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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.

This Republic Day tableau with the water tap on it has netizens thinking of ex-Uttar Pradesh CM, here’s what happened

OpIndia Staff
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This Republic Day tableau with the water tap on it has netizens thinking of ex-Uttar Pradesh CM, here’s what happened

One of the integral parts of the Republic Day parade is the showcasing of tableaus from various states and ministries. This year too, on the occasion of 73rd Republic Day celebrations, a total of 21 tableaux, 12 of various states and Union Territories, nine ministries was displayed during the Republic Day Parade.

Goa, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Gujarat were the 12 states whose creative tableaus were selected to be featured during the Republic Day celebrations. Besides, tableaus by 9 government ministries were also showcased during the parade.

And quite predictably, the tableaus had the audiences in awe. Even on social media, users started discussing the themes, the creativity, the message the tableaus displayed in the Republic Day celebrations conveyed. Inevitably, the discussion veered in the direction of which was the best tableau on display at the Republic Day parade.

Social Media users declare UP’s tableau as best, share picture of the tableau with water tap on it

A large number of social media users responded to the question stating that they found Uttar Pradesh’s tableau more than others and shared the picture of the tableau that showed water flowing from a tap placed above a container.

Tap reminds people of former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, referred by some as ‘tonti-chor’

The users claimed it was a tableau by Uttar Pradesh, taking a sly dig at former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, who came to be known as ‘tonti-chor’ after taps(tontis) were found missing from his residence after he vacated the government-allotted bungalow in 2018.

In May 2018, after having a head-on fight with the state government over the allotted residence, Yadav was finally ordered by the Supreme Court to vacant the place and hand over the keys to the estate department. The following month, former-CM Akhilesh Yadav vacated his government allotted residence.

When the government officials entered his house later, they found it in a disarray, with imported tiles, air conditioners, centrally air conditioner fitting, electric switchboards and other items missing from the house.

All those expensive items that were missing from the government accommodation took a backside as the officials reported taps, aka tonti, were also missing from the bathrooms. Rest all “stolen items” were forgotten but the alleged petty act of “taking taps” stuck with the former CM. This was the point he earned the monicker ‘tonti chor’ that is still being used against him.

The existence of a water tap or tonti at the front section of the tableau instantly reminded social media users of former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav, who had earned the sobriquet of ‘tonti-chor’ after the government accommodation he was forced to vacate was found to have been stripped of water taps among other expensive embellishments.

Water tap Tableau not by Uttar Pradesh but by Jal Ministry

While the portrayal of tap instantly reminded netizens of Akhilesh Yadav, the tableau was not commissioned by the Uttar Pradesh government. In fact, it was Jal Ministry’s tableau that depicted the government’s achievement of providing clean tap water to homes of people living in Ladakh at an altitude of more than 13,000 feet in harsh winters.

The droplet leaning on the tap at the front represented the achievement of ‘Har Ghar Jal’ and community ownership of the village water supply. The middle section displayed the elation of the community receiving clean tap water in the comfort of their homes, schools and anganwadies. And the rear part of the tableau signified the challenging environment in freezing Ladakh, where providing clean water becomes all the more difficult because of lower temperatures and the inoperability of supply lines.

On the other hand, the tableau of Uttar Pradesh displayed the achievements scored by the state through skill development and employment through One District One Product. Development in the Kashi Vishwanath corridor was also exhibited.

Karnataka: Man files complaint against in-laws for forcing him to convert to Christianity

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Man files complaint against in-laws for forcing him to convert to Christianity

A man identified as Marappa had filed a complaint against his father-in-law Vasanthkumar and other relatives for allegedly forcing him to convert to Christianity. The complainant is a resident of Budga Jangam Colony in Aravind Nagar near Hospet, Hosadurga, district Chitradurga, Karnataka. In the complaint, Marappa alleged that his in-laws are not allowing him to meet his wife and newborn baby.

He further added his wife’s family members threatened, blackmailed and assaulted him to convert him to Christianity. Along with his father-in-law, Marappa named Ramachandrappa, his wife’s grandfather, relatives Sudhakar, Manjunath, Sankappa in his complaint.

