Among the ministers, six stand out for their particularly high asset declarations, each exceeding Rs 100 crore, the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) said
PTI, New Delhi, 11.06.24: Seventy out of 71 or 99 per cent of the ministers in the new council of ministers are crorepatis with average assets among them amounting to Rs 107.94 crore, according to poll rights body ADR.
Among the ministers, six stand out for their particularly high asset declarations, each exceeding Rs 100 crore, the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) said.
Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development and Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications, tops the list with a staggering total asset declaration of Rs 5705.47 crore. His assets include Rs 5598.65 crore in movable assets and Rs 106.82 crore in immovable assets.
Minister of Communications and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia has declared total assets worth Rs 424.75 crore. His portfolio comprises Rs 62.57 crore in movable assets and Rs 362.17 crore in immovable assets.
Minister of Heavy Industries and Minister of Steel H D Kumaraswamy from the Janata Dal (Secular) has total assets valued at R. 217.23 crore. His assets include Rs 102.24 crore in movable assets and Rs 115.00 crore in immovable assets.
Minister of Railways, Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw has declared assets totaling Rs 144.12 crore, which include Rs. 142.40 crore in movable assets and Rs 1.72 crore in immovable assets.
Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Planning and Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, has total assets amounting to Rs 121.54 crore. His assets comprise Rs 39.31 crore in movable assets and Rs 82.23 crore in immovable assets.
Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, another BJP minister from Mumbai North in Maharashtra, has declared assets worth Rs 110.95 crore. This includes Rs 89.87 crore in movable assets and Rs 21.09 crore in immovable assets.
About 99 per cent of the new ministers are crorepatis. Out of the 71 ministers analyzed, an overwhelming 70 have declared assets in the crorepati range, highlighting a significant concentration of wealth among the country’s political leadership.
The report, which provides a detailed financial overview of these ministers, indicates that the average assets among them amount to Rs 107.94 crore.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with his 71 ministers, took oath on Sunday as the new coalition government was formed after two full tenures in which the BJP enjoyed a majority on its own.
Meghashree Poddar, EOI, 11 June 2024 : Social media has revolutionized communication, fostering connections across vast distances. Item powers individuals to express themselves, engage ing lobal conversations, and access information readily.
However, just like how avocado is often tasteless despite being so ridiculously healthy or how many good-looking people come with nasty characters, social media, too, does have a dark side. The constant barrage of notifications, messages, and online content can be incredibly distracting. Studies link excessive screen time to negative health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, and decreased self-esteem. Digital devices can also strain eyes, cause headaches, and disrupt sleep patterns, further impacting overall well-being.
Furthermore, the curated and often unrealistic portrayals on social media can distort students’ perceptions of reality and hinder their personal development. The constant stream of seemingly perfect lives can lead to feelings of inadequacy and social comparison, impacting self-esteem and potentially contributing to body image issues.
Social media can create pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, leading to a disconnect from one’s authentic self. The infiltration of digital technology into classrooms also presents challenges. The allure of notifications and readily available online content can significantly diminish attention spans and hinder learning. Students accustomed to easily accessible information might struggle with critical thinking and thorough analysis, hindering their ability to develop deeper understanding and problem-solving skills.
This can lead to a reliance on quick online answers rather than in-depth exploration of complex topics.
Digital Detox: A call for balanced technology use:
1. Improved Focus and Attention: By disconnecting from distractions, students can regain control over their time and attention. This fosters amore mindful approach to learning, enabling them to dedicate focused time to studying and engaging in enriching activities that promote personal growth and well-being. Students can develop stronger time management skills and avoid the temptation to multitask, leading to more efficient learning.
2. Enhanced Well-being: A digital detox can reduce stress, anxiety, and improve sleep quality. This leads to increased energy levels, improved focus, and overall well-being. Students can experience a sense of calm and clarity that can benefit both academic and personal pursuits.
3. Stronger Relationships: Disconnecting from screens allows for stronger connections with friends and family through face-to-face interactions. It fosters communication, empathy, and deeper understanding. Students can learn valuable social skills that are essential for success in all aspects of life.
4. Boosted Confidence: Stepping away from the carefully curated world of social media can help students develop a more positive self-image and embrace their authentic selves, free from the pressure to conform to unrealistic online portrayals.
Students can focus on their own strengths and interests, fostering a sense of self-worth and confidence. Digital detox periods offer a valuable opportunity for students to cultivate stronger interpersonal relationships. Disconnecting from screens allows for quality time with friends and family, fostering face-to-face interactions and strengthening social skills.
Additionally, it allows for self-reflection and exploration of interests outside the digital realm. Students can rediscover the joy of real-world activities, engage in creative pursuits, or connect with nature. While the overuse of social media can be detrimental, this article isn’t about giving up technology. It’s about taking back control of our time, focus, and happiness.
A balanced regimen must include:
*Social Media Audit:Regularly evaluate online platforms. Identify and unfollow accounts that create negativity or encourage social comparison. Focus on following accounts that provide positive, inspiring, or educational content.
*Time Tracking: Utilize time-tracking apps or features within social media platforms to monitor daily usage. Analyze the data to identify peak us age times and areas for improvement. Set realistic goals for reducing screen time and track your progress.
*Digital-Free Zones: Designate specific times or areas as “digital-free,” such as during meals, before bed, or in specific study areas. Implement “no-phone” policies during family or social gatherings to enhance real-life interactions.
*Mindful Consumption: Be intentional about the content you engage with. Limit passive scrolling and set a purpose for each social media session. Seek out informative and inspiring content that promotes learning and personal growth.
*Notification Management: Turn off non-essential notifications to minimize distractions and maintain focus.
