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‘Held my hand without my consent’: TMC leader and Bengali film actress Sayantika Banerjee alleges harassment during shoot in Bangladesh

OpIndia Staff
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‘Held my hand without my consent’: TMC leader and Bengali film actress Sayantika Banerjee alleges harassment during shoot in Bangladesh

Bengali actress and Trinamool Congress leader Sayantika Banerjee walked off the sets of her upcoming film Chayabaj which was being shot in Cox Bazar in Bangladesh. After the media reported her sudden departure to Kolkata, leaving the project incomplete, the TMC leader and actress opened up about the harassment she faced on the sets compelling her to return.

Sayantika arrived in Dhaka on August 30 to work on the movie Chayabaz, directed by Taju Kamrul. The shooting was scheduled to continue until September 12, with the first portion focusing on music video shoots. While the filming of the initial song went smoothly, issues arose during the second song’s shoot, owing to a conflict between Sayantika and dance director Michael.

TMC leader and actor levels serious allegations against her choreographer

Speaking to Anandabazar Online, the actress revealed how she was harassed by her choreographer Michael on the sets. She also told the portal that there were several issues on the management front on the sets of the film, which left the actress and her team disappointed.

Speaking about the instance of harassment, Banerjee alleged that her choreographer repeatedly touched her inappropriately without her consent and also threatened her. She added that she raised objections and tried to communicate the issues on the sets with the producer Manirul Islam and director Taju Kamrul of the film but in vain. Islam and Kamrul did not support her and instead forced her to work with the same choreographer. She then returned to Kolkata from Bangladesh without finishing the shoot.

She said, “Initially, a teacher came for the dance shooting but he left because of monetary issues. Then the young boy called Michael came.” “Michael, without my consent, held my hand and I stopped him in front of everyone,” she added.

She also refuted allegations of not completing the shoot. “I am a professional artist and can’t think of doing such things.” “Time and again, I tried to contact the producer regarding some technical issues but did not get any response. He has no planning and no management. We were suddenly told that a dance sequence would be shot. When Manirul did not respond after being called many times, I said that I would not work with Michael like this,” added Sayantika. She said she waited for two days in Cox’s Bazar before returning to India, to hear from the producer, however, received no solution.

Co-actor Zayed Khan claims Sayantika Banerjee never objected to dance director’s presence on sets

Zayed Khan, Sayantika’s co-star, expressed surprise to The Daily Star, claiming that she had never opposed Michael’s presence. Sayantika finished her scenes and then left for Kolkata, according to Zayed.

“The disagreement had arisen regarding costumes, specifically the need for leather outfits in certain scenes. This issue had been duly reported to the producer. There were also complications regarding Sayantika’s remuneration, but a party is trying to spread misinformation,” actor Zayed Khan reportedly told the media.

Sayantika Banerjee is an Indian actress who is known for her work in Bengali cinema. The actress joined Trinamool Congress (TMC), ahead of Assembly elections 2021 in West Bengal. She was also promoted to the rank of officer in the TMC.

Foxconn India representative says they will double the investment in India as birthday gift to PM Modi

OpIndia Staff
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Foxconn India representative says they will double the investment in India as birthday gift to PM Modi

On 17th September, Taiwanese contract manufacturing company Foxconn’s India representative, V Lee, wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi a happy 73rd birthday in a LinkedIn post and said the company plans to double its investment and people it employs in India in the next year. The company plans to double the workforce within the coming year, increase foreign direct investment (FDI) and expand its overall business operations in the country, affirmed Lee.

In the post, Lee said, “Under your leadership, Foxconn has grown smoothly and rapidly in India. We will work harder to present you with a greater birthday gift next year, aiming for another doubling of employment, FDI, and business size in India.”

Minister of Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a screenshot of V Lee’s post on X (formerly Twitter) and said the Government of India is fully committed to supporting and facilitating Foxconn’s plans of expansion in India.

The announcement came at a time when Foxconn has a substantial investment in the country, particularly in the Southern states. The company will play a significant role in India’s journey towards becoming a global manufacturing hub.