As per reports, Marappa got married on July 6, 2020. He alleged in his complaint that while getting married, he was forced to take a dip in holy water, and it was declared he was then converted to Christianity. He further alleged the accused torn and burnt Hindu Gods’ photos and asked him not to worship Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Marappa said in the complaint that the accused termed Hindu Goddesses Sunklamma, Maramma, Durgamma as “evils”, and had told him that if he worshipped them, he would be damned to hell.

As per a Times of India report, Marappa and his family converted back to Hinduism only a month after the wedding as they did not believe in Christianity. “My father also told my wife to leave Christianity and come back home within three months. But her father did not allow her to get back to Hinduism,” he said.

When Sarala, Marappa’s wife, was pregnant, he had sent her to her parents’ house on December 2, 2021. He came to know about the birth of his baby from others. When his family members, including his brothers Doddahusseni, Sana Hussaini, Karthik, Chandru, met the newborn baby, they were abused by the accused. They were not allowed to enter the house, the man has alleged.

The Police said Marappa was told he could see his newborn child and wife only if he started following Christianity. When his brothers questioned the accused, they were allegedly assaulted. Marappa has urged the Police to initiate action against his in-laws for hurting his religious sentiments and ensure that his wife and newborn are reunited with him.

Hyderabad Karnataka Alemari (nomadic) Budga Jangam Jagruthi Samithi and local BJP MLA Gulihatty D. Shekhar have demanded justice. The investigation in the case is underway.

Notably, the issue of religious conversion has been raised in Karnataka state Assembly was BJP MLA Sudhakar, after which Anti-Conversion Bill was introduced. MLA G Shekhar had stated in the assembly that his own mother was converted to Christianity by missionaries. However, some religious leaders, especially those belonging to Christianity, have been opposing the bill.

OpIndia tried reaching out to Police and MLA Shekhar for more details into the case but could not connect.

‘I feel humiliated, tired and dejected’: Goa TMC leader Yatish Naik resigns from the party ahead of the polls

OpIndia Staff
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‘I feel humiliated, tired and dejected’: Goa TMC leader Yatish Naik resigns from the party ahead of the polls

Ahead of the Goa state assembly elections, Yatish Naik, general secretary of the state Trinamool Congress (TMC), resigned from the party alleging that the TMC had promised him a seat to contest from Saligao constituency but was left out of the first three lists of party candidates.

In his resignation letter addressed to the Goa TMC President, Naik said that he was not interested in witnessing the manner in which the party was functioning in the state. “I find no good reason to continue being a member of the party. I feel humiliated, tired and dejected for having been made to go through all this”, the letter added.

Naik added that he was let down by the party by including the names of people hopping from other parties at the last minute. This is simply not acceptable, he wrote. He also stated that his principles were important and that he would stay aloof from the party at least till the elections.

It is pertinent to note that Naik was one of the earliest nine members who had joined TMC in the presence of Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata along with ex-Chief Minister Luizinho Falerio. Yesterday, the Goa TMC party announced its third list of candidates nominating former Congressman Bholanath Ghadi Sakhalkar and silently sidelining Naik from Saligao constituency for the upcoming Goa Assembly Elections, 2022.

The Mamata Banerjee-led party has declared a total of 24 candidates for the upcoming polls. It had declared its first list on January 19 and the second one on January 22. According to the reports, the party has nominated Rajya Sabha MP Luizinho Faleiro from Fatorda and former Goa Forward Party (GFP) working president Kiran Kandolkar from Aldona instead of Tivim. Meanwhile, Jagdish Bhobe, who switched allegiance from GFP to the TMC after being denied a ticket from St. Andre, has also found a place on the list.

The TMC has further given the opportunity to former Congressman Saifulla Khan to contest from the Vasco Assembly seat, whereas Tarak Arolkar, who recently quit the Congress to join the TMC, has been given a ticket from Mapusa Assembly constituency.

The TMC party is fighting the polls for the 40 member assembly in alliance with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP). The election for the 40 seats will take place on February 14, and the votes will be counted on March 10.