Consider scheduling specific times to check social media accounts, rather than constantly being bombarded with notifications.
*Digital Detox Periods: Plan regular breaks from social media, such as a weekend without access. Use this time to engage in offline activities, reconnect with nature, and reassess digital habits. Evaluate the impact on your mental and emotional state.
Consider incorporating mindfulness practices, such as meditation or yoga, to further enhance well-being. Technology offers many benefits, but it’s essential to maintain a healthy balance. By implementing these strategies, students can reclaim control over their time, attention, and well-being. This fosters a more positive and productive learning experience, allowing them to thrive in both academic and personal spheres.
Students who are well-rested, focused, and connected to the real world are better equipped to succeed in their studies and build meaningful relationships.
PTI, 10 June 2024 : People affected by fresh incidents of violence in Manipur have started arriving in Assam’s Cachar district in search of safety, the local MLA said on Monday.
Security along the inter-state border has been tightened, a police officer said.
Two police outposts, a forest beat office and at least 70 houses were torched in Jiribam by suspected militants on Saturday, leading to fresh tension in the neighbouring state which has been witnessing ethnic violence since May last year.
Residents of the bordering areas claimed that about 600 people have taken shelter in various parts of Lakhipur in Cachar district, entering the state by crossing the Jiri river over the last four days.
They are taking shelter in villages at Jirighat and Lakhipur, though no government relief camp has been opened for them, they said.
“The people who have come from Manipur are being allowed to stay here safely. The local administration is taking all steps to ensure no spread of any violence here,” Lakhipur MLA Kaushik Rai told PTI.
Cachar Superintendent of Police Nomal Mahatto said that police and other security forces have been deployed in the border areas.
“There are no reports of any untoward incident in Cachar so far. Police patrolling in Jirighat on the border as well as along the national highway and nearby villages is being conducted,” he told PTI.
The SP added that the situation on the Assam side is completely under control and the police are keeping a strict vigil following the violence in Jiribam.
Jiribam, which has a diverse ethnic composition of Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis and non-Manipuris, had so far remained unaffected by the ethnic strife that has been raging in the northeastern state since May last year.
The MLA said that most of the people who have entered Cachar are Kukis and Hmars.
The ethnic conflict between Imphal valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kukis began in May last year and led to the deaths of over 200 people, besides rendering thousands of people homeless.
PSikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Photo: IANS)
SNS | Gangtok | June 10, 2024 : Prem Singh Tamang, the president of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), was on Monday sworn in as the Chief Minister of Sikkim for the second consecutive term.
This follows his party’s overwhelming victory in the recent assembly elections, where the SKM secured 31 out of 32 seats. The swearing-in ceremony, held at Paljor Stadium, was conducted by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and witnessed by a large crowd.
Tamang, 56, who successfully led the SKM to this decisive win, was also elected unanimously as the leader of the legislature party during a meeting on June 2.
Alongside him, a council of ministers consisting of 12 members, including the Chief Minister, was also sworn in.
To ensure the security of the event, the state government ordered the closure of all educational institutions in and around Gangtok on Monday.
Additionally, a half-day holiday was declared for all government offices and public sector undertakings (PSUs) located in the vicinity.
“In view of the swearing-in ceremony of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Designate and the Council of Ministers Designate…the state government hereby declares, 10th June, 2024 as a half working day till 12 noon, for all government offices and PSUs located in and around Gangtok,” Chief Secretary V B Pathak announced in a circular issued by the Home Department.
Tamang’s leadership has been pivotal for the SKM. Under his guidance, the party not only triumphed in the assembly elections but also secured the lone Lok Sabha seat in Sikkim.
He contested and won from both the Rhenock and Soreng-Chakung constituencies, showcasing his strong political influence and popularity.
The SKM’s victory marks a significant shift in Sikkim’s political landscape, further diminishing the influence of the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which ruled the state for 25 consecutive years until 2019.
The SDF managed to win only one seat in the recent elections, highlighting the extent of SKM’s dominance.
Prem Singh Tamang has promised to continue working towards the development and prosperity of Sikkim.
His administration aims to address various issues facing the state, including improving infrastructure, healthcare, and education, while maintaining the cultural heritage and environmental sustainability of Sikkim.
Shivraj debuts as Agriculture Minister, Kumaraswamy gets steel, Portfolios of Sitharaman, Jaishankar, Gadkari remain unchanged
PTI, 10 June 2024 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s top four ministers — Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar — have retained their respective home, defence, finance and external affairs portfolios, according to an official statement.
Among the new entrants to the Union Cabinet, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been given the agriculture and rural development portfolios, BJP president J P Nadda the health portfolio and former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar the power portfolio.
Nitin Gadkari will continue as road transport minister, while Dharmendra Pradhan will retain his education portfolio.
Kiren Rijiju has been moved from the earth sciences ministry to the parliamentary affairs ministry, while Arjun Ram Meghwal will continue as law minister.
Sarbananda Sonowal has retained the shipping portfolio, according to the statement.
Modi and 71 ministers took oath of office and secrecy on Sunday at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the new agriculture and rural development minister, while BJP president J.P. Nadda has been given the health ministry.
Nadda had held the same portfolio in the Modi government’s first term before he took over as the BJP’s working president in 2019 and became the full-fledged party president in January 2020 after Amit Shah was appointed as the Union home minister.
The portfolios were announced after Modi held the first meeting of his new cabinet on Monday evening.
The meeting was held at the prime minister’s 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, residence a day after the swearing-in of the new NDA government. Modi and 71 ministers took oath of office and secrecy on Sunday at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Here is the complete list of cabinet ministers and their portfolios
Rajnath Singh – Minister of Defence.
