happened.
"Rather, only a lot of publicity was done on this. The government lacks the will power (to make the country corruption-free)," he said.
Hazare recalled that whenever they held protests against the governments, they were put into jail.
He claimed that the Congress could not win the last elections due to their protest (over the Lokpal issue).
He said that for the protest he is going to launch from March 23 in New Delhi for a stringent Lokpal law and over farmers' issues, he has been touring the country since the last two months.
"We only want that common people get their dues and farmers get satisfactory price for their produce," he said. -- PTI
17:26 PM's LS speech "disappointing": Congress
The Congress today dubbed as "disappointing" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in the Lok Sabha. The main opposition party, whose MPs walked out of the House over Modi's reply to the debate on the motion of thanks to the president for his address to the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament, said it did not address the issues raised by lawmakers, including that on the Rafale deal.
Hitting out at Modi for his "don't give BJP sermons on democracy" remark directed at his party, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the prime minister himself does not respect democracy. He said people like Modi "speak something and do something else".
Responding to the prime minister's accusation that the Congress bifurcated Andhra Pradesh because of "political considerations", Kharge said Modi did not keep his word on doing justice to Telangana and giving an economic package to the residual Andhra Pradesh after the NDA came to power.
Speaking to journalists outside Parliament, the Congress leader assailed Modi for not touching upon the issues of giving minimum support price (MSP) to farmers and doubling their income by 2022.
"The prime minister did not say anything new in his speech. He also did not mention anything new in the interest of the country. He also did not give satisfactory reply to issues we raised," Kharge said.
"This was his political speech, election speech. We are disappointed by the speech. He backtracked from fulfilling our demands. Hence, we staged walkout," he added. Referring to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Kharge said Modi, in the run up to the 2014 general elections, had said a separate Telangana state would be created if the BJP came to power. Kharge also recalled that the BJP, while in the opposition, had supported the demand for dividing Andhra Pradesh. Let the prime minister at least say that he was not in favour of creating Telangana and giving an economic package to Andhra Pradesh, he said. -- PTI
Hitting out at Modi for his "don't give BJP sermons on democracy" remark directed at his party, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the prime minister himself does not respect democracy. He said people like Modi "speak something and do something else".
Responding to the prime minister's accusation that the Congress bifurcated Andhra Pradesh because of "political considerations", Kharge said Modi did not keep his word on doing justice to Telangana and giving an economic package to the residual Andhra Pradesh after the NDA came to power.
Speaking to journalists outside Parliament, the Congress leader assailed Modi for not touching upon the issues of giving minimum support price (MSP) to farmers and doubling their income by 2022.
"The prime minister did not say anything new in his speech. He also did not mention anything new in the interest of the country. He also did not give satisfactory reply to issues we raised," Kharge said.
"This was his political speech, election speech. We are disappointed by the speech. He backtracked from fulfilling our demands. Hence, we staged walkout," he added. Referring to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Kharge said Modi, in the run up to the 2014 general elections, had said a separate Telangana state would be created if the BJP came to power. Kharge also recalled that the BJP, while in the opposition, had supported the demand for dividing Andhra Pradesh. Let the prime minister at least say that he was not in favour of creating Telangana and giving an economic package to Andhra Pradesh, he said. -- PTI
17:21 No information on rise in spread of hatred on social media: Prasad
The government has no information to show that there is an increase in spread of hatred and negativity on social media, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad informed Parliament today. In a written reply to Lok Sabha, Prasad also said there is no proposal with the government to review the IT Act in order to regulate the social media.
The government in the past had acknowledged that various social media posts and video uploads are capable of disturbing communal harmony. The minister had earlier said such contents when reported by law enforcement and security agencies are taken up for blocking in accordance with the provisions of Information Technology Act 2000. -- PTI
The government in the past had acknowledged that various social media posts and video uploads are capable of disturbing communal harmony. The minister had earlier said such contents when reported by law enforcement and security agencies are taken up for blocking in accordance with the provisions of Information Technology Act 2000. -- PTI
17:18 Mahindra Stinger, the convertible SUV, is here
Automobile major Mahindra today unveiled its much-awaited convertible SUV, Stinger, at the Auto Expo in Greater Noida, as a concept vehicle.
The Stinger has been designed completely in India, and is mounted on the TUV300 platform.
Photograph: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com.
17:16 I have not heard such laughter since Ramayana serial: PM's dig at Renuka
Highlights of PM Modi's speech in the RS...
"One can debate whether Rajiv Gandhi or his family received kickbacks in Bofors scam but it's undeniable that Congress got the commission from the deal'," PM quotes from the book of former Congress leader and President R Venkataraman.
"Sultanate is gone but we still behave like Sultans and I congratulate Jairam Rameshji for openly saying this.
"Let us have a constructive discussion on holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections in the various states.
"If you feel so strongly about bringing changes to Triple Talaq Bill, then you should have brought the law yourself, when you were in power for so many years. Look at what all you mocked - Swachh Bharat, Make in India, surgical strikes, Yoga Day. You are free to mock as you please but why are you blocking the bill for OBC Commission? Why are you blocking Triple Talaq Bill. Are you not sensitive to the aspirations of OBCs.
SabhapatiJi meri aapse vinti hai Renuka Ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan serial ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai: PM Modi on Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury laughing during his speech in Rajya Sabha.
"One can debate whether Rajiv Gandhi or his family received kickbacks in Bofors scam but it's undeniable that Congress got the commission from the deal'," PM quotes from the book of former Congress leader and President R Venkataraman.
"Sultanate is gone but we still behave like Sultans and I congratulate Jairam Rameshji for openly saying this.
"Let us have a constructive discussion on holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections in the various states.
"If you feel so strongly about bringing changes to Triple Talaq Bill, then you should have brought the law yourself, when you were in power for so many years. Look at what all you mocked - Swachh Bharat, Make in India, surgical strikes, Yoga Day. You are free to mock as you please but why are you blocking the bill for OBC Commission? Why are you blocking Triple Talaq Bill. Are you not sensitive to the aspirations of OBCs.
SabhapatiJi meri aapse vinti hai Renuka Ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan serial ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai: PM Modi on Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury laughing during his speech in Rajya Sabha.
16:53 Baba Ramdev disagrees with Vinay Katiyar's hate speech
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Wednesday expressed his disagreement with Vinay Katiyar and said that Muslims have equal right to live in this country.
"I don't agree with Vinay Katiyar because Muslims have equal right to live in this country. This country equally belongs to Jain, Buddhists, Dalits, Sikhs, and Christians. It is not right to differentiate people based on religions", Ramdev told ANI.
The Yoga guru further urged the youths of Kashmir to be rebels and not anti-nationals.
"I was also a rebel. My revolt was not against the country, it was against superstitions and exploitation. One should become rebel like me within the parameters of the Constitution. I request the youths of Kashmir to become rebel like me and not anti-nationals," added Ramdev.
