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Number of Indian students seeking study permit in Canada drops by 86% after diplomatic spat over Trudeau govt’s support of Khalistanis

OpIndia Staff
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Number of Indian students seeking study permit in Canada drops by 86% after diplomatic spat over Trudeau govt’s support of Khalistanis

The number of study permits granted by Canada to Indian students dropped sharply in the last twelve months, as a result of a diplomatic dispute over the murder of a Khalistani terrorist leader in Canada, a top Canadian official stated on Wednesday (17th January). The number of Indian students seeking to study in Canada has gone down by a huge amount. Moreover, the Canadian govt is also unable to process applications at previous levels due to a reduction in counsellor staff after India expelled Canadian diplomats who would process the permits.

In an interview, Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated that he does not anticipate the number of study visas for Indians would increase anytime soon. Diplomatic tensions erupted in June when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that there was evidence linking Indian government operatives to the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.

Miller believes that the tensions will continue to weigh on the numbers in the future. “Our relationship with India has halved our ability to process a lot of applications from India,” Miller said.

In October, Canada pulled 41 diplomats, or two-thirds of its staff, out of India on orders from New Delhi. Furthermore, the conflict has led Indian students to pursue higher education in other nations, according to a ministerial spokesperson.

These reasons resulted in an 86% decrease in study permits awarded to Indians in the fourth quarter of last year compared to the previous quarter, to 14,910 from 108,940, according to government figures not previously revealed.

C. Gurus Ubramanian, counsellor for the High Commission of India in Ottawa, stated that some Indian international students were considering alternatives to Canada due to “concerns, in the recent past, regarding the lack of residential and adequate teaching facilities” at several Canadian universities.

In recent years, Indians have made up the largest group of international students in Canada, accounting for more than 41% (225,835) of all visas in 2022.

“I can’t tell you about how the diplomatic relationship will evolve, particularly if police were to lay charges. It’s not something that I see any light at the end of the tunnel on,” Miller said.

International students are a cash cow for Canadian universities, bringing in over C$22 billion ($16.4 billion) per year, and a slowdown will be detrimental to the institutions.

In June, Canada stated that there were “credible suspicions” linking Indian agents to the murder of Nijjar in a Vancouver neighborhood. India has denied the accusations. Canadian authorities are yet to charge anyone for the murder.

Last year, the US Justice Department indicted a 52-year-old man who collaborated with an Indian government employee in plotting to kill a New York City citizen who pushed for a Sikh independent state in northern India.

The Canadian government has also been working to restrict the overall number of overseas students entering the country, in part due to ongoing housing shortages.

“Right now we have a challenge with the sheer volume of students coming in,” Miller explained. “It’s just gotten out of control and needs to be reduced, I would say, significantly over a short time.”

Miller stated that the government would implement additional measures to reduce the number of overseas students during the first half of this year, including a possible cap. Canada is a popular choice for overseas students because it is very simple to secure work permits after completing courses.

The administration aims to address “a very generous” program for postgraduate work permits and to crack down on “fly-by-night” universities known as designated learning institutes, he stated.

The government has previously announced plans to limit the number of off-campus work hours for overseas students, which the food service and retail businesses fear may result in labor shortages.

In 2023, the government predicted that over 900,000 international students would study in Canada, roughly three times the number a decade earlier. Miller reported that 40% of those students, or around 360,000, were Indian. The number of licenses issued to Indian students decreased by 4% last year, but they still remained the largest group.

Pakistan Air Force posts a video boasting about its ‘advanced capabilities’, gets bombed by Iran hours later

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan Air Force posts a video boasting about its ‘advanced capabilities’, gets bombed by Iran hours later

Iran launched drone and missile assaults on terrorist bases inside Pakistan on Wednesday (17th January), claiming to hit two Jaish al-Adl terrorist sites, a day after the elite Revolutionary Guards conducted similar strikes on Iraq and Syria. Pakistan issued a forceful statement condemning Iran’s “unprovoked violation of its airspace” and warning of “consequences”. Pakistan further claimed that two children died and three others were injured as a result of Iran’s attack.