Notably, Foxconn has an iPhone factory in Tamil Nadu that employs 40,000 people. In August this year, the Karnataka government said Foxconn was planning to invest USD 600 million in two projects in the state to make casing components for iPhones and chip-making equipment.

Foxconn’s chairman Liu Young-way said in August that India has a lot of potential and said, “several billion dollars in investment is only a beginning”.

The company also plans to invest Rs 1,600 crore or USD 194 million to build a campus in the Kanceepuram district near Chennai in Tamil Nadu.

Furthermore, the company has been exploring options in India focused on establishing a semiconductor manufacturing facility in Gujarat. It will enhance the country’s electronic manufacturing capabilities to a large extent.

The proposed investment in the country shows that the Taiwanese company has confidence in India’s growth potential and will contribute significantly to improving employment and technological advancements.

Rabindranath Tagore’s Santiniketan added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, here are the other Indian properties that have made it

OpIndia Staff
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Rabindranath Tagore’s Santiniketan added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, here are the other Indian properties that have made it

On Sunday, September 17, Santiniketan, the revered grounds in West Bengal where the illustrious poet Rabindranath Tagore founded Visva-Bharati more than a century ago, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) announced the highly coveted honour on its official platform on Sunday. The decision to add Santiniketan to the distinguished list was made during the World Heritage Committee’s 45th session, which took place in Saudi Arabia.

“New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Santiniketan, #India. Congratulations!” UNESCO declared on Sunday on X, formerly Twitter. As per the reports, this historic title is the culmination of India’s long-standing efforts to gain a UNESCO designation for this cultural treasure in the Birbhum area.

Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO, Vishal V Sharma, commented on the event while in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and said, “India rejoices and celebrates the inclusion of Santiniketan on the world heritage list. I thank the Ministry of Culture, GoI and Archaeological Survey of India for their tireless efforts. PM Modi is the Chancellor of Santiniketan, and it is his birthday today. Hence, the inscription of Santiniketan on the World Heritage list is a welcome gift.”

“Santiniketan situated in rural Bengal, is associated with the work and philosophies of Rabindranath Tagore, world-famous poet, artist, musician, philosopher, and recipient of the Nobel Prize in literature,” he added.

“Established initially as an ashram in 1863 by his father, Tagore initiated its transformation in 1901 into a residential school and a center of art based on the ancient Indian teaching system of Gurukul. His vision was oriented on the unity of humanity or Viswa Bharati. Santiniketan embraced a unique brand of internationalism that drew upon ancient, medieval, and folk traditions of India as well as Japanese, Chinese, Persian, Burmese, and other art decor forms. Many of these things are seen in Geetanjali, his collection of poems which he wrote while living in Santiniketan,” Sharma further said, inviting everyone to explore the universalism of Santiniketan

Reports mention that Abha Narain Lambah, a renowned conservation architect played a crucial role in developing the dossier for Santiniketan’s UNESCO nomination. “We had worked on the dossier in 2009, and maybe the time wasn’t right then. But we always believed in the beauty of Santiniketan, and today we feel vindicated seeing it in the UNESCO list,” she was quoted as saying.

Lambah, who is based in Mumbai and whose works have received acclaim and UNESCO recognition, stated that once the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) approved Santiniketan’s inclusion, it was nearly guaranteed.

ICOMOS, an international advisory group based in France, recommended this landmark site for UNESCO World Heritage classification a few months ago. ICOMOS is an international non-governmental institution is composed of professionals, experts, and representatives from local governments, businesses, and heritage organisations. It is committed to the global preservation and enhancement of architectural and landscape heritage.

