INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY APRIL 7, 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. 31 No 14 • WASHINGTON D.C • Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 • e-mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday • April 7, 2023 President Murmu presents MEA rejects China’s attempt to Padma Awards 2023 at civil rename places in Arunachal Pradesh investiture ceremony China’s claim on Arunachal Pradesh: New Delhi [India], April 4 (ANI): India has outrightly rejected China‘s attempt to rename places of Arunachal Pradesh, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Tuesday. He asserted that Arunachal Pradesh will always be an integral part of India. The statement of Arindam Bagchi comes after China‘s Ministry of Civil Affairs came up with the names of 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh, which it referred to as “Zangnan, the southern part of Tibet.” In response to media queries regarding China renaming some places in Arunachal Pradesh, Arindam Bagchi in a statement said, “We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has made such an attempt. We reject this outright.” He further said, “Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Attempts to assign invented names will not alter this reality.” China released names of 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh in Chinese characters, Tibetan and pinyin according to the rules on geographical names issued by the State Council, New Delhi [India], April 5 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu presented three Padma Vibhushan, five Padma Bhushan and 47 Padma Shri Awards for the year 2023 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday. Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah. Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award was conferred to Samajwadi Party (SP) patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav (posthumous), ARUNACHAL PRADESH SEE PAGE 6 PADMA AWARDS SEE PAGE 6 Chitradurga (Karnataka) [India], April 2 (ANI): Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) informed that it successfully conducted the autonomous test landing mission of the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Karnataka‘s Chitradurga on Sunday. A statement issued by ISRO said, “India achieved it. ISRO joined by DRDO successfully conducted the Reusable Launch Vehicle Autonomous Landing Mission (RLV LEX) at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR), Chitradurga, Karnataka in the early hours on April 2, 2023.” According to the statement, the RLV took off at 7:10 am by a Chinook Helicopter of the Indian Air Force. The release of RLV was autonomous. Then using the Integrated Navigation, Guidance & control system, the RLV completed an autonomous landing on the ATR at 7:40 AM. With that, ISRO successfully achieved the autonomous landing of a space vehicle. The statement said, “The autonomous landing was carried out under the exact conditions of a Space Re-entry vehicle’s landing high speed, unmanned, precise landing from the same return path as if the vehicle arrives from space. LEX utilized several indigenous systems. Localized Navigation systems, instrumentation, and sensor systems, etc. were developed by ISRO.” “ISRO had demonstrated the re-entry of its winged vehicle RLVTD in the HEX mission in May 2016. The reentry of a hypersonic suborbital vehicle marked a major accomplishment in developing Reusable Launch Vehicles. The LEX began with an Integrated Navigation test in 2019 and followed multiple Engineering Model Trials ISRO successfully conducts autonomous test landing of Reusable Launch Vehicle 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 and Captive Phase tests in subsequent years”, reads the statement. Along with ISRO, Indian Air Force (IAF), Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), and Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) contributed to this test. Dr S Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, VSSC, and Shyam Mohan N, Programme Director, ATSP guided the teams. Dr Jayakumar M, Project Director, RLV was the Mission Director, and Muthupandian J, Associate Project Director, RLV was the Vehicle Director for the mission. Ramakrishna, Director, ISTRAC was present on the occasion. Chairman, ISRO/ Secretary, DOS Somanath witnessed the test and congratulated the team. With LEX, the dream of an Indian Reusable Launch Vehicle arrives one step closer to reality, said the ISRO officials. (ANI)
April 7, 2023 INDIA THIS WEEK Friday Over 40 Years Of Experience 5 FAMILY HAIRCUT $ MEN • WOMEN • CHILDREN ROOT TOUCH-UP FOR MEN 20 $ & up SERVICES • BEARD TRIM $500 $ • SHAMPOO 1000 • BLOW DRY $1000 $ 00 • PERM FROM 20 $ 00 • COLOR FROM 20 • HIGHLIGHTS FROM $3500 • SPA PEDICURE FROM $1700 C&S Beauty & Barber Shop 7311 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003 info@csbarbernschool.com US ‘strongly oppose’ China’s attempt to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh Washington [US], issued by the State Council, integral and inalienable part April 5 (ANI): United States “strongly oppose” China’s attempts to advance a claim over Indian territory, Arunachal Pradesh by renaming localities, the White House said on Tuesday. “This is another attempt by the Chinese claim on us, Indian territory. So the United States, as you know, has recognized that territory for a long time and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance a territory claim by renaming localities. And so, again, this is something that we have long stood by a few things,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. This statement came after China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs standardised the names of 