The significant missile attack by Iran on targets inside Pakistan’s territorial border came just hours after the Pakistani Air Force boasted about its advanced capabilities in a video. The Pakistan Air Force claimed ‘transformative modernization initiative to counter evolving threats, prioritizing the induction of modern systems through smart acquisitions and indigenization’.

“A key milestone in this strategic transformation has been the acquisition of Fifth Generation Stealth fighter jets, the foundation of whose induction into the PAF has already been laid which will ensure an impregnable defense of the country,” the Pakistan Air Force stated as it announced acquisition of the J-10C fighter jets.

“The acquisition of J-10C fighter jets, Unmanned Aerial Systems, modern electronic warfare platforms, force multipliers, state-of-the-art integrated air defense systems, air mobility platforms, HIMADS, and hypersonic missile capabilities at an unprecedented pace has bolstered the PAF’s warfighting capabilities,” PAF added.

Pakistan reached out to the Iranian charge d’affaires at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express its “strongest condemnation of this clear violation” of its sovereignty. While Pakistan’s Foreign Office did not specify the location of the victims, reports indicate that the bases were in Balochistan, and one of the terror group’s biggest headquarters was attacked.

Pakistan condemned Iran’s attack as a “unprovoked violation of its airspace” and vowed to “vehemently protest the violation of its sovereignty.” It is totally unacceptable, and it might have significant implications.”

Jaish al-Adl was founded in 2012 and declared a terrorist outfit by Iran. Jaish al-Adl is a Sunni terrorist organization based in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan. Over the years, Jaish al-Adl has launched multiple attacks on Iranian security personnel.

Interestingly, the IRGC strike inside Pakistan happened just when Pakistan’s caretaker PM Anwaar Kakar was meeting Iranian FM Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Just a day prior, Iran had hit areas near US consulate in Erbil, Iraq, claiming to hit Israeli spy bases. The IRGC has also conducted long-range missile strikes hitting ISIS targets in Syria, in an apparent display of its capabilities.

In December, Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for an attack on a police station in Sistan-Baluchistan, which killed at least 11 officers. Sistan-Baluchistan shares a border with Pakistan and Afghanistan. The region has a history of conflicts between Iranian security forces, Sunni insurgents, and drug smugglers.

MHA cancels FCRA registration of Delhi-based think tank Centre for Policy Research

OpIndia Staff
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MHA cancels FCRA registration of Delhi-based think tank Centre for Policy Research

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has cancelled the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of the Delhi-based think tank Centre for Policy Research (CPR) for allegedly violating certain foreign funding norms.

“The FCRA has been cancelled via order received on January 10″ and the institution will weigh its options to seek justice,” Yamini Aiyar, President, CPR said while speaking to ANI.

Yamini Aiyar is the daughter of controversial Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar.

The MHA cited reports published by CPR on “current affairs programs” as one of the reasons for the cancellation.

The MHA’s action comes almost a year after CPR’s FCRA registration was suspended for 180 days and then the suspension was extended for another 180 days. The MHA suspended the FCRA licence of CPR in February last year.

Earlier in September 2022, the Income Tax department conducted a ‘survey’ operation against CPR, and two other organisations- Oxfam India and a Bengaluru-based Independent and Public-Spirited Media Foundation (IPSMF) — as part of a probe to look into their foreign funding.

In July 2023, the Income Tax Department reportedly informed the ‘Centre for Policy Research (CPR),’ run by the daughter of Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, about the withdrawal of its tax exemption status.

Oxfam India’s foreign funding is also blocked in India as MHA, in December 2021, refused to renew its FCRA licence. Parallelly, the Central Bureau of Investigation is also investigating Oxfam India.

The CPR then filed a challenge in the Delhi High Court against the suspension of its license too.

The MHA then contended that CPR’s foreign funding should be ceased due to concerns about receiving foreign contributions for undesirable purposes that could impact the country’s economic interests.

The MHA had further accused the CPR of transferring foreign contributions to other entities and depositing them in non-designated accounts, violating the FCRA. 