Other Indian properties that have made to the World Heritage List

As per the official website of the World Heritage Convention, there are around 41 Indian properties that have been inscribed on the World Heritage List. The said list is categorised into three parts namely, Cultural, Natural, and Mixed. While 33 Indian properties have been included in the Cultural list, 7 are mentioned under the Natural list, and one in the Mixed list. The list includes-

Cultural

Agra Fort (1983)
Ajanta Caves (1983)
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar (2016)
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)
Dholavira: a Harappan City (2021)
Elephanta Caves (1987)
Ellora Caves (1983)
Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
Great Living Chola Temples (1987, 2004)
Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2013)
Historic City of Ahmadabad (2017)
Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi (1993)
Jaipur City, Rajasthan (2019)
Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana (2021)
Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
Mountain Railways of India (1999, 2005, 2008)
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (2014)
Red Fort Complex (2007)
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
Santiniketan (2023)
Sun Temple, Konârak (1984)
Taj Mahal (1983)
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement (2016)
The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)
Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)

Natural

Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (2014)
Kaziranga National Park (1985)
Keoladeo National Park (1985)
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988, 2005)
Sundarbans National Park (1987)
Western Ghats (2012)

Mixed

Khangchendzonga National Park (2016)

‘I have more sons doesn’t matter if 1 or 2 are jailed’, father of accused Shahbaz and Arbaz boasts after sexual harassment takes minor Hindu girl’s life

OpIndia Staff
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‘I have more sons doesn’t matter if 1 or 2 are jailed’, father of accused Shahbaz and Arbaz boasts after sexual harassment takes minor Hindu girl’s life

On September 17, the Ambedkar Nagar police arrested Shahbaz, Arbaz and Faisal in the harassment case, that caused the death of a schoolgirl in a road accident. All the accused have been booked under Sections 302, 354, 298 and 304 of the IPC along with relevant sections of the POCSO Act. The father of the deceased 17-year-old, Sabhajeet Verma, while speaking to the media described how unperturbed the father of two of the arrested accused Shahbaz and Arbaz, was when he learned of the incident and his son’s arrest.

Instead of being ashamed of his son’s deeds, Shahbaz and Arbaz’s father, after the arrest of his sons, purportedly boasted before the villagers that he had more than ten sons and that it didn’t matter if one or two were being tried in court or arrested. Many villagers heard him say this, the 17-year-old deceased girl’s father revealed.

Notably, the father of the deceased had earlier issued a statement to the media in which he had said how these accused used to often harass his daughter on her way to and from school. She had, in fact, complained to her parents about this.

On September 16, the accused on bikes were harassing a schoolgirl on a bicycle and pulled her dupatta, causing her to fall. Another accused came on a speeding motorcycle from behind and ran over her causing her death.

On September 17, Sunday, the three accused attempted to run away from Police personnel. In their fleeing attempt, the accused also tried to snatch weapons from the police personnel, prompting the police personnel to fire shots at them. 

In the police encounter, two accused, namely Shahbaz and Faisal, were shot in the legs, while the third accused, Arbaz, broke his leg when he tripped while attempting to flee. 

The victim’s friend who was accompanying her when the incident took place, narrated the ordeal. She said that she was returning home from school with her friends. Crying inconsolably, she added that Shahbaz, Faisal, and another boy were chasing her. They were regularly harassing them. 

On Friday, one of them pulled her dupatta directly due to which she fell from the bicycle. Moments after that, Faisal ran the bike over her from behind. ‘By the time I reached there, blood was coming from her mouth and she could not say anything’, the friend said. Later, she was declared dead in the hospital.

The tragic incident unfolded in the Hirapur market area which comes under the jurisdiction of the Hanswar police station in Ambedkar Nagar, UP. The victim was a native of Barhi Aidilpur in the Hanswar police station area. The 17-year-old victim was studying at Ramraji Inter College in Haripur.

Teaser of Telugu movie Razakar released, shows the Hyderabad genocide against Hindus under Nizam’s rule before Indian Army came to intervene

OpIndia Staff
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Teaser of Telugu movie Razakar released, shows the Hyderabad genocide against Hindus under Nizam’s rule before Indian Army came to intervene

On 17th September, MLA Raja Singh released the teaser of the upcoming Telugu film Razakar. The film is a period drama from the time when Hyderabad was yet to join India post-independence. The movie will showcase the atrocities Hindus faced at the hands of Nizam rulers and their paramilitary force.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Raja Singh wrote, “An excellent film titled ‘#Razakar’ is soon to be released, focusing on the tragic events of the # Hyderabad massacre during India’s struggle for independence, specifically targeting Hindus. I urge people to help promote awareness of this movie nationwide and contribute to its success.”

