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After Congress leader Aslam Shaikh inaugurates sports complex named after Tipu Sultan, Aaditya Thackeray says name not finalised yet

OpIndia Staff
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After Congress leader Aslam Shaikh inaugurates sports complex named after Tipu Sultan, Aaditya Thackeray says name not finalised yet

Maharashtra Environment Minister of Mumbai Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday responded to the raging controversy over the naming of a sports complex in Mumbai’s Malad suburb after Tipu Sultan, the 18th-Century ruler of Mysuru. After the sports complex named after Tipu Sultan was inaugurated by Congress leader Aslam Shaikh, Aaditya Thackeray said that the name of the park is not finalised yet.

“Finalising official names of projects comes under the purview of the BMC,” Thackeray told reporters. “The mayor has said that the official name of that park has not been finalised yet.”

Thackeray’s assertion that the sports complex is yet to be christened comes in stark contrast to the claims made by Maharashtra minister Aslam Shaikh who inaugurated the facility. Shaikh had stated that the park had always borne the name of Tipu Sultan, and there was no fresh nomenclature.

At an event, Shaikh said, “The garden is named thus (after Tipu Sultan) for the last 15 years, but nobody objected to it till now. LoP has raised objections to the naming of the complex after Tipu Sultan. My question is: will he ask his party’s MLA &councillor, who first made this proposal, to resign?”

“As part of the renovation of the existing garden, tennis and badminton courts have been built and they are open to all irrespective of religion or caste,” he added.

Shiv Sena, BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal protest against the naming of sports complex after Tipu Sultan

BJP, Bajrang Dal and other organisations have been protesting against the naming of a sports complex after Tipu, a polarising figure who was known for being one of the most ruthless Islamic invaders in South India. There have been several recorded instances of Tipu’s army forcefully converting, raping and kidnapping Hindus on his orders. Many temples are recorded to have been demolished under his reign. Historians such as Khan Hussain Ali Kirmani have pointed out that Tipu Sultan had animosity for the local Hindus and tribals in the area.

Even members of Shiv Sena protested against the naming of the sports complex after the 18th-century rule of Mysuru. On Tuesday, Shiv Sena workers staged a protest outside the sports complex and expressed their displeasure over the naming of the park.

30 years of Ekta Yatra: A walk down memory lane when PM Modi unfurled India’s tricolour flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar

Gopal Tiwari
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30 years of Ekta Yatra: A walk down memory lane when PM Modi unfurled India’s tricolour flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar

As India celebrates its 73rd Republic Day on 26th January 2022, an old speech PM Narendra Modi has gone viral on social media. This speech was given on 24th January 1992 somewhere in Kashmir when Narendra Modi was on his way to Srinagar’s Lal Chowk to unfurl the Indian flag Tricolour as a part of the BJP’s Ekta Yatra under the leadership of Dr Mulrli Manohar Joshi.

In the video, Modi could be heard saying, “Terrorists have challenged that one who is a real son of his mother should try and dare to unfurl the Indian flag Tricolour at the Lal Chowk of Srinagar. We will see if he manages to go back alive. I want to tell them, it is just a matter of a few hours before 26th January. Who is the real son of his mother, will be decided in the Lal Chowk of Srinagar on 26th January.”

After this, he is seen with Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and other BJP workers waving the Tricolour at Lal Chowk. It is notable that after Modi became the Prime Minister, articles 370 and 35A were revoked in his second tenure and Lal Chowk was decorated with the lighting of three colours of the Indian flag. Modi has proved himself to be a man of his word.

Narendra Modi participated in BJP’s Ekta Yatra in Kashmir in 1992

After the phenomenal success of the Ram Rath Yatra led by LK Advani, the BJP had come up with Ekta Yatra in 1992. Kashmir had then become home to Islamic terrorists and Kashmiri Pandits were compelled to leave their homes on 19th January 1990. Those who resisted were killed. Terrorists were openly threatening the Indian republic that they will draw out Kashmir from India on the basis of religion. Insulting the national symbols of India was one of the acts terrorists would repeatedly use to mock the largest democratic nation day in and day out. It was at this time that the BJP organized the Ekta Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. Waving the Indian flag at the Lal Chowk in Srinagar was to be the conclusive point of this yatra. Modi was one of the key organizers of this yatra led by Dr Murli Manohar Joshi.

