INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2022 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: 25 • WASHINGTON D.C • Phone: 301-917-4800; 301-445-0200 • e-mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday • June 24, 2022 CCS approves ‘Agnipath’ scheme aiming to grant opportunity to youth to get inducted into Armed services New Delhi [India], June 14 (ANI): Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has taken a historic decision by approving the transformative scheme of ‘Agnipath’ wherein Indian youth would be granted an opportunity to get inducted into the Armed services. “The Cabinet Committee on Security has taken a historic decision today to approve the transformative scheme of ‘Agnipath’. Under this, Indian youth would be granted an opportunity to get inducted into the Armed services. Under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme, efforts are to create a youthful profile of the Armed forces,” Singh said while addressing a press conference in the national capital today. The Union Minister said, “It would help to train them for new technologies and also improve their health levels. This scheme will increase employment opportunities with new skills in different sectors.” The Defence Minister said that the entire nation, especially our youth, treats the armed forces with respect. “Every child aspires to wear an army uniform at some point in their lifetime,” he said. T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman, News India Times. to the United Nations, Ambassador T S Tirumurti, Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University Santishree Pandit, Chairman of SME Council, Sudhakar Gande, Incredible Inc. awardees, and other guests were present at the event. In his acceptance keynote address Clyburn noted that in his office he has the image of Mahatma Gandhi over the figurines of notable Americans like W.E.B Du Bois, Lyndon Johnson, and Thurgood Marshall. “I am in my 30th year in the US Congress and I have had that image hanging in my office every single day. There’s a reason for that and that’s not accidental,” Clyburn said. It was because of Martin Luther King Jr. “King convinced me it was not enough to just talk about Gandhi’s philosophy. Asking the youth to have a “youthful profile”, he said, “Youthful profile will also have the advantage that they can be easily trained for new technologies, and their health and fitness level will also be better.” “Efforts are being made under the Agnipath scheme, that the profile of Indian Armed Forces should be as youthful as the profile of wider Indian population. This will also lead to the availability of a higher-skilled workforce to the economy which will be helpful in productivity gain and overall GDP growth. The employment opportunities will increase with the ‘Agnipath’ scheme. Skills and experience acquired during Agniveer’s service will assure employment in various fields,” he said. This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked the government departments to recruit 10 lakh people in the next 1.5 years in a “mission mode.” PM Modi directed various departments to undertake the recruitment in organisations after the review of the status of the human resources in all government departments and ministries. Informing about the directions from PM Modi, the PMO office took to Twitter and wrote, “PM Narendra Modi reviewed the status of Human Resources in all departments and ministries and instructed that recruitment of 10 lakh people be done by the Government in a mission Agnipath see page 6 House Majority Whip James Clyburn receives Mahatma Gandhi Global Peace Award The US-India SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) Council hosted its first Annual Incredible Inc. 50 Awards and presented the Mahatma Gandhi Global Peace Award to the Majority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives, James Clyburn, D-SC, June 16, 2022, at the Tower Club in Tysons Corner, Virginia. CEO & President of the SME Council, Elisha Pulivarti, said that Incredible Inc. awards were established to recognize 25 companies in India and 25 companies in the U.S., all fast-growing private companies evaluated based on a review of revenue growth and other key factors over a three-year period. Congressman Clyburn, Permanent Representative of India Quote: “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.” — Helen Keller life. L-R: Majority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives, Jim Clyburn, and Sudhakar Gande, Founder and Chairman, U.S. India SME Council, Inc You needed to practice the philosophy. And I became a disciple of Gandhi that evening and that’s why you see that image in my office. I know the relationship that exists between our countries, I know how important that relationship is, and I also know how challenging that is to keep up,” he said. Clyburn recalled the circumstances of his initial meeting with Rev. King Jr and civil rights leader and late Congressman John Lewis in 1960, as a student at South Carolina State University. The meeting completely transformed his “He [Dr. King] agreed to give us an hour and walked into that meeting at 10pm. We came out of that meeting at 4 am the next morning. I call that the sixhour experience,” Clyburn said, adding “I’ve never been the same again. Because that evening, King Jr. shared with us his studies of Mahatma Gandhi, and shared with us how important he thought it was for him to adopt and for us to follow not just the teachings of Gandhi, but the example of Gandhi.” Ambassador Tirumurti dwelt on why the Mahatma Gandhi Global Leadership Award was being endowed on Congressman Clyburn, honoring the legacy of Gandhiji. Tirumurti also spoke of his significant role in the MOU signed at the Africa-India Economic Foundation and the SME Council meeting in September last year. He credited Mahatma Gandhi for USME COUNCIL AWARDS SEE PAGE 8
