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After ‘private video’ controversy, Kulhad Pizza couple face the heat of Nihang Sikhs over an Instagram reel, latter threatens to burn their shop

Jhankar Mohta
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After ‘private video’ controversy, Kulhad Pizza couple face the heat of Nihang Sikhs over an Instagram reel, latter threatens to burn their shop

After the ‘private video’ controversy, the famous Kulhad Pizza couple from Jalandhar is back in the news, and this time again, not for the right reasons. This time, they managed to anger some Nihang Sikhs with one of their Instagram reels which went viral on social media. The Nihang Sikhs, who accused Kulhad Pizza owner Sehaj Arora and his wife Gurpreet Kaur of bringing a bad name to the Sikh community by posting the real on social media, threatened to burn down Kulhad Pizza restaurants if the couple did not issue a public apology and take down their Instagram reel.

According to reports, on Thursday, December 21, Ludhiana’s Nihang Ramandeep Singh Mangu and his aides created a ruckus outside the Kulhad Pizza couple’s restaurant. Mangu became enraged after seeing the couple’s Instagram reel and claimed that by performing the song, which has some disparaging lyrics about the entire world, the couple had brought shame to the Sikh community. He demanded that he wanted to meet Kulhad Pizza owners Sehaj Arora and Gurpreet Kaur in person. Speaking to the media, Mangu said that he learned after reaching the restaurant that the couple were not in town. He said that they would wait there and only return once they meet them in person.

Expressing dismay over the viral video, the Nihang Sikh said that the couple had brought shame to the Sikh community and they were only indulging in such cheap acts to make it to the reality show Bigg Boss. According to Mangu, Sahaj’s mobile phone is currently switched off and a message has been sent to him asking him to apologise soon.

Notably, in the Instagram reel to which the Nihangs have taken offence, the Kulhad Pizaa couple is seen singing and dancing to a song whose lyrics go like “yeh duniya badi beh*nch*d beh*ch*d…”.

Notably, the duo performed “Haye Ri Duniya,” a song that was originally sung by Rashmeet Kaur, Ikka, Rusha, and Blizza. The song portion that the Kulhad couple performed begins at 1.19 seconds into the song.

The owner of Kulhad Pizza Sehaj Arora responded to the incident by releasing a video statement on Facebook that clarified his position on the issue. He explained how the song on which he and his wife are seen performing in the Instagram reel is not their own. He explained that it was a paid promotion and he was approached by the producers of the song to promote the video. Showing a message he received on his phone, Arora further explained how he was given a time stamp by the producers and he was expected to perform strictly on that particular portion of the song.

He added that the words of the song he is seen performing on is not his and he was simply promoting the song as per the requirements of the producers for which he would be paid. Yet, Arora said that he was willing to apologise if he had unknowingly hurt anyone’s sentiments.

Sehaj Arora further alleged in the video statement that Nihang Ramandeep Singh Mangu’s aide had blackmailed him and demanded Rs 50,000 to resolve the issue. She shared a small snippet from a video to back his claim.

Kulhad Pizza owner breaks silence after ‘private video’ goes viral, alleges they fell prey to a sextortion racket

This is not the first time the Kulhad Pizza couple have been embroiled in a controversy. In September 2023, the couple were in the news after an alleged ‘private video’ of them went viral. On September 22, Kulhad Pizza owner Sehaj Arora took to Instagram to release his second video message, wherein he broke down while narrating the mental trauma he and his family have been facing due to these leaked videos. The victim wept as he begged people to stop sharing the videos on social media.

Notably, the sex tape, which quickly went viral contained explicit content. It showed intimate moments between a couple. In the video, the man’s face was fully visible while the woman’s face was partially visible. Moreover, the woman in the video had the same tattoo as Gurpreet Kaur. Additionally, the woman in the video was seen wearing red bangles, which are traditionally worn by ladies after their wedding, indicating that the video was taken after the couple’s wedding. In several of Kulhad Pizza couple’s earlier videos, Gurpreet Kaur is also seen wearing the traditional red ‘chooda’ bangles.

After the video started doing rounds on social media, Sehaj Arora on Thursday, September 21, broke his silence on the controversy. In his first video message shared on Instagram, the owner of Kulhad Pizza alleged that the video was fake and that AI was used to morph the visuals. He also spoke about the trauma he and his family have been going through ever since the tapes have gone viral.

Hinting at falling prey to a sextortion racket, Arora said that the video had been leaked 15 days prior, along with a blackmail message on Instagram. Instead of yielding to the blackmailer’s pressure, the couple decided to pursue justice through the legal route, following which Sehaj said that they filed an FIR at Jalandhar’s Thana Number 4.