As per reports, the movie will showcase the horrors inflicted on the Hindus by the paramilitary forces known as ‘Razakar’ during the 1948 Hyderabad Liberation Movement. The teaser was launched on the occasion of Telangana Liberation Day. In the teaser, the emphasis remained on the background of the story.

Bobby Simha and Vedika are in the lead roles in the film produced by Gudur Narayana Reddy under the Samarveer Creations banner, and Yata Satyanarayana is the film’s director. Suddala Ashok Teja has written the songs for the movie, and Bheems Ceciroleo is the music director. The film is expected to release in 2024.

Operation Polo

After India gained Independence on 15th August 1947, the Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Osman Ali Khan was in a dilemma to choose which union he’d like his country to merge with and initially agreed to the ‘standstill agreement’ where the Republic of India would handle the external affairs and defence of Hyderabad but won’t interfere in the internal affairs. However, the state of Hyderabad violated this when it secretly loaned 15 million pounds to Pakistan and raised a semi-private military (Razakars) in the country.

Suppression of Hindus

Under the rule of Nizams, Hindus were brutally suppressed by the rulers. Hindus were routinely discriminated against due to their religion during their appointment to government posts and the state army. Of 1765 officers in the State Army, 1268 were Muslims, 421 were Hindus, and 121 others were Christians, Parsis and Sikhs. Of the officials drawing a salary between Rs. 600 and 1200 per month, 59 were Muslims, 5 were Hindus, and 38 were of other religions. The Nizam and his nobles, who were mostly Muslims, owned 40% of the total land in the state, showing the vast inequality in the distribution of wealth.

Frightened by the growing awareness amongst the Hindu population in Hyderabad, Nizam Khan ordered the formation of a semi-private army called ‘Razakars’ to suppress the agitations. The Razakars were a wing of the Majlis-e-Itihadul Muslimeen (MIM, or AIMIM as it is presently known). The Razakars managed to raise 1 lakh Jihadis under their commane within a span of days. The army managed to suppress the Hindus by mass-murdering and abducting Hindus in urban Telangana.

Formation of Razakars

The Razakars were intended to be the armed wing of the MIM (which is a present-day political party that goes by the name “AIMIM”) and uphold the Islamic domination of Hyderabad. By 1948, the Nizam didn’t want the growing public opinion of Hindus that Hyderabad should accede to India grow roots in the state, and ordered the Razakars to brutally suppress the Hindu population. Qasim Razvi was made the chief of the Jihadi force. The Razakars raised 2 lakh Jihadis in their force and raided Hindu-majority villages in Telangana.

In the book ‘Marathwada Under the Nizams’, historian P.V Kate records, “Some women became victims of rape and kidnapping by Razakars. Thousands went to jail and braved the cruelties perpetrated by the oppressive administration. Due to the activities of the Razakars, thousands of Hindus had to flee from the state and take shelter in various camps”.

Over 150 villages in rural Telangana were pushed to Islamic brutality, and over 40,000 civilians fled to the Central Provinces of India from Telangana for refuge. These refugees then proceeded to retaliate against the murderous Razakars through frequent raids to reclaim their land in the bordering areas of Central Provinces and Telangana.

Nehru and Patel

After receiving the details of the exodus of Hindus by the Nizam of Hyderabad, India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was afraid that any attack on the princely state would attract retaliation from West and East Pakistan. Nehru was hesitant to take the decision of storming into the state and annexing it. On the insistence of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Nehru hesitantly agreed to the annexure of Hyderabad and ordered the Indian Army to annexe the state of Hyderabad and storm into the state from all fronts.

