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Parliament security breach: Police recovers burnt mobile phones of the accused from Rajasthan

OpIndia Staff
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Parliament security breach: Police recovers burnt mobile phones of the accused from Rajasthan

In the Parliament security breach case investigation, police has recovered burnt phone parts of all accused in Rajasthan’s Nagaur on Sunday (December 17). All the phones were with accused Lalit Jha, the alleged mastermind of the conspiracy. Jha was recently arrested from Rajasthan.

Phone parts of all the accused have been recovered, all the phones were found in burnt condition. Lalit Jha had the phones of all the accused, ANI reported citing Delhi Police sources. According to the police, Lalit Jha had destroyed five mobile phones before arriving in Delhi and was misleading the investigators during the questioning.

Before the security breach, the four accused had handed over their phones to Jha to prevent crucial investigation details from reaching the police, anticipating their arrest.

Meanwhile, the Special Cell of Delhi Police is monitoring the social media accounts of the accused persons including Lalit Jha. In one of his Instagram posts, accused Lalit Jha wrote, “What India needs is a bomb”, adding a message in Bengali, claiming that India needs a bomb today to “raise a strong voice against tyranny, injustice and anarchy.”

Lalit Jha’s Instagram posts suggest that he was inspired by Cuban dictator Fidel Castro who was responsible for the killing of thousands of people. In August this year, Jha posted Castro’s quote on “Tanashahi” (dictatorship).

It is interesting to note that one of the accused Sagar Sharma, who entered the Parliament and hurled the smoke canister, also posted similar content on his Facebook profile wherein he was eulogising Argentine Marxist leader Ernesto Che Guevara. Sharma was also following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and “infamous” journalist-turned-YouTuber Ravish Kumar on social media.

Other than Sagar Sharma, accused Manoranjan was also deeply influenced by communist ideology as evidenced by the communist literature recovered from his house during police searches. The police revealed that all the conspirators were associated with a social media page ‘Bhagat Singh Fan Club.’

Meanwhile, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari has said that accused Lalit Jha has links with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders. The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly saidthat Jha is associated with TMC’s Youth Wing. “Lalit Jha is rank and file of Trinamool Yuva. He is a known face of Trinamool Congress youth wing,” the BJP MLA told reporters at Bagdogra airport adding that Jha’s pictures with TMC MLAs, councillors, and youth leaders have also surfaced.

This comes after BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar said that Lalit Jha had links with TMC’s Tapas Roy and shared some pictures of Jha with Roy. Taking to X on December 14, Majumdar wrote, “Lalit Jha, the mastermind of the attack on our Temple of Democracy, had been in close association with TMC’s Tapas Roy for a long time… Isn’t this proof enough for an investigation into the connivance of the leader?”

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an interview with Dainik Jagran called the security breach in Parliament a “serious issue” and urged that instead of debating over it, there is a need to find a solution. PM Modi also stressed that the government is making every effort to take the necessary actions since the gravity of the situation cannot be underestimated. The Prime Minister added that the investigating authorities are looking into the matter and will find out the motive behind the attack. 

This comes after accused Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan jumped into the Lok Sabha well on December 13 from the visitors’ gallery while the proceedings were going on and released yellow-coloured smoke from canisters.

Cardinal Angelo Becciu, former adviser to Pope Francis, sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail for fraud

OpIndia Staff
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Cardinal Angelo Becciu, former adviser to Pope Francis, sentenced to five-and-a-half years in jail for fraud

Former adviser to Pope Francis, Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu was found guilty of financial fraud and given a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence by a Vatican criminal court on 16th December. Cardinal Becciu was also handed a fine of €8,000. He is the highest-ranking Vatican official to be charged with such an offence. The 75-year-old was involved in a legal dispute, along with nine other individuals, linked to a real estate transaction in the London area that caused substantial economic damages to the Roman Catholic Church.

Once considered a papal contender, the charges against Angelo Becciu made him the first cardinal ever to be tried for financial crimes. During a two and a half year trial, his nine co-defendants were found not guilty on nearly fifty of the accusations against them whereas he was cleared of several more violations.