June 24, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Uddhav Thackeray leaves official residence Varsha for family home amid Maharashtra M u m b a i (Maharashtra) [India], June 22 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray left his official residence ‘Varsha’ along with his family members on Wednesday hours after he expressed his readiness to step down if rebel MLAs returned to Mumbai and made such a demand. Uddhav Thackeray left his official residence along with members of his family amid slogans of “Uddhav tum aage badho, hum tumhare saath hain” from his supporters. Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray along with his mother Rashmi Thackeray and brother Tejas Thackeray followed Uddhav Thackeray in a car as left the official residence. Luggage was also seen being moved out of the chief minister’s official residence. The political crisis facing the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra deepened on Wednesday after rebel party MLAs claimed support of 46 MLAs. Congress and NCP are partners of Shiv Sena in the alliance government. Shiv Sena workers also gathered outside Matoshree, the residence of Thackeray family, to express their support. Earlier this evening, Thackeray addressed the people of the state via Facebook and said he was willing to give his resignation to party MLAs who can take it to Raj Bhavan. Noting that a section of party MLAs was gunning for his ouster, he said instead of going to Surat, they could have conveyed their feelings to him. Thackeray said it is a matter of shame for him if “even a single MLA” was against him. “If any MLA wants me to not continue as the CM, I am ready to take all my belongings from Varsha Bungalow (official residence of the CM) to Matoshri,” Thackeray said. “I am ready to give my resignation to the MLAs, they should come here and take my resignation to Raj Bhavan. I am ready to leave the post of Shiv Sena party head also, not on the saying of others but my workers,” he added. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut expressed confidence of Shiv Sena sailing through the crisis. “ U d d h a v Thackeray is Maharashtra Chief Minister and he will remain the CM. If we get the chance, we will prove our majority on the floor of the House,” he said. Shiv Sena MLA Eknath Shinde, who is leading the revolt, said that it was essential for the party for its survival to get out of the “unnatural alliance” and asserted that only the constituent parties benefitted during the tenure of the coalition government in the state. “In the last two and a half years, the government benefited only the constituent parties. It’s essential to get out of the unnatural alliance for the survival of the party. Decisions need to be taken now in the interest of Maharashtra,” Shinde said in tweets. (ANI) Dindigul (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 22 (ANI): At least one person was killed in the fire that broke out at a shop of firecracker outside the Dindigul Collector’s Office in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. “Fire broke out at a firecracker shop opposite the Dindigul Collector’s Office. One person was killed in the incident. We will register a case and investigate the matter,” Superintendent of Dindigul Police V. Baskaran informed. More details into this matter are awaited. (ANI) Tamil Nadu: One dead after fire at firecracker shop in Dindigul
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June 24, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Indian Embassy celebrates eighth International Yoga Day at Washington Monument Noting that people-to-people ties are at the core of the India-US relationship, Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu said, “We are committed to strengthening this vital linkage and yoga is an important medium”. By Geeta Goindi Washington, DC, June 19, 2022 – Ahead of the eighth International Day of Yoga, the Indian Embassy in Washington, together with Friends of Yoga, organized an inspiring event in the heart of the nation’s capital celebrating an ancient Indian discipline, now a way of life for many around the globe. Under a pristine blue sky on a morning which felt more like early Spring than mid June, hundreds of yoga enthusiasts gathered on the grounds of the iconic Washington Monument for the much-awaited Yoga Day program, the fourth such observance at this historic location. Following two years of virtual celebrations on account of the coronavirus pandemic, it was a refreshing change to attend an