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‘Not last, they are the first villages of India’: Read what are ‘Vibrant Villages’ and how the Modi govt is including them to strengthen border infra

Pragya Bakshi Sharma
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‘Not last, they are the first villages of India’: Read what are ‘Vibrant Villages’ and how the Modi govt is including them to strengthen border infra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today during his address from the Red Fort on the occasion of 77th Independence Day said that the villages that were known as the ‘last village of India’ are in fact the ‘first villages of India’ under the BJP government. PM Modi dedicated a significant part of his address to the Vibrant Villages Programme highlighting the role of rural India in the nation’s development.

The Prime Minister said, “We started the Vibrant Border Village program. And Vibrant Border Villages were known as the country’s last village but we changed that mindset. The village you see on the border is my country’s first village. When the sun rises, the first ray falls on the first village on this side (east), and when the sun sets, the last ray falls on the first village on that side (west). These are my first villages.”

Prime Minister Modi welcomed the 600 pradhans (heads) of Vibrant Villages who were invited as guests for the I-day celebrations.

The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) was announced in the Finance Minister’s Budget Speech in 2022. The program envisages coverage of border villages on India’s frontiers having sparse populations, limited connectivity, and infrastructure, which often get left out of the development gains. It covers the border areas of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh.

On 10th April this year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched VVP at Kibithoo – a border village in Arunachal Pradesh. He announced that the program will be implemented in three phases in a bid to promote tourism and provide urban facilities in the villages and stop migration from the areas.

Shah also inaugurated 9 micro hydel projects of the Arunachal Government and 14 infrastructure projects for Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) worth Rs.120 crore. The first phase of the program aims to cover a population of about 1.42 Lakh in 662 villages in 46 blocks. Under this scheme, Rs. 4800 crore will be spent from 2022 to 2026 and 11 districts, 28 blocks, and 1451 villages have been included in the first phase.

Under VVP, the Centre intends to provide improved facilities to every person living in the villages and provide the benefits of various schemes to the people. Promoting financial inclusion and economic opportunities is also the aim to bolster the rural economy at the border areas. Shah said that these villages will be developed while preserving and promoting tourism, local culture, and language.

Amit Shah at the Vibrant Village of Kibithoo in Arunachal Pradesh

Another goal of VVP is to stop migration from border villages for which employment-generating opportunities are being generated. The HM had said that a five-year target has been set to bring back the normal situation in the villages affected by migration.

Rs Rs.4800 crore for the FY 2022-23 to 2025-26 including Rs.2500 crore specifically for road connectivity have been allotted by the Centre for the Vibrant Village Programme. 2,967 villages in 46 blocks of 19 districts along the northern border in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Ladakh have been identified for comprehensive development under the programme.

The government aims to ensure the participation and responsibility of the Panchayat and Gram Sabha in the administration at the Central, State, District, and Block-levels. The Vibrand Villages Programme along the Chinese border is also aimed at boosting border security infrastructure.

Power of street veto: Hindu man Akbar Ram arrested in Pakistan after a complaint over ‘blasphemy’, police says arrest ‘saved his life’

OpIndia Staff
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Power of street veto: Hindu man Akbar Ram arrested in Pakistan after a complaint over ‘blasphemy’, police says arrest ‘saved his life’

A Hindu man, Akbar Ram, hailing from the Punjab province in Pakistan has been arrested by the police after an allegation of ‘blasphemy‘ was made against him. The police said that the timely intervention by the police and his subsequent arrest ‘saved his life’ as he has been shifted to jail to protect him from an enraged mob.

Akbar Ram, from West of Rahim Yar Khan district, some 400 km from the provincial capital Lahore, was arrested by the police after a complaint was filed by Faisal Munir, a person from Ram’s area itself. He reportedly produced two witnesses before the police to substantiate his allegation. Faisal, who is a motor mechanic, claimed that Akbar Ram came to his shop and made “insulting” remarks against the holy places of Muslims and also Islam. Ram has reportedly been booked under Pakistan’s Blasphemy law and Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance.

