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Iqbal Ansari, who was the principal plaintiff in the Ram Janmbhoomi title suit, showers flowers on PM Modi in Ayodhya, lauds govt for development work

OpIndia Staff
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Iqbal Ansari, who was the principal plaintiff in the Ram Janmbhoomi title suit, showers flowers on PM Modi in Ayodhya, lauds govt for development work

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a road show in Ayodhya on 30th December from the airport to the railway station, which has been named Ayodhya Dhaam Railway Station. A large number of people were gathered on both sides of the road to welcome him. One of them was Iqbal Ansari, who was a litigant in the Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir land dispute case. Moreover, several people from the Muslim community were there with him showering flowers on the prime minister.

In an interview with TV9, Iqbal Ansari asserted that anyone visiting Ayodhya is their guest. It is their dharma and tradition to greet and assist them. He said that our nation’s prime minister arrived and we showered him with flowers. He claimed that Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and all others were present there to welcome PM Modi.

He said that Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of everyone in the country and a lot of development has taken place in Ayodhya under his leadership. He mentioned that once Ayodhya had a small train station which has since been refurbished and added that there is now an airport but it didn’t have one before. He further said that he would most certainly like to be part of the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla on 22nd January 2023. He stressed, “People are being invited and I will attend if I am extended an invitation.”

Iqbal Ansari responded that since Narendra Modi is the prime minister of India and is visiting Ayodhya, therefore, he should be received warmly when asked if he had already decided to greet the latter. Everyone in the country should follow Ayodhya’s example. We all live together with one another and participate in religious rituals as well. He remarked that it is a matter of pride for the people of Ayodhya that the PM is currently there and conveyed that the latter was the reason behind Ayodhya’s beauty.

Notably, the initial invitation to the Ram Mandir Bhoomi Pujan event was sent to Iqbal Ansari. “It may be the divine wish of Lord Ram that I get the first invitation. I accept it,” stated the visibly overjoyed man. He had previously pointed out that the construction of the temple in Ayodhya is comparable to the beginning of a new phase in the city’s development.

He highlighted, “I am very happy to have a temple in Ayodhya. There has been mutual harmony and no discrimination with anyone from the beginning. The temple will encourage positive sentiment and provide employment to the people of the city. The way many plans have been prepared here it seems that Ayodhya will also have a lot of industries.”

Hashim Ansari, Iqbal Ansari’s father was the main plaintiff in the Ram Janmabhoomi title dispute. He had carried on the legal battle before the Supreme Court after his father’s death, however, applauded the court’s judgment after it granted Hindus ownership of the Ram Janmbhoomi site in a landmark ruling in November 2019.

As NIA cracks down on ISIS Maharashtra module, read how Muslim mobs rioted in 2015 over an article about ISIS funding

OpIndia Staff
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As NIA cracks down on ISIS Maharashtra module, read how Muslim mobs rioted in 2015 over an article about ISIS funding

On 9th December, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced that it raided 44 locations in Maharashtra and Karnataka in which they arrested 15 ISIS terrorists of the ISIS Maharashtra module.

The arrested accused had self-declared the village of Padgha in rural Thane as a ‘liberated zone‘ and as ‘Al-Sham’. Seemingly areas in Syria are referred to with such notations. They were motivating impressionable Muslim youth to relocate to Padgha from their place of residence to strengthen the Padgha base, NIA revealed in its official press release.

The security agency shared a press release that revealed shocking details about the terror module. According to the press release, the arrested accused include the leader and head of the ISIS module 63-year-old Saquib Nachan. As per NIA, he was administering ‘Bayath’ – an oath of allegiance to Khalifa of ISIS to the recruits. He is a radical Islamist with a history of involvement in multiple terror cases.

NIA investigations have further revealed that the accused, all members of the ISIS Maharashtra module, were operating from Padgha-Borivali. From there, they had hatched the conspiracy to spread terror and carry out acts of violence across India, the agency noted. 

The NIA also pointed out that the accused were also aiming to wage a war against the Indian government. The press release reads, “Pursuing the path of violent Jihad, Khilafat, ISIS, etc., the accused had aimed to disturb the peace and communal harmony of the country and to wage a war against the Government of India.”

Muslims backing ISIS is not new in Maharashtra

While this crackdown by NIA came in the last month of 2023, the silent backing of Muslims in Maharashtra for this terror outfit is an old phenomenon. In 2015, Muslims in Maharashtra rioted in various cities of the state under the guise of protesting an article about ISIS published by the Marathi daily newspaper Lokmat.