PM Modi’s warm farewell to Virat, the Commandant’s Charger from President’s Bodyguard who is retiring this year

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi’s warm farewell to Virat, the Commandant’s Charger from President’s Bodyguard who is retiring this year

Soon after the Republic Day parade concluded, the visuals of PM Narendra Modi petting a horse have started doing rounds on social media. With PM Modi is also seen Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while they were later joined by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind and the First Lady Savita Kovind in adoring the retiring horse.

The Republic Day Parade ended with full colour and fervour on the newly refurbished Rajpath. While biding the farewell to the President of India who graced the occasion, PM Modi was introduced to Virat, a horse with the President’s Bodyguard who is about to retire from its exemplary services.

As the contingent of the President’s Bodyguard astride on the horses came to receive the President, PM Modi, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and the President himself were seen warmly greeting and petting the horse. This was the last Republic Day service for Virat, as the horse retires from its duty this year.

Virat – The Commandent’s charger with the President’s Bodyguard

Virat, a Hanoverian breed horse was inducted to the President’s Bodyguard (PBG) on September 12, 2000. He has been the Commandant’s Charger for over a decade and was very popular among spectators and even visiting foreign dignitaries. For his exemplary services, Virat was awarded the Chief of the Army Staff Commendation on the eve of Army Day on January 15 this year.

Virat had participated in 13 Republic Day parades so far, as per reports.

Officials while bidding a farewell to the old horse have praised it for the abilities it showcased over the years. Within a short span of time, Virat rose to become the most trustworthy Parade Horse and perpetually graced the Republic Day Parades and the Beating the Retreat ceremonies held every year.

The warm gesture by political leaders to show their love to Virat has sparked gleeful reactions from people on Twitter. While the informal move has yet again underlined what an important role the trained animals play in guarding the nation.

The President’s Bodyguard

The President’s Bodyguard (PBG) is an elite cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. The regiment is based in the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the recruited personnel are all paratroopers. While their role is ceremonial during peace, they are trained to perform reconnaissance and work as parachute pathfinders during the war. The Indian Army is one of the few modern forces in the world that still have active cavalry units. The PBG, the 61 Cavalry Regiment BSF camel regiment are the operational cavalry units of the Indian security forces.

The PBG is the oldest regiment of the Indian Amry. It is the successor of the Governor General’s Bodyguards under the British Raj and it was first raised by Governor-General Warren Hastings in 1773. In 1950, with the formation of the Indian Republic, it was formally named the President’s Bodyguards.

26 January 2022 Republic Day: A year since ‘tractor rally’ protesters went on a rampage in Delhi and sieged the iconic Red Fort

Jinit Jain
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26 January 2022 Republic Day: A year since ‘tractor rally’ protesters went on a rampage in Delhi and sieged the iconic Red Fort

26th January hold a special significance in the psyche of every Indian. For, this is the day when the nation celebrates its Republic Day. It was thid day back in 1950 when the country’s constitution came into force, realising the long-held goal of PurnaSwaraj or complete independence from the British rule.

India won its freedom from the British on 15 August 1947, but for the first three years of its existence as a fledgling independent nation, it remained governed largely by the colonial Government of India Act of 1935, a British relic that was used by the English to maintain their rule over the country. It took over two years for the framers of the Constitution to flesh out a body of laws that India wanted to be governed by and identified with.

The constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26 November 1949 and became effective on 26 January 1950. This year, India is celebrating its 73rd Republic Day on 26 January 2022, marking the adoption of the constitution of India and the transition of the country to a republic. It is a day to commemorate India’s freedom, independence and its adoption of democratic norms. When so many countries across the world were falling to the lure of despotism, India made a bold move to give a punt to democracy, to self-governance and universal suffrage.

For the last 73 years, it is celebrated as a pious occasion honouring the Constitution of the country that vests powers in the hands of Indian citizens to chose their own destiny. However, there’s an aberration to this custom, which was sullied on 26 January 2021, the 72nd Republic Day, when thousands of rabble rousers under the guise of ‘farmers’ stormed into the national capital and went on a rampage, bringing shame, ignominy and disrepute not just to the nation but to its Constitution as well.