Amit Shah – Minister of Home Affairs; and Minister of Cooperation
Nitin Gadkari – Minister of Road Transport and Highways
JP Nadda – Minister of Health and Family Welfare; and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Shivraj Singh Chouhan – Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; and Minister of Rural Development
Nirmala Sitharaman – Minister of Finance; and Minister of Corporate Affairs.
S. Jaishankar – Minister of External Affairs
Manohar Lal Khattar – Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs; and Minister of Power.
H. D. Kumaraswamy – Minister of Heavy Industries; and Minister of Steel
Piyush Goyal – Minister of Commerce and Industry
Dharmendra Pradhan – Minister of Education
Jitan Ram Manjhi – Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Lalan Singh – Minister of Panchayati Raj; and Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Sarbananda Sonowal – Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Virendra Kumar – Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment
Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu – Minister of Civil Aviation
Pralhad Joshi – Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Minister of New and Renewable Energy
Jual Oram – Minister of Tribal Affairs
Giriraj Singh – Minister of Textiles
Ashwini Vaishnaw – Minister of Railways; Minister of Information and Broadcasting; and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.
Jyotiraditya M. Scindia – Minister of Communications; and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region.
Bhupender Yadav – Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat – Minister of Culture; and Minister of Tourism
Annpurna Devi – Minister of Women and Child Development
Kiren Rijiju – Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minister of Minority Affairs
Hardeep Singh Puri – Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Mansukh Mandaviya – Minister of Labour and Employment; and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
G. Kishan Reddy – Minister of Coal; and Minister of Mines
Chirag Paswan – Minister of Food Processing Industries
Historically, Kurseong was a small village in the kingdom of Sikkim. Its name is derived from the local word “Kurson-Rip”, meaning a small white orchid
An aerial view of Kuresong town: Picture by Passang Yolmo
Bireswar Banerjee, TT, Siliguri, 10.06.24 : The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will launch a 7km white orchid heritage walk to attract tourists to Kurseong.
Historically, Kurseong was a small village in the kingdom of Sikkim. Its name is derived from the local word “Kurson-Rip”, meaning a small white orchid.
Kurseong is now affectionately called the land of the white orchids and hence the name of the heritage walk.
“The road to Darjeeling that was built through Kurseong from Titliya is known as the Military Road and despite its current state of disrepair we plan to introduce ‘White Orchid Heritage Walk’ through these stretches to attract not just adventure sports enthusiasts but also send across a message to conserve nature,” said Dawa Gyalpo Sherpa, the chief coordinator, adventure tourism, GTA.
The trek will start from Dokan Dara and take hikers through patches where wild orchids are grown along with pine tree forest and Chinese bamboo forests in Kurseong.
Hikers can also experience the traditional lifestyle and culture of the local people at Chitray busty.
“A visit to Kali Pokhari, a small sacred pond with historical and cultural importance, has also been included in the itinerary,” said a GTA official.
The daylong hike, which starts from 5,100 feet and ends at an altitude of 7,137 feet, is classified as a “moderate level” hike.
The hike is expected to start from the third week of June.
Sources said that the GTA is trying various initiatives to attract tourists to Kurseong which is largely overshadowed by Darjeeling.
Last week, the GTA tourism department introduced paragliding from Giddepahar to Rohini in the subdivision.
A source said they are also working out plans to introduce mountain biking from Darjeeling More (in Siliguri) to Tindharia and rock climbing at Kurseong.
Echoing the sentiment of the BJP allies in Darjeeling, Neeraj Zimba, Darjeeling MLA and secretary-general of Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), said that it was now long overdue that a Gorkha community member be represented in the Union ministry
Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, 10.06.24 : Discontentment brewed in Darjeeling hills and across the Gorkha diaspora in the country as no representative from the community found a place in Narendra Modi’s ministry announced on Sunday.
The BJP’s Raju Bista was re-elected as the Darjeeling MP in the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls.
Echoing the sentiment of the BJP allies in Darjeeling, Neeraj Zimba, Darjeeling MLA and secretary-general of Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), said that it was now long overdue that a Gorkha community member be represented in the Union ministry.
“The Gorkhas have been voting for the BJP since 2009 despite the BJP not having fulfilled any of its promises to the community. Our representative should be included in the ministry without us even demanding it,” said Zimba, who successfully contested the Assembly polls on a BJP ticket twice.
In the past, the BJP had promised a tribal status to 11 Gorkha communities and a permanent political solution (PPS) for the region. Although the BJP did not define PPS, most in the hills perceive it as statehood.
Both the tribal and PPS promises remain unfulfilled.
“Our representation in the Union ministry is long overdue now. We cannot always be taken for granted. Our Darjeeling MP Raju Bista won with one of the highest margins in Bengal and a better margin than our Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” said Zimba.
In 2019, Bista won by a margin of over 4 lakh. This year, the margin was 1.78 lakh. Modi won his Varanasi seat by a 1.52 lakhs this time.
The demand for a ministry for a Gorkha representative has come up strongly this year as the community has been increasingly feeling betrayed by the BJP for failing to address the community’s concerns. The drop in victory margin of Bista this year is an indicator, said an observer.
Not just Zimba and BJP allies, but even other hill leaders not directly linked with the BJP have sought a ministerial berth for Darjeeling MP Raju Bista.
“The BJP owes a debt to Darjeeling…. It is only fair that Raju Bista be included in the ministry,” said Binay Tamang, a well-known face in Darjeeling politics.
In this Lok Sabha, the Gorkha community is also represented by Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) MP Indra Hang Subba. The SKM is an NDA constituent.