18-year-old autistic teen given ‘life in hospital’ sentence after he hacked Nvdia, BT/EE, and then hacked GTA-VI without even a laptop in police custody

OpIndia Staff
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18-year-old autistic teen given ‘life in hospital’ sentence after he hacked Nvdia, BT/EE, and then hacked GTA-VI without even a laptop in police custody

An 18-year-old hacker who was instrumental in leaking Grand Theft Auto VI footage has been sentenced to life in hospital imprisonment by a UK court. On Thursday (December 21), a British judge determined that Arion Kurtaj poses a high risk to the public because he continues to wish to commit cybercrime, BBC reported. The teenager hacked into Rockstar servers without using a computer and posted clips and source codes for the upcoming GTA-VI, while he was in police custody.

Kurtaj, a key member of the international gang Lapsus$, was found guilty of cyberattacks on GTA VI developer Rockstar Games and other companies, including Uber and Nvidia, by a London jury in August. However, because Kurtaj suffers from autism and was declared unfit to stand trial, the jury was asked to decide whether he committed the crimes in question, rather than whether he did so with criminal intent.

It was reported that accused Kurtaj leaked 90 videos of GTA-VI gameplay footage while on bail for hacking Nvidia and British telecom operator BT / EE last September. Despite staying in a hotel under police protection at this time and after police confiscated his laptop, Kurtaj was able to attack Rockstar Games without using a computer. He carried out the attack using the room’s Amazon Fire Stick and the TV, a newly purchased smartphone, a keyboard, and a mouse. Following the incident, Kurtaj was arrested.

He stole 90 clips of the unreleased and hugely anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6, and released them on social media, along with some source code. Before posting them, he threatened to release GTA source codes if Rockstar does not contact him. He broke into the company’s Slack messaging system to deliver the threat, saying, “if Rockstar does not contact me on Telegram within 24 hours I will start releasing the source code”.

Kurtaj then posted the clips and source code on a GTA forum under the username TeaPotUberHacker. He posted 90 videos from a test build of Grand Theft Auto 6, running with “GTA 5 and 6 source code and assets”. The legitimacy of the videos was confirmed by Rockstar. After this, he was again arrested.

After the hearing, the court sentenced him to spend his life in a hospital. The judge said Kurtaj’s skills and desire to commit cybercrime meant he remained a high risk to the public. Judge Patricia Lees said that the ‘only safe option’ was to detain him under section 37 of the Mental Health Act with a restriction order.

Kurtaj will remain at a secure hospital for life unless doctors deem him no longer a danger. He will be transferred to a secure psychiatric hospital in next month once a bed is available at Marlborough House medium-secure hospital in Milton Keynes.

The court also noted that he had been violent during police custody, and there are dozens of incidents of injuries and property damages caused by him. A mental health assessment of the accused said that he continued to express the intent to return to cyber-crime as soon as possible, prompting the unique sentencing by the court.

Meanwhile, another 17-year-old Lapsus$ member received an 18-month community punishment, known as a Youth Rehabilitation Order, along with a prohibition from accessing virtual private networks (VPNs). This youth, who can’t be named, suffers from ASD (autism spectrum disorder), and was sentenced to a youth rehabiliation order for 18 months earlier for hacking offences.

Even after several videos leaked by Kurtaj and the trailer’s premature release on X (Twitter), the official trailer for GTA VI received hundreds of millions of views. Currently, the trailer has clocked around 155 million views on YouTube.

While Kurtaj’s counsel asked the judge to consider the trailer’s success during the sentence, the BBC reports that the judge noted that Lapsus$ harmed real businesses and people. Rockstar Games told the court that it spent $5 million to recover from the hacking attack. Prosecutor Kevin Barry said that the attacks on Rockstar, Nvidia and Uber resulted in damages of £7.4m ($9.3m) for the companies.

Kurtaj and the 17-year-old are the first Lapsus$ members to be convicted, although it is believed that others are still out on the loose. The gang’s attacks in the years 2021 and 2022 stunned the cyber-security community. The group from the United Kingdom and Brazil was dubbed “digital bandits” in court.

The gang assumed to be primarily comprising teenagers, utilised con-man techniques as well as computer hacking to get access to multinational firms such as Microsoft, the technology behemoth, and digital banking firm Revolut. In their rampage, the hackers publicly boasted their crimes and ridiculed victims on the social network app Telegram in English and Portuguese.

No missile tests, no fishing, ‘Arribada’ is happening: Read how Odisha prepares to welcome lakhs of Olive Ridley turtles coming from faraway oceans

Siddhi Somani
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No missile tests, no fishing, ‘Arribada’ is happening: Read how Odisha prepares to welcome lakhs of Olive Ridley turtles coming from faraway oceans

Turtles contribute significantly to ocean ecosystems by maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs, which provide critical habitats for other marine life. They also play a significant role in the balance of marine food webs and the transfer of nutrients from water to land. Unfortunately, many of the turtle species have become critically endangered and are losing lives as a result of human activities. 

