Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Home Blog Page 1953

Selfie, hand-written letter, walk with PM and more: Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya generates more than ₹6 crore revenue in just one year, reveals RTI

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Selfie, hand-written letter, walk with PM and more: Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya generates more than ₹6 crore revenue in just one year, reveals RTI

The Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya (also called the Museum of Prime Ministers) has generated a whopping ₹6.80 crores in revenue in just one year. The information was obtained by activist Dr Vivek Pandey in an RTI reply on July 4, 2023.

He had sought information about the total revenue generated by Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya, besides the breakdown of various sources of revenue collection. Owned by the Ministry of Culture, the museum was inaugurated by PM Modi on April 22, 2022.

As per the RTI reply, a total revenue of ₹6,80,14,581 was earned by Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya through the sale of entry tickets, light and sound show, add-ons and cafeteria.

The museum has also generated a whopping ₹42,48,650 through the ‘selfie with PM’ activity. Other attractions such as ‘Walk with PM’ and ‘handwritten letter from PM’ has earned ₹26.07 lakhs and ₹20.85 lakhs, respectively.

The Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalay also collected ₹56,83,000 through the ‘Bhavishya ki Jhalkiyan (VR Helicopter)’ ride and another ₹2,46,100 through ‘Audio Guide Device for Hire.’

What is Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalay

Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalay is a high-tech museum which showcases the story of Indian Prime Ministers and their contributions to nation-building. The visitors will get a first-hand experience through visual and digital means to learn about the leadership, vision, and achievements of all our prime ministers.

The museum is located in the Teen Murti Bhavan complex, a 25-acre-plot that holds the Teen Murti Bhavan – the residence of Jawaharlal Nehru, The Nehru Memorial Library, which now hosts the museum dedicated to the PMs of India as well.

The design integrates the old Teen Murti Bhavan in the new masterplan, which will be designated as Block – I, with the newly constructed building designated as Block II. The building is a hemispherical dome topped with an Ashoka Chakra, which talks about the story of rising India moulded by the hands of its leaders.

According to the PMO, the total floor area of the two blocks is a combined over 15,600 square metres. The design, which incorporates sustainable and energy conservation practices, is built in a way that no tree was cut or transplanted during its construction.

The museum hosts archives, personal items, gifts and memorabilia, speeches of prime ministers and anecdotal representations of ideologies and different aspects of their lives in 43 themed galleries planned as a journey of experience as you walk through the museum.

Appropriate use of technology with the inculcation of Holograms, virtual reality, augmented reality, multi-touch, multimedia, interactive kiosks, computerised kinetic sculptures, smartphone applications, interactive screens and experiential installations is employed, which makes the museum a state-of-the-art architectural feature of the 21st century.

PM Modi to attend Gita Press’ centenary celebrations, will release ‘Chitramay Shiva Puran Granth’ at Gorakhpur

OpIndia Staff
-
0
PM Modi to attend Gita Press’ centenary celebrations, will release ‘Chitramay Shiva Puran Granth’ at Gorakhpur

On Friday, July 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch 29 development projects totaling Rs 12,100 crore in Varanasi, as part of a tour of two eastern Uttar Pradesh districts. He will also attend the Gita Press’ centenary celebrations and flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains in Gorakhpur.

The Prime Minister will engage in conversation with BJP workers in Varanasi during a breakfast meeting and will give them a lesson in strengthening the party organization at the booth level ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

“We have made all preparations to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We will take him on a tour of the Lila Chitra Mandir that depicts stories of Lord Ram, Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva and a picture of Mahatma Gandhi,” said Gita Press manager Lal Mani Tiwari.

BJP MP Ravi Kishan also tweeted about the event and said that PM Modi would visit the Gita Press which has been a symbol of wisdom and spirituality. “This journey highlights its important role in our cultural heritage. During the function, the Prime Minister will release the Chitramay Shiva Puran Granth, adding to the rich literary treasury of Gita press,” the BJP MP from Gorakhpur said.

Gita Press was chosen as the winner of the Gandhi Peace Prize-2021 on June 18, 2023, for its contribution to social, economic, and political change using nonviolent and other Gandhian methods.

The jury that unanimously voted to present the Gita Press with the prize was presided over by Prime Minister Modi.