However, the pitch is more for Bista, as Darjeeling is considered to be the epicentre for Indian Gorkhas in all aspects, from cultural to political.
In the previous Modi government, three BJP MPs from north Bengal were included in the cabinet as junior ministers — Nisith Pramanik, John Barla and Debasree Chaudhuri. None of them is an MP this time.Courtesy & source- The Telegraph
MP, 10 June 2024, Siliguri: Bhaktinagar Police arrested one more person accused in the vandalism incident at Ramakrishna Mission in Siliguri. Till now, 11 persons have been arrested in the case.
The accused has been identified as Sushanta Das (52), a resident of Milanmore area of Siliguri. He was arrested on Saturday night from Gandhi Maidan area in Siliguri.
The arrested person is a notorious land mafia against whom there have been several land grabbing cases.
On May 19 at around 3:30 am, Pradeep Roy, an infamous land grabber of the area along with 10 to 12 other miscreants, armed with firearms and other sharp weapons, entered the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram and tried to take possession of it.
Threatening the monks with dire consequences, the man handled the monks and forced them out of the premises.
Police have already arrested the prime accused Pradeep Roy and 9 others. Further investigation is ongoing. The property has been restored to the Mission.
PTI, New Delhi, Jun 9, 2024 : The NIA has arrested a militant currently lodged in an Assam jail for his alleged involvement in the killing of four civilians in Manipur’s Bishnupur district earlier this year, the probe agency said in a statement on Sunday.
Lunminsei Kipgen alias Langinmang alias Mang alias Levi, a resident of Manipur, was arrested on Saturday by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Central Jail, Lokhra, in Guwahati under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act, it said.
He is the first accused to be arrested for the gruesome killings on January 18, when armed assailants brutally murdered four civilians near the water treatment plant at Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou, Bishnupur, the NIA statement said.
“The NIA on Saturday arrested one person, currently in Guwahati jail in another case, in connection with the killing of four civilians in Manipur’s Bishnupur district,” it added.
The assailants had opened indiscriminate fire from sophisticated weapons, leading to the civilians’ deaths, the probe agency said.
The NIA, which had registered a case on February 9, found during the investigation that Lunminsei Kipgen was actively involved in the attack, which was part of the ongoing ethnic unrest and violence in the northeastern state.
Previously a cadre of the Kuki militant outfit KNF(P), he joined another Kuki militant organisation — the United Kuki National Army — during the current spate of violence and participated in the killings, it added.
PTI, IMPHAL, JUNE 9, 2024 : The situation in Manipur’s Jiribam district remained “tense” but under control on Sunday, after suspected militants torched two police outposts and at least 70 houses in a fresh bout of violence in the state, police said.
Additional security forces have been deployed in the affected areas following the incident on Saturday, they said.
“The situation is tense but under control in the wake of violent disturbances that broke out in Jiribam district in which miscreants torched two police pickets, a forest beat office… and several houses belonging to both Meitei and Kuki communities, the Manipur Police said in a statement.
More than 70 houses were set on fire in Lamtai Khunou, Dibong Khunou, Nunkhal and Begra villages, a senior police officer said.
Police is also actively monitoring social media updates, which may incite communal feelings amongst the communities and requests general public to refrain from spreading unfounded/unverified information,” it said.
Violence broke out in Jiribam in the ethnic strife-torn state on Thursday evening, after suspected militants killed a 59-year-old man.
The person, identified as Soibam Saratkumar Singh, went missing after he had gone to his farm on June 6 and later, his body was found with wounds made by a sharp object, an official had said.
Meanwhile, an irate mob stopped a truck at Sorok Atingbi Khunou late on Saturday and reportedly torched essential commodities it was carrying, a police officer said.
A contingent of more than 70 state police commandos was airlifted from Imphal to Jiribam to assist security personnel in their operations against militants, he said.
Around 239 Meitei people, mostly women and children, have been evacuated from peripheral areas of Jiribam on Friday, and moved to a newly set up relief camp at a multi-sports complex in the district, officials added.
The state government has also transferred Jiribam SP A Ghanashyam Sharma to the post of additional director of the Manipur Police Training College, according to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms.
The transfer order was issued hours after police outposts of Jiri Mukh and Choto Bekra, and the Goakhal forest beat office were set afire on Saturday morning, they said.
Reacting to the incidents of fresh violence, newly elected Congress MP from the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, urged the Manipur government to protect the lives and properties of the people of Jiribam.
Jiribam, which has a diverse ethnic composition of Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis and non-Manipuris, had so far remained unaffected by the ethnic strife that has been raging in the northeastern state since May last year.
The ethnic conflict between Imphal valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kukis has led to the deaths of over 200 people, and rendered thousands of people homeless.
PTI, Kolkata, Jun 9, 2024 : Shantanu Thakur, a second-time BJP MP from West Bengal’s Bangaon Lok Sabha constituency and a leading figure of the backward Matua community in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, was inducted into the Union cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
Thakur has been a strong advocate of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) since 2019, asserting it would grant “legal citizenship” to members of the Matua community.
He sought to alleviate confusion among the Matuas regarding the submission of applications for citizenship under the CAA, weathering all opposition attacks from the TMC and other parties.
He further claimed that while Aadhaar cards do not grant constitutional citizenship upon the Matuas, the CAA would rectify this.
Thakur consistently highlighted the importance of the CAA, stating that no opposition leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, could safeguard the community in the event of an NRC exercise in the future.
The Matuas, originally from East Pakistan, are a marginalised Hindu community that migrated to India during the Partition and after the creation of Bangladesh due to religious persecution.
Thakur first became a member of the Lok Sabha from Bongaon constituency in 2019.