For instance, around 800 Olive Ridley sea turtles died on a beach in Odisha after getting stuck in fishing nets in 2021. Many dead turtles bore injuries, which pointed to the possibility of them being trapped in a trawl or gill net. In Kasaragod, Kerala on 5th June this year, 56 turtles were found burnt to death following a fire at a wetland in Madavayal near Pilicode. In Mumbai, in January this year, dozens of turtles died due to deliberate poisoning last year. As per the locals, the turtles were illegally staying in the lake and were eating the fish so they were poisoned.

Humans at times, fail to realize that the extinction of turtles is causing harm to the marine biodiversity and that conservation of turtles is crucial to help conserve biodiversity and to maintain natural balance.

The migration of sea turtles is a biological phenomenon that has intrigued scientists for decades. We are yet to fully understand how sea turtles manage to find their way through thousands of miles across oceans of the world and come to the same beach generation after generation.

Odisha’s coastal areas, especially the mouth of some rivers in the state are crucial nesting grounds for Olive Ridley turtles. Every year, lakhs of Olive Ridley turtles come to lay their eggs on the beaches. The turtle mothers go back. When the eggs hatch, the hatchlings start another epic voyage across the sea to their habitats across the oceans, only to come back as adults to the very same beach where they had hatched.

To welcome, and provide a safe nesting to these ocean guests, the Odisha govt and the center go to extraordinary lengths.

The Odisha government and the Central Government have together imposed a prohibitory ban on sea fishing activity within 20 km of the coast in Kendrapara, Odisha where the Olive Ridley turtles come ashore to nest and lay eggs.

Odisha imposes ban on fishing activity to allow turtles nest on beaches

According to the reports, the ban has been imposed from the 1st of November and will remain in force until 31st May 2024. As per the forest department official, the areas notified include the sea around the mouths of the rivers Dhamara, Devi, and Rusikulya to guarantee the safety of marine animals such as Olive Ridley turtles during the nesting and breeding season.

Olive Ridley (Wion news)

Every year, the prohibition is tightened as more turtles are killed by becoming entangled in fishing nets or being hit by the propellers of fishing trawlers. The annual measure will remain in effect in the Olive Ridley turtle habitation corridors by the provisions of the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, government officials have informed.

The female Olive Ridley turtles essentially invade the nesting beaches typically at the dead of the night for laying eggs – a phenomenon which is called ‘Arribada’, which means ‘arrival by the sea’ in Spanish.

. Turtles leave the nesting area after laying their eggs to return to the deep sea. After 45-60 days, hatchlings emerge from the eggs. It is a rare natural occurrence in which baby turtles grow without their mothers before being released into the sea.

As of now, the Olive Ridley turtles have started arriving on the coastal waters. Officials have spotted them mating in the coastal waters. The ‘Arribada’ will start in a few weeks.

The state decides to compensate the fishermen with one-time livelihood assistance

Olive Ridley turtles turn up in lakhs for mass nesting along the Odisha coast every year. They lay eggs in en-mass at the Gahirmatha beach in Kendrapara strict, the Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam, and the Devi river mouth in Puri.

In addition to Coast Guard personnel, a multi-layered state-sponsored patrolling exercise involving forest, fisheries, and marine police would also be implemented during the prohibition period. In Bhadrak, Rajnagar, Puri, and Berhampur, the state’s four wildlife divisions, 61 on-shore camps, and five offshore camps have been established to guarantee efficient patrolling. The patrolling teams for the forests and fisheries will be flanked by the armed police constabulary.

Thirteen trawlers, support boats, and five high-speed boats have further been called into action to stop illicit marine fishing in restricted areas.

Notably, the fishing prohibition will have an impact on over 10,600 fishing families. So, the state government has decided to give each of the impacted fishermen’s families a one-time livelihood assistance of Rs 15,500 to make up for the loss of their income. The Gahirmatha coast, which is hailed as the largest habitation corridor of Olive Ridley turtles, has a complete year-round ban on sea fishing. Given the population of turtles, it has been granted the designation of marine sanctuary.

Seven different species of sea turtles

Sea turtles have traveled great distances throughout the world’s oceans for over 100 million years, playing a crucial role in maintaining the equilibrium of marine habitats. From the sandy beaches of the Eastern Pacific to the vibrant reefs of the Coral Triangle and the shallow seagrass beds of the Indian Ocean, seven distinct species of sea (or marine) turtles inhabit our ocean waters. Although sea turtles are highly migratory animals, they spend the majority of their lives in the ocean. At times, they come ashore to nest or bask.