Gita Press accepted the award but refused to take cash of Rs 1 crore

However, on June 19, Gita Press, Gorakhpur, refused to accept the cash reward of Rs 1 crore that is included with the Gandhi Peace Prize 2021. The publisher stated that it would only accept the citation and not the cash reward. Reportedly, the publisher has suggested that the Central government should spend this cash reward on some other worthy cause.

In addition, the Prime Minister will travel to Gorakhpur to flag off two Vande Bharat express trains and lay the cornerstone for the station’s renovation, which is expected to cost Rs 498 crore. Between Bhatni and Aurihar, a 125 km electrified rail track will be opened by him. He would introduce 29 construction initiatives worth roughly Rs 12,110 crore in Varanasi. Additionally, the Prime Minister will speak at a Wazidpur public gathering that is anticipated to draw 50,000 or so attendees.

“Prime Minister will inaugurate 19 projects worth over Rs 10,720 crore and lay the foundation of 10 projects worth over Rs 1,389 crore. He will also interact with 20 beneficiaries of various schemes,” BJP’s Kashi region President Dilip Singh Patel said as he added that the Prime Minister will hold a meeting of 120 BJP workers at the DLW guest house.

During the breakfast meeting, Modi will engage with party members and deliver the “mantra” to bolster the party at each booth. The BJP members will inform him of the state of their individual wards and the advancements made in Varanasi over the previous nine years. The dedicated freight corridor there will have its Pt Deendayal Upadhyay Junction-Son Nagar railway line opened by him.

The new line, which was constructed at a cost of about Rs 6,760 crore, will enable more rapid and effective movement of commodities. Three railway lines, the electrification of which has been completed at a cost of more than Rs 990 crore, will be dedicated to the country by him.

Gujarat High Court dismisses Rahul Gandhi’s review plea to suspend conviction in defamation case

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Gujarat High Court dismisses Rahul Gandhi’s review plea to suspend conviction in defamation case

On 7th July 2023, Gujarat High Court dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s plea to stay the conviction in the criminal defamation suit in the ‘Modi Surname’ case. Justice Hemant Prachchhak refused to stay Rahul Gandhi’s conviction.

Notably, the conviction in the case resulted in his disqualification as a Member of Parliament. Rahul Gandhi was an elected member of Lok Sabha from the Wayanad constituency of Kerala. He won that seat in the 2019 general elections. The court dismissing the review plea by the Congress scion will prolong his disqualification till he gets relief from the apex court.

Justice Hemant Prachchhak said in his order, “Rahul Gandhi is seeking a stay on conviction on absolutely non-existent grounds. Stay on conviction is not a rule. As many as 10 cases are pending against him.”

The court further observed, “It is needed to have purity in politics. A complaint has been filed against Rahul Gandhi by the grandson of Veer Savarkar in Pune Court after Rahul Gandhi used terms against Veer Savarkar at Cambridge.”

The court ruled, “In any way, the conviction would not result in any injustice. The conviction is just and proper. There is no need to interfere with the said order. Therefore, the application is dismissed.”

Justice Hemant Prachchhak reserved his order on the stay application on May 2, after hearing senior advocates Abhishek M Singhvi and RS Cheema, who represented Rahul Gandhi. The case was subsequently closed for judgment. Senior Advocate Nirupam Nanavati made submissions on behalf of the complainant Purnesh Modi, a former BJP MLA. The Gujarat Government also opposed Rahul Gandhi’s plea, with Public Prosecutor Mithesh Amin presenting their arguments.

The criminal defamation case was filed over a remark made by Gandhi during the 2019 Lok Sabha campaign. Referring to persons like Lalit Modi, and Nirav Modi, Rahul Gandhi had asked “Why do all thieves have the same surname?.”

‘Rahul’s statement targeted the entire Modi community’

After BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi accused Rahul Gandhi of defaming the entire Modi community with his comment, a criminal defamation case was filed against Gandhi. Subsequently, on March 23, 2023, the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrates in Surat found Rahul Gandhi guilty and sentenced him to 2 years imprisonment, resulting in his disqualification as a member of Lok Sabha. However, his sentence was suspended on the same day, and he was granted bail, allowing him to file an appeal against his conviction within 30 days.