He had been at odds with family member and rival Matua community leader Mamatabala Thakur, who was elected from the seat in the 2015 byelections, but was defeated by Shantanu in 2019.
Shantanu Thakur, the second son of former West Bengal minister and TMC leader Manjul Krishna Thakur, entered politics in 2015 when he unsuccessfully contested the Bangaon Lok Sabha bypolls from the BJP, finishing third.
The 42-year-old was successful in his second attempt in 2019 and wrested the seat again in 2024.
Appointed as the MoS for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways by Modi in 2021, Thakur told reporters, “Since taking on this responsibility, I have done my best to harness the vast network of navigable waterways and worked towards developing and utilizing the infrastructure and true potential of the ports in the east, including Bengal.”
He added, “As a loyal worker of the party, I am ready to fulfill any responsibility entrusted to me to the best of my ability. I am thankful to the BJP and my leader Narendra Modi for everything. I will discharge my responsibilities to the best of my ability.”
Despite the BJP’s tally decreasing to 12 amid a poor performance by party stalwarts like former Union minister Nisith Pramanik and Dilip Ghosh, who were defeated by their TMC counterparts, Thakur retained his seat with a margin of 73,693 votes.
Despite strong campaigns by the TMC against Thakur, questioning his nationality, the president of the All India Matua Mahasangha received the majority’s backing in his constituency.
Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, J P Nadda, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nirmala Sitharaman, S. Jaishankar and others sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately after being sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi on Sunday. PTI
TT, New Delhi, 09.06.24 : H D Kumaraswamy, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Rajiv Ranjan lallan singh, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu take oath as ministers.
Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, JP Nadda, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishankar, Manohar Lal, Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, Sarbananda Sonowal, Virendra Kumar, Pralhad Joshi, Jual Oram, Giriraj Singh, Ashwini Vaishnaw sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu
Narendra Modi sworn in as Prime Minister for historic third term
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Rashtrapati Bhawan for oath-taking ceremony
“We are going to attend this ceremony because of our constitutional duty. It is my duty as I am the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha,” says Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as he heads towards Rashtrapati Bhawan to attend the oath-taking ceremony of new government
Billionaire businessmen Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani arrive at Rashtrapati Bhawan to attend the swearing-in ceremony
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu arrives at Rashtrapati Bhavan to attend the swearing-in ceremony
Bollywood celebrities Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Vikrant Massey, Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani arrive at Rashtrapati Bhawan
UP CM Yogi Adityanath, former MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Rajya Sabha MPs Nirmala Sitharaman, Ashwini Vaishnaw arrive at Rashtrapati Bhavan for the swearing-in ceremony, reports Indian Express
BJP leader Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said he will take oath as the Cabinet Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and vowed to serve the nation with zeal and devotion. “I will take oath as Cabinet Minister around 7.30 pm on 9th June 2024,” Rijiju, the Earth Sciences Minister in the outgoing government, said in a post on X. Rijiju said that he had taken oath as Minister of State in 2014, Minister of State with Independent Charge in 2019 and as the Cabinet Minister in 2021.”Thank you Arunachal Pradesh, @narendramodi Ji, @BJP4India and people of India. I will serve the nation with greater zeal and devotion,” he said. Rijiju won the fourth term from Arunachal West Lok Sabha seat in the recent general elections
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravneet Singh Bittu, who lost the Lok Sabha elections from Ludhiana in Punjab, said Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi has chosen him for the council of ministers to ensure Punjab’s progress, according to media reports
Prior to the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with a group of NDA leaders, many of whom are likely to be appointed as ministers in the central government, reports PTI. During the meeting, prominent figures from the BJP and leaders of NDA coalition partners were seated in the front row as the Prime Minister addressed the gathering
Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi is set to take oath on Sunday for a third straight term, equalling the feat of first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, as the head of a coalition government after two full tenures in which the BJP enjoyed a majority on its own.
Hectic parleys involving BJP leadership and allies were on over the share of berths of different constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the new government.
Senior BJP leaders such as Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh besides party president J P Nadda have been consulting the allies, including Telugu Desam Party’s N Chandrababu Naidu, JD(U)’s Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde, to finalise their share of representation in the government.
There is a view that heavyweight portfolios like home, finance, defence and external affairs besides education and culture, two ministries with strong ideological hues, will be kept by the BJP, while its allies can get anywhere between five to eight cabinet berths.
While leaders like Shah and Singh are seen within the party as a certainty in the new Cabinet, former chief ministers who have won the Lok Sabha polls like Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Basavaraj Bommai, Manohar Lal Khattar and Sarbananda Sonowal are strong contenders for joining the government.
Ram Mohan Naidu of the TDP, Lalan Singh, Sanjay Jha and Ram Nath Thakur of the JD(U), and Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) are among the allies who may be a part of the new government, sources said, adding that either Singh or Jha will be accommodated from the JD(U) quota.
Maharashtra, where the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance has fared poorly, and Bihar, where the opposition has shown signs of revival, may be in the focus during the government-formation exercise.
Assembly polls are due in the western state in October, while polls will be held in Bihar next year.
Impending changes within the BJP’s organisation will also be on the mind of its brain trust in finalising the names of ministers from the party.
Nadda’s term was extended due to the Lok Sabha polls, and organisational imperatives will be an important consideration for the party as the poll results have sent signals that all may not be well within its vast machinery.
This opens the possibility of some seasoned hand being sent to the party and Nadda being given a berth in the government, the sources said.
The desertion by a section of voters, especially from the Scheduled Castes and other deprived sections of society, may also be a guiding factor in government formation even though Modi had made a point to increase their relative representation in his outgoing term.
Nehru is the only prime minister who held the post after three consecutive elections after independence.