Years after when Narendra Modi was serving as the chief minister of Gujrat, he recalled this incident in one of his speeches. In this speech he said “I remember, I had gone to Lal Chowk in Srinagar in 1992 to wave the national flag. In those days, terrorism there was at its peak. Terrorists used to insult our national flag Tricolour. They would trample the flag under their feet. They would burn the flag. Some of them would even clean their cars and shoes with the flag and they were doing this all on camera. This scene would put my heart on fire. We had then been on a yatra. We had taken the Tricolour in our hands and we started our march from Kanyakumari. And we had decided that we will go to the Lal Chowk of Srinagar and wave our national flag there. Friends, to go into the very hearts of the area which had become the strong fortress of the terrorists who insult our national flag, and to wave our flag there, how do you think of it?”

Explaining how did it all bring a change within him, Modi further said, “Friends, we left from Kanyakumari. When we started our yatra at that time in Srinagar, terrorists had written on the walls that ‘we will see who is the real son of his mother, who is daring enough to wave the Indian flag at Lal Chowk of Srinagar and go back alive. Starting from Kanyakumari when I reached Hyderabad, at that time I received a few new paper cuttings in which all those posters etc were shown. From Hyderabad onwards, I changed my speech. There was a natural change in the way I used to talk in that yatra so far. A voice came from within. I challenged them back from the public meeting in Hyderabad. It was exactly one month before Republic Day when we were supposed to reach Lal Chowk of Srinagar. At that time I had said in the public meeting and you may watch it if any video clipping of that Ekta Yatra is available.”

‘I waved the flag at Lal Chowk of Srinagar, in defiance of threat issued by terrorists’: Modi

Reiterating his old talk in Hyderabad, Modi is seen in this video saying further “I had said in the public meeting in Hyderabad that those terrorists have challenged me by saying that who is daring enough to wave the Indian flag at Lal Chowk of Srinagar and go back alive. I had further said in the public meeting that I will reach Lal Chowk of Srinagar on 26th January at 11 AM sharp. I will not wear any bulletproof jacket. I will not board any bulletproof vehicle. I will have nothing in my hands except the Tricolour. And on 26th January at 11 AM, it will be decided at Lal Chowk of Srinagar who is daring enough and who is the real son of his mother. Friends, I went there on time. I waved the flag and today I am here right in front of you.”

After describing this incident, The then CM of Gujrat, Narendra Modi is seen in this video saying “It is not just now that I am fighting with these terrorists. This has been a long battle.” The Ekta Yatra was attacked by terrorists when it reached Kashmir. Just before the completion of the BJP’s Ekta Yatra, the terrorists blew a grenade at the police headquarters, in which the then Director General of Police JN Saxena was injured. Sensing the situation, the then administration had airlifted some senior BJP leaders including Murli Manohar Joshi, Narendra Modi to Srinagar. Murli Manohar Joshi, Narendra Modi and others involved as a member of his team hoisted the tricolour. They waved the flag for not less than fifteen minutes. During this, the terrorists also fired rockets that did not hit the target. After this, all the leaders and workers returned safely.

Lal Chowk of Srinagar has been like never before in the recent past especially after revoking articles 370 and 35a. Last year, lighting were set up at Lal Chowk on the occasion of Independence Day. It was followed by the Krishna Janmashtami celebration at Lal Chowk.

Rajput organisation expresses anger after Rana Ayyub called ‘Maharana’ for supporting terror group in Yemen

OpIndia Staff
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Rajput organisation expresses anger after Rana Ayyub called ‘Maharana’ for supporting terror group in Yemen

The controversial journalist Rana Ayyub is embroiled in more controversies. As usual, she has spread her propaganda. But, this time the propaganda is not only against India. Rather, supporting terrorism, she has stepped ahead to spread the propaganda against Saudi Arabia and UAE. Due to this propaganda, Rana Ayyub was slammed by netizens of both these countries. She had dreamed of going Hajj in 2022. Nobody knows whether this will be possible now or not. But now Rajput organizations have become agitated for her being called ‘Maharana’.