On 29th November 2015, the Sunday supplement named ‘Manthan’ of the Marathi daily newspaper ‘Lokmat’ published an article named ‘ISIScha Paisa’ which translates to ‘The ISIS Money’. It was focused on the money trails of the terror outfit ISIS. The article detailed various monetary sources of ISIS. It said that ISIS had money reserves worth $300 Crores. The article said that oil smuggling, loans, and loot contribute to its major sources.

Besides, this article also featured a cartoon along with the text. This cartoon was a piggy bank picture. On that piggy bank, Muhammad Rasul Allah was written in the Arabic script. It means – ‘Muhammad is the messenger of Allah’. This line is also a part of Islamic Kalma. Pig is considered prohibited in Islam. Muslims in Maharashtra rioted under the guise of protests saying that writing the Islamic Kalma on a pig cartoon was an insult to the Prophet Muhammad.

Notably, almost every Muslim in India distances itself from ISIS when in public discourse. ISIS has written the whole Islamic Kalma on its flag but no Muslim mob comes to the streets saying that the violence of ISIS in the name of Islam is an insult to their religion. However, a cartoon in the Marathi daily newspaper provoked them so much that they damaged the properties of the newspaper offices in multiple cities forcing the media group to furnish an apology.

In its apology, Lokmat said, “Lokmat sincerely apologises for the distress caused to the entire Muslim community due to the use of Arabic words in the graphic design accompanying the article ‘ISIS’s Money’, published on the front page of the Lokmat’s Sunday supplement Manthan on 29th November. This mistake occurred due to an oversight and was never intended to hurt the religious sentiments of anyone. Lokmat has always believed in and upheld the principle of equality and respect for all religions. Prompt action has been taken against those responsible for this oversight.”

Apology by Lokmat. Image Source: NDTV

Riots in Maharashtra over the article in Lokmat

Offices of the Marathi newspaper Lokmat witnessed angry protests by Muslim mobs who claimed that the newspaper had insulted their faith by publishing a blasphemous picture. Copies of the newspaper were burnt in various cities in Maharashtra and the protesting men demanded the arrest of the editor and the artist who drew the illustration. A few offices of the newspaper were also attacked.

These protests took place in Malegaon, Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Yavatmal, and other places including Akola. To keep the situation in control, the police registered cases against the editor and the writer of the article at Aurangabad, Jalna, Pune, Jalgaon, Parbhani and Yavatmal.

Muslim mobs burnt the Lokmat newspaper copies. Image Source: Twocircles.net

Piggy bank has been historically used as a popular depiction to show banking and financial activities and it has hardly anything to do with the actual pig or its ways, however, such artistic explanations fell on deaf ears as hundreds of protestors turned up at various offices to burn copies of the newspaper, sending the staff into panic mode.

Muslims led by Ghulam Mustafa Rizvi, Dr. Raees Rizvi, Yusuf Ilyas, and Mufti Naeem Raza Misbahi, staged a massive protest in Malegaon. They blocked the main road near the New Bus Stand for approximately thirty minutes, demanding prompt action against the newspaper for its offensive content.

The demonstration gained further momentum when they were joined by local MLA Asif Shaikh. Together, they proceeded to the Malegaon City Police Station, where they filed a complaint against the editor of Lokmat, as well as the artist and graphic designer who made the cartoon.

The violent protesters pelted stones at the offices of the newspaper in many cities in the state. Jalgaon office of Lokmat experienced a significant stone pelting attack. Later, all the offices of the publication in the state were provided police protection. Political parties also joined in these protests with Dhule unit chief of Samajwadi Party Minority Cell taking the lead and asking Lokmat’s resident editor Milind Kulkarni to publish an apology in the newspaper’s earliest issue. Another organization called the All India Momin Conference called for protests against the newspaper after Friday prayers in Jalna on 4th December 2015. The offended groups decided to withdraw their FIRs and the scheduled protests after the media group apologised.

Jharkhand: Irritated with 2-year-old son’s crying while on call, Afsana Khatoon kills own child, family suspects murder by strangulation

OpIndia Staff
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Jharkhand: Irritated with 2-year-old son’s crying while on call, Afsana Khatoon kills own child, family suspects murder by strangulation

On Friday (29th December), a woman named Afsana Khatoon was arrested in Jharkhand’s Giridih district for allegedly killing her two-year-old son. The woman killed her baby because she was reportedly irritated with his crying while on a phone call. The incident reportedly occured in Golgo of Bengabad Police Station area.