On April 3, Rahul Gandhi approached the Surat Sessions Court to challenge his conviction and requested a stay on the verdict. However, his plea for a stay was rejected on April 20. Nonetheless, the Surat Sessions Court granted him bail until his appeal is resolved.

‘Cheating is not cool’: Twitter may take Meta to court over copycat Threads App while users flag issues of censoring

Shraddha Pandey
-
0
‘Cheating is not cool’: Twitter may take Meta to court over copycat Threads App while users flag issues of censoring

Since Instagram’s parent company Meta launched Threads, a text-based social media app on July 5th, it has sparked debate about its resemblance to Twitter—the Elon Musk-owned social media platform. Now Twitter has threatened to sue Meta accusing it of “systematic, wilful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter’s trade secrets and other intellectual property.”

In a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Alex Spiro, a lawyer for Twitter, stated “Twitter has substantial concerns that Meta Platforms has engaged in systematic, deliberate, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter’s trade secrets and other intellectual property.”

The letter accessed by Semafor goes on to claim that Meta has hired “dozens” of former Twitter employees who still have access to Twitter’s trade secrets and other confidential information. Twitter these employees of “improperly retaining Twitter documents and electronic devices.”

The Twitter attorney minces no words clearly calling Meta’s Threads application a “copycat”. Spiro alleged that Meta tasked its ex-Twitter employees to develop copycat Threads app “using Twitter’s trade secrets and  other intellectual property in order to accelerate the development of Meta’s competing app.”

Twitter further accused Meta of violating state and federal laws as well as the obligations of ex-Twitter employees now working at Meta. 

The letter also reiterates Twitter’s intention to vigorously enforce its intellectual property rights and requests that Meta take “immediate steps” to stop using “Twitter’s trade secrets or other highly confidential information.” Twitter also  stated that reserves the “right to seek both civil remedies and injunctive relief without further notice to prevent any further retention, disclosure, or use of its intellectual property by Meta.”

Furthermore, the letter prohibits Meta from scraping Twitter data, including user follower information. The letter concluded with Twitter telling Meta to “preserve any documents that  could be Twitter, Meta and former Twitter employees who now work at Meta.”

Meta communications director refutes claims on ex-Twitter employees working at Meta

Meta has responded to the allegations leveled by Twitter that its ex-employees are working at Meta. Andy Stone, Meta’s communications director in a Threads post stated, “To be clear: No one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee — that’s just not a thing.” 

Elon Musk accuses Meta of “cheating”

In response to a tweet about Twitter’s plans to sue Meta, Twitter owner Elon Musk made it clear that competition is acceptable however, “cheating” is not. 

“Competition is fine, cheating is not,” Musk tweeted on Friday. 

To delete the Threads app, users must delete Instagram

Threads, Twitter’s latest rivals after Mastodan, Bluesky etc had people trying out the application with many not liking it and trying to delete their Threads account. However, users attempting to delete their account and quit the new app cannot do so without also deleting their Instagram account, as the two are linked.

This apparently seems like a strategy as Instagram is a popular platform and not many would actually quit the app just to delete Threads. It is pertinent to note that since Instagram and Threads are linked, to have an account on Threads, the user must already have an Instagram profile.

“Your Threads profile is part of your Instagram account and may be deleted at any time by deleting your Instagram account,” according to the app’s Supplemental Privacy Policy.

Many took to Twitter to complain about the same and accused Meta of trapping the users by linking Threads to Instagram profiles.

“We can’t delete our threads account without deleting our ig?? they knew ppl would instantly hate it so they made it a saw trap,” one user tweeted.

“Installed threads just to see what it is all about and this mf trapped us all, can’t even delete the account now,” another one wrote.

“I want to delete my Threads ac but now I can’t,” another Threads user complained about the issue on Twitter.

Netizens accuse Meta of censorship 

Just hours after its launch Threads has invited controversy as many users have alleged that the newly-introduced app is curbing free speech. Many users complained that their Thread posts critical of the US government were removed in a blatant attempt at censorship. 

A Twitter user shared a screen grab of a removed Thread about the recent discovery of cocaine in the West Wing of the White House. The said Thread was found to be in violation of the community guidelines of the app, much like Instagram.