Let us first briefly explain what is going on between Rana and the netizens of Saudi Arabia and UAE. There is a civil war going on in Yemen, one of the poorest Arab countries. and Yemen. The 2011 uprising forced the resignation of its president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, who had been in power for 34 years. He also passed away in 2017. Houthi (Ansar Allah) rebels, a hardline Shia minority group, took advantage of the weakness of the new president, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, to capture the capital Sanaa in 2015.

Saudi Arabia found Shia Iran to be behind it and 8 Sunni Arab countries waged war against the Houthi under Saudi Arabia’s leadership. In a recent attack on Abu Dhabi airport, Houthi attack killed two Indian Sikhs. But, Rana Ayyub supported them, due to which the people of Saudi Arabia and UAE called her more dangerous than terrorists. Rana Ayyub also saw the fault of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this. Now, the supporters of Rana Ayyub like Aakar Patel called her ‘Maharana’.

You can see in the tweet attached below how an attempt has been made to glorify Rana Ayyub by writing ‘Maharana’ on his picture. Responding to this, people have explained that the designation ‘Rana’ and ‘Maharana’ (महाराणा) used by Hindus (Kshatriyas) is different and the name ‘Rana’ (राना अयूब) used by Muslims is different. The Hindus expressed their indignation at this and scolded Aakar Patel for the comparison of Rana Ayyub with the great Maharanas.

Now Rajput organizations have objected to this. The Rajput organization ‘Kshatriya Parishad’ has said “The life of Hindua Suraj Maharana Pratap is an eternal tale of inextinguishable love for one’s motherland, written with pride in the history of India. As a proud Kshatriya, he dared to not just confront but refused to accede to the mighty Mughals and fought until his last breath, preserving the pride and glory of his motherland.”

The ‘Kshatriya Parishad’ said “The brave Rajput was an ideal king who cared for his people like a father who cares for his son. It was the Maharana’s humility, compassion, and charisma that made him so dear to everyone, from his nobles to the common people and even the tribal people. To all Indians, especially us Rajputs, Maharana Pratap’s life is an epitome of courage, patriotism, and sacrifice.”

The ‘Kshatriya Parishad’ said in its official statement, “It has come to light that certain individuals on social media have mischievously used “Maha-rana” for a Muslim lady whose first name “Rana” is of Persian / Arabic / Turkish / Kurdish origin and means “eye-catching, glittering, mesmerizing”, stemming from the word yarnu (Arabic), meaning ‘to gaze at longingly’.”

Rajput organization Kshatriya Parishad issued a statement expressing outrage over calling Rana Ayyub ‘Maharana’

The ‘Kshatriya Parishad’ told that it is a given name for females in Middle Eastern countries. The organization identified ‘Rana’ as a word of Indian origin stemming from the word ‘Rayan’ which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Rajan’ meaning the King. The organization expressed outrage at this misuse. It has said “Equating illustrious figures like that of Maharana Pratap with modern-day individuals, especially those who are involved in propaganda against the country, is a huge disrespect and not acceptable to us.”

The organization clarified “We not only condemn in the strongest terms but also warn against any such inexpiable behavior in future.” The organization has further made it clear that such an act does not even deserve atonement. Many others on social media have also explained to Rana Ayyub the difference between ‘Rana’ (as pronounced in her name – राना ) and ‘Rana’ (as pronounced in the King’s name – राणा). They have asked that how can one who hates Hindus be compared to a great Hindu king.

Responding to Aakar Patel’s tweet, people said that there is no separate letter for ‘ण’ in English. That is why ‘राना’ and ‘राणा’ both are written as ‘Rana’. A Twitter user named Arnab Bakshi said that Rana Ayyub should be called ‘Maha Rona’ meaning the great weeper, not ‘Maharana’ – the great king. Another user wrote that ‘leave aside the death of 2 Indian citizens, even if thousands of Indians die, yet she will support the terrorists only.’ People also compared this act with the proverb ‘Kahan Raja Bhoj, Kahan Gangu Teli’ which means there can be no comparison between a great king and an insignificant person.