This comes after BJP MP Vinay Katiyar's statement that Muslims should leave the country.He had said, "...Musalman iss desh mein rehna hi nahi chahye, unhone jansankhya ke aadhaar par desh ka batwara kardia toh iss desh mein rehne ki kya avashyakta thi? Unko alag bhu-bhaag de dia gaya, Bangladesh ya Pakistan jaayen yahan kya kaam hai unka? (Muslims should not live in this country. They divided the country in the name of religion, what is the need of living in this country? They should go to Bangladesh or Pakistan, what work do they have here?)". -- ANI
"I don't agree with Vinay Katiyar because Muslims have equal right to live in this country. This country equally belongs to Jain, Buddhists, Dalits, Sikhs, and Christians. It is not right to differentiate people based on religions", Ramdev told ANI.
The Yoga guru further urged the youths of Kashmir to be rebels and not anti-nationals.
"I was also a rebel. My revolt was not against the country, it was against superstitions and exploitation. One should become rebel like me within the parameters of the Constitution. I request the youths of Kashmir to become rebel like me and not anti-nationals," added Ramdev.
This comes after BJP MP Vinay Katiyar's statement that Muslims should leave the country.He had said, "...Musalman iss desh mein rehna hi nahi chahye, unhone jansankhya ke aadhaar par desh ka batwara kardia toh iss desh mein rehne ki kya avashyakta thi? Unko alag bhu-bhaag de dia gaya, Bangladesh ya Pakistan jaayen yahan kya kaam hai unka? (Muslims should not live in this country. They divided the country in the name of religion, what is the need of living in this country? They should go to Bangladesh or Pakistan, what work do they have here?)". -- ANI
16:36 Do you want the Emergency era back, Modi asks Cong in RS
After a 1.5 hour speech in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi holds forth in the Rajya Sabha. Highlights of his speech that is ongoing as we write this.
"You Congress does not need a new India, but the India of Emergency, Bofors and chopper scams.
"When a big tree falls and thousands of innocent Sikhs are killed, you remember these lines. Is this the India that Congress wants, PM asks Congress.
"We want Mahatma Gandhi's India as he had said there is no need of Congress now. Congress-mukt Bharat' is not Modi's idea, it is Gandhi's.
"You said we are Name Changers and not Game Changers but if you notice our mode of operation and working pattern you will realise we are Aim Changers. We plan our action, set the road map so that we take the nation on the path to development. I have always said that for the nation's development so far, all the previous govt's have made a contribution.
"You were speaking about Ayushman Bharat and gave the example of US and Britain, there is a vast difference between them and our society but of course being in power for more than 50 years you get cut off from the ground.
"We are always looking for suggestions, feedback and input on our schemes. After all, we are working for the nation and the poor. BJP ki burai karte karte aap Bharat ki burai karne lag jaate hain. Modi par hamla bolte bolte aap Hindustan par hamla bolne lag jaate hain."
To Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury laughing out loud during his speech in the Upper House, a smiling PM tells Speaker Venkaiah Naidu: "Please don't stop Renuka-ji. We're fortunate to hear this kind of laughter for the first time since Ramayana."
"You Congress does not need a new India, but the India of Emergency, Bofors and chopper scams.
"When a big tree falls and thousands of innocent Sikhs are killed, you remember these lines. Is this the India that Congress wants, PM asks Congress.
"We want Mahatma Gandhi's India as he had said there is no need of Congress now. Congress-mukt Bharat' is not Modi's idea, it is Gandhi's.
"You said we are Name Changers and not Game Changers but if you notice our mode of operation and working pattern you will realise we are Aim Changers. We plan our action, set the road map so that we take the nation on the path to development. I have always said that for the nation's development so far, all the previous govt's have made a contribution.
"You were speaking about Ayushman Bharat and gave the example of US and Britain, there is a vast difference between them and our society but of course being in power for more than 50 years you get cut off from the ground.
"We are always looking for suggestions, feedback and input on our schemes. After all, we are working for the nation and the poor. BJP ki burai karte karte aap Bharat ki burai karne lag jaate hain. Modi par hamla bolte bolte aap Hindustan par hamla bolne lag jaate hain."
To Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury laughing out loud during his speech in the Upper House, a smiling PM tells Speaker Venkaiah Naidu: "Please don't stop Renuka-ji. We're fortunate to hear this kind of laughter for the first time since Ramayana."
16:07 RBI lowers economic forecast to 6.6% for FY18
The Reserve Bank today lowered the economic growth projection for 2017-18 to 6.6 per cent, but said that it will accelerate to 7.2 per cent in the next financial year as the roll-out of goods and services tax stabilises and credit offtake improves.
The statement issued after the two-day meeting of the six-member Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank of India also said that recapitalisation of public sector banks along with resolution of stressed assets under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) will create demand for fresh investments.
"GVA (Gross Value Added) growth for 2017-18 is projected at 6.6 per cent," it said.
In the December policy review, MPC had forecast that the GVA would expand by 6.7 per cent.
For the next fiscal, 2018-19, the central bank said that the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), rolled out on July 1 last year, is stabilising and augurs well for economic activity.
"There are early signs of revival in investment activity as reflected in improving credit offtake, large resource mobilisation from the primary capital market, and improving capital goods production and imports," it said.
Furhter, the process of recapitalisation of public sector banks has gotten underway and large distressed borrowers are being referenced for resolution under the IBC, it said.
"This should improve credit flows further and create demand for fresh investment," the RBI said, adding that export growth is expected to improve further on account of improving global demand.
RBI said that GVA expansion in 2018-19 is projected at 7.2 per cent overall 'in the range of 7.3-7.4 per cent in H1and 7.1-7.2 per cent in H2' with risks evenly balanced.
The MPC noted that the economy is on a recovery path, including early signs of a revival of investment activity, the RBI said.
Also, global demand is improving, which should help strengthen domestic investment activity. -- PTI
The statement issued after the two-day meeting of the six-member Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank of India also said that recapitalisation of public sector banks along with resolution of stressed assets under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) will create demand for fresh investments.
"GVA (Gross Value Added) growth for 2017-18 is projected at 6.6 per cent," it said.
In the December policy review, MPC had forecast that the GVA would expand by 6.7 per cent.
For the next fiscal, 2018-19, the central bank said that the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), rolled out on July 1 last year, is stabilising and augurs well for economic activity.
"There are early signs of revival in investment activity as reflected in improving credit offtake, large resource mobilisation from the primary capital market, and improving capital goods production and imports," it said.
Furhter, the process of recapitalisation of public sector banks has gotten underway and large distressed borrowers are being referenced for resolution under the IBC, it said.
"This should improve credit flows further and create demand for fresh investment," the RBI said, adding that export growth is expected to improve further on account of improving global demand.
RBI said that GVA expansion in 2018-19 is projected at 7.2 per cent overall 'in the range of 7.3-7.4 per cent in H1and 7.1-7.2 per cent in H2' with risks evenly balanced.