Cardinal Becciu claimed he had been directed to quit his high-ranking position within the Catholic Church in 2020 by the Pope following the publication of an Italian news magazine, L’Espresso, which revealed an inquiry into possible fraudulent transactions. “Until 6:02 p.m. on Thursday, I felt like a friend of the Pope, a faithful executor of his will. Then the Pope says he no longer has faith in me,” he informed in an interview at the time.

Giuseppe Pignatone, the president of the court, pronounced the decision and charged him with embezzlement, abuse of office and tampering with witnesses. Cardinal Becciu has refuted the accusations and his attorney declared that he is going to bring an appeal against the sentence. The verdict, according to prosecutor Alessandro Diddi, “showed we were correct.”

The trial centred on the 350 million euro investment made by the Vatican Secretariat of State to convert an old Harrods’ warehouse into deluxe residences. The government of the Vatican City was allegedly defrauded of tens of millions of euros in fees and commissions by Vatican monsignors and brokers, per the prosecution, and then demanded 15 million euros from it in exchange for giving up ownership of the structure.

While he was a senior official in the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, the majority of the accusations focused on his “highly speculative” purchase of an opulent home at 60 Sloane Avenue in Chelsea, a wealthy neighbourhood of London. The property was later sold for a loss of at least €140 million ($152 million).

The Cardinal risked up to seven years in prison after being indicted with two charges of embezzlement stemming from the London transaction. Ultimately, he was adjudged culpable of theft stemming from the Vatican’s initial 200 million euro investment in 2014 into a fund that obtained a 45% stake in the London building. The tribunal found that making such a speculative transaction using church assets was forbidden under canon law.

Cardinal Becciu, who was the Vatican’s Substitute for General Affairs at the time and essentially the Pope’s chief of staff, approved the entire arrangement.

Prosecutors accused Cardinal Becciu of larceny after the first London probe yielded additional charges after he paid a Sardinian woman named Cecilia Marogna €575,000 ($627,000) for her intelligence services, and transferred €125,000 ($136,000) of Vatican money to a foundation in Sardinia. The money was reportedly misused by her to finance trips and the purchase of upscale items.The woman received a three years and nine months sentence.

Regarding the first charge, the Cardinal contended that the money was requested by the local bishop and was retained by the church to fund charitable endeavours. In response to the latter, he alleged that he believed the funds would be used to hire a security firm to broker the release of a nun who had been kidnapped in 2017 by al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorists in Mali.

Maharashtra: ‘Priya Singh was intoxicated, hit Ashwajit’ – Senior bureaucrat’s family alleges the Instagram influencer is lying

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: ‘Priya Singh was intoxicated, hit Ashwajit’ – Senior bureaucrat’s family alleges the Instagram influencer is lying

On 16th December, Ashwajit Gaikwad’s family issued an official statement refuting allegations of his alleged girlfriend. Gaikwad has been accused of mowing down 26-year-old Priya Singh in Thane, Maharashtra with his SUV. As per the statement, when the incident happened, Singh was allegedly intoxicated, and Ashwajit was at a family get-together with his wife, kids, and friends.

The family stated that the incident occurred between 1:30 AM and 2 AM. On the other hand, Singh claimed the incident occurred around 4 AM. The statement reads that Singh was continuously messaging Ashwajit, wanting to meet him. She reached the Courtyard Hotel, where the family was having a party, and barged into it. “Yes, she did barge where Ashwajit was with his friends and family,” the family added.

The family further added that Priya Singh was intoxicated. She allegedly hit and abused Ashwajit and his friends as he was not “responding to her calls and texts at midnight”. The statement read, “Might be there was a past between the two, but Ashwajit maintains he and she were just friends. Now Ashwajit also claims that he has paid her money on several occasions; even if he was in a relationship with her then, they must have broken up recently.”