Inspector Safdar Hussain of Kotsamaba Police Station Rahim Yar Khan told PTI on Monday that police arrested suspect Akbar Ram under blasphemy charges on August 11 and immediately shifted him to jail on judicial remand fearing a law-and-order situation in the village.

“Had we kept the blasphemy suspect in the police station it might have triggered a law-and-order situation in the area as he was accused of hurting the sentiments of Muslims,” Hussain said. “Police reached the village after learning that a Hindu man had committed blasphemy and the people were gathering near his house. Police controlled the situation and took Akbar Ram into custody as the mob was demanding that he should be handed over to them,” he said to PTI.

According to reports, the family of Akbar Ram have fled the village to save their lives from the angry mob.

The power of street veto

It is evident from the statement of the police that far more than the alleged statements of the accused, the police was concerned about saving the life of the Hindu man after a mere complaint of comments allegedly made by him. The police categorically said that the mob was demanding that he be handed over to them and therefore, his arrest saved his life.

Further, the police also said that he was shifted to jail and not kept in the police station because they feared a law and order situation. The fact that Akbar Ram’s family has also fled the village, only goes to show the power of Islamic street veto and how it is wielded to ensure Hindus in Muslim majority areas are punished.

For now, there is no evidence that Akbar Ram insulted Islam or Islamic places of worship. However, on the basis of a mere complaint and threat of mob justice, the family had to flee the village to save their lives.

This pattern has been seen several times in such cases where a mere allegation leads to an Islamic mob threatening violence, leading to action against the accused simply to assuage the mob that is known to take to the streets, commit violence and dispense mob justice.

In India as well, such cases of street veto have been seen, especially in cases where an alleged comment against Islam has been made. Kamlesh Tiwari was brutally murdered in India in 2019 after he was accused of insulting Islam by an irate mob.

Kamlesh Tiwari was stabbed 15 times, and then was shot using a pistol by Islamists on 18 October 2019 at his house in Lucknow. His life was in danger from the radical Islamists since 2015, when he had made allegedly blasphemous comments while responding to derogatory comments on RSS by SP leader Azam Khan. Azam Khan had said that RSS is the organisation of homosexuals, because its leaders don’t marry. Responding to this, Kamlesh Tiwari had said that Prophet Muhammad was the first homosexual in the world.

This triggered massive protests by Muslims in various parts of the country, demanding the death penalty for Tiwari. Such a protest in Malda in West Bengal had turned violent in 2016, when the Islamists burnt down a police station, several vehicles, and assaulted people. Kamlesh Tiwari was arrested by SP led UP govt, and was charged under the National Security Act and other sections of the IPC. He had spent several months in the jail. While later he was out the jail, he was killed in 2019.

India saw several other “blasphemy” killings after an irate mob took to the streets chanting ‘Sar Tan Se Juda”. Kanhaiya Lal was recently beheaded by two Islamists after he had extended support to Nupur Sharma.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge skips Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort, designated chair remains vacant

OpIndia Staff
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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge skips Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort, designated chair remains vacant

On Tuesday, August 15, India is celebrating its 77th Independence Day. The traditional ceremony to celebrate the day was held at the Red Fort in Delhi with PM Narendra Modi unfurling the Indian flag. Several dignitaries graced the event, including many union ministers and the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. However, one chair was conspicuously vacant at the event, the one reserved for Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Congress is the largest opposition party in the Parliament.

The veteran leader, elected Congress President in October 2022, decided to skip the event. This was the first Independence Day ceremony since Mr Kharge became the Congress chief. The chair remained vacant sparking speculations online over the possible reasons behind the Congress president’s decision to give the ceremony a miss.

Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi unfurled the Indian flag for the 10th time at the Red Fort, and the last tine before he faces Lok Sabha election again in 2024.

Upon his arrival at the Red Fort, PM Modi was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and three service chiefs.

As soon as the national flag was hoisted by the Prime Minister, flower petals were showered at the venue by two Advanced Light Helicopters Mark-III Dhruv of the Indian Air Force.