The MPC noted that the economy is on a recovery path, including early signs of a revival of investment activity, the RBI said.
Also, global demand is improving, which should help strengthen domestic investment activity. -- PTI
15:50 LeT suspect in 2000 Red Fort attack case gets bail
A Delhi court today granted bail to Bilal Ahmed Kawa, a Lashkar-e-Tayiba suspect arrested in the 2000 Red Fort attack case, noting that except one, all other co-accused have either been acquitted or discharged.
Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma noted that the other accused acquitted or discharged by the trial court and the Delhi high court, were facing more serious charges than Kawa.
The court granted the relief to Kawa on furnishing of a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety of the same amount, and directed him not to hamper the probe.
Kawa was arrested from Terminal-3 of the Delhi airport on January 10 during a joint operation by the Delhi Police and the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), and currently was in judicial custody.
In his bail plea, Kawa had claimed that no purpose would be served by keeping him in custody further.
The police have alleged that Kawa had received Rs 29.5 lakh from Pakistan to fund the terror attack on the historic Red Fort on December 22, 2000, in which three people, including two Army jawans, were killed.
They told the court that Kawa, one of the conspirators in the attack, was absconding for 17 years and had been declared a proclaimed offender.
While Kawa was on the run, a trial court in October 2005, awarded death sentence to Pakistan-based LeT terrorist Mohammad Arif alias Ashfaq. Two key conspirators -- Nazir Ahmed Qasid and his son Farooq Ahmed Qasid -- were awarded life imprisonment.
Additional Sessions Judge O P Saini had also awarded seven-year jail term to Ashfaq's wife Rehmana Yousuf Farooqui, an Indian, for giving shelter to the main accused.
Other convicts -- Bagar Mohsin Baghwala, Sadaqat Ali and Matloob Alam -- were also awarded seven-year rigorous imprisonment.
On September 2007, the Delhi high court had upheld the death sentence to Ashfaq, saying terrorists who have no value for human lives deserved capital punishment.
The high court, however, acquitted six others, including Farooqui, citing lack of sufficient evidence against them. -- PTI
Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma noted that the other accused acquitted or discharged by the trial court and the Delhi high court, were facing more serious charges than Kawa.
The court granted the relief to Kawa on furnishing of a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety of the same amount, and directed him not to hamper the probe.
Kawa was arrested from Terminal-3 of the Delhi airport on January 10 during a joint operation by the Delhi Police and the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), and currently was in judicial custody.
In his bail plea, Kawa had claimed that no purpose would be served by keeping him in custody further.
The police have alleged that Kawa had received Rs 29.5 lakh from Pakistan to fund the terror attack on the historic Red Fort on December 22, 2000, in which three people, including two Army jawans, were killed.
They told the court that Kawa, one of the conspirators in the attack, was absconding for 17 years and had been declared a proclaimed offender.
While Kawa was on the run, a trial court in October 2005, awarded death sentence to Pakistan-based LeT terrorist Mohammad Arif alias Ashfaq. Two key conspirators -- Nazir Ahmed Qasid and his son Farooq Ahmed Qasid -- were awarded life imprisonment.
Additional Sessions Judge O P Saini had also awarded seven-year jail term to Ashfaq's wife Rehmana Yousuf Farooqui, an Indian, for giving shelter to the main accused.
Other convicts -- Bagar Mohsin Baghwala, Sadaqat Ali and Matloob Alam -- were also awarded seven-year rigorous imprisonment.
On September 2007, the Delhi high court had upheld the death sentence to Ashfaq, saying terrorists who have no value for human lives deserved capital punishment.
The high court, however, acquitted six others, including Farooqui, citing lack of sufficient evidence against them. -- PTI
15:15 RBI expects retail inflation to rise to 5.1%
The Reserve Bank is expecting retail inflation to rise to 5.1 per cent in the last quarter of the ongoing fiscal due to rising crude oil prices and hike in salary components of government employees. The central bank has also projected inflation to be in the range of 5.1-5.6 per cent in the first half of 2018-19.
Meanwhile, the RBI has kept the key repo rate, at which it lends to banks, unchanged at 6 per cent. "Domestic pump prices of petrol and diesel rose sharply in January, reflecting lagged pass-through of the past increases in international crude oil prices.
Considering these factors, inflation is now estimated at 5.1 per cent in fourth quarter, including the HRA (house rent allowance) impact," the RBI said in its 6th bi-monthly policy statement today.
The decision of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is consistent with the neutral stance of monetary policy in consonance with the objective of achieving the medium-term target for consumer price index (CPI) inflation of 4 per cent within a band of +/- 2 per cent, while supporting growth, the statement said. In its previous monetary policy statement in December, the RBI had given the consumer price index (CPI) based inflation forecast in the range of 4.3-4.7 per cent, which it had revised upwards from previous estimate, for second half (October-March) of 2017-18.
During the third quarter ended December, the headline inflation averaged to 4.6 per cent, mainly due to an unusual pick-up in food prices in November, the RBI said. Though prices eased in December, the winter seasonal food price moderation was less than usual, it said. -- PTI
Meanwhile, the RBI has kept the key repo rate, at which it lends to banks, unchanged at 6 per cent. "Domestic pump prices of petrol and diesel rose sharply in January, reflecting lagged pass-through of the past increases in international crude oil prices.
Considering these factors, inflation is now estimated at 5.1 per cent in fourth quarter, including the HRA (house rent allowance) impact," the RBI said in its 6th bi-monthly policy statement today.
The decision of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is consistent with the neutral stance of monetary policy in consonance with the objective of achieving the medium-term target for consumer price index (CPI) inflation of 4 per cent within a band of +/- 2 per cent, while supporting growth, the statement said. In its previous monetary policy statement in December, the RBI had given the consumer price index (CPI) based inflation forecast in the range of 4.3-4.7 per cent, which it had revised upwards from previous estimate, for second half (October-March) of 2017-18.
During the third quarter ended December, the headline inflation averaged to 4.6 per cent, mainly due to an unusual pick-up in food prices in November, the RBI said. Though prices eased in December, the winter seasonal food price moderation was less than usual, it said. -- PTI
14:45 RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 6%
Update: The Reserve Bank kept the key policy rate unchanged at 6 per cent for the third consecutive time today in view of firming inflation.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), headed by RBI Governor Urjit Patel had last reduced the benchmark lending rate by 0.25 percentage points to 6 per cent last August, bringing it to a 6-year low. In its December review, the MPC had kept the benchmark interest rate unchanged on concerns of a possible price rise but had left the door ajar for a rate cut in future.