Explaining what happened at night, the statement read, “When she (Priya Singh) started hitting him and his friends, Ashwajit and his family fled from the spot in his car with his family, totally embarrassed! She then clung to his driver’s car, and the driver, too, wanted to leave as his boss had already left. But then, as soon as the driver sped, she fell off, and in the process, she hurt herself badly as it was a moving car which she clung on to.”

When the driver noticed that Singh fell, he immediately rushed her to the nearest hospital and completed all the formalities. The statement added, “When they thought they had informed the patient’s sister and handed her all her valuables, next comes that this madam, with all her injuries, has changed the hospital. God knows who got in touch with whom, and a local rival reached the spot and thought it was the best chance to get back to Gaikwad in all family rivalry.”

Furthermore, the family alleged that Ashwajit was nowhere in the frame when Singh fell from the car and injured herself, as shown by the CCTV footage accessed by the police. The family further pointed out that the incident described by Singh in her Instagram post and FIR were contradictory. They said, “In one, she blames Ashwajit, and in the other, it is said the driver dashed her.”

The statement noted, “Yes, whatever happened in the past is between the boy and the girl. If things don’t go right, or if the relationship goes kaput, why is the boy always to be blamed? Just because he is a son and nephew of a famous person, so what? Just because he is monetarily strong, does the girl have the right to do anything? …She claims Ashwajit bit her. Has that been mentioned in any report from the hospital?” They further questioned if Singh was tested for alcohol.

On the other hand, speaking to PTI, Singh claimed that she did not know that Ashwajit was married. She said, “When I came to know (that he was married), he told me that they (his wife and him) were not together anymore; they had separated. He said that he wanted to marry me. I was staying with him for a long time.” She added, “When I went to meet him that night, he was with his wife. I was in shock when I went to talk to him; he got aggressive. We fought.”

Influencer Priya Singh accused Bureaucrat’s son of mowing her down

On 15th December, social media influencer Priya Singh published a post on her Instagram account accusing Ashwajit Gaikwad, son of Anil Gaikwad, the Managing Director of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, of allegedly mowing her down outside a hotel in Thane. In her post, she alleged that on 11th December, Ashwajit called her to meet at a hotel where he was at a function along with his friends. She alleged he behaved strangely, and when she tried to talk to him privately, he and his friends began hurling verbal abuses at the victim. When Priya asked her boyfriend to defend her, he allegedly slapped and tried to strangulate her.

As the situation started getting worse, she headed to retrieve her bag and phone from the SUV, but the perpetrators allegedly attempted to cause her serious harm by first driving the SUV into her back near a divider, then returning and driving it over her right leg before speeding away. She was admitted to the hospital by his driver, Sagar, who allegedly threatened her not to complain about it. The accused were booked under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 279 (rash driving on a public way) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) by Kasarvadavali police. 

Kerala: Firdous Ali arrested in Ernakulam for raping an elderly woman

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Firdous Ali arrested in Ernakulam for raping an elderly woman

On Saturday (16th December), Firdous Ali, a native of Assam, was arrested by the Kadavanthara Police for the brutal rape and assault of an elderly woman near the Ernakulam North Railway Station in Kerala. The victim woman is in her 50s. She remains hospitalised following the heinous crime that occurred on 13th December.

According to the Kadavanthara Police, Firdous Ali, a resident of Assam, lured the victim, who was seeking a job at the North railway station, with promises of monetary assistance. The incident unfolded near the Ponnurunni railway track around 5:30 PM.

According to reports, accused Firdous Ali, who had recently been released on bail in a case registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, took the woman to a deserted area near the railway track. There he raped and assaulted her. Subsequently, he abandoned her by the railway track.

The victim woman was rescued by the local residents. She was found bleeding heavily with injuries to her genitals and bite marks on her body. She was promptly rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital in Ernakulam, where she is currently undergoing treatment. Despite the severity of the assault, her condition is reported to be stable.

Accused Firdous Ali was taken into custody on Saturday. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime. The police, led by Ernakulam Central Assistant Commissioner C Jayakumar, managed to track down the accused after his mobile phone, initially switched off, was later turned on. The Kadavanthara Police have invoked Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code against Firdous Ali in connection with the rape case.

