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Hindus protest to stop demolition of old Shani-Hanuman temple, demolition orders issued by PWD Delhi

OpIndia Staff
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Hindus protest to stop demolition of old Shani-Hanuman temple, demolition orders issued by PWD Delhi

Massive protests erupted in Delhi’s Mandawali area on Thursday after the state government sent forces on the spot to execute the demolition of an old Shani and Hanuman temple. Hindus gathered around the temple on the morning of June 22 and protested against the government’s decision to demolish the temple.

The video of the protests went viral over social media in which the police staff deployed at the temple could be seen pushing the protesters backward as the latter demanded to stop the temple demolition. The protesters also could be seen chanting Hanuman and Shani hymns while they gathered on the streets.

As per the initial information, the Public Works Department (PWD) Delhi issued a notice to the temple authorities on June 21 regarding the demolition of the temple. As per the temple authorities, the notice had been issued based on the complaint filed by three persons identified as Javed, Mansoor, and Naushad.

The protesters have condemned the notice and are demanding that the temple not be demolished. Notably, this is not the first of its kind incident happening in Delhi. Earlier also the government has demolished or attempted to demolish several Hindu temples in the state.

Hindu temples demolished by Delhi government in the recent past

On March 15, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) officials demolished a Hanuman temple built about fifty years ago. During the demolition drive the portrait of Lord Hanuman was also trampled. The temple was located in the city’s Shankar road area in the Rajendra Nagar neighborhood.

Then last week, a local news channel had reported that the authorities had attempted to demolish a 100-year-old Hanumana temple in the Bhajanpura area of Delhi.

Also, on May 14, the Delhi High Court cleared the path for the demolition of a 55-year-old Kali Mata Mandir at Mayapuri Chowk. The court had noted that the footpath for pedestrians as also the road has been encroached on by the temple which is ‘not permissible’.

In the current given case, VHP Delhi leader commented on the issue and said that the AAP government is targeting the Hindu temples deliberately to appease some particular community for votes. The protesters today could be seen chanting Hanuman and Shani stotra while they gathered on the streets to protest against the demolition of the old Shani and Hanuman temple located in Delhi’s Mandawali area.

Madhya Pradesh: 77 newly appointed teachers booked for showing fake disability certificates

ANI
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Madhya Pradesh: 77 newly appointed teachers booked for showing fake disability certificates

 A case has been registered against 77 newly appointed differently-abled teachers in connection with fake disability certificates in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena district, a police official said on Wednesday.

The action was taken following the complaint of the District Education Officer (DEO), Morena. DEO Anup Kumar Pathak said, “A total of 750 teachers have been appointed from the disability quota across the state, out of which 450 disabled certificates have been found to be issued from Morena District Hospital. After that on the instruction of the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI), Bhopal, Morena district collector conducted an inquiry into the matter.

During the investigation, out of 257 disability certificates, 77 such certificates were found, which were not examined in Morena. After that an FIR was registered against all those candidates on the instruction of senior officials at Kotwali police station Morena. The police administration are further investigating the matter, he added.

Kotwali police station in charge, Yogendra Singh Jadaun said, “DEO Pathak submitted an application in which it was found that 77 teachers got the jobs by making false certificates. We verified it and registered a case against all those accused teachers. Further investigation into the matter is underway. These teachers are posted in different districts across Madhya Pradesh.”

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

Matthew Smith, primary school teacher in the UK, pleads guilty to online sexual abuse of Indian children

OpIndia Staff
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Matthew Smith, primary school teacher in the UK, pleads guilty to online sexual abuse of Indian children

An ex-deputy head teacher of an elementary school in London has pleaded guilty to paying and ordering youngsters in India, where he worked for seven years, to send him over 120,000 obscene pictures of young students.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) reported that East Dulwich resident Matthew Smith, 34, was charged on Tuesday with five offences, including causing the sexual exploitation of a child under 13, and was held in custody.

Smith was detained in November 2022 after it was discovered through investigations that he was disseminating abusive content on the dark web. He will be sentenced at the Southwark Crown Court on August 4.

According to National Crime Agency, he had been talking to a juvenile boy in India online at the time of his arrest and encouraging him to give sexual photographs of a younger child in exchange for money. On his computer, he also had forums and dark web pages devoted to child sex abuse open.

By examining chat logs and money transactions, NCA officers proved that Smith had paid the same youngster and another who was also situated in India GBP 65,398 over a five-year period. Officers discovered more than 120,000 lewd photos of minors that Smith had saved on his phone, an SD card, and the laptop.

Helen Dore, Senior Officer of the National Crime Agency commented on the issue and said, “Matthew Smith was a high-risk individual and we moved quickly to locate, arrest and remand him so he could no longer pose a threat to children. Ultimately, we were able to prove that he was a prolific offender who manipulated young men to sexually abuse children on his behalf, giving them detailed instructions and financial reward.”

Claire Brinton, Specialist Prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, said, “Thousands of images and videos were recovered from his devices which showed an appalling catalogue of sexual abuse being perpetrated on children. Smith offered individuals payments for indecent images to gratify his own sexual desires, which resulted in the horrifying abuse of young children in India.”