Retail inflation crossed the RBI's comfort level and rose to 5.21 per cent in December on increase in prices of food items. The retail inflation, based on Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 4.88 per cent in November. In December 2015, it was 3.41 per cent.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), headed by RBI Governor Urjit Patel had last reduced the benchmark lending rate by 0.25 percentage points to 6 per cent last August, bringing it to a 6-year low. In its December review, the MPC had kept the benchmark interest rate unchanged on concerns of a possible price rise but had left the door ajar for a rate cut in future.
Retail inflation crossed the RBI's comfort level and rose to 5.21 per cent in December on increase in prices of food items. The retail inflation, based on Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 4.88 per cent in November. In December 2015, it was 3.41 per cent.
14:41 RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 6%
he Reserve Bank of India keeps the repo rate unchanged at 6%, and reverse repo rate at 5.75%. The six-member monetary policy committee of the RBI, headed by the bank's chief Urjit Patel, which met for the last time in this financial year was expected to maintain status quo for the third straight review meeting as retail inflation is hovering close to the central bank's upper tolerance limit.
14:37 Kim Jong-un's sister to be part of winter Olympics delegation
In other news, North Korea plans to send its leader Kim Jong-un's sister to South Korea as part of a delegation to the Winter Olympics, officials in Seoul say. Pyongyang notified Seoul that Kim Yo-jong, an increasingly prominent figure in the country's leadership herself, will accompany Kim Yong-nam, North Korea's nominal head of state, the South's Unification Ministry said. Read more
14:22 PM's peech a farrago of misrepresentations and half truths: Tharoor
Shashi Tharoor on PM's Lok Sabha speech: PM might be a terrific orator but this speech is a farrago of misrepresentations and half truths.
Farrago: noun. Plural farragoes
A confused mixture.
'a farrago of fact and myth about Abraham Lincoln'
Farrago: noun. Plural farragoes
A confused mixture.
'a farrago of fact and myth about Abraham Lincoln'
14:19 Modiji has forgotten he is PM now: Rahul on Modi's LS speech
Rahul Gandhi on PM's speech in Lok Sabha: The PM spoke for more than one hour but didn't speak a word on the Rafale deal, or on farmers or on employment for youth. It was a totally political speech. I think Modiji has forgotten that he is the PM now, he should answer questions and not always accuse the opposition.
14:03 SC cancels Goa miners' lease
In a major setback to the Goa miners, the Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside the renewal of mining lease.The apex court said that mining activity will only be allowed till March 16.The petition was filed in the court challenging the fresh renewal of 88 iron ore mining leases and auctioning them by the Goa government.
The Apex Court has asked the Central government to start a fresh process of an auction for mining companies in Goa.Earlier in October 2012, the apex court suspended all iron ore mining and transportation in the state, following a report submitted by Justice M.B. Shah Commission, which found that millions of tonnes of iron ore were illegally mined by a dozen mining companies. -- ANI
The Apex Court has asked the Central government to start a fresh process of an auction for mining companies in Goa.Earlier in October 2012, the apex court suspended all iron ore mining and transportation in the state, following a report submitted by Justice M.B. Shah Commission, which found that millions of tonnes of iron ore were illegally mined by a dozen mining companies. -- ANI
13:50 We are in an era of honesty: PM
PM Modi speaking in the Lok Sabha for over an hour-and-a-half. He says the govt's efforts to eliminate corruption and black money are hurting a select group of people. "However powerful one was, if one has been corrupt, that person will be punished. We are in an era of honesty," Modi said.
"Lies are being spread to create a sense of disappointment among middle class; govt has given them new benefits of Rs 12,000 cr," he said.
The Opposition continues to shout as the PM speaks.
"Lies are being spread to create a sense of disappointment among middle class; govt has given them new benefits of Rs 12,000 cr," he said.
The Opposition continues to shout as the PM speaks.
13:19 Employment is up, but your eyes are shut: PM
Highlights of the PM's speech.
"Employment is increasing but you have closed your eyes as you are busy singing your songs. Atalji ne kaha hai chhote Mann se koi bada nahi hota aur toote Mann se koi khada nahi hota.
"A government that talked about 21st century could not bring an aviation policy. Then what kind of a 21st century did they talk about, the one with bullock carts?
"Apki taraf se hi aashanka thi ke Modi Aadhaar ko khatam kardega. Par jab Aadhaar ache dhang se laagu hogaya, gareeb ko uska fayda milne laga... toh aapko uska implementation kharab lagne laga."
"Employment is increasing but you have closed your eyes as you are busy singing your songs. Atalji ne kaha hai chhote Mann se koi bada nahi hota aur toote Mann se koi khada nahi hota.
"A government that talked about 21st century could not bring an aviation policy. Then what kind of a 21st century did they talk about, the one with bullock carts?
"Apki taraf se hi aashanka thi ke Modi Aadhaar ko khatam kardega. Par jab Aadhaar ache dhang se laagu hogaya, gareeb ko uska fayda milne laga... toh aapko uska implementation kharab lagne laga."
13:13 Kia showcases concept SUV made just for India
South Korean automaker Kia Motors today unveiled its SP Concept, an SUV designed and developed for the Indian market, at the Auto Expo in Greater Noida. It will be the first product to go on sale in the country in the second half of next year.
"The SP Concept SUV has been designed and developed for the Indian market," Kia Motors Corporation President and CEO Han-Koo Park said here at the Auto Expo.
He said the SP Concept SUV will be the first of the products to be rolled out from the company's plant in Andhra Pradesh, where it has invested USD 1 billion. The plant will have a capacity of 3 lakh units annually.
Between 2019 and 2021, Kia plans to introduce more products and have a diverse portfolio in India, ranging from hatchbacks to SUVs, he said.
The company will also introduce an India-exclusive compact electric vehicle, Park said, without disclosing details.
The company is showcasing 16 products from its global portfolio at the expo.
"The SP Concept provides a glimpse of what's in store for motoring enthusiasts once Kia kicks off retail sales in India in the second half of 2019," the company said.
The vehicle has been inspired by Indian heritage and driven by advanced technology, it added.
Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com.
13:11
Just In: Delhi court sends Indrani Mukerjea, prime accused in Sheena Bora murder case, to judicial custody in connection with the INX Media case.
13:06 Don't give us lessons in democracy: Modi tells Congress
Highlights of the PM's speech.
"Your party leader (Rahul Gandhi) called a press conference and tore apart an order of your cabinet. How can you talk of democracy with such subjugation to only a family.
"After forming govt in 2014 we prioritised North East and worked for its development.
"Chunav se pehle pathar pe naam jadd jaega to kaam ho jaega, apne Barmer refinery mein yehi kiya par jab humne dekha kaam bas kagaz pe hua tha. Humne aaj uss kaam ko prarambh kar diya hai.
"Yeh Narendra Modi Lal Qila se kehta hai ki desh aaj jahan hai usmein peechli saari sarkaron ka yogdaan hai, aisa kisi Congress neta ne kabhi nahi kaha.
"Irrespective of who heads the govt, the aspirations of the brimming middle class youth should always be the top priority.