‘Bhagwant Mann is the jail minister…Drug tablets are being sold inside the jails’: Navjot Singh Siddhu lashes out at Punjab CM over failure to check drug trafficking

OpIndia Staff
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‘Bhagwant Mann is the jail minister…Drug tablets are being sold inside the jails’: Navjot Singh Siddhu lashes out at Punjab CM over failure to check drug trafficking

Amid the Punjab and Haryana High Court pulling up the Punjab government on the steps taken to check drug trafficking, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu alleged that under the watch of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, drug tablets are being sold in jails.

Sidhu also claimed that he is ready to leave politics if he is proved otherwise. “Law and order, drug mafia, jail. The High Court asked for a policy within a week. CM Bhagwant Mann is the jail minister. What did he do?… Drug tablets are being sold inside the jails… If I am proven a liar, I will leave politics,” Sidhu said, speaking to reporters on Saturday.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has recently sought a status report from the Punjab and Haryana governments on the steps taken after the BSF gave a list of 75 individuals suspected of involvement in drug trafficking to the Punjab Police.

The High Court took cognizance of a news article published in an English newspaper that mentioned that the Border Security Force (BSF) gave a list of 75 individuals suspected of involvement in drug trafficking to the Punjab Police.

Moreover, the High Court has made the Punjab and Haryana governments and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) parties in this case and has issued a notice and ordered them to file their replies.

According to the data released by BSF, BSF has seized around 755 kg of narcotics so far in the year 2023. 95 drones coming from Pakistan have been shot down. 36 Pakistani nationals have been arrested, of whom 15 rifles and 38 pistols have been recovered. In addition to this, nine Pakistanis who were trying to cross the border have been killed.

“The State of Punjab is directed to file a status report with respect to the steps being taken in pursuance of the report given to it by the BSF. The State of Haryana will also file a status report regarding the steps being taken in the state in the matter,” the court order read.

“NCB is also directed to file a status report giving details of the persons suffering from drug addiction in the States of Punjab and Haryana and what kind of steps can be taken, to make persons who till date are not in drug addiction, aware of the drug menace, and how they should be prevented from taking drugs, as the narcotic items recovered in the State of Punjab, as reported in the news paper, are huge,” it added.

Earlier on Monday, the Border Security Force (BSF) Special DG of Western Command said that it has given a list of suspected drug traders in the border areas of Punjab to the Punjab Police.

The BSF has also recommended their detention under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988.

Navjot Singh Siddhu released from jail

Earlier in April this year, Navjot Singh Sidhu was released from Patiala jail after serving a 10-month sentence for a road rage incident that resulted in a man’s death about 35 years ago.

Although he was awarded a one-year jail sentence in May 2022 in a 1988 road rage case, he was released two months early due to his good behaviour in prison.

On December 27, 1988, Patiala resident Gurnam Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu got into a fight over a parking space. The former MP and his friend, Rupinder Singh Sandhu, dragged the latter out of his car and hit him. He later died in a hospital. The Congress leader was accused by an eyewitness of killing the latter with a strike to the head.

The duo had parked their Gypsy in the middle of the road near the Sheranwala Gate crossing in Patiala. When the elderly man reached the spot in a car, he asked them to make room for his vehicle which lead to a violent altercation between them.

(With inputs from ANI)

Odisha: Shri Mandir Parikrama Project in Puri complete, inauguration to be held in January 2024

OpIndia Staff
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Odisha: Shri Mandir Parikrama Project in Puri complete, inauguration to be held in January 2024

The Shri Mandir Parikrama Project in Puri has been completed. The newly built temple corridor will be inaugurated a week before the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The inauguration ceremony of Jagannath Temple Corridor is scheduled to be held from 15th January to 17th January 2024. Char Dham temples and over 1000 other Hindu shrines in the country will be invited for this program.

