INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY JANUARY 6, 2023 1 A W e e k l y N e w s p a p e r Fe a t u r i n g N e w s & Tr e n d s f r o m t h e I n d i a n S u b - C o n t i n e n t P u b l i s h e d f r o m t h e U S C a p i t a l Website: www.indiathisweek.online Vol. 30 No: 1 • WASHINGTON D.C • Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 • e-mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday • January 6, 2023 Ambassador Richard Verma nominated for Deputy Secretary of State Wa s h i n g t o n , D.C. – Indiaspora has released the following statement in response to the announcement of President Joe Biden’s nomination of Ambassador Richard Verma, an Indiaspora member, as Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources: “In nominating Rich to this very senior State Department role, President Biden and Secretary Blinken have made an inspired choice,” said Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director of Indiaspora. “Given his significant experience in the executive and legislative branches of government, his critical diplomatic vantage point as the former U.S. Ambassador to India, and his international private sector leadership background, Rich is the ideal candidate to serve the country in the top echelons of the State Department. Equally importantly, he possesses the character, temperament and judgment to serve in this capacity.” Ambassador Verma previously served as the Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs, where he led the State Department’s efforts on Capitol Hill. He worked in the Senate for many years, serving as Senior National Security Advisor to the Senate Majority Leader, and he spent time in the House of Representatives. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he served on active duty as a Judge Advocate. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal. Most recently, in May of 2022, Ambassador Verma was named to President Biden’s Intelligence Advisory Board. Over the course of his distinguished career, Ambassador Verma has worked on a wide range of issues, including foreign policy, national security, and economic development. He has a strong track record of promoting U.S. interests abroad and building strong relationships with foreign governments. He has also served as a member of the Secretary of State’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board, and is the recipient of the State Department’s Distinguished Service Award. Ambassador Verma was awarded an International Affairs Fellowship from the Council on Foreign Relations, and was ranked by India Abroad as one of the 50 most influential Indian Americans. President Droupadi Murmu to confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards New Delhi [India], January 2 (ANI): The 17th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention will be held from January 8-10 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards at the PBD Convention in the valedictory session of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations. The theme of the 17th Pravas Bharatiya Divas is “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal,” according to the statement released by Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali will be the chief guest of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. The tradition of celebrating Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) began in 2003. Notably, the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was conducted in a virtual format with the theme “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat” in 2021 during the pandemic. A Jury-cumAwards Committee, with the Vice-President as the Chairman and External Affairs Minister as the ViceChair and other distinguished members considered the nominations for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards 2023. According to the press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the awardees represent the excellence achieved by the Indian diaspora in various sectors. The awardees recommended by Jurycum-Awards Committee for conferment of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2023 include Jagadish Chennupati, Sanjeev Mehta, Dilip Loundo, Alexander Maliakel John, Vaikuntam Iyer Lakshmanan, Joginder Singh Nijjar, Ramjee Prasad, Kannan Ambalam, Amal Kumar Mukhopadhyay. Furthermore, the awardees recommended by the jury include Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Reena Vinod Pushkarna, Maqsooda Sarfi Shiotani, Rajagopal, Amit Kailash Chandra Lath, Parmanand Sukhumal Daswani, Piyush Gupta, Mohanlal Hira, Sanjaykumar Shivabhai Patel, Sivakumar Nadesan and Dewanchandrebhose Sharman. Archana Sharma, Justice Frank Arthur Seepersad, Siddharth Balachandran, Chandrakant Babubhai Patel, Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, Rajesh Subramaniam,AshokKumar Tiwary are the awardees included recommended by the jury-cum-awards committee. The MEA in the press release said, “The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) is the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians. PBSA is conferred by the Hon’ble President of India as part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas ConventiononNon-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin or an organization / institution organization/ institution established and run by the Non-Resident Indians or Persons of Indian Origin in recognition of their outstanding achievements both in India and abroad.” drive in the country,” said the government sources. India’s active caseload currently stands at 2,582, with 134 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry data. As per ministry data, a total of 220.11 cr vaccine doses (95.13 cr Second Dose and 22.41 cr Precaution Dose) have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive. (ANI) No second Covid-19 booster dose required: Govt sources By Shalini Bhardwaj | New Delhi [India], January 3 (ANI): As of now no second Covid-19 booster dose is required, said government sources amid an apparent increase in Covid-19 cases. “First we have to complete the booster