It is notable that now the people of Saudi Arabia and India are together criticizing her. Major (Retd) Manik M Jolly wrote, “took up a geopolitical issue with no understanding of the crisis. She got played by ISI to tweet from the Pakistani-Iran-Turkey side against Saudi-US ( partially Israel too) team. That’s a much bigger league to throw punches in than regular hate spreading.”

Saudi people are saying that just because she is a Muslim, Kaaba does not belong to Rana Ayyub.

Bihar: Railway Recruitment Board cancels exams after two trains torched by job aspirants alleging anomaly in the process

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: Railway Recruitment Board cancels exams after two trains torched by job aspirants alleging anomaly in the process

On Wednesday, protesting against the alleged irregularities in Railway Recruitment Board’s (RRB) exams, thousands of angry students clashed with the police after they set a stationary, empty train compartment on fire in Gaya.

The agitating students also went on tracks and blocked the passage of Shramjeevi Express and pelted stones at a moving train at the Gaya railway station. Carrying out baton-charge and firing shots in the air to disperse the protesters, the Police said that students should not get influenced and should not damage govt property. Visuals have also emerged showing the job aspirants removing railway tracks to prevent the movement of trains.

SSP Gaya, Aditya Kumar informed that the police had identified a few students directly involved in the act and that legal action will be taken. He also informed that the government had formed a committee to look into the matter.

The students are protesting for the past three days complaining about the alleged irregularities of the Railway Recruitment Board’s (RRB) Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) competitive examinations. They said on Wednesday that the government was not issuing updates about the Railway exam notified in 2019 and that there were no updates on the previously held exam results. The students have demanded immediate cancellation of exams and release of exam results held before 2019.

In the interim, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has extended support to the protesters and has said that these students are the ‘hope’ of the country. “I am against the policies of the BJP government and will be with you in favor of truth but violence is not our way. If you can take freedom from non-violent protest then why not your right?”, he tweeted.

Railway forms High Power committee-

The protests continued even as the Railways today announced that the NTPC and Level 1 exams would be suspended after such severe protests. Further to hear out the grievances, the Railways also formed a high power committee. With this, the Railways said that the candidates are being given an opportunity to lodge their concerns and suggestions to the committee.

Lifetime debarment of students involved in vandalism-

On January 25, Railways also issued a public notice against the students involved in vandalism and unlawful activities and said that they might face lifetime debarment. The serious leaflet comes exactly a day after the students held major protests in Patna and other cities of Bihar. Reports mention that the students tried to disrupt the rail services in the city.

Train torched in Arrah; Action initiated against the culprits

The incident of a train set on fire in Gaya lines second in the row as the protesting candidates had torched a passenger train in Arrah, Bihar yesterday and also pelted stones at the train. The videos of the episode went viral on the social media hamperinRailway Recruitment Boardg the rail service for nearly about five hours.

The protesters had also laid down on the railway tracks threatening to kill themselves amid the alleged exam schedules mess. The police fired tear gas shells and used water cannons to disperse students protesting and moved the protesters out of the railway stations. The police said they have initiated the primary action against the culprits.

According to the reports, the RRB had released the exam dates for the Computer-Based Test (CBT 2) 2019. The second stage CBT was scheduled to be held in a single phase from February 15 to February 19, 2022. However, with the exam being under scrutiny, it is expected that the CBT 2 might get postponed.

100 years of Palchitaria massacre in Gujarat and its cover-up by the British govt

Anurag
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100 years of Palchitaria massacre in Gujarat and its cover-up by the British govt

On 73rd Republic Day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi, Gujarat’s tableau displayed the freedom movement of the tribals in 1922, marking 100 years of the horrific Palchitaria massacre. On March 7, 1922, Motilal Tejawat, a tribal leader who was often known as ‘Gandhi’ among his Tribal followers, was addressing a crowd of over 10,000 Bhil tribals from Dadhvav villages (Sabarkantha District, Gujarat) as a part of the Eki Movement.