Invitations have also been sent to major Hindu temples across the world, and the King of Nepal. The project has cost Rs 943 crores. The Odisha government has compiled an exclusive guest list comprising prominent VIPs, corporate leaders, and celebrities for the upcoming grand event in Puri.

Shri Mandir Parikrama Project. Image source: Ommcomm

The Odisha government is set to unveil the Jagannath Temple Corridor in Puri through an elaborate ceremony. This corridor is named the Shri Mandir Parikrama Project because it serves the major purpose of seamless circumambulation of the temple by the devotees. It has been prepared at a cost of ₹ 943 crore. It has a green buffer zone of 7 meters and a pedestrian way of 10 meters.

Ranjan Kumar Das, chief administrator of the temple said, “We are inviting 857 temples in Odisha, and 180 major Indian temples including Vaishno Devi, Kamakhya Temple and Shirdi Sai temples will also be invited for the three-day inauguration event beginning from January 15. Four Holy Dhams as per Hindu religion and four other Dhams will be invited. We are sending the invitation to the King of Nepal, who enjoys special rights in Jagannath Temple. Invitations are being sent to major Hindu temples in other countries too.”

What is in the Shri Mandir Parikrama Project

The Shri Mandir Parikrama Project is designed to transform the rectangular corridor surrounding the 12th-century Jagannath Temple into a contemporary pilgrim centre, equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. These include a queue management system for 6,000 devotees, baggage screening facilities, a cloakroom capable of accommodating belongings for nearly 4,000 families, provisions for drinking water, restroom facilities, areas for hand/foot washing, information-cum-donation kiosks, shelter pavilions for shade and rest, multi-level car parking, a dedicated lane for shuttles and emergency vehicles, an integrated command and control centre, and a souvenir shop, among other features.

Details of the inauguration program

Ranjan Kumar Das informed that Lokarpan Yajna will be performed from 15th January to 17th January 2024. He said, “Recitation of Vedas will be done at the four gates of the temple. Rigveda for eastern gate, Yajurveda for southern, Samaveda for western and Atharvaveda for northern gate have been finalised.”

Uniform painting is underway for the prominent structures along the three-kilometre-long Grand Road, which links the Jagannath Temple and Mausima Temple. Additionally, all temples and subsidiary shrines will be adorned with vibrant lighting.

Officials have reported the completion of all civil works for the Shri Mandir Parikrama Project, with the remaining landscaping tasks expected to conclude by the end of this calendar year.

Project Timeline

In November 2019, the process of land acquisition for the Shri Mandir Parikrama Project commenced, involving more than 600 residents residing in the vicinity of the temple relinquishing 15.64 acres deemed crucial for the establishment of a security zone. The foundation stone for the project, aimed at transforming the area within a 75-meter corridor along the boundary wall of the Jagannath Temple into a modern pilgrim centre equipped with contemporary amenities, was laid by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in November 2021.

PM Modi to inaugurate Surat Diamond Bourse, which overtook the US Pentagon to become world’s largest office complex

ANI
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PM Modi to inaugurate Surat Diamond Bourse, which overtook the US Pentagon to become world’s largest office complex

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Surat in Gujarat and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. On Sunday, at around 10:45 AM, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the new integrated terminal building at Surat Airport. Following this, at around 11:15 AM, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Surat Diamond Bourse, a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Thereafter, PM Modi will travel to Varanasi, and at around 3:30 PM, he will participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. At around 5:15 PM, he will inaugurate Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2023 at Namo Ghat.

PM Modi will inaugurate the new integrated terminal building at Surat Airport. The terminal building is equipped to handle 1200 domestic passengers and 600 international passengers during peak hours and has provisions for further increasing the peak hour capacity to 3000 passengers, with the annual handling capacity increasing to 55 lakh passengers, the release said.

The terminal building, as it is the gateway to Surat City, has been designed with its local culture and heritage, ensuring that the essence should reflect both in interior and exterior, creating a sense of place for the visitors.

The facade of the upgraded terminal building aims to enrich the passenger experience with the rich and traditional woodwork of the old houses of the ‘Rander’ region of Surat City, the release stated.