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh, which it referred to as “Zangnan, the southern part of Tibet.” China has come up with the names of 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh in Chinese characters, Tibetan and pinyin according to the rules on geographical names China’s cabinet, Global Times reported. The Ministry announced the names of 11 places on Sunday and also gave precise coordinates, including two residential areas, five mountain peaks, two rivers and two other areas. China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs also listed the category of places’ names and their subordinate administrative districts, as per the news report. Reacting to this act, the Ministry of External Affairs said that India has outrightly rejected China’s attempt to rename places of Arunachal Pradesh. In response to media queries regarding China renaming some places in Arunachal Pradesh, Arindam Bagchi in a statement said, “We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has made such an attempt. We reject this outright.” He further said, “Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an of India. Attempts to assign invented names will not alter this reality.” Meanwhile, in the press conference, talking about the India–US relationship and Ambassador Eric Garcetti, Pierre said, “So, this is something that I’ve said from here that the president has said. When we look at the relationship with India, it’s one of the most consequential relationships that the United States has in the world that still stands.” “Ambassador Garcetti will be leading an ambitious effort to deepen our cooperation with India in critical and emerging technologies, expand our defence cooperation, and strengthen our economic and people-to-people ties. Again, one of the most consequential relationships that we have in the United States, and in the world.That the United States have in the world. So it’s an important relationship that the president sees,” she added. (ANI)
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April 7, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK India, Bhutan agree on new paradigms of energy cooperation; security interests intertwined, says Foreign Secretary Kwatra New Delhi [India], April 5 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “a warm and productive meeting” with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck here with the two leaders covering the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and issues of respective national interests. The visit saw a series of measures to further boost ties with India deciding to step up its support to Bhutan‘s upcoming 13th Five Year Plan, agreeing for an upward revision of tariff of Chhukha hydro-electric project and working for an additional standby credit facility to the neighbouring country. Briefing reporters after meeting between PM Modi and the Bhutan King, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said the two countries are also examining and considering setting up the first Integrated Check Post (ICP) along India– Bhutan border. Responding to a volley of questions on remarks of Bhutan Prime Minister which were perceived to be at variance with Thimpu’s earlier stance on the boundary issue vis-avis China, Kwatra said India and Bhutan remain in close touch, in close coordination relating to shared national interests, including security interest. He said both countries maintain a longstanding tradition of very close consultations on matters relating to their mutual interest including security and “in this context the intertwined and indivisible nature of our security concerns is selfevident”. The two countries agreed on a range of other initiatives including boosting connectivity with India working towards expediting the proposed Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link project, which will be the first rail link between the two countries.India would work for long-term sustainable arrangements for export of agricultural commodities from Bhutan and to expand energy cooperation beyond hydro-electric projects. PM Modi said in a tweet that India deeply values its close friendship with Bhutan. “Pleased to receive His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. We had a warm and productive meeting. Deeply value our close friendship and the vision of successive Druk Gyalpos in guiding India–Bhutan relations to new heights,” PM Modi said. Kwatra said King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck briefed PM Modi on his significant transformation and reform initiative that Bhutan is currently undertaking. He reiterated India‘s continued and full support to the socioeconomic development in Bhutan based on the priorities of the Royal Government and in keeping with the transformation initiatives and reform process as per its vision. Kwatra said the visit of Bhutan King, which has been long in planning, takes forward the long- standing tradition of regular high level exchanges between the two countries. He said Bhutan King’s visit provided excellent opportunities for the two countries to not only review the full range of bilateral engagement but also sketch a roadmap in terms of the next steps “that we would take to further on multifaceted cooperation and partnership”. “In terms of specific outcomes, which we would be following up based on the discussions, it was agreed that India would step up its support to Bhutan‘s upcoming 13th Five Year Plan. The specifics of the support, its distribution into different projects that is something which is to be worked out between the two systems going forward. At Bhutan‘s request, India would work to extend an additional standby credit facility. This would be over and above the two existing standby credit facilities that is operating