The seven species, most of which stand endangered today are Leatherback, Loggerhead, Green turtle, Flatback, Hawksbill, Kemp’s Ridley, and Olive Ridley. Among these Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Olive Ridley have become vulnerable whereas Green Turtle, Hawksbill, and Kemp’s Ridley have become critically endangered. As per the research report by World Wild Life, hundreds and thousands of members of these species are lost each year to incidental capture during fishing, overharvesting, and illegal trade.

Image- World Wild Life

Human activity has shifted the odds against the survival of these ancient mariners during the past 200 years. Sea turtles are killed for their meat, eggs, skin, and shells. they are also overfished and subject to poaching. In addition, they have to deal with habitat degradation and unintentional bycatch in fishing gear. Turtle nesting sites are impacted by climate change since it changes the temperature of the sand, which in turn affects the sex of the hatchlings. Three of the seven species of sea turtles that are currently recognized are critically endangered which is a fact to worry about. 

Considering the given status, the Central government has also stepped up to conserve the species and not disturb them during their nesting period.

Hawksbill turtle (World Wild Life)

DRDO decides to stop missile testing to save turtles

Earlier this month, India’s top military research and development organization, the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), decided to suspend missile testing at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha from January to March 2024 to give the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle species a strong chance of surviving. The said decision was made by a committee headed by Odisha chief secretary P K Jena. The Integrated Test Range at the Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Chandipur in Odisha is where many of India’s missiles and weapons systems are tested. All testings have now been suspended for 3 months so that Olive Ridley turtles are not disturbed.

As per a Times of India report, the Coast Guard and Army will also patrol the coast to prevent fishing boats and trawlers from approaching the small stretches of sand that are near bays and estuaries, where turtles lay their eggs.

The chief secretary stated that the committee emphasized the necessity of sending out advisories to businesses, establishments, and industrial buildings along the coast to adhere to outdoor lighting laws. The director of the Integrated Testing Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Balasore has further been urged by the wildlife division to make space available for the establishment of temporary forest camps outside Abdul Kalam Island’s perimeter.

Representative Image (India Today)

“The DRDO will also nominate a nodal officer for better coordination with the forest department for the safety of the Olive Ridleys,” an official was quoted as saying.

Conclusion: Disturbance to even one nesting beach could have huge repercussions on the entire population

Marine turtles are an essential component of marine ecosystems. Seagrass beds and coral reefs that support commercially valuable species like prawns, lobster and tuna are kept healthy with their assistance. Sea turtles are the living embodiment of a class of reptiles that have roamed our oceans for the past 100 million years. Turtles are highly valued both as tourist attractions and cultural icons.

Five of the seven species can be found worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical waters. The ranges of the remaining two species, however, are quite small: the Flatback turtle is primarily found in northern Australia and southern Papua New Guinea, while the Kemp’s Ridley is primarily found in the Gulf of Mexico.

With this broad global turtle picture, it is important for India to conserve the vulnerable turtle species that are also on the verge of becoming extinct now. Olive Ridley’s vulnerable status comes from the fact that they nest in a very small number of places, and therefore any disturbance to even one nest beach could have huge repercussions on the entire population.

It’s just a question of a few months until they settle completely. The fishermen and the locals who unknowingly or deliberately cause harm to the species must understand the core and work towards peaceful co-existence. It is then that India will have a robust ocean ecosystem maintained by healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs, which ultimately will provide critical habitats for other marine life.

With sustainable and inclusive efforts from the state and central government, and with the help of local people, the coasts of Odisha are eagerly waiting for the annual guests to arrive in large numbers and have a safe nesting season. The government officials and volunteers will then put all their efforts into ensuring safe hatching for the millions of eggs on the beaches. When the little hatchlings leave the beach to swim thousands of miles back to their home waters, the same beaches will wish them a safe voyage, and safe growing years, and hope they come back as adults again.

After Sakshi Malik quits wrestling in ‘protest’ against WFI election result, Bajrang Punia vows to return his Padma Shri award

OpIndia Staff
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After Sakshi Malik quits wrestling in ‘protest’ against WFI election result, Bajrang Punia vows to return his Padma Shri award

On Friday (22nd December), wrestler Bajrang Punia announced that he was returning his Padma Shri award to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was felicitated with India’s fourth-highest civilian award in 2019.

In a statement (archive) released on X (formerly Twitter), Punia wrote, “I couldn’t understand where to go, what to do and how to live. The government and the people gave me so much respect. Should I continue to suffocate under the burden of this respect? In the year 2019, I was awarded the Padma Shri.”

“I was also honoured with the Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award. I was very happy when I received these honours. It seemed that life had been successful. But, today, I am much unhappier than I was happy at the time, and these honours are suffocating me,” he claimed.