January 6, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Response to China’s belligerence: Rajnath Singh to inaugurate infra projects in Arunachal New Delhi [India], January 3 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Arunachal Pradesh today to inaugurate a series of development projects. The visit comes a month after Indian and China troops clashed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Tawang sector. Singh will inaugurate the Siyom Bridge near Boleng in Siang district and also virtually inaugurate 27 projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The 100-metre-long Siyom bridge over river Siyom is a strategically important bridge as it gives the military a strategic advantage in deploying troops to the far-flung areas of the Line of Actual Control. In a statement in Parliament, the Defence Minister said that the Indian Army bravely stopped the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops from encroaching on Indian territory, and forced them to withdraw to their posts. “On December 9, 2022, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang sector and unilaterally change the status quo. The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops in a firm and resolute manner. The ensuing face-off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha. The Minister said that the issue had been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. “After this incident, on December 11, the local commander of the area held a flag meeting with his Chinese counterpart under the established system and discussed this incident. The Chinese side was refused all such actions and told to maintain peace at the border,” Singh told the Lok Sabha. The Defence Minister said that no Indian troops were killed or seriously injured in the incident. He said, “In this face-off, a few soldiers on both sides suffered injuries. I’d like to tell this House that none of our soldiers died or suffered any serious injury. Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers have retreated to their own locations.” “This matter has also been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. I want to assure the House that our forces are committed to guarding our borders and ready to thwart any attempt that will be made to challenge it,” Rajnath Singh said. “I am confident this House will respect the capability, valour and commitment of our armed forces, Singh added. (ANI)
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January 6, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK North Eastern Region witnesses rapid development due to Centre’s thrust on infrastructure, connectivity New Delhi [India], January 3 (ANI): The northeastern states have witnessed rapid development over the last eight years with the government laying thrust on increasing connectivity and boosting infrastructure and health facilities. Five north-eastern state capitals have been connected with flights for the first time in 75 years with an increase in flight movements from 852 per week in 2014 to 1,817 per week in 2022, amounting to an overall increase of about 113 per cent. Adding to 9 airports built until 2014, 7 new airports have been built in the last nine years alone. The rapid pace with which the region has developed is reflective of the emphasis that the Centre has placed on increasing connectivity in the north-eastern region and the construction of highways in remote and inaccessible areas as well. The North Eastern part of India was not adequately served with the basic infrastructural aspects that one would ordinarily take for granted in any urban metropolitan city of the country. Owing to increased separatism in the region, cross-border terrorism as well as lack of vision on the part of the leadership, no real push towards building connections between the rest of the country and the northeastern areas could take place for a long time period. However, the last eight years have seen the states of the northeast to become partners in the overall development journey of India with immense inclusive developmental works and projects having been undertaken to improve the lives of the people living in these areas. The focus has been on creating basic infrastructure, ensuring advanced healthcare and quality education as well as promoting infrastructure progress via the construction of roads, tunnels, airports and new railway networks. Many similar steps have been taken to strengthen multimodal connectivity in the region as well. A new chapter is now been added to this saga of progress in the form of the Donyi Polo airport at Hongi, about 25 