(With inputs from ANI)

PM Narendra Modi visits Guruvayur Temple in Kerala, attends wedding of BJP leader Suresh Gopi’s daughter

OpIndia Staff
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PM Narendra Modi visits Guruvayur Temple in Kerala, attends wedding of BJP leader Suresh Gopi’s daughter

On a pleasant Wednesday (17th January) morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived a the Guruvayur Sri Krishna Swamy Temple in Thrissur, Kerala. PM Modi performed a pooja and had a darshan at Guruvayur Temple. The Prime Minister was seen dressed in Kerala’s traditional Mundu and Veshti. Prime Minister Modi also attended the wedding of actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi’s daughter Bhagya Suresh at the temple.

Prime Minister Modi arrived at the Kalyana Mandapam where the wedding rituals of bride Bhagya Suresh and groom Suresh Mohan were performed. PM Modi blessed the couple on their special occasion and congratulated them. He left the venue after clicking pictures with the newly-married couple. Notably, Malayalam actors Manmootty, Mohanlal, and Dileep among others also attended the wedding.

PM Modi with actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi at Guruvayur Temple (Image source: FilmiBeat)

Taking to X, PM Modi shared some pictures from his Guruvayur visit as expressed his gratitude to the people of Kerala for extending a warm welcome to him.

“It was early in the morning but people in Guruvayur came in large numbers to bless me. I cherish this warmth and it motivates me to work even harder for the people,” PM Modi posted.

The temple priests presented a replica of Lord Krishna’s idol to Prime Minister Modi today.

Image source: (PM Modi’s X handle)

In another post, PM Modi hailed the divine energy of the temple as he wrote, “Prayed at the sacred Guruvayur Temple. The divine energy of this Temple is immense. I prayed that every Indian be happy and prosperous.”

Notably, PM Modi is set to inaugurate the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) of the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) at Kochi in Kerala. The 310-meter-long drydock built along with India’s first fully developed ship repair ecosystem ISRF is set to become a game-changer for India’s marine sector. PM Narendra Modi is also inaugurating various infrastructure projects at Kochi worth Rs 4000 Crores. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal took stock of the preparations before the Prime Minister arrived in Kochi and reviewed these projects.

PM Modi performs Thulabharam

Before gracing the wedding of Suresh Gopi’s daughter Prime Minister Modi performed the ‘Thulabharam’ ritual at the Guruvayur Temple today. It is interesting to note that during the Thulabharam ceremony, the devotee sits on one side of the weighing scale (Tula) and places an item of equal or greater weight on the other side. The item is then offered to the deity. According to Puranic belief, doing this ritual signifies the devotees’ submission to the deity. The items kept on the balance vary based on the needs of the devotee. Thulabharam ritual is performed for alleviation from distress, accomplishing an aspiration, or healing from a health condition.

PM Modi performing the Thulabharam ritual during his 2019 visit to the Guruvayur Temple (Image source: Mathrubhumi)

As per the Puranas, this ritual was started after Rishi Narada challenged one of Lord Krishna’s wives Satyabhama to take a challenge that her husband would sit on one side of the scale and she would have to put as much wealth on the other side of the scale as to outweigh the Lord himself and prove her love for Krishna. On failing to do so Lord Krishna would become a slave (Das) of Narada. However, despite offering her entire wealth including gold, she failed to outweigh Lord Krishna, seeing this, goddess Rukmini came and placed a Tulsi leaf on the weighing scale with all her devotion to the supreme deity. After this, the Tulsi leaf outweighs Lord Krishna. The scriptures say that Rishi Narada had pre-planned this, to teach Satyabhama the power of devotion and love. This puranic tale inspires the Thulabhram ceremony at the Guruvayur Temple.

Goddess Rukmini offering Tulsi leafe during Lord Krishna’s Thulabharam illustration (Image source: DivyaDesamOnline)

Guruvayur Temple – The Bhuloka Vaikuntham

The Guruvayur temple, known as “Bhuloka Vaikuntham” (Holy abode of Lord Vishnu), is thought to be at least 5,000 years old, with the main idol installed by Brihaspati and Vayu and blessed by Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. The temple devoted to Lord Vishnu and the young form of Lord Krishna is popularly known as the ‘Dwarka of the South’. The statue of Lord Vishnu installed here has four arms. One holds the conch Panchajanya, another holds the discus Sudarshana Chakra, the third has the mace Kaumodaki, and the fourth holds a lotus with a Holy basil garland. The temple is particularly known for its elephant festival – Guruvayoor Aanayottam. Devotees from all over the world come here to see beautifully dressed elephants. Moreover, Guruvayur Ekadashi, Vaishakam and Ashtami Rohini festivals are also celebrated at the ‘Bhuloka Vaikuntha’.