“Sports have empowered our women athletes and changed their lives but the situation is such that the women who could have been the brand ambassadors of beti bachao, beti padhao are now leaving the sport. And we, the wrestlers who were ‘awarded’ could not do anything. I can’t live my life as a Padma Shri awardee while our women wrestlers are insulted. Hence I return this award to you,” he concluded.

On Thursday (21st December), wrestler Sakshi Malik announced that she was quitting wrestling. “We protested for 40 days. Many people came from faraway places and supported us through difficulties and criticism. If somebody like Sanjay Singh, who is a business partner and friend of Brij Bhushan Singh is elected as the new president, I am quitting wrestling,” she said.

The much-awaited election of the Wrestling Federation of India concluded on 21 December with Sanjay Singh elected as President. Sanjay Singh defeated former grappler Anita Sheoran in this election.

The ‘rebel’ wrestlers including Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik had supported Anita Sheoran. However, Sanjay Singh won with a decisive majority. It must be mentioned that in August this year, the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) was suspended by United World Wrestling (UWW) for failing to hold its elections on time.

Congress’ Mohabbat ki Dukaan exposed: Pro-Kannada groups heckle Marwari shop-owners in Bengaluru

Amit Kelkar
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Congress’ Mohabbat ki Dukaan exposed: Pro-Kannada groups heckle Marwari shop-owners in Bengaluru

Even as Congress leaders, including senior party leader Rahul Gandhi, hold forth on uniting India under their boondoggle project ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ and insist on the opening ‘Mohabbat ki Dukan’, the situation on the ground is a far cry from the glib promises made by the party leadership. 

In Congress-ruled Karnataka, a sectarian conflict might be in the offing as rabid pro-Kannada groups recently held demonstrations at the famous Chikpete market in Bengaluru, blaring abuses on speakers and targeting Marwari shop owners because their establishments carried signages with English in bold letters and Kannada in small font. 

In Bengaluru recently, a raft of pro-Kannada raised slogans and heckled the Marwari shop owners because signages on their shops had names written in bold English while the Kannada font was small.

As per India Today journalist Nabila Jamal, even the police officials at the spot did little to stop the bullies and were seen giggling at the heckling of Marwari shop owners. 

The brand of regional chauvinism evokes the times of Shiv Sena under Thackerays, which played the Marathi Asmita (honour) card in Maharashtra when north Indians were unconscionably targeted for their lack of ability to converse in Marathi. 

However, after successive poll drubbings and shifting political dynamics, Shiv Sena had to discard its regional chauvinistic approach that wasn’t paying off the dividends expected by its leadership. 

The Congress, though, seems to have made exploiting the fissures existing within the society and creating new divisions its operating principle ahead of the 2024 general elections. It had recently played the caste card, making caste census an election plank in the recently concluded assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi, too, was vocal in playing up the caste card during campaign hustings. 

But the results of the elections, which saw BJP registering a resounding victory in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, have demonstrated the limitations of using caste divisions and regional chauvinism to revive one’s political fortunes. The Congress party would do well to nip the Frankenstein monster it is rearing in Karnataka or witness a decimation similar to what it saw in 2019. 

French President Emmanuel Macron accepts PM Modi’s invitation to be the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations, confirms MEA

ANI
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French President Emmanuel Macron accepts PM Modi’s invitation to be the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations, confirms MEA

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the January 26 Republic Day celebrations at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations,” the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed in a release on Friday.

According to the sources, Macron was invited to attend India’s January 26 Republic Day celebrations in 2024.

India and France share a high degree of convergence on a range of regional and global issues as strategic partners.

Notably, this is the sixth time a French leader will be the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations here in the national capital.

Before Macron, former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac was the Chief guest on India’s Republic Day celebrations in 1976 and 1998, as were former Presidents Valery Giscard d’Estaing, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Francois Hollande in the years 1980, 2008 and 2016, respectively.

This year, we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership.

Moreover, PM Modi was the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade held on July 14, 2023, in Paris, the MEA stated.

He had visited France at the invitation of French President Macron.

“To mark the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, a 241-member tri-service Indian armed forces contingent led by a military band also participated in the Parade,” the PMO said in a statement.

During the parade, the Indian military contingent marched to the patriotic tune of ‘Sare Jahan Se Accha,’ while a squadron of Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighters participated in a flypast over the Champs-Elysees at the Bastille Day Parade. Rafale Jets of the Indian Air Force, from the 101 Squadron from Hashimara, formed a part of the flypast during the parade.

Meanwhile, French President Macron also visited India in September this year to attend the G20 Summit which was held under India’s Presidency.

President Macron and Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting in Delhi on September 10, on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Following the meeting, PM Modi said they reaffirmed their commitment to take India-France relations to newer heights of progress.

India and France cooperate closely in various sectors, including defence, space, civil nuclear, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties. 