The BJP is keen to send out a message of continuity and ward off any impression of political vulnerability following its surprising below-par show in the Lok Sabha polls as its seat tally fell to 240 from 303, considerably short of the majority mark of 272.
The government has announced that leaders of several neighbouring countries, including from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Mauritius, will be attending the swearing-in ceremony slated to take place at 7:15 PM on Sunday at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose a white kurta and churidar with a blue chequered jacket as he took oath for the consecutive third time on Sunday.
Modi paired his dress with black shoes for the swearing-in ceremony at the forecourts of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
When he took oath as the prime minister for the first time in 2014, Modi had worn a cream linen kurta-pyjama with a beige golden jacket. For his 2019 swearing-in ceremony, the prime minister had chosen a similar dress paired with a beige jacket.
Kurtas and bandhgala jackets are Modi’s popular choice on important occasions. He is also known for sporting flamboyant and colourful turbans during Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations.
Modi chose a multi-coloured “bandhani” print safa for his Republic Day look in January this year.
He is the second PM after Jawaharlal Nehru to be elected for a third consecutive term.
Along with Modi, senior BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and Amit Shah also took oath as the cabinet ministers, while party president J P Nadda returned to the cabinet after five years, indicating the prime minister’s focus on continuity and experience in his third term.
PTI, June 9, 2024 : Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut on Saturday criticised people praising the CISF woman constable who allegedly slapped her, asking if they also justify “rape or murder”. Ranaut, in a video message on Thursday, said she was hit in the face and abused by the constable during a security check at the Chandigarh airport. “If you are aligned with the criminals strong emotional impulse to commit a crime violating all laws of the land.
“Remember if you are ok with breaking in to someone’s intimate zone, without their permission touching their bodies and assaulting them then deep down you are ok with rape or murder also because that’s also just penetration or stab only what big deal, you must look deeper in to your psychological criminal tendencies (sic),” the 37-year-old posted on X. In her video message, Ranaut said she was hit in the face and abused by a CISF constable, who appeared to be upset with the actor over her stance on the farmer protests, during security check at the Chandigarh airport.
The ugly fracas broke out two days after she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. Kulwinder Kaur, the accused CISF personnel, has been suspended and an investigation has been launched. The CISF, tasked with providing security at airports, has also ordered a court of inquiry into the incident.
In her latest post, Ranaut also advised people to “take up yoga and meditation or else life will become a bitter and burdensome experience”.
“Don’t carry so much grudge, hate and jealousy please , free yourself,” the actor added.
Earlier on Saturday, Ranaut found support from cinema veteran Shabana Azmi, who said security officials should not take law into their hands.
In a post on X, Azmi said though she has “no love lost” for Ranaut, she wouldn’t join people who are celebrating the “slap”. “I have no love lost for Kangana Ranaut. But I can’t find myself joining this chorus of celebrating ‘the slap’. If security personnel start taking law into their hands, none of us can be safe,” Azmi wrote.
Azmi’s husband, veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar, has filed a defamation case against Ranaut over her remarks that he had threatened her. The case is still in court.
CISF cop to get gold ring engraved with Periyar’s image
COIMBATORE: Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (TPDK) in Coimbatore is planning to send a gold ring engraved with Periyar’s image to CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur who slapped actor and newly elected BJP MP Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport a few days ago.
TPDK general secretary Ku Ramakrishnan on Saturday said, “We are planning to send an eight gram gold ring on Monday to appreciate Kulwinder Kaur who stood up for the farmers. Her mother was among the farmers holding a sit-in protest against farm laws.”
“We will send the ring to Kulwinder Kaur’s home address. If the courier services won’t accept gold ring, we will send one of our members to her home, either by train or flight, to hand over the ring along with some books about Periyar,” he said.
CISF woman constable gets offer of legal assistance
CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur, who has been booked under IPC sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) for allegedly slapping actor and BJP MP-elect Kangana Ranaut, has got legal assistance support.
According to Times of India, Kulwinder has received support from individuals and organisations, some of whom offered her monetary and legal help if she was arrested or dismissed from service.As per TOI, 82-year-old farm activist Mohinder Kaur, who had previously filed a defamation suit against Kangana for her remarks on the farm protest, has offered support to the suspended constable.
“Kangana has no of how to speak. Since she has been elected as an MP, she should be polite. She tried to brand Punjabis as extremists. She used derogatory words for us,” the octogenarian told the paper.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to have a third term in the post
Vasudha Mukherjee, Business Standard, New Delhi, Jun 09 2024 : Narendra Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister for a third term on Sunday evening, marking a historic moment in Indian politics. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the presidential palace in New Delhi at 7:15 PM, attended by over 9,000 guests, including heads of state from neighbouring countries and the Indian Ocean region.
At 73, Narendra Modi becomes the first Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to have a third term in the post. India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, won the post in 1952, 1957 and 1962 General Elections.
President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office in a grand ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Who attended PM Modi’s oath-taking ceremony?
Notable foreign leaders in attendance included Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu, Seychelles’ Vice President Ahmed Afif, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
Special invitees included workers who contributed to the construction of the New Parliament House and other key projects. Surekha Yadav, the first woman loco-pilot of the Vande Bharat Express, was among the 10 loco-pilots invited. Representatives of the transgender community and beneficiaries of various central government welfare schemes were also likely to attend.
Ahead of the ceremony, Modi visited Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. At 73, Modi has equalled the record of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who won the 1952, 1957, and 1962 general elections.
BJP coalition government: Who will be on the Cabinet?
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Modi, formed the government alongside its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners after failing to secure a majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP won 240 seats, falling 32 short of the required majority in the 543-member lower house of parliament, marking its weakest performance in a decade.