kilometres from Itanagar along with the construction of the 600 MW hydro power station at Kameng. Reflecting the indigenous reverence for the Donyi/Sun and the Polo/Moon, the name of the airport has been chosen after deliberations with the local population as well. Cited as a new beginning for the aviation sector in the North East, the Donyi Polo airport has a capacity to serve 300 passengers at a time with a separate area being developed for four Mi-17 type helicopters. The longawaited connectivity of Arunachal Pradesh’s capital Itanagar with other major cities of the country through air routes has come true. This would not only mean seamless movement for Now in Ashburn, VA ❖ Accounting and Bookkeeping Service ❖ Audit, Review, Compilation and Attestation Service ❖ Tax Service ❖ IRS Service ❖ Web Hosting ❖ Business Consultancy ❖ Dedicated Service with Smiling Faces ❖ Experienced and Reliable Staff Year Round ❖ Rely on 24 Years of Experience Balagan Arumugaswamy, CPA, LL.M Tel: (301) 931-1040, (301) 931-1042 (301) 595-4331; (703) 723-4488; (703) 723-4458 Fax: (703) 723-1140; (301) 595-4332 E Mail: balagancpa@msn.com Website: www.balaganfinancials.com local residents but shall also provide fresh opportunities for the development of trade and tourism in the state by serving more than 30 lakh people in the vicinity. The largest state of the region as well as strategically the most significant, Arunachal Pradesh, has added two significant projects to its holistic developmental model. In terms of according top priority, the tourism, telecom, textile and trade sector have been earmarked as well. Despite the pandemic, the work on these two projects was not stalled and was completed within a very short time duration as well. Developed at the cost of about Rs 8,450 crore and spread over an area of 80 kilometers, the Kameng hydropower project is part of the larger self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) initiative of the energy sector. Setting examples of a changing work culture amidst the red-tapism that plagues the Indian bureaucracy, the setting up of deadlines for various projects and ensuring timely monitoring directly by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has been a game changer. Despite the apathy that the North-Eastern region faced for more than six decades since attainment of independence, the last eight years have brought about a whole new era in itself with cataclysmic transformation for the entire country and people. With the formation of a separate ministry for the North Eastern Region, a huge change in attitude was finally seen with respect to the development in the region as well. The country’s longest bridge, longest rail bridge, rail line connectivity as well as record construction of highways are all significant and bright examples that highlight the developmental work undertaken within the region in a short stint. (ANI) Tax Season is around the corner, are you ready ? Balagan Business & Tax Services Main Office: 12100 Franklin Street Beltsville, MD 20705 Branch Offices: 44335 Premier Plaza Suite#100, Ashburn, VA 20147
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January 6, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK More than 150 countries received India’s support in form of vaccines, medicine during pandemic: RS Dy Chairman Harivansh C a n b e r r a [Australia], January 4 (ANI): India offered support to more than 150 affected countries in the form of vaccines, medical equipment and medicines during the pandemic, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh said in a Keynote address at the 26th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in Canberra, Australia. The Deputy Chairman said that India facilitated the evacuation of stranded foreign nationals from different parts of India to around 123 countries. Dy Chairman of Rajya Sabha said that the Covid pandemic is undoubtedly one of the most profound public health emergencies of recent times, where all countries in the world have been affected, though with varying loss of life and social and economic disruption. It has been nearly three years and the world is still grappling with the multiple challenges thrown by the pandemic. “The key for mitigating the adverse impact of the crisis, I believe, is solidarity and effective collaboration within the comity of nations and India, as one of the largest democracies and a responsible global player, has always remained at the forefront of the fight against global Challenges,” From The Poet’s Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- January 6, 2023 Proverbs by King Solomon Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Harivansh said during the Conference. Harivansh further added that India took an exclusive initiative “Vaccine Maitri” to supply COVID-19 Made-inIndia vaccines to various countries across the world. Under this initiative, as of the first week of December 2022, India has supplied more than 282 million vaccine doses of COVID19 to 101 countries and two UN entities. “Since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic in India, we followed a ‘whole of Government’ and ‘whole of society approach’. We took several measures for containing the spread of the virus, addressing major gaps in the availability of lifesaving healthcare facilities, shoring up livelihoods and restoring normalcy in the