Violence sweeps Delhi as farmer protesters resort to vandalism, arson, rioting under the pretext of carrying out ‘Tractor Rally’

On this day, it is, therefore, important to reflect on the turn of events that took place in the national capital on last year’s Republic Day. The unfortunate incidents highlights not just the Left and their supporters’ hollow commitment to democracy and civilised means of protests, but it also underscores their penchant for mob supremacy, especially when the leader at the helm of the affairs is not to their liking.

The scenes observed on Republic Day 2021 were unprecedented. Farmers, who were protesting against the three farm laws passed in September the year before, chose Republic Day for mobilising a tractor rally in the national capital, presumably as a show of strength to the Centre. They had sought to sanctify the then ongoining protests and draw national, and even international attention towards the demonstrations continuing against the agriculture laws. The symbolism of organising a tractor rally on the auspicious occasion of India’s Republic Day, in defiance of the democratically elected government, and to oppose the laws legislated by it could not have been overstated.

And as expected, what was meant and assured to be a peaceful tractor rally, quickly degenerated into an insurrection, characterised by widespread chaos, violence and disorder. The fact that the rampage took place just weeks after the storming of Capitol Hill by insurrectionists in the United States cannot be overlooked. A precedent was there for others to follow and it was imitated with a ferocity equalling the attack on the Capitol Hill, if not more.

Thousands of protesters streamed into Delhi under the pretext of carrying out peaceful tractor rally on the day of 72nd Republic Day. However, their intentions seemed anything but peaceful. They veered away from the pre-decided route, breaking barricades on their way and torching vehicles in their wake. As police forces tried to control the mob from going astray, the demonstrators resorted to vandalism, arson and rioting on the streets of Delhi. A group of protesters vandalised DTC buses during their march through ITC area.

Similar scenes were observed in other parts of Delhi. At Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar, protesters laid seige on a police water cannon vehicle. On the Ghazipur border protest site, protesters resorted to stone pelting on police personnel, in a bid to break the barricade and storm into the national capital. Some of the demonstrators even pulled out swords to fight the law enforcement officials.

The siege of iconic monument Red Fort

However, nothing came close to the vandalism, chaos and anarchy witnessed during the siege of the Red Fort that day. Scores of rampaging demonstrators breached the police barricades around the capital and stormed the grounds of Delhi’s historic Red Fort, a symbol of India’s robust democracy. The demonstrators scaled the ramparts of the historic monument and waved a Sikh flag alongside the Indian flag. There were also reports of some protesters defiling the hallowed monument by urinating on its walls.

Meanwhile, 83 policemen were injured during the violence that ensued. In some videos, the protestors were seen trying to run their tractors over police personnel. In another video, the mob was seen beating and pushing police personnel off a high rise wall in the Red Fort. And even more horrifying was the fact that hundreds of children/artists who had participated in the Republic Day celebrations were stranded at the Red Fort when the monument was held at siege. They were crying and terrified before they were rescued by the Delhi Police.

Following the incident, some farmers bodies that took part in Tractor Rally tried to distance themselves from violence and Red Fort seige, calling it a handiwork of a few motivated individuals and not of their organisation. However, their explanation appeared insincere and aimed at avoiding punitive action against them.

It was also revealed that proscribed Khalistani terror organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) was behind the Red Fort siege and rioting in Delhi. They had even announced a reward of  $250,000 for waving Khalistani flags at the Red Fort. The confession was made in a seven-minute video released by the outlawed organisation in which they had backed the Red Fort siege and called for the siege of the Indian Parliament on February 1 when the Budget Session commences.

Congress, left-liberals rejoice and defend the violence that swept Delhi on 71st Republic Day

However, for some political parties and luminaries of the left intelligentsia, it was an occasion to rejoice and celebrate. While protesting mobs were running riot in Delhi, the Congress party decided to celebrate the ‘power of the Republic’. The official handle of the Congress party shared a photograph of the tractor parade on social media with a caption that said, “Never underestimate the power of a Republic”. It is pertinent to mention that the tweet was made long after violence had been unleashed in Delhi.