Alongside the Prime Minister, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, BJP President J P Nadda, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Shivraj Chauhan also took their oaths as Union Cabinet Ministers.
Coalition members, especially larger parties, are expected to have demanded concessions from Modi, including ministerial posts in the cabinet. Leaders of the 15-member coalition, such as Andhra Pradesh chief minister-designate N Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar’s political leader Nitish Kumar, began negotiations in New Delhi earlier this week to provide the necessary numbers for Modi to govern for a third five-year term.
PTI, New Delhi, 09.06.24 : Banners of Prime Minister-Designate Narendra Modi are put up ahead of his swearing-in ceremony as PM for the third consecutive term, in New Delhi, Sunday, June 9, 2024.
Prior to the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with a group of NDA leaders, many of whom are likely to be appointed as ministers in the central government. During the meeting, prominent figures from the BJP and leaders of NDA coalition partners were seated in the front row as the Prime Minister addressed the gathering
Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi is set to take oath on Sunday for a third straight term, equalling the feat of first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, as the head of a coalition government after two full tenures in which the BJP enjoyed a majority on its own.
Hectic parleys involving BJP leadership and allies were on over the share of berths of different constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the new government.
Senior BJP leaders such as Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh besides party president J P Nadda have been consulting the allies, including Telugu Desam Party’s N Chandrababu Naidu, JD(U)’s Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde, to finalise their share of representation in the government.
There is a view that heavyweight portfolios like home, finance, defence and external affairs besides education and culture, two ministries with strong ideological hues, will be kept by the BJP, while its allies can get anywhere between five to eight cabinet berths.
While leaders like Shah and Singh are seen within the party as a certainty in the new Cabinet, former chief ministers who have won the Lok Sabha polls like Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Basavaraj Bommai, Manohar Lal Khattar and Sarbananda Sonowal are strong contenders for joining the government.
Ram Mohan Naidu of the TDP, Lalan Singh, Sanjay Jha and Ram Nath Thakur of the JD(U), and Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) are among the allies who may be a part of the new government, sources said, adding that either Singh or Jha will be accommodated from the JD(U) quota.
Maharashtra, where the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance has fared poorly, and Bihar, where the opposition has shown signs of revival, may be in the focus during the government-formation exercise.
Assembly polls are due in the western state in October, while polls will be held in Bihar next year.
Impending changes within the BJP’s organisation will also be on the mind of its brain trust in finalising the names of ministers from the party.
Nadda’s term was extended due to the Lok Sabha polls, and organisational imperatives will be an important consideration for the party as the poll results have sent signals that all may not be well within its vast machinery.
This opens the possibility of some seasoned hand being sent to the party and Nadda being given a berth in the government, the sources said.
The desertion by a section of voters, especially from the Scheduled Castes and other deprived sections of society, may also be a guiding factor in government formation even though Modi had made a point to increase their relative representation in his outgoing term.
Nehru is the only prime minister who held the post after three consecutive elections after independence.
The BJP is keen to send out a message of continuity and ward off any impression of political vulnerability following its surprising below-par show in the Lok Sabha polls as its seat tally fell to 240 from 303, considerably short of the majority mark of 272.
The government has announced that leaders of several neighbouring countries, including from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Mauritius, will be attending the swearing-in ceremony slated to take place at 7:15 PM on Sunday at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
‘Beware of the website http://westbengalfreerecharge. blogspot.com claiming free mobile recharges. This is a Cyber Fraud’
TT, Calcutta, 08.06.24: Kolkata Police have issued an advisory against a fake link that says chief minister Mamata Banerjee has initiated a scheme of free mobile recharge of ₹239.
In reality, the link leads those who click on it into a gaming site.
The police have alerted citizens through their social media handles mentioning that it is a cyber fraud. “Beware of the website http://westbengalfreerecharge. blogspot.com claiming free mobile recharges. This is a Cyber Fraud. Do not click on the link or you might face financial loss. Stay vigilant! Legal action is being taken against miscreants circulating such messages.”
The fake free-charge offer was circulated through WhatsApp and text messages. It mentioned that under the initiative of Mamata Banerjee, one can get a phone recharge of ₹239 for 28 days free by clicking on a link.
A senior police officer in Lalbazar said they came across several people who received these messages.
“We don’t yet know of anyone who has been cheated or defrauded through it till now. We wanted everyone to know that this is a fraud link and one must not click on it,” said the officer.
Another officer said by clicking on the link, a new screen appears and on clicking “OK” the screen is diverted to a page which ultimately leads to a gaming site.
“We have not come across anyone who has clicked on the gaming site or incurred any loss. But it is certainly not a mobile recharge site,” said the second officer.
A probe has been launched to find out the creators of the link and those who circulated it on social media.
A cyber crime cell officer said it was never advisable to click on unknown links even if they offered a discount or freebie.
Besides the victors, there are ‘many’ among 30 defeated BJP candidates in Bengal who have been attempting back-channel parleys for induction into Trinamool, said the sources
Meghdeep Bhattacharyya, TT, Calcutta, 08.06.24 : The supreme leadership of the Trinamool Congress, according to sources, is considering the prudence in allowing in two or three of “at least five” of the BJP’s 12 MPs from Bengal, who are in touch with Mamata Banerjee’s party with hopes of switching sides before any of those elected to the 18th Lok Sabha is sworn in.
Besides the victors, there are “many” among 30 defeated BJP candidates in Bengal who have been attempting back-channel parleys for induction into Trinamool, said the sources.