On 13th September 1948, the Indian Army launched an attack on Hyderabad; this operation was named ‘Operation Polo’. The Indian Army, in a 5-day battle, annexed Hyderabad from the Nizam and integrated it into the territory of India. Despite the Indian Army having only 35,000 soldiers dispatched for this operation, it suffered only 35 casualties, whereas the Hyderabad State suffered 5,738 casualties despite having an army of 2,20,000 soldiers. The Indian Army had a sweeping victory over the Nizam and annexed the state.

Aftermath and surrender of Nizam to India

After the embarrassing defeat, the Nizam of Hyderabad surrendered to the Indian Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and agreed to accede Hyderabad to India. Qasim Razvi was jailed from 1948-1957 after which he took asylum in Pakistan.

Razvi gave the responsibility of the MIM to Abdul Wahed Owaisi, thus letting the Owaisi family run what remained of the MIM. The MIM was banned for a brief period in 1948, after which it changed its name to AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Itihadul Muslimeen) and contests elections to this day.

Bihar: Mohammed Isahak blackmails a Hindu Adivasi girl to marry him, converts her to Islam and tries to kill her with help from his first wife, booked

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: Mohammed Isahak blackmails a Hindu Adivasi girl to marry him, converts her to Islam and tries to kill her with help from his first wife, booked

A dreadful case of Love Jihad and attempt to murder has come to the fore from the Purnea district of Bihar. Accused Mohammed Isahak, who is already a father of four children blackmailed a Hindu Adivasi girl by showing her some of her derogatory photographs and forced her to marry. Later, he converted her religion to Islam and tried to kill her with the help of his first wife.

According to a report by Jagran, the incident came to the fore after the girl managed to escape to save her life and reported the incident to Muffasil Police Station. The 19-year-old girl stated in the complaint that she was trapped by the accused, who established sexual relations against her will. He also captured some of her derogatory images and later used them to blackmail her.

He then forced the girl to marry using the photographs and changed her religion to Islam. The girl was given a new name, ‘Saira Khatun’, post-conversion. The accused continued to sexually assault her, and after a month or so, he attempted to kill her with the help of his first wife. The girl escaped the spot and reported the incident to the police.

The girl mentioned in the complaint that the accused used to come to her house to meet her father. “He was known to my father. One day, he took my sister’s mobile number and started talking to her. After a few days, he forcefully captured a derogatory photograph with me and threatened that he would publish that photo on social media,” the girl said.

The accused then forced the girl to marry and assured her that he would make a new home in Supaul town for her. On refusal, he issued death threats to her family members and got the marriage documents prepared in Purnea Court. He also forced the victim girl to sign the documents and then converted her religion to Islam.

The girl was then taken to a secretive property in Supaul. She was sexually assaulted for around 10 days. It was then that she knew that the accused was already married and that he was a father to four kids. The girl then escaped from the property and reached his home where she confronted him in front of his first wife and kids. The victim was mistreated and not welcomed in the house by the first wife of the accused. She refused to keep the girl in her home.

The accused and his first wife then attempted to murder her while she was fast asleep. The victim girl escaped from the spot and reached her home after which she reached the Police station to lodge an FIR against the accused and his first wife.

Hindu organizations like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other local Adivasi organizations also took cognizance of the event and demanded strict action against the accused and his family.

Brijesh Kumar from Bihar Police commented on the issue and said that an official complaint has been filed and investigations are underway. He also assured that the accused would be severely punished post-investigation.

Over 20 Chinese warships and 160 planes spotted around Taiwan as China tries to intimidate its neighbour

OpIndia Staff
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Over 20 Chinese warships and 160 planes spotted around Taiwan as China tries to intimidate its neighbour

On 16th September, China Navy launched its largest-even manoeuvres with an aircraft carrier in the western Pacific around Taiwan. As per reports, the exercise was conducted to flex military muscle to push back against the US and its allies.

As per a Financial Times report, two Asian security officials said that China’s Shandong, which is the second largest aircraft carrier, was on course to converge with over 20 other Chinese warships. The exercise took place in the waters between Taiwan, the Philippines and the US Pacific territory of Guam.