Similarly, a raft of left-liberals could not hide their glee as Delhi was burning in the fire of farmers’ protests. As protesters held the Red Fort at the siege and unfurled a religious flag at the site, the usual suspects went on an overdrive to justify the anarchy that was unravelling on the 71st Republic Day of the world’s largest democracy during the tractor rally.

Be it Akash Banerjee or Rohini Singh, Newslaundry journalist Manisha Pande or an undistinguished liberal such as Nikhil Taneja, everyone tried to make light of the Red Fort insurrection, making a beeline to justify the rampage witnessed in the national capital. Some of them even compared the Sikh flag being hoisted at the Red Fort with the Ram Mandir Tableau by the Uttar Pradesh government at the Republic Day parade.

The entire saga of the Red Fort siege laid bare the innate tendencies of the liberal intelligentsia and political parties for whom condemnation to mob violence and vandalism is not absolute but convenient and flexible, based on the identities of the ‘victims’ and the ‘oppressors’. Since the protesters here were protesting against their nemesis—the Modi government—the liberals and opposition parties felt no qualms with the national capital being in ruins and the historic Red Fort being sieged and defiled.

The events that transpired on the 72nd Republic Day were reminiscent of some of the darkest moments of the Indian Republic. A mob demanding the rollback of three farm laws took the national capital hostage and went on a rampage around the city. They were emboldened by support from opposition parties, foreign-based radical elements and the left-liberal ideologues.

The day, nevertheless, was a poignant reminder of what India stands to lose should these anarchists have their way at the Centre. To ensure that India continues to remain a Republic like her forefathers envisioned, it is the duty of every patriotic Indian to remember what led to the imbroglio witnessed on 26 January 2021 and those responsible for bringing it to bear.

700 boys trapped in Syrian prison seized by ISIS used as human shields by the terrorists, NGO calls for their safe evacuation amid intense fight

OpIndia Staff
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700 boys trapped in Syrian prison seized by ISIS used as human shields by the terrorists, NGO calls for their safe evacuation amid intense fight

On Wednesday, a UK based non-profit organisation, Save the Children, claimed that the Islamic State fighters, who bombarded Gweiran prison in Syria last week attempting to free the thousands of ISIS detainees, are planning to use 700 boys it detained as human shields.

The organisation released a statement in which it said that it had received audio recordings from the boys detained, including one boy pleading for help. “All those involved in the fighting at Guweiran prison have responsibility to protect these children from harm,” said Sonia Khush, Director Save the Children.

The statement comes a week after at least 300 people have been put to death in the ongoing prison battle between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in northeastern Syria. In a well-planned attack, the ISIS fighters attacked the Gweiran prison in Al-Hasakah to free the ISIS detainees held there. Reportedly, ISIS detainees in the prison moved into a dormitory housing the teenage boys in an attempt to prevent an assault by Kurdish forces. According to Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), several boys were killed and injured during the conflict.

The Ghweiran prison is one of the largest detention centres in northeast Syria, housing an estimated 5,000 male detainees, including suspected ISIS fighters from Iraq and Syria. Although the prison is run by western coalition-backed Kurdish forces, reports suggest that the prisoners are now in control of the main building of the jail, and have kept some prison staff as hostages.

Within the next 24 hours of the attack, the ISIS militants also killed 11 Iraqi soldiers in an army base across the border. According to the reports, the severity of the crossfire also reported multiple deaths of Syrian boys caught in the attack. Reports mention that many of them have been apprehended by ISIS after their parents were made to join the Islamic State Fighter group years ago.

The children are in prison because they were recruited and trained by ISIS to become suicide bombers and for other military operations. They are part of the so-called “Cubs of the Caliphate”, a child army raised by the Islamic State. “These young people were trained by Isis [IS] for suicide attacks and other military operations. Now Isis has taken control of that part of the prison and we cannot fight or bomb them,” said SDF media head Farhad Shami.