"Your party leader (Rahul Gandhi) called a press conference and tore apart an order of your cabinet. How can you talk of democracy with such subjugation to only a family.
"After forming govt in 2014 we prioritised North East and worked for its development.
"Chunav se pehle pathar pe naam jadd jaega to kaam ho jaega, apne Barmer refinery mein yehi kiya par jab humne dekha kaam bas kagaz pe hua tha. Humne aaj uss kaam ko prarambh kar diya hai.
"Yeh Narendra Modi Lal Qila se kehta hai ki desh aaj jahan hai usmein peechli saari sarkaron ka yogdaan hai, aisa kisi Congress neta ne kabhi nahi kaha.
"Irrespective of who heads the govt, the aspirations of the brimming middle class youth should always be the top priority.
12:49 Nehru did not give us democracy, it runs in our veins: PM
Highlights of the PM's speech. Opposition MPs raise slogans of jumlebaazi band karo. PM says: Your slogans cannot drown out my voice.
"Loktantra Congress ya Nehru ji ki den nahi hai, Loktantra hamari ragon mein hai hamari parampara mein hai.
"For decades, one party devoted all their energies to serving one family. The interests of the nation were looked over just for the interests of one family.
"PM Modi says the Congress keeps reminding people of the so-called golden era.
"Congress has no right to talk about democracy. When Rajiv Gandhi landed in Hyderabad, how did he behave with a Congress leader Mr. T Anjaiah. He humiliated a big leader, who did not belong to a privileged background:
"How did the Congress act in Kerala, how did they treat the Akali Dal in Punjab, how did they behave in Tamil Nadu? Why did Congress dismiss so many state governments at their will. This is no commitment to democracy.
"If Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel would have been the first PM of the country, entire Kashmir would have been ours.
"Aapke (Congress) muh pe Loktantra shobha nahi deta! Isliiye kripa karke aap humein Loktantra ka paath mat padhaiye.
"The NDA government is building more roads than the previous one. We have given a strong boost to the infrastructure sector across the nation.
"The NDA government has changed the work culture in the nation. Projects are not only thought about well but also executed in a timely manner."
"Loktantra Congress ya Nehru ji ki den nahi hai, Loktantra hamari ragon mein hai hamari parampara mein hai.
"For decades, one party devoted all their energies to serving one family. The interests of the nation were looked over just for the interests of one family.
"PM Modi says the Congress keeps reminding people of the so-called golden era.
"Congress has no right to talk about democracy. When Rajiv Gandhi landed in Hyderabad, how did he behave with a Congress leader Mr. T Anjaiah. He humiliated a big leader, who did not belong to a privileged background:
"How did the Congress act in Kerala, how did they treat the Akali Dal in Punjab, how did they behave in Tamil Nadu? Why did Congress dismiss so many state governments at their will. This is no commitment to democracy.
"If Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel would have been the first PM of the country, entire Kashmir would have been ours.
"Aapke (Congress) muh pe Loktantra shobha nahi deta! Isliiye kripa karke aap humein Loktantra ka paath mat padhaiye.
"The NDA government is building more roads than the previous one. We have given a strong boost to the infrastructure sector across the nation.
"The NDA government has changed the work culture in the nation. Projects are not only thought about well but also executed in a timely manner."
12:35 PM blames Cong for Partition: India suffers because of you
Modi says Partition was a result of Congress' wrong policies. "Not a single day has passed when country has not suffered due to poison sowed by you," he says in Lok Sabha.
As the Opposition continues to protest, the PM said, "Opposition has the right to protest but not disrupt."
As the Opposition continues to protest, the PM said, "Opposition has the right to protest but not disrupt."
12:32 PM blames Congress for Partition: We are still paying for your sins
PM Narendra Modi speaks in Lok Sabha on the motion of thanks to the President's address. Opposition raises loud slogans in Lok Sabha as the Prime Minister speaks.
"Telangana aage badhe iske pakah mein hum bhi hain, par aapne Andhra ke logon ke sath hadbadi mein jo kiya uska nateeja hai ke aaj char saal ke baad bhi samasyaaen hain," the PM said.
"We were also in favour of Telangana. But this is the outcome of hurried-bifurcation keeping polls in mind:
"For decades, one party devoted all their energies to serving one family. The interests of the nation were looked over just for the interests of one family. Aapne Maa Bharat ke tukde kar diye, iske bavajood ye desh aapke sath raha, aap uss zamane mein desh mein raaj kar rahe the jis samay vipaksh na ke barabar tha."
Opposition's loud slogans of 'jhutha bhashan bandh karo', 'jhuthe ashwasan bandh karo' continue as PM Modi speaks.
"Telangana aage badhe iske pakah mein hum bhi hain, par aapne Andhra ke logon ke sath hadbadi mein jo kiya uska nateeja hai ke aaj char saal ke baad bhi samasyaaen hain," the PM said.
"We were also in favour of Telangana. But this is the outcome of hurried-bifurcation keeping polls in mind:
"For decades, one party devoted all their energies to serving one family. The interests of the nation were looked over just for the interests of one family. Aapne Maa Bharat ke tukde kar diye, iske bavajood ye desh aapke sath raha, aap uss zamane mein desh mein raaj kar rahe the jis samay vipaksh na ke barabar tha."
Opposition's loud slogans of 'jhutha bhashan bandh karo', 'jhuthe ashwasan bandh karo' continue as PM Modi speaks.
12:25
Jashodaben being escorted out to the car to hospital where she is being treated.
12:24 The car in which Jashodenben met with an accident
That's the condition of the car which met with an accident in which PM Modi's wife, Jashodaben was travelling. The accident occurred on the highway in Rajasthan's Chittorgarh. She walked out of the car and was taken to the hospital for a medical check up. Doctors said her condition was fine.
12:13
The Congress party's social media head tweets: Divya Spandana/Ramya @divyaspandana Divya Spandana/Ramya Wish her a speedy recovery. Thoughts and prayers with @narendramodi @narendramodi_in @PMOIndia.
The context is Jashodaben's accident. Please scroll down for the story.
The context is Jashodaben's accident. Please scroll down for the story.
11:58 Kota BJP OBC wing head writes to Shah, seeking replacement for Raje
The head of the BJP's Kota district OBC wing, Ashok Choudhary, has written to party chief Amit Shah, seeking replacement for Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and state party chief Ashok Parnami, ahead of the state Assembly polls due this year. The BJP lost two Lok Sabha seats and one Assembly seat in the recently held bypolls in Rajasthan, the results of which were declared on February 1.
The next day, Choudhary wrote to Shah in his party letterhead, saying, "The people of the state are not happy with Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje's style of functioning. The party workers are losing confidence due to her working style."
Describing Parnami as a "slave of Raje", Choudhary alleged that he was continuously causing damage to the organisation. Claiming that Raje had fallen into the bureaucracy "trap", he said the chief minister was leading the party on to a path that headed nowhere but towards defeat. -- PTI
The next day, Choudhary wrote to Shah in his party letterhead, saying, "The people of the state are not happy with Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje's style of functioning. The party workers are losing confidence due to her working style."