The GRIHA IV compliant, new terminal building of the airport is equipped with various sustainability features like a double-insulated roofing system, canopies for energy savings, a low heat gain double-glazing unit, rainwater harvesting, water treatment plant, sewage treatment plant, the use of recycled water for landscaping and solar power plant, among others.

PM Modi will also inaugurate the Surat Diamond Bourse. It will be the world’s largest and most modern centre for international diamond and jewellery businesses. It will be a global centre for trading both rough and polished diamonds as well as jewellery.

Bourse will comprise a state-of-the art ‘Customs Clearance House’ for Import-Export; a jewellery mall for retail jewellery businesses; and a facility for international banking and safe vaults, the release said.

In Varanasi, the Prime Minister will participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra at the Cutting Memorial School grounds in Varanasi. There, the Prime Minister will interact with the beneficiaries of various government schemes, such as PM Awas, PM SWANidhi, PM Ujjwala among others.

In line with his vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, the Prime Minister will inaugurate Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2023 at Namo Ghat. On the occasion, PM Modi will also flag off the Kanyakumari-Varanasi Tamil Sangamam train, the release said.

On Monday, at around 10:45 AM, the Prime Minister will visit Swarved Mahamandir, which will be followed by its inauguration in a public function at around 11:30 AM.

At around 1 PM, PM Modi will participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. Thereafter, in a public function, at around 2:15 PM, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth over Rs 19,150 crores.

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

‘Dharavi tender was finalised transparently when MVA govt was in power’: Adani group responds to Uddhav Thackeray’s allegations against the redevelopment project

OpIndia Staff
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‘Dharavi tender was finalised transparently when MVA govt was in power’: Adani group responds to Uddhav Thackeray’s allegations against the redevelopment project

On 16th December (Saturday), Adani Group released a press statement asserting that the project for the redevelopment of the Dharavi slum in Mumbai was awarded to the Adani Group through a fair, open, and internationally competitive bidding process. The group highlighted that the tender conditions were finalised when the MVA government was in power.

The official response from the company came in the backdrop that Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Maharashtra CM  Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday led a protest march of the party, alleging favour to Adani Group in connection with the Dharavi redevelopment project.

“It is unfortunate that a concerted effort is being made to disseminate misinformation about certain aspects of the project,” the press release said.

In its statement, the group noted, “The finalised conditions, including the obligations and incentives, which were known to all the bidders, have not been changed for the awardee post the tendering process. Hence, it is wrong to claim that any special benefits have been given to the awardee.” 

The group reiterated that all eligible tenement holders will be moved into their new homes in Dharavi itself. As per the tender conditions, even ineligible tenement holders will be provided accommodation under the Rental Housing Policy. The tender provisions also ensure that eligible residential tenements will receive 17% more area than other SRA projects in Mumbai, the statement added.

Meanwhile, addressing the protesters, Uddhav Thackeray alleged that the redevelopment project involves TDR irregularities worth more than Rs 100 crore, which is the “biggest scam in the world”. Leading the march from Dharavi to Adani office in Bandra, the former CM demanded that the government should redevelop the slum, not the Adani Group, and Dharavi residents should get the houses they deserve.

Regarding the TDR allegations, the Adani group stressed that the resettlement of Dharavikars is not affected by Transferable Development Rights (TDR). Also, the TDR from the project will be managed and monitored transparently through a specially created portal by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and the Government of Maharashtra, the group added in its press release.

CM Eknath Shinde also countered Uddhav Thackeray for his opposition to the project, saying that when Uddhav Thackeray became the CM under the MVA alliance, he had stalled many projects started by the earlier BJP-Shiv Sena government, which had impeded the development of the state.

Notably, in July, the Maharashtra government officially awarded the Dharavi Redevelopment project, spanning 259 hectares, to an Adani group firm.

The Maharashtra government has entered into a 99-year lease agreement with the Indian Railways and then it will be sub-leased on 30 years+30 years basis like any other government land in Mumbai to the housing societies. There is no change in this policy for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, the release added.