event outdoors, inhaling fresh air, which is best suited for this physical, mental and spiritual practice. Looking around, Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu said he was “delighted to see such a large gathering from various walks of life”. In turn, he was warmly applauded by members of what he described as a “wonderful Diaspora”. Reportedly, some 37 million people are active practitioners of yoga here in America. “In the United States, a large number of people have embraced yoga”, Sandhu told an attentive audience. “It’s heartening to see the enthusiasm from pre-K to universities, from public-private sectors, young and old”, he said, noting that yoga studios have sprung up all over the country. “People-to-people ties are at the core of our bilateral relationship as is being guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden”, said the envoy emphasizing, “We are committed to strengthening this vital linkage and yoga is an important medium”. It Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu addressing the gathering on the eighth International Yoga Day celebration in Washington is a medium that binds and unites! “In Sanskrit, Yoga means to join”, Sandhu noted. “Yoga joins an individual with one’s consciousness, with the higher self, with fellow human beings and nature. Yoga is an enhancer – physical, mental, spiritual and intellectual. We require it very much for our well being”, he said. In recent times, with sedentary lifestyles, a rise in the number of diseases and challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the On the occasion of the eighth International Day of Yoga, hundreds of people participated in postures laid out in the common yoga protocol. The event organized by the Indian Embassy was held on the grounds of the Washington Monument envoy pointed out, “Yoga has come into much sharper focus. And now with the post-Covid scenario, Yoga is helping to build resilience, health, unity, togetherness, compassion and happiness”. It is appropriate that the theme for this year’s International Day of Yoga is ‘Yoga for Humanity’, a reminder that this ancient practice is truly universal. “This year is also very special for us”, Sandhu told the gathering. “We are celebrating 75 years of independence, ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’,” he said to much applause. The envoy recalled how eight years ago, in 2014, Prime Minister Modi had urged the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to adopt a resolution for an International Day of Yoga. Within 75 days, a record for the UN body, the General Assembly declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga with the overwhelming support of member nations: 175 countries joined as cosponsors, the highest number for any General Assembly resolution. “Since then, millions of people have taken part in the celebrations every year across the world”, Sandhu said. On hand at the Yoga Day event on the National Mall was special guest Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, the 15th director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), who commended Sandhu for his tireless service in promoting India-US ties. “You have been a tremendous advocate, a great friend – a personal friend and a friend of the United States”, he told the ambassador. “You are promoting an invaluable partnership between the two nations. You are a tireless worker”, he said. In his remarks to the gathering, Panchanathan spoke of the deep connection between yoga and science. “Yoga connotes unity, uniting in every form of every type, uniting the body, the mind and spirit so that we might have a healthy, happy and prosperous life. At the same time, yoga is also uniting the world, bringing people together” irrespective of geographical location or other divides, he said. “Yoga is truly a uniting force, literally a force bringing people together all across the world”, he said, applauding the ancient practice as “a great gift by India to all of humanity”. By the same token, the NSF head noted, “Science is a unitor. Science is a motivator. Science is an enabler. Science is a uniter across geography and boundaries. Science makes solutions possible. Whatever I said now, replace science with yoga. It is exactly the same thing”, he said, drawing the conclusion that science and yoga are synergized to such an extent that both convey the same tenets. Panchanathan, who grew up in Chennai, told the gathering that he was inspired by his paternal grandfather who practiced yoga daily until the ripe old age of 93. “He was a healthy man and a happy man”, he recalled. BothPanchanathan and Sandhu participated in performing the yog ‘asanas’ (postures) in the common yoga protocol, along with hundreds of attendees seated on mats which were spread out on the sprawling lawn of the Washington Monument. “I wish all of you an invigorating morning of yoga”, the ambassador told the crowd and shared an apt quote by Prime Minister Modi who said: “In a world of excess, yoga promises restrain and balance. In a world suffering from mental stress, yoga promises calm. In a distracted world, yoga helps focus, improves concentration. And in a world of fear, yoga promises hope and courage”.