between the two countries,” Kwatra said. “We would work to shape long term sustainable arrangements for export of agricultural commodities from Bhutan. Also work to develop longterm bilateral arrangements for assured supply of critical commodities to Bhutan, which would include petroleum, fertilizers, and coal,” he added. He said the ICP would be set up along India–Bhutan border somewhere near Jaigaon. “We are also examining and considering setting up the first Integrated Check Post (ICP) along India–Bhutan border, which would be somewhere near Jaigaon. The exact specific location of the ICP is yet to be determined, but the broad location point is known,” Kwatra said. “We will also try and expedite the proposed Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link project through Government of India support in consultation of course with the Bhutanese side. This in some ways will be historic because this would be the first ever rail link between India and Bhutan. And naturally links up well to the rest of the regional connectivity infrastructure in South Asia,” he added. The Foreign Secretary said India will consider positively Bhutan‘s request to sell power from Basochhu hydro-electric project. “In the field of hydro-power specifically, which has been the cornerstone of our economic relationship, we have agreed to an upward revision of tariff of the Chhukha hydroelectric project. This is the oldest hydro-electric project with Bhutan and is of great significance. Two, in the space of hydro-power itself, we will consider positively Bhutan‘s request to sell power from Basochhu hydro-electric project. This would be perhaps done through the energy exchange mechanism of the market. The details are yet to be worked out but the discussion is that it could be done through the market exchange mechanism,” he said. Kwatra said India would extend favourable consideration to Bhutan‘s request regarding power trade and access to financing for new and upcoming hydropower projects. “The specifics of this would vary from project to project and would naturally been in sync with our CBT guidelines. And also expand our energy partnership to include non-hydrorenewables particularly in the field of solar, and also maybe see how the core bilateral cooperation between our two countries in the field of e-mobility could be expanded,” he said. “Besides the existing range of hydropower projects and also exploring the nonhydro-renewable space, we would also try and expedite the finalization of modalities for new hydroelectric projects, hydropower projects, including the Sankosh hydroelectric project,” he added. The Foreign Secretary said that the discussions between the two leaders covered the entire gamut of India– Bhutan cooperation, and also issues of respective national and mutual interest. Answering queries, Kwatra said there are some core fundamentals of India– Bhutan relationship. “These fundamentals are shared values, trust, mutual respect and a close understanding and sensitivity to each other’s interests and concerns. Now besides this exemplary and unique relationship that India and Bhutan have, we also have a time-tested framework of security cooperation. And as part of that, both countries maintain a longstanding tradition of very close consultations on matters relating to their mutual interest and, of course, security also. Now in this context the intertwined and indivisible nature of our security concerns is selfevident,” he said. He was about Bhutan PM’s reported remarks about China being a stakeholder in resolving Doklam issue. “With regard to the specificity which was inherent in some of the questions, all I would say is that Government of India very closely follows all developments which have a bearing on our national interest and we would take all necessary measures to safeguard them as necessary. Now as regards the recent statements and the related commentary to them is concerned, I would say one, that India and Bhutan remain in close touch relating to our shared interest, including security interest, and I would only reiterate, you know, our earlier statements on this issue, which very explicitly and very clearly bring out our position on the determination of the trijunction boundary points,” Kwatra said. He said the bilateral ties are marked by close friendship, positive approach and cooperation. “If you look at the basic fundamentals of the relationship of both countries, the basic structure, if you evaluate their diversity, then you will find five or six things. First, close friendship; second positive approach; third is cooperation and collaboration, which is the basis for both societies’ progress and growth journey. There is trust and mutual respect and sensitivity. Kwatra said that PM Modi and Bhutan King covered the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation issues and issues of respective national interests. “They looked at all the issues. With regard to the recent statements and I said this in response to the earlier set of questions on this matter, with regard to the recent statements, and also the media commentary, which INDIA- BHUTAN SEE PAGE 5