Su Tzu-yun, an analyst at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, a defence-ministry-backed think-tank in Taipei, said, “This is by far the largest number of ships we have seen training with any Chinese carrier so far. They are expressing their displeasure with the various military exercises that have been underway in their periphery.”

The defence ministry of Taiwan counted 20 PLA warships in the waters around the country on the morning of September 12. Though the ministry did not provide more details on the matter, there was an announcement on 11th September that Shandong had sailed through Bashi Channel which separates Taiwan from the Philippines. Japan also reported eight PLA naval vessels into the Pacific via the Miyako Strait, which is located south of Okinawa. Japan spotted six missile destroyers and two frigates in those waters.

Since 2021, the Liaoning and the Shandong have conducted several training missions in the Western Pacific. However, those missions had smaller groups of ships. Mostly, there were four destroyers or frigates with one support ship in those missions. However, this time, China’s Navy conducted a much larger mission.

As per Ian Ellis, founder of IEJ Media, over 20 ships were deployed by China, a new single-day record. Over 160 planes were also detected by the agencies. Three Surface Action Groups reportedly participated in the drills.

China’s government or the Navy did not announce the drills. Reportedly, the drills stimulated a blockade in the region.

Furthermore, Ian said in one of the posts on X (formerly Twitter) that China violated the Air Defence Identifier Zone as 161 Chinese warplanes were detected around Taiwan, and 86 of them reportedly crossed into Taiwan’s air defence Zone.

Notably, China’s action appeared to be a response to a series of US-led military exercises in four locations around China. At least two dozen nations participated in those exercises. In August, Japan, Australia and the Philippines conducted a naval drill led by the US. Later, the US also conducted a bilateral sail with a Philippines’ ship and a joint coast guard operation with Thailand.

In September first week, South Korea, Canada, and the US participated in a drill on the anniversary of a Korean war battle. Later, the US and South Korea conducted a joint sail in the Yellow Sea. A week before China’s naval mission, the US, Japan and Canada operated in the East China Sea. Later, a US destroyer and a Canadian frigate sailed through the Taiwan Strait.

A joint drill led by the US and Indonesia with 19 nations was underway while China was conducting its mission in the nearby waters.

Free bus rides, subsidised electricity, ₹2500 dole for women each month: Congress party announces freebies ahead of Telangana Vidhan Sabha elections

OpIndia Staff
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Free bus rides, subsidised electricity, ₹2500 dole for women each month: Congress party announces freebies ahead of Telangana Vidhan Sabha elections

With an eye to ace the Telangana Vidhan Sabha elections, which are scheduled to be held later this year, the Congress party announced a plethora of freebies and cash handouts to entice the voters.

On Sunday (September 17), Congress President Malikarjun Kharge said that the party would provide ₹12000 to farm workers annually, and ₹15000 per acre per year to tenant and landholding farmers.

Congress also claimed to provide ₹500 per quintal extra for paddy, besides the Minimum Support Price (MSP), under ‘Rythu Bharosa’ scheme. Party leader Sonia Gandhi also announced ₹2500 monthly dole for women under the ‘Mahalakshmi scheme’.

In line with its poll promises in Karnataka, the grand-old party also announced free rides for women in Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRC) buses and free electricity for up to 200 units.

“2,500 per month financial assistance will be given to women in Telangana under the Mahalakshmi scheme, gas cylinders at ₹500, and free travel for women in TSRC buses across the state, to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Telangana we are announcing 6 guarantees and we are committed to fulfill each one of them,” Sonia Gandhi was heard saying.

The Congress party also vowed to provide LPG cylinders at ₹500 and ₹5 lakh under ‘Indiraamma Indulu’ housing scheme. Earlier in July this year, Congress scion Rahul Gandhi announced that the party would provide ₹4000 monthly handouts to senior citizens under the ‘Cheyutha pension’ scheme if it is elected to power in Telangana.