According to the family, the woman was talking to someone on the phone. During this time the child started crying out loud. The family alleged that instead of pacifying him, she got enraged and strangulated her son to death.

As per reports, Afsana Khatoon was married six years ago to Nizamuddin, who is deaf and mute. Afsana is a resident of Suggasar village of Pachamba police station area. The couple had two sons. The elder son is four-years-old while the younger son was two-years-old. 

On Thursday (28th December) night, an argument broke out between the husband and wife. After this, Afsana expelled the husband from the room and locked herself in along with her younger son. She got irritated by the baby’s crying and pushed him off the bed dropping him on the floor.

The murder came to light when she called her husband inside the room to sleep. But when he arrived, he found their son unconscious. Subsequently, they rushed the toddler to the hospital, but he had died by then.

Afsana Khatoon defended herself claiming that she had no intention of killing the child. She reportedly said she was angry after she the quarrel with her husband.

When she was talking to someone over the phone, the child started crying loudly. This angered her and she beat the child and pushed him.  

However, her father-in-law Rojan Ansari said that her family members are labourers and natives of Uttar Pradesh. A few days ago Afsana had returned from U.P after which, she kept talking to someone over the phone. Rojan Ansari suspects that Afsana strangulated his grandson.  

Police station in-charge Vikas Paswan stated that after receiving the information, the woman and the deceased child were brought to the police station from Golgo on Friday morning. The body of the baby was handed over to the family after post-mortem at Sadar Hospital.

A case has been registered and Afsana has been sent to jail.

Passengers on inaugural flight to Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’, thank PM Modi

ANI
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Passengers on inaugural flight to Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’, thank PM Modi

Ahead of the grand consecration ceremony at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple on January 22, the passengers boarding the first flight to the newly built Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham on Saturday were heard chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

‘Jai Ram, Shri Ram’ rent the air in the terminal building at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi as the first group of passengers boarded the inaugural flight to Ayodhya.

Passengers from across the country will reach Ayodhya by the flight on Saturday.

“We are very excited about visiting Ayodhya and brought our children along. We are going to see Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, seek his blessings,” a passenger from Rajasthan who boarded the inaugural flight to Ayodhya told ANI.

Another passenger from Karnataka thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity to be onboard the first flight to the temple town.

Jain Peethadhish Ravindra Kirti Swami, who is among the large group of the Jain community travelling on the first flight, called it a historic day.

“This is a historic day. An aerodrome has now been opened at Ram-ji’s birthplace. We are a large group from the Jain community going on the inaugural flight to meet Ram Lalla. We are thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for this opportunity,” the Jain Peethadhish said.

Another passenger from the Jain community said it would be a dream coming true.

“The grand Ram Temple is nearing completion. It had been a dream for long. Now, it’s close to becoming a reality. We are going to get Ram Lalla’s blessings,” she added.

The pilot on command of the inaugural IndiGo flight, Captain Ashutosh Shekhar, welcomed all passengers on board, calling it a proud moment.

“We are grateful and blessed for the opportunity given by IndiGo to command the inaugural flight to Ayodhya. This is a proud moment for us and Indigo. We hope your journey with us is safe and pleasant,” Shekhar said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in the temple city.

PM Modi received a grand welcome after he landed in the city, with a large number of supporters chanting his name as his motorcade passed and showered him with petals.

The Airports Authority of India undertook the development of Ayodhya Airport as per the MoU signed with the Government of Uttar Pradesh in April last year.

The state-of-the-art airport has been developed at a cost of more than Rs 1450 crore.

The airport’s terminal building has an area of 6500 sqm, equipped to serve about 10 lakh passengers annually.

The facade of the terminal building depicts the temple architecture of the upcoming Shri Ram Mandir of Ayodhya. The interiors of the terminal building are decorated with local art, paintings and murals depicting the life of Bhagwan Shri Ram.

The airport will improve connectivity in the region, leading to a boost in tourism and business activities while generating new employment opportunities. 

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

PM Modi launches projects worth ₹15,700 crore in Ayodhya, inaugurates Maharishi Valmiki International Airport & Ayodhya Dham Railway Station

ANI
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PM Modi launches projects worth ₹15,700 crore in Ayodhya, inaugurates Maharishi Valmiki International Airport & Ayodhya Dham Railway Station

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth Rs 15,700 crore in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi inaugurated the redeveloped Ayodhya Railway Station and flagged off new Amrit Bharat trains and Vande Bharat trains. He also dedicated several other railway projects to the nation.