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June 24, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK CCS approves ‘Agnipath’ scheme aiming to grant opportunity to youth to get inducted into Armed services spectrum of conflict and it will increase the technical threshold of the Army by recruiting ‘Agniveers’ through ITIs and other techinstitutes.” The Army chief highlighted that ‘Agniveers’ will be assimilated and integrated into Army in every way. “We will institute a fair, transparent and scientific method in screening initial intake of four years and apply similar yardsticks to select those who will get enrolled... ‘Agniveers’ will be assimilated and integrated into Army in every way,” he said. “There won’t be any compromise on the skillset of Agniveers. We will deploy Agniveers on borders,” Chief Of Army Staff General Manoj Pande said. The Army chief said further, “Agnipath scheme aims to bring a paradigm shift in recruitment in armed forces. Agnipath scheme will help ensure optimum balance between youth and experience in Army.” AGNIPATH FROM PAGE 1 mode in the next 1.5 years.” Department of Military Affairs calls for harnessing potential of youth by making them ‘Agniveers’ Department of Military Affairs on Tuesday appreciated the Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande government’s decision requirements of armed to approve the Agnipath Puri said. Agnipath scheme Here, the forces. This idea that will aims to make the Army a government unveiled a new scheme under which the make the profile of armed future-ready fighting force scheme called “Agnipath” youngsters will be provided Indian Navy calls forces more youthful, as per capable of meeting multiple for the recruitment of with an opportunity to serve ‘Agnipath’ scheme Kargil Committee Report.” in the regular cadre of the a visionary move challenges across the full soldiers in the Army, the “The Agnipath spectrum of conflict, Indian Navy and the Air Force, Armed Forces. Addressing that will bring scheme will have a positive Army Chief General Manoj largely on a short-term a press conference today impact on the Armed Forces. Pande said on Tuesday. in this regard, Lieutenant multi-dimensional contractual basis, with an This idea has the capacity GeneralAnil Puri,Additional transformations to Defence Minister aim to cut the ballooning to change society. We can’t Rajnath Singh, with three salary and pensions bill. Secretary, Department of Armed forces Military Affairs said, “We Hailing Agnipath afford to continue on the services chiefs General Speaking at the will provide an opportunity scheme under which the known path,” Chief of Naval Manoj Pande (Army), Air press conference today, to the youth to serve the youngsters will get an Staff said. Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari the Indian Army chief nation for a short and long opportunity to serve in the and Admiral R Hari Kumar said, “Agnipath scheme duration, as agniveers. We regular cadre of the Armed Agnipath scheme (Navy), addressed a joint aims to make the Army a are giving youth a chance for Forces, the Indian Navy on to prepare Army for press conference today at future-ready fighting force both long and short-duration Tuesday said that Agnipath future challenges: National Media Centre in capable of meeting multiple military service.” is a visionary move that will challenges across the full General Manoj Pande New Delhi. D e f e n c e bring multi-dimensional Minister Rajnath Singh transformations to the Navy. today highlighted that the Addressing a Address: P.O. Box 352Bryans Road, MD 20616 Agniveers will form a press conference in the INDIA THIS WEEK- June 24, 2022 Phone: 301-917-4800; 301-445-0200 distinct rank in the three national capital today, INDIA THIS WEEK- August 28, 2020 services, and will also wear Indian Navy Chief Admiral 301-445-3543; 301-685-1800 a distinct insignia as part of R Hari Kumar said, “As far www.indiathisweek.online their uniform. Lieutenant as the Navy is concerned, India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, General Anil Puri further ‘Agniveers’ will provide Views expressed in this paper are solely those of the individual writers and not said, “Today average age is a steady and continuous necessarily of India This Week. India This Week accepts no liability for the around 32 years, in time to infusion of unbridled errors in advertisements or in any of its reports. For remedial actions any come it will further come vitality, enthusiasm and errors should be brought to the attention of the editor either by mail to the down to 26 years. This will new-age abilities of youth. “Last eve I paused beside the blacksmith’s door, above address or by e-mail provided below. happen in 6-7 years. In order Women too will be included And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime; to transform armed forces in the Agniveer scheme of Publisher: Dr. Babu Stephen into youthful, tech-savvy, the Indian Navy. I believe Chief Editor: Rajan George Then looking in, I saw upon the floor, Contributing Editors: Saju Mathew modern, there’s a need to that Agnipath is a visionary Old hammers, worn with beating years of time. Isaac George harness the youth potential move that will bring multiAsst. Editors: Manu Jacob and make him a future-ready dimensional transformations Sherena Panjikkaran to the Navy.” soldier”. Special Business Correspondent Elisha B. Pulivarti “‘How many anvils have you had,’ said I, “Agnipath scheme “Agniveer would Business Coordinators Rajan C. George be a part of this future- is a new idea of the new ‘To wear and batter all these hammers so?’ Jithu Johny Panjikkaran ready soldier. Agniveer era. An idea that is made in Dr. Renuka Misra, ‘Just one,’ said he, and then with twinkling eye, would be India’s young India and made for India. An Special Correspondent: Geeta Goindi protector. After being with idea that will have positive Community Coordinator: Prof. Vinod Goel ‘The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.’ us for 4 years, an agniveer’s impact on the human India Office Manish Krishna management resume and biodata will be resources Columnists: Anadi Naik World Religions Dr. Sam Prasad Jillella very unique. He will stand of armed forces,” he said. “And so, I thought, the Anvil of God’s Word Photo Journalist: Mathew Karmel, out in the crowd with his Indian Navy top official For ages skeptic blows have beat upon; System Admn. & Maintenance: Rajan C. George attitude, skills and time he said, “This idea will bring Layout & Graphics: Prinston Samuel, would have spent with us,” balance between the youth Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard, Business Affairs: Mrs. Molly George Lieutenant General Anil aspirations and future From thePoet’sPen INDIA THIS WEEK TheAnvil of God’s Word For Advertisements Call: 301-445-0200 301-917-4800 indiathisweekads@gmail.com From thePoet’sPen The Anvil is unharmed, the hammers gone.” —Attributed to John Clifford Advertisements: ADV Solutions Inc. Tel: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 301-445-3543, 301-685-1800 e-Mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Letters, Comments, Press Releases: indiathisweek@gmail.com
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June 24, 2022 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK House Majority Whip James Clyburn receives Mahatma Gandhi Global Peace Award Awardees with Chief Guest on June 16th at Tower Club in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia. USME COUNCIL AWARDS FROM PAGE 1 building another great triangular partnership forged over 100 years ago, bringing India, Africa and the U.S. together. “It started with none other than Mahatma Gandhi. After spending more than two decades in South Africa, a country which helped shape his philosophy of satyagraha and nonviolence, Gandhiji returned to India to lead India’s freedom struggle based on truth and nonviolence. The great Mahatma in turn went on to inspire another great leader of our generation in the United States, Dr. King. This was a triangular partnership, which started more than 125 years ago.” According to Tirumurti, India shares many priorities at the United Nations with the U.S., and spoke about the bilateral relations based on the “bedrock of democracy, pluralism, and shared values and interests” which are at an all-time high, similar to the India-Africa relations. India is striving to implement the ten guiding principles recommended by Prime Minister Modi for India’s engagement with Africa, he said. Rajan Natarajan, founder and CEO of Global Alliant, Inc, who introduced Clyburn at the event, thanked him for his 30-plus years of leadership in Congress, and for his continued support to the small business community. The United States is home to 32.5 million small businesses that employ over 60 million people and represent about 47 per cent of the American workforce, he noted. Chairman of the SME Council, Sudhakar Gande recognized the work done by U.S. and Indian governments to revive the economy during these unprecedented times. He especially appreciated Indian Prime Minister Modi’s support for the SME sector, particularly because nearly 70 per cent of employment, and 55 per cent of GDP are generated by this sector around the world, he estimated. Notable awardees in the leadership, and Incredible Inc. categories included Prabhudev Konana, dean and professor of Information Systems, at the University of Maryland, Judge Chung Pak for administrative law services of Maryland, G. Rathinavelu for international trade from India, Anthony Irudhayanathan of Zillion Technologies, Inc, Anand Poojary of Woodlands Caterers, Inc, Sagar Sawant of Cyquent, Inc, Srihari Kotela of E-fresh Agribusiness Solutions among others. The President’s Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented by Congressman Jim Clyburn to Global Peace Foundation, Sudhakar Gande, Chairman, U.S. India SME Council, Inc and Jack White, Chairman of the Tower Club for their leadership commitment, time and passion for community and country to the public good. On behalf of the American people, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to you for your leadership, and I encourage you to continue to answer the call to serve. The Country is counting on you, said President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.in his letter. Ajay Sarin, CEO of Axiscades Inc, delivered the vote of thanks at the event. New Delhi [India], June 21 (ANI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday announced that former Minister of Finance and External Affairs Yashwant Sinha will be the common candidate of the Opposition parties for the Presidential election, which will take place on July 18, 2022, said a statement. In his long and distinguished career in public life, Sinha has served the nation in various capacities as an able administrator, accomplished parliamentarian and acclaimed Union Minister of Finance and External Affairs. He is eminently qualified to uphold the secular and democratic character