Congress Minister admits ‘freebies’ will affect infrastructure development in Karnataka

In June this year, Karnataka Minister of Small-Scale Industries and Public Enterprises Sharanabasappa Darshanapur admitted that the guarantee schemes announced by the Congress party would take a direct toll on the infrastructure development within the state. 

The Congress Minister stated that infrastructure development in the state would be affected to some extent during the first year of the Congress government in office. He claimed that this would happen because of the guarantee schemes launched by the Siddaramaiah government.

The minister pointed out that there will be a financial burden of Rs 40,000 crore to Rs 50,000 crore on the exchequer due to these guarantee schemes.  Darshanapur said, “We need more than ₹50,000 crores annually for the implementation of our five guarantees. This may affect the development works to some extent.”

The Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCC&I) announced a “bandh” on June 22. This decision came as a response to the sudden increase in electricity prices implemented by the electricity supply companies (ESCOMs).

Congo government dismisses reports of military coup against President Denis Nguesso

OpIndia Staff
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Congo government dismisses reports of military coup against President Denis Nguesso

On Sunday, September 17, the Congolese government rubbished the reports of a coup attempt against President Denis Nguesso. Government spokesperson Teri Lezen Manqala denied rumours of a state coup saying that everything is calm.

Social media was rife with rumours of a coup in the African nation at a time when its President had arrived in New York to attend the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Congo’s information minister Thierry Moungalla took to X, formerly Twitter, to deny the local media reports saying, “URGENT – Fanciful information suggests serious events that are underway at #Brazzaville . The Government denies this fake news. We reassure public opinion about the calm that reigns and invite people to calmly go about their activities. #ComGouvCg.”

The reports said that the identities of the coup plotters were unknown but suggested that the presidential guard commander had a role to play.

Rumours circulating on social media claimed that the military was taking control of strategic locations in Brazzaville, the capital of Congo. Brazzaville is located on the bank of the Congo River opposite Kinshasa, the capital of the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Reports say that speculation about a coup in Congo has been rife since August after the military took over in Gabon following the victory of the ousted President Ali Bongo.

Congo President Nguesso, 79, had announced his arrival in New York on Sunday (17 September). He said, “My stay in the city is also an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations and promote the summit of the three tropical forest basins to be held next month in Brazzaville.”

Nguesso won a fourth consecutive term in March 2021 with 88.57 per cent votes. He first assumed power in 1979 after a coup in 1977. He ran a one-party regime until 1992 when he lost the country’s first multi-party polls but returned to power in 1997.

Ever since, Nguesso, nicknamed “The Emperor”, has remained the President. He has been accused of fraud by the Opposition. In 2015, he made a constitutional reform allowing him to run for a new mandate in 2016.

US military’s $150 million F-35 jet is flying without a pilot somewhere, govt asks for help from the public to help locate it

OpIndia Staff
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US military’s $150 million F-35 jet is flying without a pilot somewhere, govt asks for help from the public to help locate it

On 17 September, United States military officials sought help from the public to find an F-35 fighter jet. When the pilot ejected, the military lost track of the fighter jet somewhere over South Carolina, but the plane continued flying on autopilot. The fighter jet that has gone missing is worth USD 150 million.

A Marine Corps pilot ejected the F-35B Lightning II Jet over North Charleston on the afternoon of 17th September after a mishap. The search for the missing fighter jet has focused on two lakes located north of North Charleston.

Major Melanie Salinas said that at around 2 PM, the pilot parachuted safely, after which he was taken to the hospital. The pilot’s name has not been released to the media by the military. Senior Master Sergeant Heather Stanton at Joint Base Charleston said that based on the location and trajectory of the missing fighter jet, the search had been focused around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion. Stanton added that the search operation was started with a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division helicopter after bad weather cleared the area.

Local Congresswoman Nancy Mace expressed shock over the reports and questioned how the military could lose a fighter jet. She said, “How in the hell do you lose an F-35? How is there not a tracking device, and we’re asking the public to what, find a jet and turn it in?”

It is unclear under what circumstances the pilot ejected the fighter jet.

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