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

Ukraine legalises marijuana, says it will help to cope with the trauma of war

ANI
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Ukraine legalises marijuana, says it will help to cope with the trauma of war

The Ukraine’s parliament adopted a new law legalising medical marijuana to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and oncological diseases acquired as a result of war, The Hill reported, quoting the official website of Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.

It reported on Thursday that the law was adopted with 248 votes in favour, 16 votes against, 33 abstentions and 40 members not voting. The new law will come into effect after six months.

Access to medical marijuana as treatment for war-related conditions has garnered momentum recently, as the country approaches nearly two years since Russia launched its invasion of the country.

The law would regulate “the circulation of hemp plants (Cannabis) for medical, industrial purposes, scientific and scientific-technical activities to create conditions for expanding patient access to the necessary treatment of oncological diseases and post-traumatic stress disorders, received as a result of the war,” according to the final version of the bill.

The parliament’s chair, Ruslan Stefanchuk, said, “The list of conditions and ways of using cannabis medicines will be determined by the Ministry of Health.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed for greater access to medical marijuana as a treatment for war-related conditions. In June 2023, he addressed his country’s parliament, calling for the drug’s legalisation.

“We must finally fairly legalise cannabis-based medicines for all those who need them, with appropriate scientific research and controlled Ukrainian production,” Zelensky said, according to a translation from the local press, The Hill reported.

“All the world’s best practices, all the most effective policies, all the solutions, no matter how difficult or unusual they may seem to us, must be applied to Ukraine so that Ukrainians, all out citizens, do not have to endure the pain, stress and trauma of war,” Zelensky added.

Meanwhile speaking at the Christmas Breakfast on December 21 Zelenskyy made an impassioned plea to the people to pray for Ukriane’s Victory in the ongoing conflict against Russia.

“I attended the Christmas Prayer Breakfast. I am grateful to everyone whose prayers include the main request: victory. For the triumph of the human spirit over aggression. For the victory of our unity over any self-serving interests that may want to divide us. And for Ukraine’s victory–the victory over the Russian evil that has come to our land and must be expelled” the Ukraine President said. 

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

On Gita Jayanti, know the divine glory of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita that teaches the way to live life

ભાર્ગવ રાજ્યગુરુ
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On Gita Jayanti, know the divine glory of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita that teaches the way to live life

India surpasses all other nations in literary wealth, having produced divine and profound texts that have guided life’s ways for generations worldwide. Among these, the Mahabharata stands out as a prime example.

The Mahabharata’s historical significance is widely recognised, comprising 18 Parvas (sections), one of which is the ‘Bhishmaparva.’ The world-renowned text, the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, originated from this Parva.

Around 5,500 years ago, on the sacred day of Margashirsha Shuddha Ekadashi, Lord Krishna imparted the teachings of the Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. This day has since been commemorated worldwide as Gita Jayanti.

This year, Gita Jayanti falls on 22nd December. On this auspicious day, it’s an opportune moment to delve into the significance of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, a revered scripture in Hinduism.

Background

Arjun – son of Pandu was standing in despair in the middle of the battlefield at Kurukshetra. He said to Lord Krishna, “How can I bear to launch an arrow against my kin, including my brothers? It is unthinkable for me to aim my bow at my grandfather Bhishma.” Upon uttering these words, Arjuna’s bow, Gandiv, slipped from his hand. Overwhelmed by turmoil, Arjuna lost his courage and sat down in a state of distress.

Observing the distraught state of Kunti’putra’s son Arjun, also known as Parth, Lord Krishna bestowed upon him divine wisdom. The sacred teachings that flowed from the divine lips of the Almighty were none other than the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. Upon hearing the entirety of the Gita, Arjun was reinvigorated with a renewed sense of strength and determination.

Lord Krishna tells him, “तस्मात् उत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयः” which means “O Son of Kunti, Arjun, get up and make a firm determination to fight.” On hearing this, Arjun got ready for the battle, picked up his bow Gandiv in his hand and the truth triumphed after the fierce battle of Kurukshetra.

The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, the profound wisdom imparted by Lord Krishna to Arjun, transcends religious boundaries, serving not just Hindus but all of humanity. On the auspicious occasion of Gita Jayanti, let us explore how the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita illuminates the path to living life meaningfully.

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is the way to live life

The Bhagavad Gita transcends the bounds of a mere scripture, embodying a philosophy for life. It elevates an individual to the essence of true humanity. The teachings of the Gita represent an ‘eternal truth’, timeless and universally applicable. That is, beyond the past, the future and the present.

The ideas expressed in the Gita hold true and remain consistent across all ages. Pandurang Shastri Athavale, the founder of the Swadhyaya Movement, often cited the Gita’s teachings, remarking, “Man may be poor, man may be restless, man may be sick, man may be unclean, but man can never be untouchable.” The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita endows us with the ability to perceive humanity from a human-centric perspective.