The front of Gujarat’s tableau represented the freedom fighting spirit of the ancestors of tribals. The rear portion of the tableau represented the massacre by British soldiers on March 7, 1922. The tribal artists dressed in their traditional costumes performed ‘Ger’ dance along with the folklore based on the incident.

The village of Palchitaria was renamed Dadhvav and now lies in Vijaynagar taluka, Sabarkantha district in present-day Gujarat. British officer Major H.G. Saturn from Mewad Bhil Corps ordered to open fire at the innocent tribals. 1,200 were shot dead, and two wells were filled with the martyred tribals.

The incident took place just three years after the Jallianwala Bagh incident, but it never found its rightful place in history. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat, he brought the incident back in front of the world and built a memorial to Motilal Tejawat at the site of the massacre in Sabarkantha.

The coverup of the massacre that claimed lives of three times more than Jallianwala Bagh

There was no official record of the massacre maintained by the British. Unlike Jallianwala Bagh, which happened three years before the Palchitaria massacre, this incident was washed and forgotten in the leaflets of history. A 1997 India Today report suggested when they tried to find records of the incident in the official diary maintained by Sutton, there was no mention of the massacre at Palchitaria. Though, the diary had references to the much smaller incidents involving Bhils in the same area around that period.

According to then-98-year-old Balwant Singh Mehta, Tejawat’s colleague and a freedom fighter, there were two reasons the incident never made to the history books. First, those who died were poor and illiterate tribals. Secondly, the British government had already faced a lot of flack after the Jallianwala episode, and they took all possible steps to suppress the incident.

Notably, Rajasthan State Archives does not have any records of the massacre either. LP Mathur, an expert on reforms and movements among the Bhils, told India Today the official records of the period on Tejawat and his movement mentioned that Bhil followers had marched towards from Walren village near Khedbrahma on February 18, 1922, i.e. 17 days before the incident. Notably, Mathur claimed to have come across several such incidents that British rulers covered up.

What happened on the day of massacre?

Thousands of tribals had gathered to hear Tejawat. There were 21 demands on his agenda that he had raised on behalf of the tribals, including lowering the revenue or lagaan levied on tribal farmers. 67-year-old Kala Ramji Gameti narrated the story of the massacre. His grandparents had gone to attend the meeting. His grandmother Somiben was one of those who died in the massacre, and his grandfather Dhulabhai escaped unhurt. The meeting was held on the banks of Heir River on a three-acre land.

The MBC soldiers were present at the meeting. Somiben was standing next to a British officer, possibly Sutton, when a tribal fired a shot in the air. Allegedly, the bullet grazed Sutton Gameti said Somiben begged him not to open fire on innocents just because one of them fired a shot.

Meanwhile, Tribals started raising slogans in their native language that further irked Sutton, who then ordered to open fire at the tribals. Somiben was shot dead among hundreds of others. Another attendee who was present at the meeting, Koyaji Dhulaji Patel said while narrating the incident, “As the firing began and people started running helter-skelter, I hid behind a farm fence. What I then saw was simply unbelievable. People were literally falling like ninepins to the bullets. The sepoys were even killing people for their silver ornaments. I distinctly remember one person, Nathaji Mothaliya of a nearby village, Anodra, whom a sepoy shot dead before removing silver kadas (bangles) from his hands.” Koyaji was hit with the back of the butt of a gun by a sepoy who later asked him to escape.

There were corpses everywhere after the firing stopped. Some of the corpses were dragged away by the family members and friends of the deceased, while the remaining were dumped into a well nearby. Tejawat narrowly escaped the massacre. He suffered two bullet wounds on his thighs. His supporters picked him to safety. Till 1929, Tejawat stayed underground allegedly at the request of Mahatma Gandhi. After that, he remained in jail for seven years.

The spot of the massacre was named “Virubhumi” by Tejawat after independence when he visited the place to pay respect to the martyrs. The massacre became part of the local folklore but did not get a place in the history books.