A person who goes by the username DC Draino tweeted that his Threads profile was flagged by independent “fact-checkers” for posting ‘fake news’. This came after he posted a Thread saying that he is ready to expose Joe Biden’s corrupt government.

“Just downloaded and signed up for the new Meta app “Threads” meant to imitate Twitter. I posted once about wanting to expose Biden’s corrupt government and they’ve already flagged me for censorship. Great platform Zuck,” Draino tweeted.

If users attempt to follow an account (as in the case of DC Draino) that has been flagged by Instagram and Threads, a pop-up will appear saying “Are you sure you want to follow (account name)?” followed by a warning that “This account has repeatedly posted false information that was reviewed by independent fact-checkers or went against our Community Guidelines.” 

“Threads by Zuck is just Twitter 1.0 censorship on steroids. It will never be a source of information. Zuck just wants it to “be nice,” one Wall Street Silver tweeted.

With Twitter and Meta at loggerheads, with the former accusing the latter of using its trade secrets and intellectual property through ex-Twitter employees, the proposed cage match between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg may actually happen in a courtroom.

Delhi liquor scam: ED arrests businessman Dinesh Arora, 13 arrests made in the case so far

ANI
-
0
Delhi liquor scam: ED arrests businessman Dinesh Arora, 13 arrests made in the case so far

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday arrested businessman Dinesh Arora in connection with its ongoing probe in Delhi excise policy case, sources said.

Arora has been declared an approver in the same case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Considered close to jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia, Arora is the 13th person to be arrested, so far, in the case by the the Enforcement Directorate. Last year, a city court allowed the CBI’s request to make Arora an approver in the case.

The ED has, so far, filed five charge sheets in the case, including against the former Delhi deputy chief minister.

In 2022, the ED filed its first chargesheet in the case. The agency said it has, so far, undertaken over 200 search operations in this case after filing FIR and taking cognizance of a CBI case, which was registered on the recommendation of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor.

The CBI inquiry was recommended on the findings of the Delhi chief secretary’s report filed in July showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010, officials said.

In October, the ED had raided nearly three dozen locations in Delhi and Punjab following the arrest of Sameer Mahendru, managing director of Delhi’s Jor Bagh-based liquor distributor, Indospirit Group, in connection with the case and arrested him later.

The CBI, too, filed its first chargesheet in the case early this week.

The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Excise Policy, undue favors were extended to license holders, the license fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 license was extended without the competent authority’s approval. The beneficiaries diverted “illegal” gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection.

Further, it was alleged that the Excise Department had decided to refund the Earnest Money Deposit of about Rs 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules. Even though there was no enabling provision, a waiver on tendered licence fees was allowed from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This allegedly caused a loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer.

The probe was conducted on the reference of the Union Home Ministry following a recommendation from Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.

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

France passes law granting police the power to spy on people through mobile phones

OpIndia Staff
-
0
France passes law granting police the power to spy on people through mobile phones

On 5th July 2023, French lawmakers approved a new justice reform bill that permits police to remotely access and monitor the cameras, microphones, and GPS of individuals’ mobile phones and other devices. This provision has sparked criticism from various quarters, including the left-wing opposition and the so-called human rights defenders in France, who argue that it infringes upon citizens’ privacy rights.

Police will have the authority to remotely activate mobile phones of targeted suspects

The bill, which forms part of a broader justice overhaul, also encompasses laptops, cars, and other connected objects, expanding the scope of police surveillance. It empowers law enforcement agencies to track the geolocation of suspects involved in crimes carrying a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment.

In addition, the legislation allows for remote activation of devices to record audio and video of individuals suspected of terrorism, organized crime, and delinquency offenses.

Digital rights group La Quadrature du Net expressed serious concerns regarding the potential infringement of fundamental liberties. They pointed out that the right to security, the right to private life, private correspondence, and the right to freedom of movement could be compromised, suggesting that this proposal signifies a slide towards heavy-handed security measures.

Doctors, journalists, lawyers, and MPs are exempt

During the parliamentary debate, lawmakers aligned with President Emmanuel Macron introduced an amendment to the bill. The amendment restricts the use of remote surveillance to cases where it is justified by the nature and severity of the crime, ensuring a strictly proportional duration. Furthermore, the provision requires judicial approval for its implementation, with a maximum surveillance period of six months. Notably, professionals in sensitive fields such as doctors, journalists, lawyers, judges, and members of parliament are exempt from being targeted under this legislation.

Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti defended the bill, assuring citizens that it would only impact a limited number of cases each year. He argued against comparisons to George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984,” emphasizing that the law is far from totalitarian surveillance. Dupond-Moretti maintained that the measure would save lives and contribute to public safety.

This controversial provision, alongside several other measures, was approved by the National Assembly as part of the justice reform bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament. The bill has drawn attention amidst ongoing social unrest sparked by the recent police killing of Nahel Merzouk, a teenager of African origin. Riots under the guise of mass protests erupted across France, reigniting concerns about people’s safety.

‘Law and order is not EU’s domain’: Frances dismisses EU statement over current riots

In response to the criticism, the French government dismissed comments from European Union (EU) Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders regarding the recent protests in the country. France rejected the notion that the EU should intervene in matters concerning law enforcement. Laurence Boone, France’s minister in charge of European affairs, emphasized that upholding public order is not within the EU’s domain. She labeled the remarks as interference in France’s domestic affairs and highlighted that similar events are not exclusive to France, necessitating efforts to restore calm rather than commentary from external sources.

As France grapples with rising violence and ongoing riots primarily involving Islamic refugees, the passage of this law reflects the government’s determination to combat the security challenges faced by the country. However, concerns about potential infringements on individual privacy rights and the balance between security and civil liberties persist, leading to a heated debate within French society.

Centre for Policy Research, run by daughter of Mani Shankar Aiyar, cries foul after govt withdraws its tax exemption status

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Centre for Policy Research, run by daughter of Mani Shankar Aiyar, cries foul after govt withdraws its tax exemption status

On June 30 this year, the Income Tax Department reportedly informed the ‘Centre for Policy Research (CPR),’ run by the daughter of Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, about the withdrawal of its tax exemption status.

While crying foul over the development on Wednesday (July 6), the controversial think tank said, “CPR maintains that it is fully compliant with the law and all its collaborations and partnerships are limited to research alone.”

It added, “Since the IT survey began in September 2022, CPR has provided detailed responses to various authorities and fully cooperated with all the proceedings. In response to the current order withdrawing our tax exemption status, CPR will be seeking &avenues of recourse that are available.”

The Centre for Policy Research labelled the imitation by the Income Tax Department as a ‘severe blow that strikes at the core of its ability to function.’ It also claimed to continue with its research, which supposedly contributes to better policies, robust public discourse and high-quality scholarship.

It must be mentioned that non-profits are entitled to tax exemptions under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act of 1961. However, if an organisation fails to register under 12A or follow the guidelines, its financial recipes and transactions can be deemed taxable.

According to its website, CPR has been in existence since 1973. It claims to be a non-partisan public policy think tank, which is supposedly focused on supporting ‘scholarly excellence’.

Govt action against Centre for Policy Research

In September 2022, income tax raids were conducted at the Delhi-based think tank. In March this year, the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license of the ‘Centre for Policy Research (CPR)’ was suspended by the Central government.

As per a report by The Economic Times, its licence was revoked due to non-compliance with FCRA rules. CPR had filed for the renewal of the licence. 

It stated that during the period of October 2022-December 2022, funds amounting to Rs 10.1 crore were received from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the University of Pennsylvania, the World Resources Institute and Duke University.

The think tank is headed by Yamini Aiyar, the daughter of controversial Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar.

“Over 100 Sharia courts in India, will establish more in Muslim-populated areas”: AIMPLB after meeting opposition leaders to raise concerns against UCC

OpIndia Staff
-
0
“Over 100 Sharia courts in India, will establish more in Muslim-populated areas”: AIMPLB after meeting opposition leaders to raise concerns against UCC

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has said that it is working to establish Sharia courts in Muslim-majority areas across India. This comes days after the AIMPLB registered its objection against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) even as the Centre is merely in the process of collecting suggestions.

While speaking to a media channel about their plan of action on UCC, AIMPLB spokesperson Qasim Rasool Ilyas said, “We have more than 100 Sharia courts in India under AIMPLB. And there are several others running under Imarat-e-Sharia across states including Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand, under Imara-e-Sharia Assam and Karnataka. Jamiat Ulema is also running Sharia courts.”