areas such as education and employment,” he added On the steps taken INDIA THIS WEEK Address: P.O. Box 352, Bryans Road, MD 20616 Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 www.indiathisweek.online India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, Views expressed in this paper are those of the individual writers and not necessarily of India This Week. India This Week accepts no liability for the errors in advertisements or in any of its reports. For remedial actions any errors should be brought to the attention of the editor by the information provided below. Publisher: Chief Editor: Contributing Editors: Dr. Babu Stephen Rajan George Saju Mathew Isaac George Asst. Editors: Manu Jacob Sherena Panjikkaran Special Business Correspondent Elisha B. Pulivarti Business Coordinators Rajan C. George Jithu Johny Panjikkaran Dr. Renuka Misra, Special Correspondent: Geeta Goindi Community Coordinator: Prof. Vinod Goel India Office Manesh Krishna Columnists: Anadi Naik World Religions Dr. Sam Prasad Jillella Photo Journalist: Mathew Karmel, System Admn. & Maintenance: Rajan C. George Layout & Graphics: Prinston Samuel, Business Affairs: Mrs. Molly George CALL US • 301-445-0200 • 301-917-4800 e-Mails: Advertisements: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Press Releases: indiathisweekpress@yahoo.com Web: www.indiathisweek.online by the Indian government during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, “As regards enacting relevant legislations, the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 was amended by Parliament to provide for adequate safety and protection of healthcare personnel handling patients and the epidemic. The Essential Commodities Act, of 1955 was amended to ensure that there are no shortages of foodgrains and also to keep the commodity prices under check during a pandemic. These changes helped to ensure food security to vulnerable sections of the country through the Public Distribution System.” He further said that Parliament also approved the budgets as required by the Government to meet the exigencies during the pandemic and postpandemic period. As such, our Parliament’s capacity to continue functioning during the pandemic truly testifies to the strength and resilience of our democratic system. “Both the Houses of Indian Parliament and the Secretariats rose up to the occasion and ensured that the apex legislative body discharges its constitutional duties and obligation during the pandemic. Despite the rising infections and curbs on physical movement, the Parliament continued to hold its sessions, as required by the Constitution, for normal times and Sessions were convened physically amidst elaborate COVID appropriate safety arrangements in adherence to the guidelines in line with those of the WHO,” he added. Dy Chairman further added that India also developed National e-Vidhaan Application (NeVA) on the theme ‘One National One Application’ to make all the legislative bodies in India digitally connected. Harivansh said “We, in India, have always believed in values of integration and unity. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which means the entire world is one family is our core philosophy.” Speaking on India’s G-20 Presidency Harivansh said that as India assumed the G20 Presidency, the philosophy to promote ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, is again going to get a renewed focus as we remain committed to extending support towards every effort made to mitigate the global challenges. India, for sure, will be the one with the global community for charting out the way forward for lasting global peace and shared prosperity. The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh is leading the Indian representation at the 26th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth (CSPOC) in Canberra, Australia is held from January 3-6, 2023. The Deputy Chairman is accompanied by officials of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha Secretariat. The conference was conceptualised in 1969 by Canada to bring the Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments in Commonwealth countries on one platform. The last such conference was held in Canada in January 2020. The next conference is scheduled to be held in Uganda in 2024. (ANI) Remember: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ” JESUS CHRIST
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January 6, 2023 INDIA THIS WEEK Friday Bharat Jodo Yatra to resume today after winter break New Delhi [India], January 3 (ANI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra‘ will resume after a nine-day winter break from Uttar Pradesh from today. The yatra has covered more than 110 days and over 3,000 km of march. Starting from the southern states, the yatra moved to Rajasthan and Delhi before the break. So far, the Yatra, which started from Kanyakumari on September 7, has covered parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra and Haryana. It will culminate in Jammu and Kashmir. It is the longest march on foot by any Indian politician in the history of India, the Congress has claimed. With this yatra, Rahul Gandhi aims to mobilise the party cadre and unite the general public against the BJP’s “divisive politics in the country Meanwhile, after the ongoing ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra‘, which is to culminate in Srinagar on January 26, the Congress is gearing up to launch the ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo’ campaign, which is aimed at spreading the message of the yatra across the country. According to sources, the former Congress president has entrusted sister and AICC national general secretary, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra with the responsibility of leading the ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo’ campaign across the country, with a special focus on women. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said, “After the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Congress will launch a two-month ‘Hath Se Hath Jodo Campaign’. As part of this initiative, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will lead foot marches and rallies with women members in every state capital to spread the message of the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra‘. New Delhi, Dec 24 (ANI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi waves to the supporters while leading the party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, Badarpur Border, in New Delhi on Saturday. Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury are also seen. (ANI Photo) Telangana, Sources further always upon the Congress the journey however due Jodo Yatra’ will resume Pradesh, to health reasons, he gave after a nine-day winter Madhya Pradesh, informed that Priyanka leader. The letter has been his moral support to this break from Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan and Maharashtra would lead a wave of trending on social media journey through the letter, from Tuesday. The yatra and Haryana. marches with women platforms. It will culminate cadres in March, focussing In the letter, Das and the priest even termed has covered more than 110 the yatra to be right and days and over 3,000 km of in Jammu and Kashmir. It on rising inflation and prayed for the success of its impact on the public, the campaign (Bharat Jodo timely, “comparable to the march. Starting from the is the longest march on foot especially the middle Yatra) that is being run to ‘Dandi Yatra’ taken out by southern states, the yatra by any Indian politician in class. Other issues related connect the country from Gandhi ji”. “We welcome moved to Rajasthan and the history of India, the Congress has claimed. to women will also be a top Kanyakumari to Kashmir. Acharya Satyendra Das Delhi before the break. ji, the priest of Ram So far, the With this yatra, Rahul rallying point. He also wished Rahul which started Gandhi aims to mobilise While the Gandhi success in his work Janmabhoomi,” the party’s Yatra, district spokesperson from Kanyakumari on the party cadre and unite Congress campaign, with undertaken in the country’s September 7, has covered the general public against Priyanka as its face, is interest. He prayed for the added. Congress leader parts of Tamil Nadu, the BJP’s “divisive politics aimed at wooing women Congress leader’s good voters, who comprise health and long life. Das Rahul Gandhi-led ‘Bharat Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra in the country. (ANI) roughly half of country’s population. the Ram Janmabhoomi temple priest extends support to Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra Head priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Acharya Satyendra Das, has written a letter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi extending his support for the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’. In the letter dated December 31, 2022, Das wished that the blessings of Lord Ram be also quoted a dictum from the Rigveda in Sanskrit ‘Sarvajan Sukhay Sarvajan Hitay’, which translates to “for the happiness of the many, for the welfare of the many”. Confirming the letter, Sunil Krishna Gautam, district spokesperson of Congress Party Ayodhya said, “In support of the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ being taken out by Rahul Gandhi throughout the country, our venerable Saint Satyendra Das of Ayodhya has written a letter in support of Rahul Gandhi.” Gautam said Das was keen “to participate in Rahul speeches won’t make for good listening for Godse’s heirs: Stalin New Delhi [India], December 26 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minsiter MK Stalin on Monday alleged that speeches of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi at the Bharat Jodo Yatra would won’t make for good listening for heirs of Nathuram Godse. Speaking at the launch of a book titled ‘Maamanithar Nehru‘ by Tamil Nadu Congress Media Chairman Gopanna, Stalin lauded the Yatra saying his speeches are creating ‘ripples’ as he only talks about ‘ideological politics’. “Rahul Gandhi’s speeches are creating ripples. He does not talk about electoral or party politics, but about ideological politics which is the reason why he is being opposed by some people,” CM Stalin said. “Sometimes Rahul Gandhi’s speech sounds like that of former PM Jawaharlal Nehru, which is no surprise. His speeches would definitely not make for good listening for Godse’s heirs,” he added. Rahul, who is leading the over 3,500-km long ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ since September 7, is in the national capital on a nineday break. The foot march resumed on January 3.