Jonty Rhodes, Chris Gayle, Gad Saad and more: PM Modi extends Republic Day greetings to eminent personalities from around the world

OpIndia Staff
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Jonty Rhodes, Chris Gayle, Gad Saad and more: PM Modi extends Republic Day greetings to eminent personalities from around the world

On January 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended personal wishes to several notable personalities from across the world, including former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes, explosive batsmen Chris Gayle, novelist Ashley Rindsberg, behavioural scientist Gad Saad among others on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day of India.

PM Modi explained the importance of Republic Day this year

In his letter to Rhodes, PM Modi called him a special ambassador of the strong relations between India and South Africa. While extending greetings for Republic Day, PM Modi said Republic Day this year is more special because it is happening at the time when India is celebrating 75 years of freedom from colonial rule. He said, “January 26 this year is even more special because it is happening at a time when India marks 75 years since freedom from colonial rule. Thus, I decided to write to you and a few other friends of India, with a sense of gratitude for your affection towards India and hope that you continue to work closely with our nation as well as our people.”

He further acknowledged the bond Rhodes has with India as he has named his daughter ‘India’. He said, “Over the years, you have developed a profound connection with India and its culture. This special bond was truly reflected when you named your daughter after this great nation. You truly are a special ambassador of the strong relations between our nations.”

He added, “India is witnessing a series of historic socio-economic transformations. I am confident these will empower lives and contribute to the global good. Once again, I extend Republic Day greetings and look forward to interacting with you in the times to come.”

Rhodes shared the letter he received from PM Modi on Twitter and said, “Thank you, Narendra Modi Ji, for the very kind words. I have indeed grown so much as an individual on every visit to India. My whole family celebrates #RepublicDay with all of India, honouring the importance of a #Constitution that protects the rights of the Indian people #JaiHind.”

Chris Gayle thanked PM Modi for the personal letter

Cricketer Chris Gayle also received a letter from the PM. In a Tweet, Gayle said, “I would like to congratulate India on their 73rd Republic Day.”

Thanking PM Modi for the letter, he added, “I woke up to a personal message from Prime Minister Modi reaffirming my close personal ties with him and to the people of India. Congratulations from the Universe Boss and nuff love.”

Novelist Ashley Rindsberg says he’s honoured to receive letter from PM Modi

Author Ashley Rindsberg also received a personalised letter from PM Modi on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day. Taking to Twitter, Rindsberg shared the picture of the letter he had received from PM Modi and expressed his gratitude for the same.

“Happy Republic Day to all my friends in India!!! I’m beyond honoured to receive a letter from @PMOIndia marking the occasion. And thank you to @indemtel for working to foster strong relations between Israel and India to create a brighter future,” he said.

“As a novelist and author, you have been widely read and appreciated by the people. At the same time, your interesting perspective about India and its way of life are valuable,” said PM Modi in his letter along with extending the greetings on Republic Day.

Behaviourial scientist Gad Saad tacitly admits receiving letter from PM Modi

Renowned Behavioural Scientist Gad Saad on Wednesday took to inform that he has received a letter from the Prime Minister of one of the leading democracies in the world. Although he claimed that receiving the letter was truly incredible, Saad, however, stated that he was not at liberty to share the content of the letter.

“I just received an official letter from a very high representative of the prime minister of one of the leading democracies in the world. I’m not at liberty to share any additional information but it is truly incredible,” Saad wrote on Twitter.

While he did not mention PM Modi’s name, the fact that he received a letter similar to those received by other notable personalities around the world hint that the letter was indeed sent by PM Modi.

Trinidadian singer Machel Montano expressed his gratitutde to PM Modi and people of India

Trinidadian singer Machel Montano also received a letter from PM Modi, greeting him on the 73rd Republic Day of India. The singer took to his official Twitter account to share the letter received by him and thanked PM Modi, the High Commissioner of India to Trinidad and Tobago and to the people of India.

“I would like to thank the Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi @narendramodi, the High Commissioner of India T&T and the people of India for this honour. I receive this letter with the utmost gratitude, humility and joy. Travelling to India and learning…” he tweeted.

“You have been a singer and performer par excellence. I have come to know that you are also drawn to India’s spiritual ethos. The ancient civilisation of India offers a multitude of sources that can give answers to the questions asked by humanity since the beginning of existence. Hope you enjoyed Indian delicacies during your last visit to India. You should visit more often and explore India even more,” PM Modi said in his letter.