Describing Parnami as a "slave of Raje", Choudhary alleged that he was continuously causing damage to the organisation. Claiming that Raje had fallen into the bureaucracy "trap", he said the chief minister was leading the party on to a path that headed nowhere but towards defeat. -- PTI
11:34 PM's wife suffers head injuries in road accident
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wife Jashodaben has been injured in an accident in Rajasthan, NDTV reports, quoting police sources.
One person has reportedly died in the accident, which took place on the Kota-Chittor highway.
Jashodaben has suffered head injuries, the police say and has been taken to a hospital in Chittorgarh. Whether the injuries are superficial or serious is not known yet.
A retired school teacher, Jashodaben was married to Narendra Modi when she was 17.
One person has reportedly died in the accident, which took place on the Kota-Chittor highway.
Jashodaben has suffered head injuries, the police say and has been taken to a hospital in Chittorgarh. Whether the injuries are superficial or serious is not known yet.
A retired school teacher, Jashodaben was married to Narendra Modi when she was 17.
11:27 At 97, yoga guru is India's oldest Padma Shri
V Nanammal -- The Grand Old Lady of Yoga -- is the oldest recipient of the Padma Shri this year. Rediff.com's Archana Masih met the nearly 100-year-old yoga guru who does not wear glasses, has never been to a doctor and can do age defying twists, hauls and bends. Read the story here.
11:21 Muslims must leave India and go to Pakistan, Bangladesh: BJP MP
BJP MP Vinay Katiyar responds to AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi who is demanding a fresh law for protecting Indian Muslims. The BJP MP says that since India was made on the basis of religion, all Muslims must leave India and be sent to Pakistan or Bangladesh.
"There should be a bill that punishes those who do not respect Vande Matram, those who insult the national flag... those who hoist the Pakistani flag, they should be punished," Katiyar said on Owaisi's demand of prosecution for calling Indian Muslims 'Pakistani'.
"Doosri baat ye hai, Musalman iss desh mein rehna hi nahin chahye, unhone jansankhya ke aadhaar par desh ka batwara kardia toh iss desh mein rehne ki kya avashyakta thi? Unko alag bhu-bhaag de dia gaya, Bangladesh ya Pakistan jaayen yahan kya kaam hai unka?"
"There should be a bill that punishes those who do not respect Vande Matram, those who insult the national flag... those who hoist the Pakistani flag, they should be punished," Katiyar said on Owaisi's demand of prosecution for calling Indian Muslims 'Pakistani'.
"Doosri baat ye hai, Musalman iss desh mein rehna hi nahin chahye, unhone jansankhya ke aadhaar par desh ka batwara kardia toh iss desh mein rehne ki kya avashyakta thi? Unko alag bhu-bhaag de dia gaya, Bangladesh ya Pakistan jaayen yahan kya kaam hai unka?"
11:13 PM's wife injured in road accident
PM Modi's wife injured in accident on highway in Rajasthan, one reportedly dead, says NDTV. Details awaited.
11:02 Honda unveils new Amaze, Civic and SRV
Japanese auto major Honda today unveiled three new products, including the all new Amaze, which will hit the market during the upcoming fiscal. The company also unveiled all new CR-V and Civic sedan as part of its plan to launch six new products in the Indian market over the next three years.
"We are committed to the Indian market and aim to launch six models in the coming three years. Today we announce three models which will be launched in 2018-19," Honda Motor Company President and Representative Director Takahiro Hachigo told reporters at the Auto Expo in Greater Noida.
The CR-V will come with diesel engine, while the 10th generation Civic will have both petrol and diesel powertrains. "
While Amaze will strengthen Honda's presence in mass segment, all new CR-V and comeback of Civic will help the company fortify its presence in the premium segment, he added.
The company also showcased electric concepts as part of its green mobility plans.
Photograph: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com.
10:58 Rahul's first janata durbar today is a nod to Indira
Reviving an old tradition of the party, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi today interacted with delegations of its leaders and workers from across the country at the All India Congress Committee headquarters in New Delhi.
According to party sources, Gandhi came to the party headquarters at Akbar Road at around 9:15 am and met delegations of workers from various states, including Delhi, Rajasthan and poll-bound Karnataka. These delegations were listed for appointments with the party chief earlier. Easy accessibility of the Congress president was an issue of debate in the past.
The Congress chief's office at the AICC headquarters has, for several years, remained closed. It was opened once in a while when former party chief Sonia Gandhi came to attend a Congress Working Committee meeting or an important event like the party's foundation day.
The office was recently cleaned up and refurbished for Rahul Gandhi to sit there. In the past, former Congress presidents like Indira Gandhi used to meet the party workers at a 'janata durbar' there.
File pic.
According to party sources, Gandhi came to the party headquarters at Akbar Road at around 9:15 am and met delegations of workers from various states, including Delhi, Rajasthan and poll-bound Karnataka. These delegations were listed for appointments with the party chief earlier. Easy accessibility of the Congress president was an issue of debate in the past.
The Congress chief's office at the AICC headquarters has, for several years, remained closed. It was opened once in a while when former party chief Sonia Gandhi came to attend a Congress Working Committee meeting or an important event like the party's foundation day.
The office was recently cleaned up and refurbished for Rahul Gandhi to sit there. In the past, former Congress presidents like Indira Gandhi used to meet the party workers at a 'janata durbar' there.
File pic.
10:53 Modis India is on course to top China for growth
India matters now and will matter still more in future. It is a democracy; its economy is fast growing; and it will soon be the most populous country in the world. Westerners should passionately desire India to be a successful model of democratic and market-led development. An important question then is whether the government of Narendra Modi, in office since May 2014, has made a decisive difference to India's economic trajectory. The evidence is: not yet. But the reforms it has introduced might make a more noticeable difference in the years ahead. Read the report here.
10:44 'Achche Din has become an albatross around Modi's neck'
"Giving Rs 40,000 standard deduction and taking away other benefits worth Rs 35,000. And increasing cess. These are all tactless decisions. You either give or not give, but what Jaitley has done is irritate the middle class," M R Venkatesh, chartered accountant, political commentator and lawyer, tells Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier.
10:40 Don't have records of Mallya's loans: Finance ministry to CIC
The finance ministry has told the Central Information Commission that it does not have information about the loans given to industrialist Vijay Mallya, prompting the transparency panel to remark that the response was "vague and not sustainable as per law".
Chief Information Commissioner R K Mathur, while hearing the matter of one Rajiv Kumar Khare, told the finance ministry official that the Right to Information (RTI) application filed by the applicant should be transferred to the proper public authority.
The finance ministry official may have claimed that the ministry does not have information on the loans sanctioned by different banks to Mallya or the details of the guarantee given by Mallya against those loans, but the ministry had responded to questions in this regard in Parliament in the past.