FRIDAY JANUARY 6, 2023 9 Sale Ends 1/30/2023 SC decision on demonetisation a slap in the face of naysayers, says Dharmendra Pradhan New Delhi [India], January 2 (ANI): Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said that the Supreme Court’s judgement upholding the validity of demonetisation is another slap in the face of naysayers. Pradhan said in a tweet: “This decision busts the propaganda peddled by the opposition and reaffirms the need for such a bold decision to dismantle the nexus of corruption”. Supreme Court on Monday upheld the decision of the Central government taken in 2016 to demonetise the currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 denominations. A five-judge Constitution bench dismisses a batch of petitions challenging the Centre’s 2016 decision to demonetise Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 currency notes and said the decision, being the Executive’s economic policy, cannot be reversed. Reacting to the SC Judgment, S e n i o r Congress leader Pawan Khera said it would be wrong to conclude that the supreme court termed demonetisation a “right decision”. At a press conference in New Delhi, Khera said, “Today (Monday) supreme court announced its verdict on the demonetisation. It was a 4-1 verdict. A judge also submitted his dissenting note. The supreme court in its judgment has termed only the process of demonetisation as the right move. But the supreme court did not hold a discussion on the consequences resulting from the decision to demonetize Rs 500 and 1000 notes”. Pawan Khera added that the Supreme court did not say a word on whether the decision of demonetisation helped to reduce terrorism, whether the currency in circulation got reduced or did it helped to curb black money. “It would be wrong to say that the supreme court termed the decision of demonetisation as the right one,” Khera added. (ANI) Last rites of Karnataka seer Siddheshwara Swamiji to be performed with State honours Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 3 (ANI): The last rites of Karnataka seer Siddheshwara Swamiji, who passed away on Monday, will be performed with State honours, said the Karnataka government. Siddheswara Swamiji breathed his last on Monday after a prolonged illness. He was 81 years old. “Siddheshwara SwamijiofJnanaYogashram, Vijayapura passed away on Monday. State honour will be provided for the last rites of Siddeshwara Swamiji. Holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in Vijayapura on Tuesday, January 3,” said the statement of the Karnataka government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the demise of Karnataka seerSiddheshwara Swamiji. “Paramapujya Sri Siddheshwara Swami Ji will be remembered for his outstanding service to society. He worked tirelessly for the betterment of others and was also respected for his scholarly zeal. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his countless devotees. Om Shanti,” tweeted Prime Minister Modi. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai expressed condolences over Swamiji’s demise. “Very saddened to hear the news of the demise of Shri Siddheshwar Swamiji of JnanaYogashram,Vijaypura. He strived for the salvation of mankind through his discourses. His service was excellent and unparalleled. Swamiji’s passing is an irreparable loss. May his soul rest in peace. May God give strength to his devotees to bear this sorrow. Om Shanti,” Bommai tweeted in Kannada. Spiritual leader Siddheshwar Swamiji of Jnana Yogashram was often referred to as the ‘Walking God of North Karnataka’. Pertinent to mention, Siddheshwar Swamiji, in 2018, respectfully declined to accept the ‘Padma Shri’ award. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi then, the Vijayapura-born spiritualist, popularly known as Buddiji, wrote, “I am very grateful to the Government of India for awarding me the prestigious ‘Padma Shri’. But will all respect to you and the government, I want to convey my unwillingness to accept the great award”. His preaching was often described as hard teachings delivered in a pleasant and enjoyable manner. (ANI)
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