PM Modi received a grand welcome after he landed in the city with a large number of supporters showering petals at his connvoy as he waved hands at the crowd.

The Prime Minister dedicated numerous development projects worth more than Rs 15,700 crore to the state, aligning with his vision to create modern, world-class infrastructure while preserving Ayodhya’s rich history and heritage. These include projects worth about Rs 11,100 crore for the development of Ayodhya and its surrounding areas and projects worth about Rs 4600 crore related to other projects across Uttar Pradesh.

Additionally, the Prime Minister also initiated the development and beautification of tourist facilities spanning from Naya Ghat to Laxman Ghat, the construction of a visitor gallery for events like Deepotsav and the strengthening and renovation of the pilgrim path from Ram Ki Paidi to Raj Ghat and Raj Ghat to Ram Temple.

An ambitious greenfield township, valued at over Rs 2180 crore and the Vashishtha Kunj Residential Scheme, with an estimated cost of around Rs 300 crore, was also launched, promising a significant boost to Ayodhya’s urban landscape.

PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of infrastructure projects, including the Lucknow-Ayodhya section of NH-28 (new NH-27), modification of the existing Ayodhya bypass, the establishment of the CIPET centre, and the construction of offices for the Municipal Corporation Ayodhya and Ayodhya Development Authority.

He inaugurated the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in the temple city of Ayodhya after inaugurating the Ayodhya Railway Station.

Ayodhya’s grand airport has been built by the Airports Authority of India after signing a MoU with the Government of Uttar Pradesh in April last year.

Phase 1 of the state-of-the-art airport has been developed at a cost of more than Rs 1450 crore.

The airport’s terminal building has an area of 6500 sqm, equipped to serve about 10 lakh passengers annually.

The facade of the terminal building depicts the temple architecture of the upcoming Shri Ram Mandir of Ayodhya. The interiors of the terminal building are decorated with local art, paintings and murals depicting the life of Bhagwan Shri Ram.

The terminal building of Ayodhya Airport is also equipped with various sustainability features, like an insulated roofing system, LED lighting, rainwater harvesting, landscaping with fountains, a water treatment plant, a sewage treatment plant, a solar power plant and many other such features have been provided to meet GRIHA – 5-star ratings.

The airport will improve connectivity in the region, leading to a boost in tourism and business activities while generating new employment opportunities.

Ayodhya has been regarded as one of the seven most important pilgrimage sites (Mokshdayini Sapt Puris) for Hindus.

Prime Minister Modi has broadly outlined his vision to develop modern, world-class infrastructure in Ayodhya, improve connectivity and revamp its civic facilities while also conforming to the rich history and heritage of the city. In realisation of this vision, a new airport, a new redeveloped railway station, newly redeveloped, widened and beautified roads, and other civic infrastructure are being inaugurated in the city.

The foundation stones for a number of other new projects will be laid, contributing to the beautification and revamp of civic facilities in and around the temple town.

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

Light ‘Shri Ram Jyoti’ in your houses on 22nd January: PM Modi makes special appeal to countrymen for Ram Mandir consecration ceremony

OpIndia Staff
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Light ‘Shri Ram Jyoti’ in your houses on 22nd January: PM Modi makes special appeal to countrymen for Ram Mandir consecration ceremony

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new airport and the revamped railway station in Ayodhya on Saturday (30th December). His visit to Ayodhya came weeks before the much-awaited consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple on 22nd January. In his address, PM Narendra Modi appealed to all 140 crore Indians to light a Shri Ram Jyoti in their houses on 22nd January 2024 when the Ram temple consecration takes place in Ayodhya.

PM Narendra Modi said, “I urge the 140 crore people of India from Ayodhya – the holy city of Lord Ram – and I urge them all with folded hands to light a ‘Shri Ram Jyoti’ in their houses on January 22 when the Ram temple consecration takes place in Ayodhya. I urge all the countrymen to celebrate Deepawali on that evening. On the evening of 22nd January, the whole of India should be illuminated.”

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Maharshi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya. He also inaugurated the revamped railway station of Ayodhya Dham. Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnav and Jyotiraditya Scindia, and UP CM Yogi Adityanath were also present in the ceremony.

Notable individuals who have been invited to the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple include actors Arun Govil and Dipika Chikhlia who played Lord Ram and Goddess Sita in the hit TV series ‘Ramayana,’ industrialists Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani and Ratan Tata, cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan among other actors.