Guruvayur Temple in Thrissur (Image source: Guruvayur Dewasom)

The Guruvayur Temple is a typical example of Kerala’s traditional temple architecture. It faces east and has two gopurams, one in the east (Kizhakkenada) and one in the west (Padinjarenada). Moreover, structures like Nalambalam (temple structure enclosing sanctum sanctorum), Balikkal (sacrificial stone) and Deepastambam (Pillar of lights) in the temple precincts leave the visitors spellbound. The wall of the sanctum sanctorum (Srekovil) is adorned with antique 17th-century artwork. 

Fake News on PM Modi’s visit to the temple

Notably, some people were spreading fake news that many weddings at Guruvayur Temple were cancelled due to the visit by PM Modi. However, the temple administration clarified that no weddings scheduled for 17th January were cancelled. The temple however changed the times of some weddings to accommodate a security window for the visit. While it was being claimed that 48 weddings were cancelled, actually 39 of the 65 marriages planned for today were rescheduled to take place between 5 am to 6 am, while originally 9 weddings were scheduled during this period. Therefore, a total of 48 marriages were scheduled for 5 to 6 am.

Guruvayur Devaswom Board had further clarified that there was no question of weddings taking place outside auspicious time or muhurtham because of the change of time slots, because there is no muhurtham at the Guruvayur temple, and weddings can take place anytime in the day. The boead also clarified that the limit of 20 guests per wedding is already there in the temple for several years, and it has not been imposed for PM Modi’s visit. The temple sees over 100 marriages in a day in some days, and that is why the limit on guests have been implemented.

‘Please close the commode lid and sit on it’: SpiceJet crew slips in a note after a passenger gets stuck in the loo on flight

OpIndia Staff
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‘Please close the commode lid and sit on it’: SpiceJet crew slips in a note after a passenger gets stuck in the loo on flight

In yet another horrendous flying experience, a passenger on a SpiceJet flight from Mumbai to Bengaluru got stuck inside the loo of a SpiceJet for almost an hour on Tuesday morning due to an alleged malfunction of the lavatory door lock.

As per reports, following the deactivation of the seat belt sign at 2:13 am after departure from Mumbai, a male passenger headed to the restroom but became unexpectedly locked inside. He remained in the confined space until the aircraft landed in Bengaluru at 3:10 am, at which point technicians were able to unlock the door.

The passenger reportedly sought help from the crew members after he couldn’t open the door to the lavatory from inside. The crew members slipped in a note through the cracks in the folding door of the loo, asking him to remain calm while expressing their inability to open the door from the outside.

“Sir, we tried our best to open the door. However, we could not open it. Do not panic; we are landing in a few minutes. So please the commode lid, sit on it and secure yourself. As soon as the main door is open, the engineer will come. Do not panic,” the note read.

The passenger remained in the lavatory until the plane landed at the Bengaluru airport, upon which a technician helped wrench the door open, following which he received immediate medical support.

SpiceJet issued a statement, apologising for the incident and affirming that the passenger would receive a complete refund. The airline also noted that the traveller received assistance throughout the entirety of the journey.

Earlier this week, passengers travelling from IndiGo airlines in several cities across the country had to face severe delays purportedly due to harsh weather conditions, as reported by the airlines to the DGCA. The delays sparked outrage among passengers, with many untoward incidents reported, notably the assault on a cabin crew member by a fellow passenger.

Ex-MP Mahua Moitra receives third notice to vacate government residence in Delhi

ANI
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Ex-MP Mahua Moitra receives third notice to vacate government residence in Delhi

Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra has received fresh notice to vacate her government-allotted accommodation in New Delhi on Wednesday.

This is the third notice served to Moitra by the Directorate of Estate, under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, asking her to vacate her official bungalow and comes shortly after she was expelled from the Lok Sabha in connection with the ‘cash-for-query’ case.