“Two, if not three, of the BJP’s 12 Lok Sabha members from Bengal might actually be allowed in even before anybody is sworn in as an MP this time,” said a source in the senior leadership of Trinamool, aware of deliberations currently underway in the topmost tiers of Bengal’s ruling party.
The swearing-in is likely to take place by mid-June, which is in about a week.
“There are at least five of the 12 who want to jump ship, but a couple of them are waiting to see if they are offered Union cabinet berths by their national leadership, in order to keep them from leaving,” the source added.
If Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee ultimately allow it, the BJP’s national tally would sink to the 230s, from the current 240, and make Narendra Modi — about to be sworn in as a much weakened Prime Minister for his third term — even more dependent on unreliable allies of the NDA to stay ahead of the majority mark of 272 in the Lower House.
Nitish Kumar’s JDU (12 MPs) and N. Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP (16 MPs) are constituents of the NDA whose current tally is 293. The JDU and the TDP had left the NDA before.
“Mind you, there are more than 10 MPs of NDA allies who are already in touch with various INDIA partners in several other states, similarly exploring possibilities of defection,” said a source in Trinamool aware of discussions within the INDIA space in Delhi over the past 72 hours.
“Trinamool is confident of winning bypolls, if necessary. But not everyone is. Such MPs are looking to make use of a grey area in the defection rules, which leave scope for convoluted litigation instead of immediate resignation if the defections take place between the election victory and the swearing-in,” the source said.
With 29 of Bengal’s 42 Lok Sabha members, Trinamool is already the third-largest force in INDIA, after the Congress and the SP which has 37 MPs.
“Kalighat (home of the aunt and the nephew) is considering this only for the sake of the further weakening of the BJP, and not just nationally. In Bengal, they are in the very real danger of slipping to nine or seven MPs even before the monsoon is able to arrive properly,” said a reelected Trinamool MP.
He said there was no reliable indication yet on what would be done with the defeated BJP candidates who wanted to defect, but a handful of them might be accepted on the basis of their usefulness. “Because the top two are looking to strengthen our position ahead of 2026 (the Bengal Assembly elections), and some of them will change equations locally, for Assembly seats,” added the MP.
The BJP state leadership responded with sarcasm to the reports on the possibility of the party’s MPs defecting to Trinamool.
“Trinamool got the number wrong. Instead of saying two or three, they should have said all BJP MPs are yearning to switch to Trinamool,” said BJP’s chief spokesperson for Bengal, Samik Bhattacharya, also a Rajya Sabha member currently in Delhi.
A source said the meeting, scheduled at 3pm at Mamata Banerjee’s residence, 30B Harish Chatterjee Street, will take place in the presence of the party’s national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee
Snehamoy Chakraborty, TT, Calcutta, 08.06.24 : Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee will meet the party’s 42 Lok Sabha candidates — both victorious and vanquished — and district presidents and coordinators at her Kalighat residence on Saturday to brief them on the party’s strategies inside and outside Parliament.
A source said the meeting, scheduled at 3pm at Mamata’s residence, 30B Harish Chatterjee Street, will take place in the presence of the party’s national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee.
Abhishek has begun playing a larger role at the all-India level after the Lok Sabha polls in which Trinamool bagged 29 of the 42 parliamentary seats in Bengal.
“Apart from congratulating the new MPs and complimenting the defeated candidates for putting up a good fight, Didi and Abhishek are likely to give directions to the party leaders for the future course of action. As the party will begin preparations for the next Assembly elections without wasting time, the meeting will be very important,” said a TMC source.
A senior TMC leader said that Abhishek wants to change the existing practice of political activism by the TMC leadership only ahead of the polls.
Abhishek considers that the battle with the BJP, which has a robust election machinery, cannot be won unless a system is put in place in which Trinamool leaders remain active 24/7 through the year.
“The party wants to keep its leaders active throughout the year…. Political activities will certainly increase during the election period, but there will be no leisure window,” the leader said.
Sources in the TMC’s election management team said that the party has already taken note of the detailed poll outcome, which has revealed that it was ahead in 192 Assembly segments, which was 21 less than the actual number of Assembly seats it had bagged in the 2021 polls.
A senior TMC leader said that though the party is in a celebratory mood after the June 4 results, its leadership is not taking this statistic — the lower number of leads in Assembly segments — lightly.
Abhishek, who met with leaders in most districts before this crucial Lok Sabha election, had warned that if they failed to give a lead to the Lok Sabha nominees from their areas, they would lose their posts.
He had also mentioned in a few review meetings of the election committees that those MLAs who do not manage to give a lead from their constituency, would not be given poll tickets in the 2026 Assembly polls.
He proposed the same strategy for public representatives in rural and civic bodies.
“In Purulia, the Trinamool candidate, Santiram Mahato, was defeated by a margin of 17,000 votes. In Purulia town, Trinamool trailed by over 20,000 votes. The chairman of the Purulia municipality has to accept responsibility for this defeat,” a TMC leader explained.
Amid the buzz on whether the party would take action against its leaders for failing to provide leads in their respective segments, some heads have already begun rolling.
On Friday, the chief and deputy chiefs of four gram panchayats in Hooghly’s Chinsurah submitted their resignations to the local BDO, a party source said.
&w=1038&resize=1038,576&ssl=1 "Manipur: Situation ‘tense’ but ‘under control’ in violence-hit Jiribam")
&w=1038&resize=1038,576&ssl=1 "Modi takes 3rd time oath as PM in white kurta, churidar with blue jacket")
)
&w=1038&resize=1038,576&ssl=1 "‘Free phone recharge’: Cops warn of fake alert")
&w=1038&resize=1038,576&ssl=1 "TMC glare on underperformers, meeting today on accountability with eye on 2026 Assembly polls")