The official release has been issued through the Spokesperson of Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Ltd (DRPPL). In the statement, the Spokesperson added, “There is a general consensus, not only in Mumbai and Maharashtra but also across the whole of India, for transforming Dharavi and providing the people of Dharavi with better living conditions, adequate hygiene, education, and vocational training, healthcare, employment opportunities, essential amenities and a life of dignity.”

The DRPPL stressed that the Dharavi project assumes added significance because many earlier attempts have failed to deliver. 

“There is no gainsaying the fact that a transformational project like Dharavi needs support from all stakeholders, including from political parties cutting across ideologies and differences. This is a historic opportunity to build a new, state-of-the-art Dharavi which reflects the hopes and aspirations of Dharavikars,” the press release further added. 

It is important to note that in August 2023, the Maharashtra government filed an affidavit regarding the project in the Bombay High Court. The affidavit stated that the tender process for the Dharavi redevelopment project was “absolutely transparent” and “no undue favour” was given to the highest bidder, Adani Group.

India proposes to recreate a maritime voyage to Oman, stitched ship to sail from Mandvi to Muscat

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India proposes to recreate a maritime voyage to Oman, stitched ship to sail from Mandvi to Muscat

In a landmark development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik, have revealed an ambitious proposal to recreate a historic maritime voyage, reviving ancient trade routes between India and Oman.

The leaders fondly recalled the rich history of maritime trade that facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas for centuries.

“PM Modi and Sultan of Oman recalled the long history of maritime trade between India and Oman, enabling the exchange of goods and ideas across millennia. They reflected on the significant role played by dhows in facilitating trade and cultural exchanges, contributing to a longstanding and enriching history of interaction between the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Peninsula, especially Oman,” a joint statement read.

The tentative plan outlines a journey that would see the ship setting sail from the port of Mandvi in Gujarat to Muscat, with the anticipated timeline set for sometime in 2025-26. Further voyages to other regions are also under consideration.

The leaders appreciated a proposal by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, to recreate a maritime voyage of a stitched ship, crafted with ancient know-how in India. The tentative plan is for the ship to sail from the port of Mandvi in Gujarat to Muscat sometime in 2025-26, followed by further voyages to other regions, the joint statement added.

Both leaders expressed confidence that this maritime voyage would “spotlight the ancient and historical connections between India and Oman, thereby strengthening the bedrock of mutual trust and people-to-people ties between the two nations,” the statement also read.

At the invitation of the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the Sultan of Oman, paid his maiden state visit to India on December 16, 2023. Sultan Haitham bin Tarik was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet dinner in honour of the Oman Sultan.

This visit is of special significance as it marks the Sultanate of Oman’s Sultan’s first visit to India in over 25 years since the late Sultan Qaboos’ visit in 1997. His Majesty’s visit follows the visit of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, to the Sultanate of Oman in February 2018, the joint statement also said.

PM Modi and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik held closed consultations followed by delegation-level talks on Saturday. The meetings were marked by great warmth and friendliness. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of bilateral relations, which have stood the test of time, evolving into a strong and enduring partnership built on historical ties, mutual trust and respect, and shared interests, it added.

The two leaders noted with satisfaction the continued exchange of high-level visits, which have helped progress in the various areas of cooperation. Both leaders also held discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation, including political and security cooperation, defence, trade, energy security and renewables, healthcare, education, culture, and people-to-people relations.

On the sidelines of the visit, an India-Oman Joint Commemorative Postage Stamp was released, symbolising the long-standing cultural and people-to-people relationship between the two countries. The Joint Postage Stamp depicts traditional folk dances, artfully showcasing the cultural heritage of India and Oman and will be cherished by both philatelists and art enthusiasts in both countries.

Sultan Haitham bin Tarik also expressed his gratitude to India for inviting the Sultanate to participate in the G20 as a special guest country. He also appreciated India for the successful organisation of the G20 Summit and two editions of the Voice of Global South Summit, acknowledging India’s role in facilitating a platform for global cooperation and discussions on critical international issues.