“The Applicant vide Letter dated 08.01.2024 requested to initiate eviction proceedings against, you under the provisions of Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971,” the notice of Office of the Estate Officer and Assistant Director of Estates (Litigation), Directorate of Estates read.

The Ministry of Urban Development served the second notice to Mahua on January 11 this year.

The TMC leader had approached the Delhi High Court, seeking the quashing of the notice issued by the Directorate of Estate cancelling her government accommodation in the national capital.

The plea stated that a notice had been issued to her on December 11, 2023, which directed her to vacate the house by 7.01.2024, failing which proceedings under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants Act) 1971 (‘PP Act 1971’) will be caused to be initiated.

The plea prayed to allow her to retain possession of her government accommodation till results of the 2024 General Elections.

It also stated that the absence of government accommodation, however, poses a significant impediment to the petitioner’s ability to host and engage with party members, parliamentarians, fellow politicians, visiting constituents, key stakeholders and other dignitaries, which is essential, especially in the lead up to a general election.

Moitra was on December 8, 2023, expelled from the Lok Sabha after a discussion on the report of the Ethics Committee in the ‘cash for query’ that was tabled in the Lower House.

Moitra, who was not allowed to speak during the discussion inside the House, said that the Ethics committee broke every rule.

The expelled Lok Sabha MP alleged that she has been found guilty of breaching a code of ethics that ‘does not exist’.

The Ethics Committee report probing ‘Unethical Conduct’ of the TMC MP had recommended that Moitra “may be expelled” from the Lok Sabha and called for an “intense, legal, institutional inquiry” by the central government in a “time-bound manner”.

The report was adopted by a 6:4 majority in the panel last month. The report on Moitra’s cash-for-query case revealed that she visited the UAE four times from 2019 to 2023 while her login was accessed several times. (ANI)

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

‘Should we be so intolerant?’: Kerala High Court on plea against Malayalam film ‘Antony’ over gun inside a Bible scene

OpIndia Staff
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‘Should we be so intolerant?’: Kerala High Court on plea against Malayalam film ‘Antony’ over gun inside a Bible scene

On Tuesday (16th January), the Kerala High Court heard a plea raising objection over a scene in the film “Antony” showing a gun kept inside a Bible. Petitioner Joji Verghese challenged the release of the Malayalam film contending that such a scene hurts the religious sentiments of the Christian community.

A single-judge bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran heard the plea and made some strong observations about religion and tolerance. The Court stated orally that people should not be so intolerant. It noted that these types of scenes were featured in Hollywood films as early as the 1960s and 1970s. Further, the Kerala High Court judge said that whatever holy text is in the scene, some or the other section would be unhappy or offended.

“Should we be so intolerant that even for a passing reference to a book you should take up objection? Even if it is a Bible, doesn’t there need to be a negative reference or connotation for you to object? Bible is used to hide a gun so Christians are unhappy. If it is Gita, Hindus will become unhappy. If it is the Quran, Muslims will be unhappy,” Justice Ramachandran said.

The Court inquired about how the book could be said to be the Bible since it was only a fleeting shot. It stated that experts censored the film before being distributed on multiple platforms.

“How do you know this is the Bible? …The statement states it was as a fleeting moment…it was such brief that it could not be registered in the mind of the viewer…”

The bench, however, agreed to watch the allegedly objectionable part from the film “Antony”. “if you want you can produce the video, I will see…the petitioner seeks additional time to produce additional evidence”, the single-judge bench noted.

The court also stated that such petitions would only benefit movie producers who could use negative or positive publicity to broaden the reach of their film. The matter will be heard again in two weeks.

The story of the film revolves around Antony’s life, his encounters with other gangsters, and what occurs when Kalyani Priyadarshan’s character, Ann Maria, enters his life and he is forced to become her guardian following her mother’s death.

PM Modi to inaugurate ISRF, new dry dock of Cochin Shipyard Ltd at Kochi: Know how the major infra boost will highlight CSL on world map

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi to inaugurate ISRF, new dry dock of Cochin Shipyard Ltd at Kochi: Know how the major infra boost will highlight CSL on world map

On Wednesday (17th January) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is inaugurating the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) of the Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) at Kochi in Kerala. The 310-meter-long drydock built along with India’s first fully developed ship repair ecosystem ISRF is set to become a game-changer for India’s marine sector.