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 Website: www.balaganfinancials.com India, Bhutan agree on new paradigms of energy cooperation; security interests intertwined, says Foreign Secretary Kwatra came on it, all I would say is one, India and Bhutan remain in close touch, in close coordination relating to our shared national interests, including security interest, and two, reiterate our earlier statements which explicitly bring out our position on the determination of the trijunction boundary points.” Answering a query about lesser number of Bhutan students studying in India and preferring destinations such as Australia, he said there is no change in terms of access and availability of Indian education system “to our partner countries in our neighborhood and to their people not just in terms of their presence here, but also in terms of the continuing national treatment that they get here”. “Which destination did they choose, of course, is always an evolving feature in terms of what happens, you know, within that society,” he said. The Foreign Secretary said when King Jigme Wangchuck met CEOs of five or six key companies of India, the essential focus was that “if we talk of further strengthening infrastructure cooperation, how do we interface private sector participation from India with that infrastructure partnership”. Answering another query on fee to be paid by Indian tourists visiting Bhutan, he said people-to-people ties are crucial element of bilateral partnership and the flow of people is going on well. “Under the new tourism policy of Bhutan, the Government of Bhutan had, at that time, introduced a fee of SDF USD 200 per day for, on international tourist. APRIL 7, 2023 5 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 E Mail: balagancpa@msn.com INDIA-BHUTAN FROM PAGE 1 FRIDAY The tourists from India however, were required to pay only a concessional fee of Rs 1200 per day, not USD 200 per day, which was announced for the rest of the international tourist. This also, I think, was started off on an experimental basis. So we will see where this progresses. But as of now, on the ground, I think the flow of people between both sides is going on well and this is something which we constantly keep discussing with the Bhutanese government,” he said. ‘The Bhutan King arrived in Delhi on Monday. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on him on Monday and hosted a dinner, which “involved good discussions and interaction” with the key CEOs of some of the Indian companies. King Jigme Wangchuck also called on President Droupadi Murmu. (ANI)
April 7, 2023 Friday MEA rejects China’s attempt to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh ARUNACHAL PRADESH FROM PAGE 1 China‘s cabinet, Global Times reported. The ministry announced the names of 11 places on Sunday and also gave precise coordinates, including two residential areas, five mountain peaks, two rivers and two other areas. China‘s Ministry of Civil Affairs also listed the category of places’ names and their subordinate administrative districts, as per the news report. According to a Global Times report, this is the third batch of geographical names announced by the ministry in Arunachal Pradesh. As per the news report, the first batch of the standardized names of six places was issued in 2017, and the second batch of 15 places was released in 2021. Earlier, in December last year, the Indian government said that it has seen reports of China attempting to rename some places in Arunachal Pradesh “in its own language” and asserted that the border state has been and will always be an integral part of India.” In response to a media query on reports that China has renamed some places in Arunachal Pradesh in its own language, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said China had also sought to assign such names in April 2017. “We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has attempted such a renaming of places in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. China had also sought to assign such names in April 2017,” Bagchi said. From The Poet’s Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- April 7, 2023 When I Get Time by Thomas L. Masson When I get time – I know what I shall do: I’ll cut the leaves of all my books And read them through and through. When I get time – I’ll write some letters then That I have owed for weeks and weeks To many, many men. When I get time – I’ll pay those calls I owe, And with those bills, those countless bills, I will not be so slow. When I get time – I’ll regulate my life In such a way that I may get Acquainted with my wife. When I get time – Oh glorious dream of bliss! A month, a year, ten years from now – But I can’t finish this – I’ve no more time. INDIA THIS WEEK President Murmu presents Padma Awards 2023 at civil investiture ceremony PADMA AWARDS FROM PAGE 1 noted paediatrician Dilip Mahalanabis (posthumous) and mathematician SR Shrinaivasa Varadhan. Mulayam Singh’s son Akhilesh Yadav received the award in honour of his late father Mulayam Singh Yadav. Further, Padma Bhushan was conferred to philanthropist Sudha Murty, SL Bhyrappa, Deepak Dhar, Vani Jairam (posthumous) and Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji. O s c a r- w i n n i n g song Naatu Naatu’s music composer MM Keeravaani, on Wednesday, was awarded the fourth highest civilian award, Padma Shri, by President Draupadi Murmu at a gilded ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Actor Raveena Tandon was awarded the fourth highest civilian award, Padma Shri by President Murmu. Expressing her gratitude for being picked for the top honour, Tandon earlier said, “Honoured and grateful. Thank you so much, Government of India, for acknowledging my contributions, my life, my passion and my purpose — cinema and the arts, that allowed me to contribute, not only to the film industry but beyond. I thank all those who guided me through this journey of Art and Craft of Cinema — all those who held my hand through it, and all those who watched me from their place above. I owe this to my father.” Veteran craft artist Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadari, who received Padma Shri told ANI, “I tried for 10 years to get this award. When BJP govt came, I thought I will not get this award because BJP never gives anything to Muslims, but PM Modi proved me wrong by choosing me for this award.” He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he received the award. 