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there is a tremendous opportunity before the country due to the trinity of democracy, demography and diversity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced the launch of the Vishwakarma Yojana with an initial spending of Rs 13,000-Rs 15,000 crore in the next month for those with traditional skills.

At the start of the speech, PM Modi also addressed the recent violence in Manipur and reassured the people of the state that the entire country is with them.

At the time of writing this report, Congress hadn’t issued any official statement explaining the reasons behind the decision, the report will be updated once they issue the same.

ISIS-linked Al Sufa terrorist Shahnawaz Alam still at large, Mumbai on alert ahead of Independence Day, security measures enhanced: Report

OpIndia Staff
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ISIS-linked Al Sufa terrorist Shahnawaz Alam still at large, Mumbai on alert ahead of Independence Day, security measures enhanced: Report

All the police stations across Maharashtra and security agencies have been asked to stay on high alert on Independence Day. This development comes after multiple intelligence inputs have alarmed the agencies that ISIS-linked terrorists along with some local terror outfits have been planning to strike the sensitive and prominent establishments in the state.

According to a Times Now report citing sources, security forces in Mumbai and nearby areas have been asked to stay on high alert following multiple intelligence inputs pointing towards a possible terror attack during the celebrations of the 77th Independence Day, on 15 August. 

According to reports, a terrorist named Shahnawaz Alam is still at large. He is believed to be hatching a plan to attack prominent places in the state. 

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been probing the Islamic State (ISIS) module working out of India. In connection to this case, the Central agency had arrested 10 terror suspects, however, one accused named Shahnawaz Alam is still absconding. It is claimed that he is a trained bomb-making expert and has been carrying out his blast trials in the forested areas of Maharashtra. 

DCP Mumbai Police Vishal Thakur stated that intelligence inputs, shared with security agencies, reveal that terror groups, including the ISIS module in India and a local terror outfit named Al-Sufa, were planning attacks in crowded areas on August 15, possibly using “unclaimed vehicles”. 

The Mumbai Police DCP also urged residents to remain vigilant and be attentive to any unusual individuals or activities. 

Earlier, on the 18th of July, the Pune city police arrested Mohammed Imran Mohammed Yusuf Khan (23) and Mohammed Yunus Mohammed Yakub Saki (24). Both of them are graphic artists and residents of Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh. They were arrested for attempting to steal a motorcycle, but later during the probe, it was found that they were involved in the terror group Al-Sufa.

The incident came to light at around 2.45 a.m. when a patrolling team from the Kothrud police station noticed that three men were trying to steal a two-wheeler. After a chase, the cops arrested them.

However, the police could not arrest their accomplice, Mohammed Shahnawaz Shafiurrehman Alam (31) who managed to flee while being taken for a house search. Alam is said to be a resident of Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.

During a search operation at their Pune residence, Police teams found a number of suspicious items, including a box containing “drone material,” a pistol pouch, a live cartridge, some “white coloured pills,” fake Aadhaar cards, and various other documents. 

Click here, to know further details about the arrests and seizures in regard to this terror module. 

Earlier, they had fled Ratlam when their name had surfaced in the investigation into the terror case in which some suspected Al-Sufa members had been arrested by Rajasthan police in Ratlam. During interrogation, they revealed that they had planned to execute bomb blasts in crowded places in Jaipur and Pune by placing explosives in motorbikes.

Himachal Pradesh: Heavy rains claim 50 lives, houses washed away in flash floods, roads blocked in catastrophic landslides

OpIndia Staff
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Himachal Pradesh: Heavy rains claim 50 lives, houses washed away in flash floods, roads blocked in catastrophic landslides

The State of Himachal Pradesh witnessed over 50 deaths between August 13 and August 14 this year after heavy rains resulted in catastrophic landslides.

As per reports, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted heavy rainfall in 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh and issued a yellow warning for Tuesday (August 15.)