of the Indian Republic and its Constitutional values, said the press release. Ideally, a consensus candidate of the Government and the Opposition should be elected for the highest office of the Republic. However, the initiative for this should have been taken by the Government. “We regret the fact that the Modi Government made no serious efforts in this direction. We, therefore, appeal to the BJP and its allies to support the candidature of Sinha so that the nation can have a worthy Rashtrapati elected unopposed,” the statement said. decided to file the nomination on June 27 at 11.30 am. He will be filing the nomination and it will be supported by all the opposition political parties.” “It will be signed by various Political Parties MPs and MLAs throughout the Country,” he added. He further said they have also decided to run a ‘good campaign’. The Campaign Committee is formed in which the Jairam Ramesh will be coordinating and Sharad Pawar will lead as the patron of this committee. “Definitely we are putting very serious fight and competition for the post of the President, the highest office in the country,” he added. N a t i o n a l Democratic Alliance (NDA) has announced Droupadi Murmu, tribal leader and former governor as the candidate for presidential polls. Yashwant Sinha to be common candidate of Opposition parties for Presidential poll Yashwant Sinha to file nomination on June 27; Oppn to run ‘good campaign’ Yashwant Sinha, a former Union Minister and the joint opposition candidate for the presidential election will file his nomination on June 27 in the Parliament with five sets of nominations. Speaking to ANI, RSP Lok Sabha MP from Kerala, N K Premchandran said, “We have already
FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2022 9 Presidential polls: NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu likely to file nomination on June 25 New Delhi [India], June 22 (ANI): BJP-led NDA’spresidentialcandidate Droupadi Murmu is likely to file her nomination on June 25, said sources on Tuesday. Droupadi Murmu, on Tuesday, was declared BJP-led NDA’s presidential candidate. She is a former Governor of Jharkhand and a former Odisha minister. On the other hand, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh today announced that former Minister of Finance and External Affairs Yashwant Sinha will be the common candidate of the Opposition parties for the Presidential election, which will take place on July 18, 2022, said a statement. The late date for filing nominations for the Presidential election is June 29, the polling will take place on July 18 and the votes will be counted on July 21. S p e a k i n g exclusively to ANI over the phone, Murmu said she was surprised to learn about her candidature and was unable to believe it and noted that she will work according to the powers of the President enshrined in the constitution. She said she will reach out to members of the electoral college for their support. “I am surprised, I was not able to believe it. I am thankful, do not wish to speak much (at this stage),” Droupadi Murmu, a former Jharkhand Governor, said. “Whatever powers are there of President in Constitution, I will work accordingly,” she said in response to a query about her priorities if she is elected as president. Asked about the contest with opposition parties on Tuesday declaring former union minister Yashwant Sinha as their presidential nominee, she said there are candidates in the fray and she will seek the support of MPs and MLAs. “There are candidates. Our work is go to people, reach out to the members of the electoral college and seek their cooperation. I will request all parties, states for support,” she said. Droupadi Murmu was on Tuesday declared BJP-led NDA’s presidential candidate. She is a former Odisha minister. The voting for presidential elections will be held on July 18. If elected, she will be the first tribal President of India and the country’s second female President. Droupadi Murmu is the first presidential candidate from Odisha of a major political party or alliance. She continues to break barriers and was the first woman governor of Jharkhand. She served as Jharkhand Governor from 2015 to 2021. Coming from a poor tribal family in a village of Mayurbhanj, a backward district in Odisha, Droupadi Murmu completed her studies despite challenging circumstances. She taught at Shri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre, Rairangpur. Born on June 20, 1958, she pursued BA at Ramadevi Women’s College Bhubaneswar. She started her political career as Rairangpur NAC vicechairman. Droupadi Murmu was a member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly from Rairangpur between 2000 and 2004. As a minister, she held portfolios of Transport and Commerce, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries. She again served as MLA in the Odisha assembly from 2004 to 2009. In 2007, the Odisha assembly honoured her with ‘Nilakantha Award’ for best MLA. She served as junior assistant in Irrigation and Power Department between 1979 and 1983. She has held several organisational posts in BJP and was vice president state ST Morcha in 1997. Droupadi Murmu was a national executive member of BJP’s ST Morcha from 2013 to 2015 and served as BJP district chief of Mayurbhanj (West) in 2010 and 2013. Between 2006 and 2009, she was chief of BJP’s ST Morcha in Odisha. She was a member of the national executive of BJP ST Morcha from 2002 to 2009. (ANI)
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