Over 7,000 guests comprising 3,000 VIPs have received invites from the Ram Mandir Trust. There will also be an invitation sent to the families of the karsevaks who lost their lives in the temple movement.

Further invitees consist of 4,000 seers, writers, journalists, scientists, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) president Mohan Bhagwat, yoga guru Ramdev and esteemed figures from all around the nation.

After incessantly writing about being sued by rape and murder convict Ram Rahim, propagandist Shyam Meera Singh agrees to delete tweets

OpIndia Staff
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After incessantly writing about being sued by rape and murder convict Ram Rahim, propagandist Shyam Meera Singh agrees to delete tweets

On 30th December 2023, YouTuber Shyam Meera Singh told the Delhi High Court that he will delete the tweets posted by him on Friday regarding the defamation case filed by Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh against him.

Shyam Meera Singh’s counsel Kapil Madan assured the court that he will not tweet on the matter while it is sub judice. This came after Justice Manoj Jain expressed his displeasure over the tweets posted by him.

“No further tweets while the matter is sub judice… I want your client (Shyam Meera Singh) to be responsible. If he is a journalist, he needs to be responsible. Please do not make any tweets which interferes with the justice delivery system,” Bar and Bench quoted Justice Jain as saying.

Notably, Ram Rahim’s counsel Mohit Mathur told the court that in one of his tweets posted on Friday, Shyam Meera Singh asked his followers to download his YouTube video titled: “How Gurmeet Ram Rahim fooled his bhakts?” before it is taken down. Advocate Mathur said “every second that the video is available on YouTube, it is damaging his reputation.”

Shyam Meera Singh’s counsel told the Court that the video was based on a book authored by another journalist named Anurag Tripathi in 2018, and that Ram Rahim has not included him as a party in the lawsuit. He further contended that Singh is a ‘journalist’ and that ordering the video to be removed without the court reviewing it and reaching a prima facie conclusion would set a wrong precedent.

Meanwhile, the Court stated that it will hear Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s interim relief plea seeking directions to Shyam Meera Singh to remove the video on January 4 after Singh’s counsel files their reply.

In one of the tweets, Shyam Meera Singh wrote in Hindi, “Ram Rahim has demanded a ban on this video in Delhi High Court. Its urgent hearing is tomorrow. You may not be able to watch this video after tomorrow.”

In another tweet, he wrote, “I fear that in tomorrow’s hearing the court may not put a stay on the video or order its deletion. Ramdev has already got my Rajiv Dixit video removed from India by showing a court order. People living in India can never see him again. You download Ram Rahim video.”

Moreover, Shyam Meera Singh had posted another contentious tweet in Hindi which read, “Those are the two people whom Ram Rahim got murdered. 1. Ranjit Singh (former manager of Dera Sacha Sauda Ashram). 2. Journalist Ramchandra Chhatrapati. After years of hard work, CBI was able to prove it. Gather evidence. Proved. The court gave punishment. But the government releases Ram Rahim free on parole.”

It all started after YouTuber Shyam Meera Singh received a legal notice on 29th December on a plea by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan which was filed in response to a video dubbed “How Gurmeet Ram Rahim Fooled his Bhakts”. The thumbnail of the YouTube video read “Ram Rahim’s real truth”. It was uploaded by Shyam Meera Singh on his official YouTube channel on 17th December. The plaintiff demanded financial recompense for the alleged slander in addition to pursuing that the controversial footage be taken down.

As reported earlier, YouTube was also delivered a notice after Justice Shalinder Kaur heard the case. The court stated that notice must be sent by WhatsApp and email. The case was then scheduled for another hearing the following day. Attorney Rajat Aneja represented Ram Rahim and alleged that Shyam Meera Singh was a repeat offender who failed to remove the video even after receiving a legal notice. He cited a post on 24th December on X (Twitter) in which the journalist admitted receiving a notification but declared he would not remove the video and would instead take the matter to court. The counsel contended that the video was slanderous and insulting.

Notably, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2017 for the rape of two disciples. Furthermore, he is serving a life sentence for his role in the 2002 killings of Dera Manager Ranjit Singh and Journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati.

It is worth mentioning that former AajTak journalist Shyam Meera Singh was dismissed in 2021 for his derogatory comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The media outlet stated in the termination letter that he had continued to express his opinions on social media platforms in violation of their social media policy, even after receiving two formal warnings in the past.