The children include more than 150 foreigners of age 12 or more who are from non-Arab countries. The Syrian Forces had held the ISIS fighters responsible for the safety of children. However, the Save the Children organisation has urged the authorities to take all possible steps to ensure the safe repatriation of the detained children. Reports mention that the UNICEF has also called for the safe evacuation of trapped children and said that they are at immediate risk.

Khush meanwhile has slammed the countries to which children belong to, saying that the risk of death or injury of these children is directly linked to the governments’ refusal to take them home. “All foreign children must be repatriated, with their families, without any further delay. The international community cannot have the blood of any of these children on their hands,” she added.

According to the reports, ISIS is likely to launch more attacks throughout Africa in 2022. At present, ISIS controls less than 1 per cent of the African territory. However, without a more effective counter-terrorism strategy, ISIS is bound to gain a stronger foothold on the continent.

Here is why Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and singer Sandhya Mukherjee rejected the Padma honours

OpIndia Staff
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Here is why Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and singer Sandhya Mukherjee rejected the Padma honours

The former West Bengal chief minister and CPM leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharya refused to accept the Padma awards as announced by the Narendra Modi government on the eve of Republic Day.

“I know nothing about this award. No one has told me anything about it. If they have decided to offer Padma Bhushan to me, I refuse to accept it,” 77-year-old ailing Bhattacharya said in the press statement.

However, it is an established procedure that before the announcement of the name for such civilian honours, the government seeks the consent of the prospective awardees. If anyone conveys any objection or shows unwillingness, he or she is not named.

“In accordance with the normal practice, willingness of the person proposed to be conferred Padma Awards is informally ascertained (to the extent possible) before the announcement of the Award,” the Government had told Rajya Sabha in 2015 answering to a question. The same procedure must have been followed in this case.  

But, the rejection of the honour by Bhattacharya evoked a mixed response and the leftists claimed that the rejection by former CM shows the high moral ground of the left against the right-wing.

However, the fact seems to be otherwise. The home ministry had made a call to Buddhadeb’s residence where his wife Meera Bhattacharya picked the phone. Meera Bhattacharya was told by the ministry that the government intended to name Buddhadeb Bhattacharya for the Padma Bhushan. There was a full day between the call and the announcement but no one from Bhattacharya’s family got back to the home ministry about his unwillingness to accept the award.

Now the family claims that the phone was disconnected before they could convey the concerned official of the ministry that Bhattacharya would not accept the honour. The family also claimed that since the call was made on the landline, hence, they had no way to call back.

Bhattacharya turned down the honour after the announcement. Soon after the announcement, the CPM top leadership in New Delhi contacted Bhattacharya’s family and persuaded to refuse it since the party as per the tradition doesn’t accept such honours. Party’s West Bengal state secretary Suryakanta Mishra did discuss the award with Bhattacharya’s family.

In the 1990s, CPM leader and the first Chief Minister of Kerala E M S Namboodiripad had turned down the then P V Narasimha Rao’s offer to award him Padma Vibhushan.

As far as conferring such civilian awards, the Narendra Modi government has made a marked departure and set a new tradition of honouring people cutting across the ideology and party line. In 2017, the government had conferred Padma Vibhushan on NCP chief Sharad Pawar. In 2019, it awarded Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour to former President and lifelong Congressman, Pranab Mukherjee. Even this time, the Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad was awarded the Padma Bhushan.

Another individual to reject the Padma award this year is singer Sandhya Mukherjee. 90 year old singer refused to accept the Padma Shri because she felt it was demeaning for a singer of her stature. She had a career spanning 8 decades and Padma Shri is more fitting for a junior artist, not someone like Mukherjee, who has been earlier awarded Banga Bibhushan award.

FIR filed against Amazon for printing national symbols on products sold on the platform

OpIndia Staff
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FIR filed against Amazon for printing national symbols on products sold on the platform

An FIR has been registered against e-commerce giant Amazon for printing national symbols on various products like shoes, mugs, and T-shirts. Makrand Deuskar, Bhopal Police Commissioner, said notices were being sent to the company over the matter.