Along with this, PM Narendra Modi is also inaugurating various infrastructure projects at Kochi worth Rs 4000 Crores. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal took stock of the preparations before the Prime Minister arrived in Kochi and reviewed these projects.

The International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF)

CSL can currently build ships up to 110,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT) and repair ships up to 125,000 DWT. The International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) situated at Cochin Port Trust in Kochi is set to enhance India’s ship repair capacity by approximately 25%. Developed for Rs 970 crore, this state-of-the-art facility features a 6,000-tonne capacity ship lift and transfer system capable of accommodating vessels up to 130 meters in length and 26 meters in width.

With six dedicated workstations, the facility enables concurrent and independent repair operations for six vessels, allowing for the efficient handling of repairs for approximately 84 ships annually. It is built on 42 acres of land leased from Cochin Port Authority.

The ISRF is poised to serve over 2,000 Indian-owned vessels navigating Indian waters, creating a consistent demand for local ship repair activities. Moreover, the facility is strategically positioned to meet the repair and maintenance needs of the numerous vessels frequenting Indian ports. Its proximity to the international sea route connecting Southeast Asia to the Middle East adds to its allure, positioning Kochi as a global hub for ship repairs.

Additionally, the ISRF is set to offer swift turnaround times for naval warships, coast guard ships, and offshore vessels, catering to both emergency docking requirements and scheduled refits. Aligned with the strategic initiative to establish ship repair clusters, the “Kochi cluster” is anticipated to catalyse substantial growth in ship repair services and ancillary offerings, akin to established clusters in Dubai and Singapore.

The Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) is known for building INS Vikrant

Cochin Shipyard Ltd, renowned for constructing India’s largest double-hull Aframax tankers and various other vessels for both Indian and international clients, has achieved notable milestones. Notably, the shipyard proudly delivered the Indian Navy’s inaugural indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, commissioned in September 2022 with an impressive 76% indigenous content.

In the coming weeks, the cityscape of Kochi is set to transform as Cochin Shipyard Ltd prepares to elevate and install its new 600-tonne Goliath gantry crane above the dock. This addition will significantly enhance CSL’s capabilities, enabling the handling of blocks weighing up to 600 tonnes, surpassing the size of the existing two orange gantry cranes.

The Dry Dock at Kochi

The construction of the dry dock, estimated at Rs 1,799 crore, represents a significant investment in a high-grade strategic asset. This facility boasts the capacity to manage crucial naval assets and commercial vessels during emergencies. With a design life extending to 100 years, the dry dock positions India to build substantial aircraft carriers weighing up to 70,000 tonnes displacement.

The newly established dry dock is set to be a pivotal factor in advancing skill development for the construction and repair of highly intricate and large vessels, along with complex marine structures. It is anticipated to directly generate employment opportunities for approximately 2,000 individuals, with a ripple effect amplifying this impact by 5-6 times. Additionally, the facility will catalyse the growth of ancillary and supporting industries, as well as foster the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), ultimately contributing to the augmentation of the local economy.

The new dry dock, constructed by Larsen and Toubro LTD, will be India’s largest. With the new dry dock, CSL can now build large LNG carriers, Suezmax vessels, oil rigs, and more. The new dry dock will start its first building assignment in May this year, building a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) for the State-owned Dredging Corporation of India Ltd, as per a report in Economic Times.

Union Minister visited Kochi a day before inauguration

The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed the preparation of the key strategic projects at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi yesterday. Addressing a press conference, he said, “Kochi is going to become one of the most important hubs of ship repair and shipbuilding. This modern facility will definitely make India proud in the global maritime sector. This is the biggest operational ship repair ecosystem infrastructure in the entire South Asia, which has been built for the Viksit Bharat by 2047.”

He added, “We are providing requisite impetus to the shipping sector, including an ambitious Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP), which is likely to steamroll India’s shipping sector prospects to become a global leader in the production of green ships. We are also working on building a ship repair cluster in Kochi to provide a robust ecosystem for India’s shipping industry.”