Union Minister of State for Finance Santosh Gangwar had responded to a question on Mallya on March 17, 2017, stating that the person, whose name was mentioned (Mallya), was given a loan in September, 2004 and that it was reviewed in February, 2008. The Rs 8,040 crore loan was declared a non-performing asset (NPA) in 2009 and the NPA was restructured in 2010, he had said. -- PTI
Chief Information Commissioner R K Mathur, while hearing the matter of one Rajiv Kumar Khare, told the finance ministry official that the Right to Information (RTI) application filed by the applicant should be transferred to the proper public authority.
The finance ministry official may have claimed that the ministry does not have information on the loans sanctioned by different banks to Mallya or the details of the guarantee given by Mallya against those loans, but the ministry had responded to questions in this regard in Parliament in the past.
Union Minister of State for Finance Santosh Gangwar had responded to a question on Mallya on March 17, 2017, stating that the person, whose name was mentioned (Mallya), was given a loan in September, 2004 and that it was reviewed in February, 2008. The Rs 8,040 crore loan was declared a non-performing asset (NPA) in 2009 and the NPA was restructured in 2010, he had said. -- PTI
10:31 Indian princess gets a Royal Mail stamp
Indian princess Sophia Alexandra Duleep Singh on Tuesday was honoured by the Royal Mail of the UK, which marked the centenary of the suffragette movement with eight special stamps.
Suffragettes were members of women's organisations in the late-19th and early-20th centuries which advocated the extension of the 'franchise' or the right to vote in public elections, to women.Princess Sophia Alexandra Duleep Singh, (August 8 1876-August 22 1948), the daughter of Maharajah Duleep Singh, is the only woman, who has one among the eight stamps to herself.
The image shows Princess Sophia "selling copies of the WSPU newspaper The Suffragette in April 1913. A member of the Women's Tax Resistance League, (whose official motto was 'No Taxation Without Representation'), the princess appeared in court on several occasions after refusing to pay taxes.
"The stamps feature original photographs of campaigning in the decade before the right to vote was passed with the 1918 Representation of the People Act.
During the early twentieth century, Princess Sophia was one of the several South Asian women who pioneered the cause of women's rights in Britain. Although she is best remembered for her leading role in the Women's Tax Resistance League, she also participated in other women's suffrage groups, including the Women's Social and Political Union.
However, she was almost forgotten for 70 years, until BBC journalist Anita Anand, reportedly, came across the image in a magazine, pursued the story of the "Asian woman" behind the picture and wrote a book, Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary.
Princess Sophia's father, Maharaja Duleep Singh, was taken from his kingdom of Punjab to the British Raj owing to political manoeuvring by Governor-General Dalhousie in India, and was subsequently exiled to England.
Her mother was Maharani Bamba Muller, and her godmother was Queen Victoria. She lived in Hampton Court in an apartment in Faraday House given to her by Queen Victoria as a grace and favour. -- PTI
Suffragettes were members of women's organisations in the late-19th and early-20th centuries which advocated the extension of the 'franchise' or the right to vote in public elections, to women.Princess Sophia Alexandra Duleep Singh, (August 8 1876-August 22 1948), the daughter of Maharajah Duleep Singh, is the only woman, who has one among the eight stamps to herself.
The image shows Princess Sophia "selling copies of the WSPU newspaper The Suffragette in April 1913. A member of the Women's Tax Resistance League, (whose official motto was 'No Taxation Without Representation'), the princess appeared in court on several occasions after refusing to pay taxes.
"The stamps feature original photographs of campaigning in the decade before the right to vote was passed with the 1918 Representation of the People Act.
During the early twentieth century, Princess Sophia was one of the several South Asian women who pioneered the cause of women's rights in Britain. Although she is best remembered for her leading role in the Women's Tax Resistance League, she also participated in other women's suffrage groups, including the Women's Social and Political Union.
However, she was almost forgotten for 70 years, until BBC journalist Anita Anand, reportedly, came across the image in a magazine, pursued the story of the "Asian woman" behind the picture and wrote a book, Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary.
Princess Sophia's father, Maharaja Duleep Singh, was taken from his kingdom of Punjab to the British Raj owing to political manoeuvring by Governor-General Dalhousie in India, and was subsequently exiled to England.
Her mother was Maharani Bamba Muller, and her godmother was Queen Victoria. She lived in Hampton Court in an apartment in Faraday House given to her by Queen Victoria as a grace and favour. -- PTI
10:23 Auto Expo kicks off with Maruti unveiling its Concept small car
The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India today made the global unveiling of its Concept compact car with "SUV like characters", kick-starting the biennial Auto Expo in Greater Noida.
Named ConceptFutureS, it is a uniquely styled compact car with distinct SUV like characters and will define the next generation of design for compact vehicles in India, the company said.
MSI is seeking to tap on increasing preference for utility vehicles in the Indian market.
"Compact is the natural choice of India's car customers. Compact needs a fresh design language, one that is bold, confident and dynamic. Our designers have created this brand new design, aggressive on the outside, and bold and inviting interiors," Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Managing Director & CEO Kenichi Ayukawa said while unveiling the vehicle at the expo.
The Auto Expo will be officially inaugurated on Thursday afternoon, and will be open to public from February 9-14.
Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com.
10:09
Delhi-Ahmedabad GoAir flight had a bird hit. The flight had landed at the Ahmedabad airport, all passengers are safe.
10:08 Fringe groups do not see the films they demonise
When intrepid Rajputs dare to venture, Brahmins are too smart to be left behind. Sight unseen, the Karni Sena knew what a good deal looked like. It raised hell over Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat and propelled itself from the fringe to the mainstream. But why should one community, or those who claim to speak in its name, have all the fun? Late last year, the Sarva Brahman Mahasabha, representing the apex of Manu's pecking order, joined ranks with them. They lost the game. The agitation is over, now that the film has been released and activists can no longer claim that it hurt Rajput pride when it patently, splendidly supports it. The Karni Sena's plot-line has been revealed to be inspired fiction, and the whilom activists have turned from vandalising theatres to celebrating the film. Read the full column here.
09:57 Rahul meets party leaders
Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrives at the party headquarters. He will be interacting with delegations of party leaders and workers from across the country.
09:38 After haemorrhaging for 4 days, Sensex recovers
Sensex recovers, up by 238.41 points, currently at 34,434.35; Nifty up by 89.50 points, currently at 10,587.75. The recovery mirrors the rebound by the Dow Jones industrial average, which closed up 567.02
points or 2.33 percent on Tuesday to 24,912.77. The S&P 500 gained
46.2 points to 2,695.14, recovering from the biggest one-day decline in
the index in more than six years on February 5. The Nasdaq Composite
too added 148.36 points, closing at 7,115.88.
Till Tuesday, equities nursed losses for the sixth straight session today as the post-Budget sell-off continued amid a meltdown in the world markets.