The police action was initiated after Dr Narottam Mishra, Cabinet Minister for Home, Jail, Parliamentary Affairs & Law Department in Madhya Pradesh directed the Director-General of Police to file an FIR against the company and its officials. He said, “It has come to my notice that our national flag is used on products being sold by the online e-commerce platform Amazon. It is intolerable that even it (the national flag) has been used on shoes.”

CAIT complain against Amazon

On Tuesday, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah to take strict action against the e-commerce website Amazon for allegedly insulting the Indian National Flag. In a letter, they requested HM Shah to “direct the concerned government authorities to take immediate action on this brutal violation of Flag Code of India”.

Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary-General, CAIT wrote in a tweet, “Habitual offender #amazon has once violated the law. #Amazon_Insults_National_Flag. CAIT has urged HM Shri HM Amit Shah to take cognisance & immediate action due to violation of Sec 2.1 (iv) & (v) of Flag code of India.”

Speaking to OpIndia, Khandelwal said, “It is a serious matter. Under the Flag Code of India, no one has the right to print a National Flag on any product that could be disposed of after use. We have urged Home Minister Shah to take cognisance of the matter and take strict action against the company as per law.” He further added this was not the first time Amazon has done something like that. He said, “Around three years ago, Amazon indulged in similar practices. At that time, then-Foreign Minister Late Sushma Swaraj Ji issued a warning to the company after which they removed the products.”

Chhattisgarh Police has also registered an FIR against the e-commerce giant based on the complaint filed by the Chhattisgarh Chamber of Commerce under the banner of CAIT. Amar Parvani, Chairman of Chhattisgarh Chamber of Commerce said in his complaint that Amazon has been selling products with National Flag printed on them. Raipur Police may question the officials at Amazon in this context. The FIR has been registered against the company and unknown people. In a tweet, Amar Parvani wrote, “A delegation of Chhattisgarh Chamber of Commerce has filed an FIR against Amazon and its officials at Civil Line Police Station for printing and selling products with National Flag printed on Them. This is an insult to the National Flag of the country.”

Amazon reacts to complaints

Hindustan Times quoted an Amazon spokesperson saying, “Amazon.in is an online marketplace where third-party sellers offer products for sale directly to customers, and as such is responsible for ensuring their products comply will all applicable laws and regulations. Amazon remains committed to taking necessary action against sellers who list any non-compliant products, including the take-down of non-compliant listings and potential removal of their account.”

Netizens outraged overuse of National Symbols on products

On Monday, the hashtag Amazon_Insults_National_Flag trended on social media platform Twitter after netizens discovered products available on Amazon with national symbols printed on them. Gaurav Goel, State Spokesperson, BJP, said, “This is ridiculous. Nobody has a right to disrespect our National Flag.”

Author Dr Edmond Fernandes said, “Amazon India has no business to use the Triranga for selling products. There must be a proper enquiry on this matter at the earliest.”

Twitter user Prajakta said, “It’s not just a flag it is the pride of our country… Amazon… stop insulting Our National Flag..!”

Flag Code of India prohibits printing of National Flag on products

According to the Flag code of India, “The Flag shall not be used as a drapery in any form whatsoever, including private funerals.” Further, “The Flag shall not be used as a drapery in any form whatsoever, including private funerals; (v) the Flag shall not be used as a portion of costume or uniform of any description nor shall it be embroidered or printed upon cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins or any dress material.”

Sec 2.1 (iv) & (v) of Flag code of India. source: MHA

Amazon was accused of selling poison and marijuana.

In recent times FIRs have been registered against Amazon for selling marijuana and poison on its platforms. In November 2021, an FIR was registered against the e-commerce giant after a drug racket was unearthed in which the accused used Amazon for delivering drugs in district Bhind, Madhya Pradesh. A few days later, another FIR was registered against Amazon after a youth died of suicide after consuming poison that he had bought from the e-commerce site.

Amid UP Elections, book on Yogi Adityanath reaches America

OpIndia Staff
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Amid UP Elections, book on Yogi Adityanath reaches America

Noted Author, Shantanu Gupta, who has written two bestseller titles on Yogi Adityanath, starts a multi city book tour of United States of America from 21st January from New York and New Jersey this week. During the visit he will attend multiple events organized by Indian diaspora and talk about his two books on UP CM Yogi Adityanath – The Monk Who Transformed Uttar Pradesh and The Monk Who Became Chief Minister.