In disturbing visuals that have surfaced on social media, landslides and flash floods are seen washing away residential buildings and blocking key roads including the Shimla-Chandigarh road. In total, 621 roads remain blocked in Himachal Pradesh.

SP (Shimla) Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi informed that 14 people were killed in two Shimla landslips. The bodies of 9 of the deceased were recovered from the debris of a Shiv temple in the Summer Hill area. The bodies of 5 other victims were retrieved from the Fagli area.

The deceased were identified as Harnam, Kamal Kishore, Hemlata, Rahul, Neha, Raksha and Golu. The catastrophic floods and landslides have led to the suspension of the Chardham yatra for a period of 2 days.

The Indian Army is working alongside Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to expedite the rescue and relief work.

Due to the incessant rain, the earth beneath the Kalka-Shimla railway track between Jutogah and Summer Hill was washed away. As such, the State government cancelled the movement of trains between Kandaghat and Shimla.

In the meantime, the Himachal Pradesh government also shut down schools and other educational institutes and moved people to shelters in vulnerable areas.

In a statement, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, “Over 50 people have lost their lives in the state in last 24 hours. Over 20 people are still trapped, the death toll can also increase. Search and rescue operation is underway. We have taken the decision not to organise any cultural programme on the occasion of Independence Day.”

The State has reportedly incurred a whopping loss of 7020.28 crores, caused due to heavy monsoon rains.

Former US President Donald Trump indicted by Georgia grand jury in 2020 election interference case: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Former US President Donald Trump indicted by Georgia grand jury in 2020 election interference case: Details

The grand jury in Georgia has indicted Donald Trump in the 2020 election interference case. Trump is now formally accused of attempting to overturn his defeat in the state in the 2020 Presidential election. The 98-page indictment is the fourth criminal case against the former US President.

The charges have been approved by the grand jury for the violation of Georgia’s Racketeer Influencer and Corrupt Organisation (RICO) law. Several conspiracy charges have also been approved against Trump including several counts of pressurising public officials to violate their chair. Trump is also accused of false statements and writing and filing false documents.

A total of 19 people have been indicted in the case including Trump, who is in the forefront for the Republican nomination for the 2024 Presidential elections. Trump campaign officials, lawyers, and Trump government officials have been charged. The case has been brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who has become a hero in the Democrat corridors.

In the course of her investigation, Willis examined the alleged efforts by Trump to pressure state leaders to reverse his loss. Trump had lost by 11,000 votes to the now-President Joe Biden. The angle of manipulating voting equipment also emerged in the course of the probe.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump wrote that Willis was out to get to him and accused her of prosecutorial misconduct. “She (Willis allowed Atlanta to become one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the world,” he wrote. Trump has attacked Willis several times of being politically motivated as he denied the charges levelled against him.

The 77-year-old has been indicted three times this year and has been impeached twice. In January 2021, in a conference call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the former US President insisted the latter to “find” enough votes to reverse his loss, which Raffensperger turned down.

‘India has demography, democracy, and diversity to realise dreams’: PM Modi at Red Fort on Independence Day

ANI
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‘India has demography, democracy, and diversity to realise dreams’: PM Modi at Red Fort on Independence Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that India has “demography, democracy and diversity” and these factors have the potential to realise the dreams of the country.

“Today, we have demography, democracy and diversity – these three together have the ability to realise the dreams of the nation,” PM Modi said in his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day.  

Upon his arrival at the Red Fort, PM Modi was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and three service chiefs.

As soon as the national flag was hoisted by the Prime Minister, flower petals were showered at the venue by two Advanced Light Helicopters Mark-III Dhruv of the Indian Air Force.

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

In his Independence Day speech, PM Modi announces ‘Vishwakarma scheme’ from September

ANI
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In his Independence Day speech, PM Modi announces ‘Vishwakarma scheme’ from September

In his 10th consecutive Independence Day speech Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the launch of the Vishwakarma Yojana with an initial spending of Rs 13,000-Rs 15,000 crore in the next month for those with traditional skills.