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 “During Congress rule, I didn’t get it (Padma Shri). I thought BJP govt will not give it to me but you proved me wrong,” said Quadari. Buddhist spiritual leader and head of the Thiksey monastery, Kushok Thiksey Nawang Chamba Stanzin received Padma Shri on Wednesday. “I have received an award for encouraging people to live together. PM Modi is doing a lot of work for the people of Ladakh. I am working for the upcoming generation,” Stanzin told ANI. President Murmu presented Padma Shri to Anand Kumar for literature andeducation.AnandKumar, the founder of Super 30, is a pioneering educator who has helped underprivileged students get admission into India’s premier educational institutions. (ANI) Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 5 (ANI): Five people drowned in Chennai’s Moovarasampet Pond during Nanganallur ‘Dharmalingeshwarar Temple‘ rituals on Wednesday. The deceased included the priest’s sons and volunteers from NGOs who were there to help carry the God’s statue. The bodies were sent for autopsy to Chrompet Government Hospital,saidPoliceofficials. Near Dharmalingeshwarar Temple in Chennai, Naganallur Moovarasampet Pond has water of over 20 feet in depth. On Wednesday morning as a part of specific rituals, statues were taken inside the pond in which unfortunately 5 people drowned. A preliminary investigation reveals that one person drowned in a pond during rituals and the other 4 were drowned when they tried to save the first person. When people got the message of the incident, they called emergency numbers and the rescue team rushed to the spot and started the rescue operation. 5 were found dead and their bodies were sent to Chrompet Government Hospital for Autopsy. The deceased were identified as Suriya (24) of Nanganallur, Raghvan (22) of Madipakkam, Raghavan (18) of Nanganallur, Yogeshwaran (23) of Kilkattalai and Pranesh (20) of Nanganallur. Chennai Commissioner Shankar Jiwal inspected the spot and rescue operation. While speaking with the Press Shankar Jiwal mentioned, “We are investigating this. It is said that during specific rituals one person slipped and while rescuing one person, others drowned. We are investigating this to know more details. Here people say drowned are priests and devotees. Yet to know more details about who they are. Our first job was to find out whether anybody was still stuck in the water as the pond is deep”. Tamil Nadu Rural Industries, Cottage Industries, Small Industries, Slum clearance board Minister T M Anbarasan visited Chrompet Government Hospital and consoled the deceased family. While speaking with the press, the minister said, “This Morning at 9.30 am as a part of Dharmalingeshwarar Temple rituals, the temple statue was brought to nearby Moovarasampet Pond in which one person slipped in-depth water. Others who tried to save him also drowned. Without proper safety measures rituals were organised, so only this incident happened. CM will help the deceased family for sure. This is a private temple. We are investigating more into this,” added the minister. (ANI) Tamil Nadu: 5 drown in Chennai pond 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
FRIDAY APRIL 7, 2023 7
April 7, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK “Congress wants all opposition parties to unite to fight against Modi govt’s dictatorship”: P Chidambaram Sivaganga (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 4 (ANI): Former Union Finance Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram urged all the political parties to unite and continue to fight against the dictatorship of the Modi government. Addressing the media Former Union Finance Minister on Monday said, “The party (Congress) wants all the opposition parties to unite and continue to fight against the dictatorship of the Modi government.” “On April 13, 2019, Rahul Gandhi attended the election rally in Kolar, Karnataka. After the election meeting, the reporter asked Rahul Gandhi a question on which he made his remark makes. After 3 days on April 16, Purnesh Modi filed a case in Surat, Gujarat. What is the connection between Kolar and Surat? It was spoken in Kolar, Karnataka,” Chidambaram said on Rahul Gandhi’s defamation case. He further said, “The case was pending for three years. When Rahul Gandhi raised the PM Adani issue. Within 30 days he was convicted in the defamation case and was disqualified on the next day. In the history of India, the maximum punishment of two years had never been given for such a case.” “Never in the history of India has 2 years imprisonment been imposed in a defamation case. What happened to Rahul Gandhi can happen to anyone tomorrow. It is not our intention to field Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate. Our aim is to unite opposition parties and oppose BJP,” Chidambaram added. On Monday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with several senior leaders including chief ministers of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh Surat accompanied Rahul Gandhi to the Gujarat court. Rahul Gandhi’s sister and party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accompanied him to the court. A Surat Sessions Court on Monday granted bail to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who had filed an appeal following his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his “Modi surname” remark during a political campaign in April 2019. The court in Gujarat’s Surat granted bail till the disposal of the appeal to Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case. Rahul Gandhi appeared in the court on Monday and filed an appeal against his March 23 conviction. (ANI Shahdol (Madhya