When asked if they are willing to expand the Sharia courts, he said that these courts are a means to resolve issues in a “timely, easy, and affordable manner”. “We are planning to establish Sharia courts wherever there is a Muslim population,” said the AIMPLB spokesperson.

Interestingly, he said by establishing Sharia courts, the AIMPLB is attempting to reduce the burden on the Constitutionally-run Indian courts.

This is not the first time that the AIMPLB has issued such a statement. In 2018 too, the Muslim body had said it plans to open Darul-Qaza (Sharia courts) in all districts of the country.

Earlier on Thursday, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, and Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray to discuss their concerns about UCC.

Ilyas reportedly claimed that the Congress party assured that it will take cognizance of AIMPLB’s concerns and raise them in the Parliament. He claimed that Sharad Pawar said they are not in favour of UCC and only agree with the 21st Law Commission’s conclusion.

He added that Uddhav Thackeray was in favour of UCC but he said that UCC should be formed only with everyone’s consent and unless everyone’s consent is there, this should not happen. 

The AIMPLB plans to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu to express their reservations against Uniform Civil Code.

Meanwhile, in a strange demand, the Muslim body has also said that all religious minorities be kept out of the purview of UCC. This was a day after it submitted its objections to the Law Commission.

On a more radical note, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has reportedly submitted its draft to the law commission saying that the Muslim personal law cannot be changed till the end of time.

Ever since Prime Minister Modi underlined the importance of the Uniform Civil Code on 27th June, the Opposition and Muslim bodies have been making a hue and cry about the same even as the draft is yet to be formulated.

Predator drones and Boeing P-8I aircraft have proved useful in surveillance in Ladakh: Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar

ANI
-
0
Predator drones and Boeing P-8I aircraft have proved useful in surveillance in Ladakh: Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar

Amid the ongoing standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Thursday said the P-8I surveillance planes along with the two leased Predator drones have proved useful in Ladakh since 2020 and will further improve the capabilities when they start arriving in the country. “The sensors they (Predators) have are quite a state of the art and they provide good recognizance and intelligence effort. So I would say no asset belongs to just any one service. It’s a national asset and we need to use it wherever it can give the best results and optimal results so that the nation benefits,” he added.

Asked about the induction of the proposed 31 Predator drones and their surveillance capability, the Admiral said that the surveillance capabilities will definitely increase.

“Out of the 31, about 16 of them will be primarily for the border areas, for the land region. The only difference between the sky guardian and the sea guardian for the surveillance is mainly the sensors,” he told ANI.

“So the sensor will be state of the art and they will be able to provide near real-time and almost 24/7 surveillance. So that definitely augments the effort and brings transparency in battlespace awareness,” he added.

“The P8I have been used here along with the army and the Air Force teams and we found it quite beneficial. And similarly, we found that the two sea guardians which we have on lease are being operated since number 2020. They’ve also been quite useful,” he added.

The Indian Navy is extending the lease of the two Predator drones which have flown more than 12,000 hours for surveillance across the country including the boundary with China.

The two drones were inducted by the Indian Navy under the emergency powers on lease in November 2020 during the initial phase of the military standoff with China and have been used extensively by the force.

The two drones of the older version of the Predators were taken on lease along with the ground control stations and other equipment.

After extensive flying operations and use of these drones for surveillance requirements of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, it has now been decided that the defence forces would get a total of 31 of the latest Predator MQ-9B drones which will be used for surveillance.

The drone deal was announced by India and the US during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the US.

The deal has been approved by the Defence Acquisition Council and will now be negotiated with the US government for the final price and other contractual requirements.

Fifteen of these drones would be used for surveillance in the maritime zone while the reaming 16 would be used for aerial and ground surveillance along the northern and northeastern sectors.

The drones are located at the INS Rajali air base of the Navy in Tamil Nadu which is also planned to be one of the three hubs of the high-altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicles. 