Republic Day in Kashmir: Tricolour hoisted at Lal Chowk, youths march with 30-meter-long national flag on Srinagar roads

OpIndia Staff
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Republic Day in Kashmir: Tricolour hoisted at Lal Chowk, youths march with 30-meter-long national flag on Srinagar roads

On Wednesday, the state of Jammu and Kashmir celebrated the 73rd Republic Day with the greatest pride as the youth activists who are local Kashmiri Muslims, hoisted the Indian tricolour at the Clock Tower of Lal Chowk in Srinagar. The children in Kashmir also unfurled 30 metres long Indian national flag at the Gupkar Road and walked with it all around the city.

The residences of the Abdullah family and Mufti family are located on the Gupkar Road in Srinagar, and youths in the city unfurled a 30-meter-long Indian national flag on this road and carried it along the road in front of the said residences. This as done on the initiative of local members of the ABVP.

The flag at Lal Chowk was hoisted by Advocate Sajid Yousuf Shah and Socio-Political activist Sahil Bashir Bhat backed by regular security arrangements and assistance. The local Kashmiri people were seen enjoying Republic day today which has also marked the end of Pakistan sponsored separatism in the state.

Journalist Aditya Raj Kaul shared beautiful pictures of tricolor being hoisted at Clock Tower at Lal Chowk of Srinagar today and said that the local Kashmiri Muslims had taken a bold and courageous step. “Love for mother India. Tricolour comes up for the first time at Lalchowk on India’s 73rd Republic Day today”, he tweeted.

In a series of tweets, he further recalled the time not very long ago when the Jammu and Kashmir Police used to arrest anyone who tried to unfurl the Indian tricolour at Lal Chowk under the political direction of some local communal politicians. He added that the day in Srinagar was just normal like in any other city of India and Kashmiris was enjoying their national holiday.

In the meanwhile, the patriotic events today in Kashmir were a big blow to the state PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti who had said that nobody would hold tricolour in Kashmir. Back in 2020, Mufti had demanded the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s flag and Article 370 and had said that no one in Kashmir would raise the national flag until Kashmir’s own flag was returned.

She had called the Central Government ‘robbers’ who according to her had stolen constitutionally-guaranteed rights of Kashmiris by revoking the special status of the state and challenging Article 35A of the Constitution. It may be noted that political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, including Mufti, Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar, were detained for months as part of measures taken by the Centre to prevent a backlash against announcing its decision to withdraw special status under article 370 and bifurcate the former state into two union territories.

Though time has changed for local Kashmiris today, it seems it hasn’t for PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti who settled on utter silence on the occasion of 73rd Republic Day. Omar Abdullah meanwhile tweeted the Constitution of India Preamble and said that words like Secular, Democratic, Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity included in it were not just for 26th January but for all time.

It is worth noting that on the eve of Republic Day, all the special sights of Jammu and Kashmir were illuminated in the tricolours. Clock tower at Lal Chowk, Salal Dam in Reasi district, Jammu Tawi Railway Station were all illuminated in tricolor on the eve of 73rd Republic Day.

Andhra Pradesh: Hindu Vahini members manhandled, detained by Guntur Police for trying to hoist the Tricolour at ‘Jinnah Circle’

OpIndia Staff
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Andhra Pradesh: Hindu Vahini members manhandled, detained by Guntur Police for trying to hoist the Tricolour at ‘Jinnah Circle’

On January 26, as the nation celebrates its Republic Day, The Guntur Police has arrested members of the Hindu Vahini trying to unfurl the Indian National flag at the ‘Jinnah Circle’ in Guntur. The Hindu Vahini had announced to hoist the tricolour on the Jinnah tower in the city, but the Guntur Police has thwarted their attempt while trying to do so.

Tensions rose in the area as some people who tried to climb the Jinnah tower were arrested by the police. In the video that emerged, the Police is seen using force while controlling the people with the tricolour in their hands. It is now learnt that the policee has increased the security cover to the tower and has added a fence to prevent anyone from entering the tower.