Pradesh) [India], April 5 (ANI): Superintendent of police Kumar Prateek has adopted new ways to reduce crime in the district such as organizing street plays and putting up banners in temples, mosques and gurudwaras to create awareness. The police personnel and officers are trying to make people aware by setting up different camps. The SP of the district formed a special police team which is working in a different way for the prevention of women’s crimes so that rape and crime against women and girls in the district can be reduced. The special team is making people aware by setting up camps and stalls in the district’s temples, mosques and gurudwaras, as well as through street plays in other religious places. This method of police to reduce crime against women is different from all in Madhya Pradesh, where this effort of police, which started from Navratri, is now going on during the holy month of Muslim society, Ramzan. This innovation is of a different kind. S h a h d o l Superintendent of Police said that from the first day of Navratri, efforts have been made to create awareness and women empowerment in the form of street plays in religious places. They tried to make both women and men aware because most of the crimes against women are committed by men only. He further informed that such programs will continue to be held in the district to make women and girls aware and for women empowerment, which will reduce the graph of crime. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh: Shahdol police organize street plays, put up banners to raise awareness, prevent crimes
FRIDAY APRIL 7, 2023 India unveils new Foreign Trade Policy, focus on international trade settlement in rupees New Delhi [India], March 31 (ANI): The Central government on Friday unveiled India’s new Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, which seeks to boost the country’s exports to USD 2 trillion by the year 2030 and focuses on international trade settlement in rupees. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal unveiled FTP 2023 which will come into effect from April 1. The Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20, which was to end in March 2020 was extended due to the Covid19 pandemic and volatile geo-political scenario and was set to end today. Internationaltradesettlement in rupee is allowed under the new policy and changes introduced for the grant of export benefits and fulfilment of export obligation for export realizations in Indian currency as per RBI norms. The government has been working towards making the Indian rupee a global currency and allowing international trade settlement. The RBI had last year put in place an additional arrangement for invoicing, payment, and settlement of exports/ imports in Indian currency. This mechanism will help in internationalizing the Indian currency in the long run. A currency can be termed “international” if it is widely accepted worldwide as a medium of exchange. The Foreign Trade Policy 2023 being is aimed to provide policy continuity and a responsive framework. Under the new policy, provisions for merchanting trade are also proposed. A merchanting transaction is one which involves the shipment of goods from one foreign country to another foreign country involving an Indian Intermediary. The government believes merchanting trade is expected to facilitate trade, making India a trade hub. Also, four new towns of export excellence (TEE) are being declared in addition to the already existing 39 towns of export excellence. They are Faridabad for apparel, Moradabad for handicrafts, Mirzapur for handmade carpet and dari, and Varanasi for handloom and handicraft. The benefits of such export excellence are recognition, market access initiative scheme, and common service provider facility. India’s total exports already crossed USD 750 billion and is projected to touch USD 760 billion by today, and will be the highest by the country ever. This will be an increase of over 13 per cent on a yearly basis. “India’s projected growth (in 2023) is more than double the projected growth for the world. The WTO’s global trade forecast predicts growth in world trade to slow down to 1 percent in 2023, due to global uncertainties. Export scenario will remain challenging,” the government said in its presentation. In the past six-toseven years, India’s exports have risen by about 75 per cent, as compared to 28 per cent at the global level, data showed. During the period, engineering and agricultural exports rose 81 per cent and 61 per cent, respectively. Pharma and electronics goods rose 45 per cent and 163 per cent, respectively. Coming to marine products and toy, they rose 63 per cent and 89 per cent, respectively, data showed. Further, dairy sector to be exempted from maintaining Average Export Obligation. It aims to support the dairy sector to upgrade technology. Battery electric vehicles (BEV) of all types, 9 vertical farming equipment, wastewater treatment and recycling, rainwater harvesting system and rainwater filters, and green hydrogen are added to green technology products will now be eligible for reduced Export Obligation requirement under Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme. For ramping up e-commerce exports, all benefits under the trade policy will be extended to the exporters. Special outreach and training activities for small e-commerce exporters will be ensured. The government estimates suggest that e-commerce exports are expected to grow to USD 200-300 billion by 2030. The government will set sector-specific targets to achieve the goal of trillion dollar merchandise exports by 2030. The government will also restructure the Department of Commerce to make it future-ready. (ANI)
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