Speaking to OpIndia, Gupta shared the details about his USA book tour. He told us that a spiritual organization Om Kriya Yog and World NRI Association along with many other Indian organizations are organizing the book discussion events in more than a dozen states/cities of Unites States of America – New York, New Jersey, Boston, Washington DC, North Carolina, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Diego & San Francisco. Shantanu added that he will be attending multiple events for his book in community centers, think tanks, temples, universities, media studios, city libraries and will meet many intellectuals from Indian diaspora in USA during these two weeks.

Shantanu said that in the light of upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections many Non Resident Indians were curious and wanted to know the Uttar Pradesh’s growth story under a monk Chief Minister – Yogi Adityanath and this book tour caters to that. Author further added that we have seen that how Yogi Adityanath has brought Uttar Pradesh from a Bimaru (sick) Pradesh to a state which is 1st in the implementation of 45 central government schemes, which is 2nd in GSDP, 2nd in Ease of Doing Business and many such positive indices.

Shantanu told us that in the month of December, after the release of his book – ‘The Monk Who Transformed Uttar Pradesh’, he did two big online launches of his book for the Indian diaspora in Europe and Australia respectively. In the book discussion organized by Overseas friends of BJP for the diaspora in 13 cities of Europe – Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, BJP’s Foreign cell head Vijay Chauthaiwale shared their thoughts along with Author Shantanu. Sudhanshu Trivedi applauded his college junior Shantanu’s work and added that Uttar Pradesh has seen a sea positive change in Yogi Adityanath’s tenure.

After landing at the John F Kennedy airport at New York, Shantanu announced his two weeks long book tour, through this tweet:

Shantanu also tweeted the melodious theme song for the USA tour for his book, sung by famous Haryanvi rapper, MD Desi Rockstar.

Ex-director at Infosys, Mohandas Pai, who has written the foreword for this book on Yogi Adityanath has congratulated Shantanu for his latest book tour of USA. Pai added that “When Yogi Adityanath took over as CM, Lutyens Delhi—the name by which the power structure and supporters of the ancient regime are known—exploded in anger and derision. They questioned his capability to be CM, abused him roundly, and predicted the total failure of his regime. They forget that he was a 5-time MP, a person of great accomplishment as an MP going by his track record in Parliament, had toured most districts of UP and knew the living conditions of the people of UP more than any of his critics.”

“Uttar Pradesh was disparaged as ‘bimaru’ and known for governance based on identity politics rather than all-around development, Sabka Vikas. Shantanu Gupta’s book is an important contribution to how an effective leader, rooted in India’s ancient ethos while looking for apt solutions for contemporary times, can bring real change,” says Sankrant Sanu, founder and CEO of Garuda Prakashan, the publisher of this book.

Mata Rajyalaxmi of Om Kriya Yog said that PM Modi is training new set of next generations leaders under him and Yogi Adityanath is one of them.

Shantanu added that he is amazed to see the curiosity among diaspora to know more about UP’s transformation story under CM Yogi Adityanath. When asked how the NRI community is seeing the duo of PM Modi and CM Yogi, Shantanu replied that he always hears terms like ‘Ram-Laxman ki Jodi’, ‘Ram-Hanuman ki jodi’ and Double Engine ki Sarkar, from the members of the Indian diaspora for the Modi-Yogo duo. He added that UP + Yogi = UPYOGI, the termed coined by PM Narendra Modi for the effective governance by Yogi Adityanath, has become quite popular among the Indian diaspora in USA.

Shantanu thanked World NRI Association, OM Kriya Yog, Vishwa Hindi Parishad America, Hindu Pact, TV Asia, Students at Harvard Kennedy School, Center for Indic Studies at University of Massachusetts, Hindus for America, India Awareness Foundation, US India Friendship Council (USFIC), Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIDS) and all the other organizations who will be hosting multiple events for the book tour in USA in the coming weeks.

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