“Only PM Modi could have brought Ayodhya back to limelight”: Mauritius MP Mahend Gungapersad

ANI
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“Only PM Modi could have brought Ayodhya back to limelight”: Mauritius MP Mahend Gungapersad

Mauritius Member of Parliament (MP) Mahend Gungapersad expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stressing that “only PM Modi could have brought Ayodhya back to the limelight, as he has done it.”

Gungapersad, an MP for the Labour Party in Mauritius, is currently in India.

“You can’t imagine how proud I feel, like most of you and most Mauritians of the Hindu faith are very happy and proud that today Ramji has his mandir at the place where he was born,” he said.

“I can honestly say that only Modi could have brought Ayodhya back to the limelight, as he has done it. And the way the mandir is being built and has been built, we are proud of Modi ji for what you did,” he expressed.

Gungapersad also praised PM Modi’s efforts in the education sector.

“The education sector has blossomed under his tenure, and we can see it in every sector. The students were coming out of universities and schools. They reflect the New India, the new system of education, and for that, I need to congratulate Modiji and his, educational policies that are being implemented,” he added.

Further calling PM Modi a “charismatic leader”, he said that he is a leader who’s unique in his own way and has transformed India, the destiny of India, and the image of India.

“Today, people look up to India, and I think the one person who deserves our gratitude and our praise is Narendra Modi for whatever he has done,” he said and added that this new India has been made possible only because of his vision.

“I have no doubt that under his tenure, India has a very bright future as it is today. I think, well, there has been a change in the way people look at India. And thanks to Modi ji, many countries want to befriend India. They want to have very close ties with India,” he emphasised.

Highlighting the India-Mauritius relationship, Gungapersad said that the relationship is being further strengthened.

“We Mauritians have always entertained a very good relationship with India and under Modi’s tenure, this relationship is being further strengthened, and I’m thankful to Shri Narendra Modi for that,” he added.

“Modi hai toh mumkin hai,” Gungapersad said.

The city of Ayodhya is gearing up for the grand consecration ceremony.

As per temple officials, the consecration ceremony will be held over seven days, starting on January 16. On January 16, the host appointed by the temple trust, Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, will conduct the atonement ceremony. The ‘Dashvidh’ bath, Vishnu worship, and offering to cows will be held on the banks of the Saryu River.

Following that, on January 17, a procession carrying the idol of Ram Lalla, depicting Lord Ram as a five-year-old, will reach Ayodhya. Devotees carrying Saryu river water in ‘Mangal Kalash’ will reach the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.

On January 18, formal rituals will kick off with the Ganesh Ambika puja, Varun puja, Matrika puja, Brahmin Varan, and Vastu puja.

On January 19, the holy fire will be lit, followed by the establishment of ‘Navagraha’ and a ‘havan’ (holy ritual surrounding the fire).

The sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple will be washed with Saryu water on January 20, after which the Vaastu Shanti and ‘Annadhivas’ rituals will take place.

On January 21, the idol of Ram Lalla will undergo a ceremonial bath with water from 125 urns. On the final day, January 22, after the morning puja, the deity of Ram Lala will be consecrated in ‘Mrigashira Nakshatra’ in the afternoon. (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)

As PM Modi flags off the first two Amrit Bharat Express Trains, read about the brand-new train service launched by Indian Railways

OpIndia Staff
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As PM Modi flags off the first two Amrit Bharat Express Trains, read about the brand-new train service launched by Indian Railways

On 30th December Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated eight new trains including six Vande Bharat Express trains and two Amrit Bharat Express trains in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. He was at the recently renovated Ayodhya Dham station where he flagged off the fresh trains. Two trains, Darbhanga-Delhi Amrit Bharat and Ayodhya-Anand Vihar Vande Bharat were marked off from Ayodhya railway station and others were launched via a video link simultaneously.

Darbhanga to Anand Vihar via Ayodhya Amrit Bharat Express and Darbhanga to Anand Vihar Amrit Bharat Express trains are the first two Amrit Bharat Express trains, a new category of trains launched by Indian Railways.

The Amrit Bharat Express is the first batch of extremely fast passenger trains that are designed with the comforts of the common man in mind. It has a striking orange and grey colour appearance. It has non-airconditioned carriages and is an LHB push-pull train. There are two locomotives on either end of this train to improve acceleration. In addition to better luggage racks, LED lighting, smartphone charging connections, redesigned seating, CCTV and public information systems, it offers superior amenities for travellers. Railway officials have stated that the locomotives on these trains are aerodynamically constructed.