‘Mandir wahin ban raha hai’: CM Yogi Adityanath says if the Opposition is so worried about ‘politicisation’ of Ram Mandir, why didn’t they get the Temple built

OpIndia Staff
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‘Mandir wahin ban raha hai’: CM Yogi Adityanath says if the Opposition is so worried about ‘politicisation’ of Ram Mandir, why didn’t they get the Temple built

With less than a week remaining for the much-awaited Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha on 22nd January, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave an exclusive interview with Aaj Tak. In the interview, he responded to queries on a host of issues including the court proceedings in Kashi and Mathura. During the interview, he categorically affirmed, “Mandir wahi ban raha hai” while refuting opposition and their ecosystem’s mischievous conspiracy ‘4KM’ theory on Ayodhya Ram Mandir. Notably, the theory had already been debunked. 

Here are the excerpts from UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s interview with Aaj Tak –

Yogi Adityanath recalls ‘Mandir wahin banayenge’ vow

According to media reports, Sanjay Raut and several other usual suspects had claimed that the place where BJP is building the Ram temple is not the original Ram Janmabhoomi. The temple is being built 3-4 kilometers away from the birthplace of Lord Ram, they had claimed. 

It is important to note that the disputed structure was illegally built on the birthplace of Shri Ram, however, the illegal structure on usurped land was demolished on 6th December 1992.  

Responding to the debunked conspiracy theory, CM Yogi recalled the vow Ram Bhakts had taken during the Ram Janambhoomi movement, “Mandir wahin banayenge’. He emphasised that the struggle of the entire Ram Janambhoomi movement was that ‘Ram Mandir will be built at the exact place (birthplace of Shri Ram)’. Stressing that the vow has been materialised, CM Yogi said, “Mandir wahin ban rha hai”. 

He added that Sanjay Raut and Uddhav Thackeray themselves had visited Ayodhya to seek darshan. Taking a jibe at the Uddhav Sena leader, CM Yogi added that when Sanjay Raut and Uddhav Thackeray came to Ayodhya, why did they not give this invaluable suggestion? Taking a dig at him, CM Yogi cited the Hindi proverb, saying anybody can say that the grapes are sour (Angoor Khate hai). 

Yogi Adityanath lambasts the Opposition, asks what stopped Congress from doing such a ‘political event’?

CM Yogi Adityanath launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party’s allegation that the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha is a ‘political event’ with Rahul saying today (on 16th January) that it is a ‘Modi ka function’. 

He asked who had stopped Congress from organising such a ‘political event’ if they are so upset at BJP governments doing it. Congress has ruled the country for a long time since 1947. Why didn’t they organise any such event? Regarding Rahul, CM Yogi said that he has been an MP since 2004 and has been running the government from behind and it is not a secret. So why didn’t Rahul organise such an event? 

He further slammed the Gandhi scion and accused him of organising events that insulted the Constitution of India. CM Yogi Adityanath said that Rahul has always been organising events that insult the Constitution of India. They have been organising events in which he tore down the ordinance passed by the Parliament. 

(Video Courtesy – Aaj Tak)

Responding to the opposition’s allegations that the Ram Mandir inauguration has been hastened because of election consideration, CM Yogi retorted by asking who has stopped Congress from attending this program. 

He asked whether it is not true that in 1989, Congress had started its election campaign from Ayodhya itself. He further asked whether it is not true that on the one hand, Congress fools Hindus and on the other hand it was not able to give up its fascination with the Muslim vote bank. 

He asserted that Congress and other opposition parties were the ones who always did politics on this issue adding that they (BJP) never did politics on this issue. He added that the Mandir construction has always been BJP’s aim, mentioned in its election manifesto.

Further in the interview, CM Yogi stated that some people had tried to make Ayodhya a victim for their personal gains. But today Ayodhya is free from all this. Our Vedas honoured Ayodhya as the first of the Saptapuris. Ayodhya is now being equipped in the same form.

He was asked about the opposition’s allegations that Pran Pratishtha is taking place before the Shikar (Peak) of Ram Mandir has been constructed. Responding to this, CM Yogi said that the ritual is for the idol we install there. He said, it is not that this is happening for the first time. Whatever is happening in Ayodhya is happening as per the scriptures.