The Sultan of Oman also commended India and Prime Minister Modi for the remarkable achievement of India’s G20 Presidency in bringing together and uniting countries with diverse worldviews and priorities to culminate in the adoption of the landmark New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, according to the joint statement.

During the ongoing visit, as many as six MoUs were signed.

Both leaders expressed their confidence in the ample scope for the further development of bilateral relations. Sultan Haitham bin Tarik thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the warm and generous hospitality of the government and the people of India. His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik also extended a cordial invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit the Sultanate of Oman, the joint statement read.

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

Largest ever outreach initiative: Modi govt’s Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra reaches over 2.50 Crore citizens across 68,000 Gram Panchayats in just a month

OpIndia Staff
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Largest ever outreach initiative: Modi govt’s Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra reaches over 2.50 Crore citizens across 68,000 Gram Panchayats in just a month

On 16th December (Saturday), Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with and addressed the beneficiaries of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra (VBSY) which recently completed its one month. During his address, PM Modi asserted that the ‘Modi ki guarantee’ vehicle is now reaching all parts of the country.

Notably, PM Modi had flagged off the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra on 15th November from Khunti, Jharkhand and it is the largest ever-outreach initiative of the Indian government. With the spirit of “Jan Bhagidari”, the initiative aims to ensure 100% saturation of government schemes. It will cover 2.60 lakh Gram Panchayats and 4000+ urban local bodies across the nation by 25th January 2024. 

During today’s event, PM Modi interacted with thousands of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra beneficiaries from across the country. This was the fourth time that PM Modi interacted with various benefactors since the start of this yatra. A large number of Union Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and local-level representatives also joined the program.

During the programme, PM Modi noted that the VBSY could not begin earlier due to the Model Code of Conduct during elections. He urged the newly elected governments of the five states to rapidly expand the VBSY in their state. Consequently, the Prime Minister flagged off the VBSY in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram. 

Addressing the beneficiaries, PM Modi stated that in its one-month journey, the VBSY has reached thousands of villages as well as 1500 cities which include smaller cities and towns. 

Highlighting its Jan Andolan aspect, PM Modi asserted, “Even though Modi has flagged off the Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra, the truth is that today the countrymen have taken charge of it.”

PM Modi stressed that the government is focussed on reducing people’s issues as a family member. He also highlighted the assistance provided by the government during the coronavirus pandemic, including disbursal of thousands of crores of rupees into the bank accounts of 20 crore women, ensuring free covid vaccine, free ration for poor families, and assistance worth lakhs of crores to small businesses. 

PM Modi remarked, “Modi’s guarantee begins when expectations from others cease.”

PM Modi added that the government is committed to saving money for urban families, be it exemption in income tax or low-cost treatment. He highlighted the inclusion of crores of urban poor where the Ayushman Card has helped them save Rs 1 lakh crore on medical expenses. He also mentioned the Jan Aushadhi Kendras where medicines are made available at an 80 percent discount, thus saving more than Rs 25,000 crores for the poor and middle class living in cities.

PM Modi also informed the government’s decision to increase the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras to 25,000. Concluding the address, PM Modi noted, “‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ vehicle is also empowering both youth power and women” and urged everyone to take maximum advantage of VBSY.

Here are the key statistics and achievements of the VBSY: (As of December 16, 2023; 1:00 PM) 

(Overall Report, Source – Official Press release by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting)
(From health check-ups to issuing Ayushman cards, the table shows stats of Yatra’s on-spot services and their impact)
(The tables show gram Panchayats with 100% Ayushman coverage, Har Ghar Jal connections, digitised land records, and ODF Plus status)

In a short span of just one month, the Yatra has reached more than 2.50 Crore citizens across 68,000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. Further, nearly 2 Crore individuals have taken Viksit Bharat Sankalp and over 2 Crore beneficiaries of Central Government Schemes have shared their experiences under the ‘Meri Kahani Meri Zubani’ initiative. 

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