Investors saw a wealth erosion of more than Rs 2.72 lakh crore after the BSE Sensex plunged by 561 points to close at a one-month low of 34,195.94.
The broader Nifty too shed 168.30 points to finish at 10,498.25.Global markets nosedived today after a record-breaking loss on Wall Street, extending a global rout as investors fret over rising US borrowing costs.
The Dow on Monday suffered its worst points fall in history and wiped out all its 2018 gains, while the S&P 500 also took a beating.
Till Tuesday, equities nursed losses for the sixth straight session today as the post-Budget sell-off continued amid a meltdown in the world markets.
Investors saw a wealth erosion of more than Rs 2.72 lakh crore after the BSE Sensex plunged by 561 points to close at a one-month low of 34,195.94.
The broader Nifty too shed 168.30 points to finish at 10,498.25.Global markets nosedived today after a record-breaking loss on Wall Street, extending a global rout as investors fret over rising US borrowing costs.
The Dow on Monday suffered its worst points fall in history and wiped out all its 2018 gains, while the S&P 500 also took a beating.
09:25 Wall Street bounces back after another volatile day, global markets stabilize
The extremely volatile Dow Jones industrial average closed up 567.02 points or 2.33 percent on Tuesday to 24,912.77. The S&P 500 gained 46.2 points to 2,695.14, recovering from the biggest one-day decline in the index in more than six years on February 5. The Nasdaq Composite too added 148.36 points, closing at 7,115.88.
However, the Wall Street stock indexes repeatedly swung from positive to negative during Tuesday's trade. The Dow had more than a 1,100-point difference between its intraday high and low, according to MoneyControl.
The Asian markets too came back from the brink, following a hefty bounce in the Wall Street.
Japan's Nikkei rose 2.9 percent, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 2.68 percent.Meanwhile, South Korea's Kospi advanced 0.17 percent. Australia's main index S&P/ASX 200 rallied 1.1 percent, closing at 5,897.10. As the global stocks stabilise, one would expect the same from Sensex and Nifty. -- ANI
However, the Wall Street stock indexes repeatedly swung from positive to negative during Tuesday's trade. The Dow had more than a 1,100-point difference between its intraday high and low, according to MoneyControl.
The Asian markets too came back from the brink, following a hefty bounce in the Wall Street.
Japan's Nikkei rose 2.9 percent, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 2.68 percent.Meanwhile, South Korea's Kospi advanced 0.17 percent. Australia's main index S&P/ASX 200 rallied 1.1 percent, closing at 5,897.10. As the global stocks stabilise, one would expect the same from Sensex and Nifty. -- ANI
08:58 Owaisi wants law providing jail-term for calling Muslims 'Pakistani'
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday demanded that the central government bring out a law that would make calling Indian Muslim 'Pakistani' a punishable offence.
The law should make the offence punishable by three years of imprisonment, Owaisi said while participating in the debate in the Lok Sabha on the motion of thanks to the President's Address.
He, however, also added that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government would not bring such a bill in the Parliament.
The AIMIM chief also termed triple talaq bill as 'anti-women'. -- ANI
The law should make the offence punishable by three years of imprisonment, Owaisi said while participating in the debate in the Lok Sabha on the motion of thanks to the President's Address.
He, however, also added that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government would not bring such a bill in the Parliament.
The AIMIM chief also termed triple talaq bill as 'anti-women'. -- ANI
08:24 World's most powerful rocket launched, 1st step to send humans to Mars
Business tycoon Elon Musk's SpaceX has created history by successfully launching the Falcon Heavy rocket, the most powerful operational rocket in the world, into outer space.
The rocket, which is on its course to the orbit of planet Mars, is the first step in Musk's ambitious dream to send humans to Mars and create a colony on the planet.
The rocket made its successful launch at 3.45 pm Eastern time (2.15 am IST on Wednesday) from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and SpaceX offered a live coverage of the whole process.
As the rocket shot off to outer space, the tree Falcon 9 boosters attached to the engine attempted to land at three different sites back on Earth.
While the two side boosters successfully landed back, the landing of core booster that was supposed to land on SpaceX's drone ship in the Atlantic is yet to be ascertained as the smoke obscured the camera view.
Test rockets typically carry a dummy payload, and Musk chose his cherry red Tesla Roadster along with a dummy driver inside for the ambitious mission.
The SpaceX's live video also cut to a shot inside the car that shows the words 'DON'T PANIC' written on the dashboard.Falcon Heavy can lift more than twice the payload of the next closest operational vehicle, the Delta IV Heavy, at one-third the cost. -- ANI
IMAGE: A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off from historic launch pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday. Photograph: Thom Baur/Reuters
The rocket, which is on its course to the orbit of planet Mars, is the first step in Musk's ambitious dream to send humans to Mars and create a colony on the planet.
The rocket made its successful launch at 3.45 pm Eastern time (2.15 am IST on Wednesday) from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and SpaceX offered a live coverage of the whole process.
As the rocket shot off to outer space, the tree Falcon 9 boosters attached to the engine attempted to land at three different sites back on Earth.
While the two side boosters successfully landed back, the landing of core booster that was supposed to land on SpaceX's drone ship in the Atlantic is yet to be ascertained as the smoke obscured the camera view.
Test rockets typically carry a dummy payload, and Musk chose his cherry red Tesla Roadster along with a dummy driver inside for the ambitious mission.
The SpaceX's live video also cut to a shot inside the car that shows the words 'DON'T PANIC' written on the dashboard.Falcon Heavy can lift more than twice the payload of the next closest operational vehicle, the Delta IV Heavy, at one-third the cost. -- ANI
IMAGE: A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off from historic launch pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday. Photograph: Thom Baur/Reuters
00:04 Manoj Tiwari writes to Rajnath: 'Y' category security detail not enough
Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari has requested the home ministry to boost his security cover to 'Z' category on grounds that the existing detail proved inadequate during an alleged attack on him at Chief Minister Arvind
Kejriwal's home and in view of his campaign visits to states.
Delhi BJP leaders, including Tiwari, had alleged "misbehaviour and attack" by AAP legislators and "anti social elements" at Kejriwal's official residence on January 30, when they had gone there for a discussion to find a way to provide relief to traders affected by the sealing drive in the city.
In his letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Tiwari said he has a 'Y' category security cover, but it proved inadequate in wake of the recent incidents.
"The two incidents - West Bengal government's refusal to provide security during campaigning in the state, and the attack at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence - are enough to prove that the existing security arrangements are not enough," he said in the letter.
He mentioned his visits to other states for "campaigning and expansion" of the party and requested Singh for providing 'Z' category security.
The 'Z' category security detail entails 20-25 commandos covering a protectee. The cover extends to residence of the protectee who is also provided a pilot and an escort vehicle.
Tiwari, an MP from North East Delhi, lives at North Avenue.
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