CM Yogi said that according to Hindu tradition, the auspicious time for the program comes after Makar Sankranti. This date has been fixed considering the same.

Ayodhya has transformed completely

Emphasising the changes that have taken place in Ayodhya, CM Yogi said that ten years ago no one could have imagined that a four-lane road would be built in this city. Wires were dangling on electric poles and filth was visible in the city. CM Yogi said, previous governments had troubled the people of Ayodhya even for electricity. There were no facilities there. 

He added that today there is a four-lane road inside the city. Today the city has a railway station equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, which was once a narrow gauge railway station. Today the international airport is ready in Ayodhya. 

He further added that now there is a cruise on the Saryu River whereas earlier there were governments who used to fire bullets, a direct reference to the massacre of Ram Bhakts and Karsevaks in the 1990s by the Mulayam Singh Yadav government. 

CM Yogi Adityanath asserted that the political leaders who did not accept Lord Ram and his power suffered the same fate in their political careers as the characters in the scriptures who refused to accept God.

Responding to the reports that Shankaracharyas are not coming to attend the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha, the CM said that the Trust sent an invitation to every Dharmacharya and every Acharya. He added that this is not an occasion for respect or insult, whether I am an ordinary citizen or the biggest Dharmacharya of this country, no one is bigger than Lord Ram. We all are dependent on Ram, Ram is not dependent on us. 

Regarding the Ram Janmabhoomi Court verdict, he noted that the court’s ruling could have come earlier had the previous governments wanted it. He asserted that the BJP government did its part and paved the way for the court verdict to be delivered.

Regarding the question on Kashi-Mathura, CM noted that Hindus fought for Ramlala for 500 years adding, “We will present the evidence before the court, when the time comes, all the facts will come out and things will become clear as a day sky.”

“VP, VP, VP”: Crowd chants as Donald Trump introduces Vivek Ramaswamy on stage at New Hampshire rally

OpIndia Staff
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“VP, VP, VP”: Crowd chants as Donald Trump introduces Vivek Ramaswamy on stage at New Hampshire rally

Call it Trump’s best investment so far or Vivek Ramaswamy’s ‘trump’ card. Donald J Trump’s election rally in New Hampshire was all about Vivek Ramaswamy, who announced his exit from the race for US President on 16th January.

Ramaswamy announced his decision after losing the Iowa caucuses with 7.7% votes while Trump emerged with a historic win of 51% votes. It was the largest margin of victory in GOP history.

During the announcement of the withdrawal of his campaign, the Indian-American entrepreneur announced that he will be joining Trump at his New Hampshire rally.

It was a defining moment when Trump introduced and welcomed Vivek Ramaswamy on stage, a moment that hinted that Vivek Ramaswamy could very well be team Trump’s Vice Presidential candidate in the US Presidential elections.

While no official statement has been made about the same, Trump and Ramaswamy supporters at Atkinson, New Hampshire were heard chanting “VP, VP, VP” as Ramaswamy concluded his speech and greeted Trump.

Welcoming Ramaswamy on stage, Trump said, “Last night I was honoured to receive the endorsement of a man who has become a true leader and earned the admiration of so many patriots. I have been a friend of his even though we were competing against each other but I was a friend of his and we got along. And he was saying ‘he’s a great President’ and I kept saying ‘Why is he running, he keeps calling me a great President’. But he’s a fantastic guy, a very smart guy. He’s got some tremendous ideas. And he’s young and he’s got some young ideas too and that’s a good thing. So he’s got a big, beautiful and bright future ahead…Vivek Ramaswamy.”

Trump stood behind Ramaswamy the entire time of the latter’s address wherein he endorsed Trump as the “commander-in-chief”.

Republican netizens continue to put their weight behind Ramaswamy with many disappointed with his campaign withdrawal but happy that he is endorsing Trump. However, the same support base is now rooting for Ramaswamy for Vice President all over social media too.

Many others also lauded his decision to withdraw and endorse Trump. Ramaswamy has also called upon Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis to withdraw and declare their support for the former President of the United States.

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