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

Gujarat: Ashish Goswami of Jetpur who converted to Islam to marry a Bangladeshi Muslim girl does a Ghar Wapasi, returns to Hinduism

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Gujarat: Ashish Goswami of Jetpur who converted to Islam to marry a Bangladeshi Muslim girl does a Ghar Wapasi, returns to Hinduism

In a striking resemblance to the previously exposed scheme of converting Hindu youths through an online game, a recent incident has come to light from Jetpur. This time, the conversion took place through Instagram, where a Hindu youth adopted Islam to marry a Bangladeshi girl he had met on the platform. The young man was notably influenced by videos featuring Zakir Naik. However, in a positive development, reports now indicate that Hindu organizations and revered saints from Jetpur collaborated to successfully guide and reintegrate the individual back into the Sanatan faith, as he did a Ghar Wapasi last night.

The news of a Hindu youth’s conversion to Islam in Jetpur swiftly gained widespread attention. The individual in question, Ashish Goswami, assumed the name Sheikh Mohammad Alsami after embracing the new faith. The situation escalated when Ashish, accompanied by two Muslim companions, caused a commotion upon arriving at the Jetpur government hospital for circumcision. Eventually, the matter was brought to the attention of the local police station on Wednesday, triggering further investigation.

Enlightened by the mahant of the Narasimha temple, the young man found his way back to the Sanatan fold

As the news reached the local Hindu organisations by Wednesday evening, a wave of anger swept through their ranks. Determined to rescue the Hindu youth from the clutches of conversion, Kanhaiyanand Maharaj, the revered leader of the local Hindu Dharma Sena and mahant of the Narasimha temple in Jetpur, wasted no time. In a show of solidarity, he assembled a substantial group of Hindu youths and personally visited the young man’s residence at night.

Engaging in a two-hour conversation, the young man, Ashish Goswami, began to acknowledge his error and realised that he had succumbed to Islamic influences. Overwhelmed by remorse, Ashish Goswami expressed deep regret. In a symbolic act of returning to the original faith, Mahant Kanhaiyanand Maharaj adorned Ashish’s forehead with a Chandan tilak, signifying his return to the Sanatan Dharma. In a gesture of reaffirmation, the young man, with the guidance of the mahant, used a trimmer to remove the beard he had grown, reminiscent of the Muslim tradition. In this way, the young man made a visible declaration of his reconnection with his Hindu roots.

Ultimately, the collective efforts of Hindu organisations triumphed as they successfully reintegrated the Hindu youth from Jetpur back into the Sanatan fold. This youth embraced Islam under the influence of Zakir Naik. Late into the night, passionate activists from these organisations congregated outside the youth’s residence and raised the chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ In a unifying act, the group also recited the Hanuman Chalisa, with the once-converted youth fervently joining in, symbolising his renewed connection with his Hindu heritage.

‘The young man was under the influence of Zakir Naik and other clerics like him.’ – Mahant Kanhaiyanand

In an exclusive conversation with OpIndia, Mahant Kanhaiyanand Maharaj, who also serves as the head of the Saurashtra province of Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti, stated, “When I received news of the incident around 5 pm yesterday while I was in Gandhinagar, I immediately grasped the gravity of the matter. Without wasting any time, my colleagues and I swiftly made our way to Jetpur. By 9 pm, we had reached the young man’s house and commenced our earnest efforts to convince him of his mistake.”

Mahant Kanhaiyanand Maharaj elaborated, stating, “Around 11 pm, we witnessed a breakthrough as the young man arrived at a state of stability and comprehended our perspective. Overwhelmed with remorse, he shed tears profusely. Providing him with reassurance and support, I performed the ritual of applying Chandan Tilak on his forehead, symbolising his return to the Sanatan Dharma.”

Mahant Kanhaiyanand Maharaj also imparted valuable guidance to the young man, emphasizing the importance of reading the Bhagavad Gita on a daily basis. He assured the young man that in case any doubts or questions arise regarding Sanatan Dharma, he is always available as a reliable source of guidance and support.

Mahant Kanhaiyanand shared that the youth’s decision to convert to Islam was prompted by the influence of Zakir Naik – a fugitive Islamic preacher, and similar clerics. This revelation highlighted the significant impact these individuals had on the youth, leading him to take the step of converting his faith.

1...1,9521,9531,954...7,561Page 1,953 of 7,561

Contact: infoopindia.com

About us

News and opinion website that brings you reports and narrative from a perspective often ignored or suppressed by the mainstream media of India.

Follow us

© OpIndia.com