Within the vast expanse of Hindu Vedic Sanatan Dharma, numerous texts exist, yet the Gita holds a unique significance. It is revered as the essence of the Vedas and Upanishads. The Gita imparts a comprehensive message on how to live life across all facets of human existence.

In the Gita, Arjun symbolises humanity, posing questions about life to Lord Krishna on behalf of all human beings. The Gita portrays human existence as a battlefield, where each individual must engage in their struggles. Its core message is to advance without retreat in this battle of life.

Unlike many religious texts that dictate specific do’s and don’ts, the holy Gita guides by illuminating the correct path, while granting individuals the liberty to make their own decisions. Comprising 700 verses across 18 chapters, the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita is segmented into three distinct sections: Karmayoga, Gyanayoga, and Bhaktiyoga.

The soul and karma are eternal

The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita delves deep into the essence of the soul, a level of introspection unmatched by any other scripture in the world. In the realm of modern science, the soul is often equated to a form of energy.

This scientific view aligns with the principle that energy can neither be created nor it can be destroyed; but it remains constant, eternal. It can only be converted from one form to another. Electricity is also a form of energy.

We use it by transforming it into many forms. Modern science also considers the soul to be energy. What science is thinking right now, the same thing was proposed by Lord Krishna 5500 years ago.

In the 23rd verse of the second chapter of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna has said,

नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः ।
न चैनं क्लेदयन्त्यापो न शोषयति मारुतः ।। 2-23।।

It means that this soul, akin to energy, remains impervious to any weapon’s strike, cannot be scorched by fire, remains unaffected by water, and is not dried by air. It is an entity that is eternally indestructible.

In the 22nd verse of the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna has said,

वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय
नवानि गृह्णाति नरोऽपराणि ।

तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णा-
न्यन्यानि संयाति नवानि देही ।। 2-22।।

It means that just as a person discards old clothes for new ones, the soul similarly sheds an aged and worn body to adopt a new one.

Modern Science and the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita have similar information about energy! Science asserts that energy cannot be destroyed but merely transformed from one form to another. Remarkably, this same principle was articulated in Hindu scriptures thousands of years ago.

The Gita proclaims that the soul is indestructible and eternal, it cannot be killed, it merely transitions from one body to another. This concept, along with many others found in the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, has been validated by scientific discoveries much later. Consequently, the world’s eminent and insightful scientists engage in studying and researching the Bhagavad Gita and the Vedas.

Regarding dietary choices, Lord Krishna elucidates in the Gita that while one is free to consume any food, the nature of one’s diet will influence their thoughts. This ties back to the overarching principle of karma. The Gita explicitly advocates for the practice of nishkam karma, which refers to selfless action, performed without attachment to its outcomes.

Lord Krishna has said in the Gita,

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥ 2.47

It means that humans are entitled only to perform their duties (karma), not to claim entitlement over the results of these actions. One should not be preoccupied with the thoughts of the outcomes of their deeds.

Lord Krishna emphasises the significance of nishkam karma (selfless action). He teaches that actions performed with expectations lack purity, whereas selfless deeds are inherently fruitful.

Moreover, the Bhagavad Gita serves as a comprehensive guide in various aspects of human life, ranging from the corporate sphere to the realm of science. The precise and timeless teachings of the Hindu scripture prove invaluable across multiple domains, including personal development and politics.

From figures like Oppenheimer and Steve Jobs to Narendra Modi and Swami Vivekananda, many great minds have been influenced by a singular, profound book: The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. Our exploration here merely skims the surface of this vast reservoir of wisdom.

Engaging with the Gita wholeheartedly can unveil the mysteries of the world. It is an immense ocean of knowledge, and on this Gita Jayanti, we have only glimpsed a fraction of its depth.

Around 30 Pakistani terrorists suspected to be active in Rajouri-Poonch sector: Defence sources

ANI
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Around 30 Pakistani terrorists suspected to be active in Rajouri-Poonch sector: Defence sources

Pakistan is trying to revive terrorism in the Rajouri-Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir as around 25-30 Pakistani terrorists are suspected to be hiding in the forest areas of the region, defence sources said on Friday.

The sources said the plan to revive terrorist activities in the area is part of a greater game plan by Pakistan and China to pressurise the Indian Army to remove troops from the Ladakh sector and redeploy forces in this area.

“There is a larger game plan by the Pakistan-China nexus to not allow India to ease out of the Jammu and Kashmir sector and deploy troops on the China border, especially in the Ladakh sector, where the PLA and Indian forces have been in a standoff for the last three years now,” they said.

India moved the Uniform Force of Rashtriya Rifles from the Poonch sector to Ladakh to counter Chinese aggression in 2020 as part of rebalancing and put pressure on the PLA to match Indian strength.