These “jerk-free” trains are scheduled to operate between Darbhanga in Bihar and Anand Vihar in Delhi via Ayodhya, Malda Town in West Bengal and Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminus in Bengaluru. They provide a pleasant ride across numerous destinations owing to semi-coupler technology and novel advancements in train operations. When a train starts and stops, the jerk effect is reduced because of the technology that joins two coaches in this way.

There will be a total of 22 non-AC coaches on the trains, which include 12 sleeper coaches, 8 second-class unreserved coaches and two guard compartments cum luggage coaches. Push-pull technology will be used to power the freshly built train which has a speed capability of 130 kmph (kilometres per hour) and a 6,000 HP WAP5 locomotive at each end and has faster acceleration as well as reduced travel time. The presence of two locomotives at boths ends will also mean that there will be no need for a locomotive reversal at terminals, ensuring faster operation.

The WAP5 locomotive has been upgraded with an aerodynamic frontal nose, flat rear nose, a crew-friendly console and cab, anthropogenic crew seats, integrated converter and hotel load converter, Kavach, RTS, CVVRS, air-conditioning, WTB enabled for push-pull operation. While the locomotives are capable of very high speeds, the speeds of the trains will be limited by limitation of tracks.

Traveling on Amrit Bharat Express trains within a one- to fifty-kilometer radius requires a minimum ticket price of Rs 35 which does not include the reservation fee or other costs. A railway official stated, “If we compare the fares for these two classes, second and sleeper with other currently-running mail or express trains, Amrit Bharat’s fare is 15 to 17 per cent higher.”

According to the official, concessional tickets and tickets against free complimentary passes that are not reimbursed will not be accepted on these trains. Additionally, railway employees will be eligible for privilege passes, duty passes, PTOs (privilege ticket orders) and other benefits on the same basis as those available by mail or express.

These trains consist of appealing features such as “horizontal sliding windows, semi-permanent coupler between the coaches, dust-sealed wider gangways, an aerosol-based fire suppression system in toilets and electrical cubicles, an emergency disaster management light, floor guide fluorescent strips, bench-type design for LWS coaches, segregation of reserved and unreserved coaches (with sliding doors), etc.”

Other features in the trains include CCTV Cameras, bio-vacuum toilets, sensor-based water taps, a passenger information system, electric outlets, LED lights etc.

Train number 15557 is set to leave Darbhanga at 3:00 PM on Mondays and Thursdays. It will arrive at the Anand Vihar Terminal station in Delhi at 12:35 PM on the following day for a total route duration of twenty-one hours and thirty-five minutes. Kamtul, Janakpur Road, Sitamarhi, Bairgania, Raxaul, Narkatiyaganj, Bagha, Kaptanganj, Gorakhpur, Basti, Mankapur, Ayodhya Dham, Lucknow, Kanpur Central, Etawah, Tundla, Aligarh Junction, and lastly Anand Vihar Terminal are among the stations at which the train will stop.

Even though Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat have similar naming schemes, they are completely different trains. The entire Vande Bharat train was newly developed by Indian Railways. On the other hand, Amrit Bharat uses LHB coaches, which are already in use, with improved features and upgraded locomotives.

PM Modi also unveiled six brand-new Vande Bharat Trains which will run from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to New Delhi, Amritsar to Delhi, Coimbatore to Bangalore Cantonment, Mangalore to Madgaon, Jalna to Mumbai and Ayodhya to Anand Vihar. Vande Bharat Express is a chair car train with air conditioning that is now operating on multiple routes throughout the entire country. It is a self-propelled train with a 160 kmph maximum speed.

Furthermore, PM Modi is also laying the groundwork for development projects worth Rs 15,700 crore for Uttar Pradesh comprising Rs 11,100 crore for Ayodhya and opening the recently constructed airport in the temple town. The redesigned train station which will now be known as Ayodhya Dham was also officially inaugurated by him. Redeveloped for Rs 240 crore, the three-story building is a certified green structure with escalators, lifts, waiting areas, cloakrooms and food plazas. The visit by the prime minister has set the tone for the events leading up to the much anticipated Ram Mandir’s consecration ceremony on 22nd January.

USA: Inspired by 7 October Hamas terror attack, New Jersey man tries to join terror group Al-Shabaab for missions of ‘death and destruction’, arrested

OpIndia Staff
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USA: Inspired by 7 October Hamas terror attack, New Jersey man tries to join terror group Al-Shabaab for missions of ‘death and destruction’, arrested

On Friday (29th December), US authorities made it public and announced that a New Jersey man who got inspired by Hamas’s 7th October terror attack in Israel and was en route to join Somalia-based Islamist terror group al-Shabaab was arrested earlier this month in Kenya. According to the prosecutors, the terror accused Karrem Nasr (23) aka “Ghareeb Al-Muhajir” was “devoted to waging violent jihad against America”. 