The move has sparked strong reactions from netizens. People are questioning the police action against Indian citizens trying to hoist the National Flag on Republic day and are asking why there is still a tower and a circle named after Jinnah in India.

The ‘Jinnah’ tower in Guntur is a one-of-a-kind building named after Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. According to some, it allegedly stands as a ‘symbol of peace and harmony’ in the city. One theory of its origins suggests that Lal Jan Basha, a Telugu Desam Party member felicitated Judaliyaquat Ali Khan, a representative of Jinnah when visited Guntur in the pre-Independence era by building this tower.

However, The state BJP unit leaders have demanded to change the name of this tower saying that it is an insult to the country to have a centre with the name of a ‘traitor’ even after 75 years. BJP national secretary, Y. Satya Kumar and Telangana BJP MLA Raja Singh had earlier demanded renaming the Jinnah tower with APJ Abdul Kalam’s name. Y. Satya Kumar questioned Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy over the additional security provided to the tower at a time when a 102-year-old Bhagwan Ram Temple is being demolished in Tenali, Guntur.

BJP leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have continuously demanded to change the name of the tower by replacing it with that of freedom fighters. The forceful detaining of Hindu activists by Guntur Police to unfurl tricolour on the tower has added fire to the ongoing controversy.

Meet Prabha Atre – The classical vocalist from Kirana Kharana awarded the Padma Vibhushan this year

Suyash
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Meet Prabha Atre – The classical vocalist from Kirana Kharana awarded the Padma Vibhushan this year

One of the many ironies of our times is when we wonder about our maestros only when they are conferred upon the highest civilian awards. Vidushi Prabha Atre is one such name, who is one of the only four recipients to be awarded the Padma Vibhushan this year.

Prabha Atre who is revered as ‘Gaan Prbha’ (The sunrise of Music) among Classical aficionados, started from Pune as an aspiring musician of tomorrow. Born in 1932 to Abasaheb and Indirabai Atre, she started taking music lessons from the early age of eight. Later into her serious training as a classical musician, she went on to learn from Pt. Sureshbabu Mane and took the training of Kirana Gharana’s khayal gayaki from Late Vidushi Hirabai Badodekar.

young Prabha Atre (Right) taking lessons from her Guru Vidushi Hirabai Badodekar

However, not many know that she also holds two bachelor’s degrees – one in science from Fergusson College, Pune and the other in Legal studies. While studying music, she also completed her PhD in music on ‘Sargam‘ and the pertained use of the seven notes in Indian Classical music. She started off as a stage artist in Marathi Sangeet Nataks and has played roles in mythological dramas like Sangeet Sanshay Kallol, Maan-Apmaan, Saubhadra and Vidyaharan.

Today, her career spans six decades – which is underlined with accolades achieved through years of struggle and practice. Her versatility as a singer is reflected through her mastery in diverse classical and semi-classical forms including Khayal, Thumri, Dadra, Ghazal, Natyasangeet and Bhajans to name a few. While she did not stop at mastering the traditional Ragas, she did create quite a new – Apurva Kalyan, Darbari Kauns, Ravi Bhairav to her credit. Her style typically involves intricate alaaps, a common feature in the gayaki of the Kirana Gharana.

Vidushi Prabha Atre has played an important role in popularising Indian Classical music by acting as a visiting professor in many western universities including the Rotterdam Conservatory in the Netherlands, the University of California in Los Angeles and the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. Her portfolio includes prestigious awards and many memorable performances at leading Classical concerts across the globe. At the age of 91, she is at the fountainhead of the galaxy of classical musicians from the Kirana Gharana. As a singer who is taking the legacy of Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi ahead, she concludes with her performance at the prestigious Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav every year held in Pune.

On being conferred upon the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award of the country this year, she said it is the recognition of her dedication to the craft. While talking to Times of India in Pune, she said, “I am elated. This award is for my gurus, my listeners, and all lovers of Hindustani classical music. Till my last breath on this earth, I want to sing and talk to my listeners, and dedicate my life to music.” She also advised young musicians to persevere and stay on the course while keep practising the art. “You have to have satisfaction in your own work, and not expect awards. They will come along eventually,” she added.

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