Sources said that around 25-30 Pakistani terrorists have been hiding in the upper reaches of the Poonch Rajouri sector in a forested area to launch attacks on security forces.

Over the last years since the Uniform Force left for Ladakh operations, Pakistan has started sending its own terrorists from Pakistan to the area to carry out attacks against Indian troops in an attempt to force India to redeploy its own troops in the area.

The Indian Army had recently moved in one more brigade to counter terrorist activities and has achieved success in the area.

Earlier on Thursday evening, four Army personnel were killed while three others were injured in the forest area of Dera ki Gali in the Rajouri district after two Army vehicles were ambushed by heavily armed terrorists.

The terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles carrying troops in Thanamandi, Rajouri. (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)

No democracy, only brutality in Jharkhand: BJP furious after cops resort to lathi-charge on protesting Panchayat Secretariat volunteers leaving many injured

OpIndia Staff
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No democracy, only brutality in Jharkhand: BJP furious after cops resort to lathi-charge on protesting Panchayat Secretariat volunteers leaving many injured

The Jharkhand Police lathi-charged the members of the state Panchayat Secretariat volunteers who were marching to the assembly for their demands on 21st December. Furthermore, water cannons and tear gas shells were used to disperse the protestors. The incident transpired at about 3 pm to 4 pm near Jagannathpur temple in Ranchi. More than thirty individuals associated with the volunteers’ union were injured and at least six persons including a child were critically wounded.

They have been admitted to Ranchi’s Paras HEC Hospital and other institutions for medical treatment. The union declared that in opposition to the oppressive action they are going to hold a show of strength, nude protest and mass self-immolation on the completion of four years of the government on 29th December.

Chandradeep Kumar, state president of the union stated that the members have been protesting in front of the Raj Bhavan for 170 days regarding their five-point demands. In addition, they have been observing a peaceful protest for the last four days by sitting in front of the assembly.

They wanted their services to be placed immediately under the government’s authority as well as granted permanent status. Thousands of volunteers from throughout the state have spent the previous four days demonstrating in front of the assembly. He asserted that they would repeatedly hit the streets to get the administration to listen to their conditions.

The union presented their requests to Minister Alamgir Alam at their meeting with him on 20th December. He gave an assurance that announcements in support of the volunteers for the Panchayat Secretariat will be made very soon. Additionally, around 1 pm on 21st December, a government representative will visit the protest location to issue a statement. However, the administration did not provide any such assurance until 3 pm. Subsequently, the union members resolved to march nonviolently to the assembly.

The agitators hoped that their demands would be acknowledged by the state assembly and representatives of the people. They became upset and began walking towards the assembly while shouting slogans as none of the MLAs came to listen to their woes during this time. When they entered the cordon-off area, the deployed cops unleashed a lathi-charge on them. Police tried to stop them near another barricade, however, they managed to breach the barricade on the other side and started moving forward. The cops employed force which led to shoving and pushing between the two sides and resulted in chaos.

The union had proclaimed earlier that if their requirements were not fulfilled, they would besiege the assembly. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led government, according to the demonstrators made a lot of promises before the elections but merely provided reassurances over time. They wanted to have a meeting with Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

A case has been registered against 400 people, including a dozen named persons, in the Jagannathpur police station on the statement of the police. Sections such as interfering with police operations and impeding government activities have been invoked in the lodged First Information Report.

According to Chandradeep Kumar, everyone was calmly approaching the assembly. They came to a halt close to the barriers placed in front of the Jagannathpur temple. Following this, an argument erupted between the cops and the demonstrators. Meanwhile, the former lathi-charged and swarmed around beating individuals. Tear gas shells were also fired and water cannons were utilized to put water at the protestors. This resulted in the injuries of over thirty persons.

Chandankiyari MLA and the leader of the opposition in the Jharkhand state assembly, Amar Kumar Bouri reached the Paras HEC Hospital and inquired about the condition of the injured. “Those who the government has come to power on their strength are the ones being lathi-charged. The BJP is an inclusive political party and will improve the prospects for volunteers,” he remarked while talking to the media.

He took to X and further charged, “In Jharkhand, there is not ‘democracy’ but ‘brutality.’ Thousands of Panchayat volunteers were protesting peacefully, but the Thugbandha (an alliance of fraudsters) government again displayed its repressive policies by bringing the police forward. This ruthless lathi charge has exposed the hateful thinking of the coalition government towards the youth.”

Notably, the former administration of the Bharatiya Janata Party appointed almost 18,000 volunteers to the Panchayat Secretariat throughout the state who were previously paid an honorarium for carrying out government programs. However, they were released from their duties upon the establishment of the JMM-Congress coalition government. They are constantly protesting against the decision.

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