Addressing the country from the ramparts of the iconic Red Fort, the prime minister said, “The government will launch ‘Vishwakarma scheme’ with an allocation of Rs 13,000 to 15,000 crore in the next month for those with traditional skills.”

Vishwakarma Scheme was announced in the Budget 2023. 

The PM Vishwakarma Scheme aims at improve the quality, scale and reach of products and services of artisans and craftspeople and to integrate them with the domestic and global value chain. This would result in the economic empowerment of such workers, especially those belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Communities, women, transgender and other weaker sections of the society. 

The scheme will be launched in September on the Vishwakarma Jayanti. Vishwakarma Jayanti falls on September 17, 2023.

Meanwhile, in his address to the nation from Red Fort, the Prime Minister emphasised the significant role of women in making the country embrace new heights of development.

“I want to thank the mothers, sisters and daughters of my country for their capability. I pay my deep regards to our parivaarjans, our farmers, our labourers… Our professionals, be they scientists, engineers, nurses, teachers or professors, everyone is giving their best to ensure a bright future for Maa Bharti,” the PM said. 

He also thanked farmers for their efforts that India is moving ahead in the agriculture sector. 

Upon his arrival at the Red Fort, PM Modi was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and three service chiefs.

As soon as the national flag was hoisted by the Prime Minister, flower petals were showered at the venue by two Advanced Light Helicopters Mark-III Dhruv of the Indian Air Force.

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

‘We are living in Amrit Kaal, decisions taken today will impact India’s next 1000 years’: PM Modi

ANI
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‘We are living in Amrit Kaal, decisions taken today will impact India’s next 1000 years’: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that decisions taken by the country today and the work done will impact its future for 1000 years.

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 77th Independence Day,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there is a tremendous opportunity before the country due to the trinity of democracy, demography and diversity.

He said India faced a struggle for several centuries before it gained Independence in 1947.  

“I am talking about the last 1000 years because I see that there is opportunity before the country once again. What we do in this era, the steps we take, and the decisions we take one after the other will decide the direction, future of the country in the coming 1000 years,” he said.

“Today, we have demography, democracy and diversity – these three together have the ability to realise the dreams of the nation. The trinity of demography, democracy and diversity has the power to realise the dreams of the nation,” he added. 
Upon his arrival at the Red Fort, PM Modi was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and three service chiefs.

As soon as the national flag was hoisted by the Prime Minister, flower petals were showered at the venue by two Advanced Light Helicopters Mark-III Dhruv of the Indian Air Force.

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

“Country is with Manipur”: PM Narendra Modi says in his Independence Day speech, highlights the importance of peace

OpIndia Staff
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“Country is with Manipur”: PM Narendra Modi says in his Independence Day speech, highlights the importance of peace

On the 77th Independence Day, PM Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi. During his 10th speech from the Red Fort, among other things, PM Modi also addressed the violence that recently broke out in the Northeastern state of Manipur.

During his address, among the first things PM Modi talked about was the importance of maintaining peace in the state. He said, “Many lost lives in Manipur. Mothers and daughters were ashamed. The country is with Manipur and a solution can only be achieved through peace. The state government and Centre are trying to find a way to solve the problem and only peace can find the way.”

Notably, the opposition had disrupted the recently concluded Monsoon session of the Parliament over the violence in Manipur. A no-confidence motion was also brought against PM Modi over the same issue, which was soundly defeated via a voice vote.

Addressing the same issue again during his speech, PM Modi also noted that the state is already headed towards peace now and reassured the people of Manipur that the country is with them.

Violence in Manipur

Violence erupted at several places in Manipur in early May during protests by tribal groups against the demand for ST status by the Meitei community. Protests by the tribal groups turned violent at various places in the state, where large-scale arson took place.

The recent violence first took place in Churachandpur district on 27 April, when a mob led by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) burnt down a newly constructed gym-cum-sports facility a day before it was scheduled to be inaugurated by Chief Minister N Biren Singh. 

Since then, over 160 people have died in the violence and finally after over 3 months of violence, the state is headed back to normalcy.

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