As per the US Department of Justice, Nasr, a U.S. citizen, was taken into custody in Nairobi, Kenya, on 14th December 2023. He was transported to the United States on 28th December 2023 and the authorities filed charges against him on Friday 29th December. 

The Manhattan federal prosecutors have charged him with a single count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation and he could face up to 20 years in prison. As per the authorities, Nasr offered to “write for any group that he joined” and also “wanted to train to ‘shoot’ with any [terror] group he joined.”

On Friday, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said, “As alleged, Karrem Nasr, motivated by the heinous terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, devoted himself to waging violent jihad against America and its allies.”

As per the complaint, Nasr was in communications with an FBI confidential source (the “CS”), who was posing as a facilitator for terrorist organisations. In his communication with CS, Nasr stated that the number one enemy was “evil America,” which he called the “head of the snake.” 

As per the US agencies, Nasr told the source, “After the Oct. 7 events, I felt that something has changed [for] the better, I mean. I felt that pride and dignity came back to the Muslims.”

According to the US authorities, Nasr wanted to visit Kenya to join and train with al-Shabaab – US proscribed terror organisation – to execute his jihadist mission of death and destruction. For his plan, he was prepared to kill and be killed to support the jihadist cause. 

Sharing the details about the case, US Attorney Williams added, “Nasr, a citizen of this country, traveled from Egypt to Kenya bent on joining and training with al Shabaab so that he could execute his jihadist mission of death and destruction. Nasr was prepared to kill and be killed to support the jihadist cause, and in his own words, he described America as ‘evil’ and the ‘head of the snake.’” 

Williams noted that because of the efforts of law enforcement agencies, they disrupted Nasr’s plan to train with a terrorist organisation and wage violent jihad. He reiterated that US authorities are committed to investigating, disrupting, and prosecuting anyone who is inspired by Hamas’s October 7 attack and seeks to harm Americans, whether here or abroad.

FBI special agent Bilal Morgan submitted it in writing before the court that Nasr had moved to Egypt in July to study Arabic. As per the court document, Nasr became “particularly motivated to become a jihadi” after Hamas terrorists carried out the large-scale assault on Southern Israel killing more than 1200 people, kidnapping around 250 Israeli and foreign nationals, raping women, and brutally murdering babies on 7th October, this year. In retaliation, Israel carried out aerial bombardment followed by extensive ground operation which is still ongoing. Click here, for detailed reports about the Israel-Hamas war.  

Morgan wrote, “In recent public social media posts, Nasr warned that ‘Jihad’ was ‘coming soon to a US location near you,’ posting airplane, bomb, and fire emojis.”

(As per US authorities, Hamas terror attack on Israel galvanised him after he wanted to join Al-Shabaab which is linked with Al-Qaeda)

“Nasr expressed his intent to join al Shabaab [sic] to receive military training and engage in jihad; that he was prepared to kill and be killed; and that he specifically aspired to be a martyr for the jihadi cause.” 

The US authorities also included Nasr’s online posts that expressed support for jihad and terrorist ideology. 

(Image Source – US Department of Justice)
(Image Source – US Department of Justice)

During his Kenya trip, Nasr had planned to meet members of al-Shabaab, which has links with another dreaded terror outfit Al Qaeda, while he had been engaging with an FBI source posing as a facilitator for terrorist organisations last month. 

He also mentioned Osama bin Laden’s 2002 “Letter to America,” which recently resurfaced and garnered attention among TikTok users who claimed they had never heard of Al Qaeda’s complaints about the conflict between Israel and Palestinians. 

According to court documents, Nasr told the source, “I do not know if you follow the news in the West, but there are a lot of people now in America, not Muslims, just reading the letter from Sheikh [Osama] bin Laden and there are a lot of people, because of this letter, [who] have completely changed their opinion on him, and they finally understand how evil America is.” 

Morgan added that Nasr reportedly offered to “write for any group that he joined” because he “could write well and knew how to translate”. Further Nasr also “wanted to train to ‘shoot’ with any [terror] group he joined.” 

Originally, he had planned to meet the jihadists in Kenya later in January. However, he told the source that he accelerated his plans to join al-Shabaab when he learned that his mother was visiting from the US in mid-December and wanted to take him “back to America to continue my education and work.”

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