Smith spent most of this period living in Nepal and working at a school. Between 2007 and 2014, he worked intermittently in orphanages and NGOs all around India. He returned to the UK in July 2022, and in September he started working as a deputy head teacher and head of pastoral care at the primary school in London.

The chat records revealed that Smith would tell the young guys to have sex with boys while also sending them pictures and videos of sex acts he would like to see in return. Smith pleaded guilty to the initial offences in November 2022. He appeared at Southwark Crown Court on June 20 where he pleaded guilty to the additional charges. He’ll be sentenced at the same court on 4 August 2023.

As the USA wants to jail former President Donald Trump for 400 years, Bernie Sanders pontificates to India: Here is how he is wrong, as he is quite often

Anurag
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As the USA wants to jail former President Donald Trump for 400 years, Bernie Sanders pontificates to India: Here is how he is wrong, as he is quite often

Amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official state visit to the United States, US Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont targeted him, claiming PM Modi-led Indian Government has cracked down on the press and civil society. He further claimed that the Modi government had jailed political opponents and aggressively pushed Hindu nationalism leaving little space for the minorities in the country.

In a tweet, he wrote, “Prime Minister Modi’s government has cracked down on the press and civil society, jailed political opponents, and pushed an aggressive Hindu nationalism that leaves little space for India’s religious minorities. President Biden should raise these facts in his meeting with Modi.” Interestingly, his statement came at a time when former President Donald Trump is looking at a possible jail time for 400 years.

During his meeting with PM Modi, Sanders was also one of the signatories among 75 US lawmakers who wrote to President Biden urging him to raise questions on “human rights” and other issues.

This is not the first time Sanders has propagated fake news against India. In 2020, he claimed Delhi Riots were anti-Muslim but in reality, they were against Hindus which has been said by the court as well.

The claims of a crackdown on the press are wrong

Sanders claimed that Modi Government has cracked down on the press. If that was the case, portals like The Wire, Scroll, and others would not have survived in the country. Furthermore, the government would have crushed propaganda peddlers and known anti-Modi individuals like Muhammed Zubair, Pratik Sinha, Rana Ayyub, Arfa Khanum, Ravish Kumar and others. On the contrary, they are flourishing and minting money by spreading propaganda.

Another aspect of the tweet can be directed to the latest Press Freedom ranking by Reporters Without Borders, which ranked India at 161 out of 180 countries. OpIndia debunked the ranking. Reporters Without Borders ranked India in press freedom based on dubious reports and false data. They claimed the central government is spending more than 130 billion rupees (Rs 13,000 crores) or 5 billion euros a year on print and online media ads alone. However, OpIndia’s RTI showed India had spent less than 1,000 crores on government advertisements in all formats per year.

Furthermore, the ranking was based on dubious and half-baked reports of journalists being tried, arrested, and jailed. The report mentioned Siddique Kappan, Rana Ayyub, Fahad Shah, Irfan Mehraj and others. Interestingly, all of them have valid cases against them in court. Our detailed report on Press Freedom ranking can be checked here.

From The Wire or BBC that faced action from investigating agencies indulged in practices against the law. The Wire defamed India by cooking two investigating stories, one on a fake, imaginary app called Tek Fog and the second on BJP having unrestricted power in Meta. Our coverage on both can be read here and here.

BBC is facing action for alleged tax evasion. It has been claimed that the action was taken in light of a controversial documentary against PM Modi that was banned in India, but that is not the case. Not to forget, BBC is still functioning in India, and the central government has not banned the media house.

There is no danger to civil society

There are numerous NGOs, professional protesters, and activists who, despite their anti-Modi, anti-BJP and anti-India stand, are working freely in the country. The government of India debunks their claims occasionally, but no one has come under illegal detention or faced any atrocities from the government. Few members of the so-called civil society are facing serious charges under Acts like UAPA. Furthermore, some NGOs have either shut down their shops or lost FCRA licenses. But there is a reason for every arrest in such cases.

For example, Umar Khalid, one of the so-called activists that rose to “fame” after anti-India slogans, is under judicial custody as a case under UAPA is ongoing against him. Khalid was allegedly one of the co-conspirators of the anti-Hindu riots in Delhi in 2020. Another example is Sharjeel Imam, arrested and facing trial for his alleged anti-India comments. Imam vouched for cutting northeast from the rest of the country and gave provocative speeches during anti-CAA protests fanning communal violence.

NGOs like Amnesty India have shut down shops in India. Amnesty India was booked by investigating agencies for collecting foreign funds without an FCRA license. They actively propagated against India, and Amnesty International continues to do so. Home Ministry has canceled FCRA licenses of thousands of NGOs since the Modi government came to power in 2014. In most of the cases, they either did not apply to renew the license or were found to be utilizing FCRA funds against the law.

No political opponents have been jailed

Sanders claimed the Indian government had jailed political opponents. The only political leaders behind bars are Aam Aadmi Party, Satyendra Jain and Manish Sisodia. While AAP and other parties have claimed they are “political opponents” of PM Modi, it has to be noted that AAP has virtually zero presence on the national level. The party has governments in a half state, i.e. Delhi and Punjab. Apart from that, wherever they have contested elections, most of their candidates lost deposits, including UP, Goa and Gujarat.

Now coming to Satyendra Jain and Manish Sisodia, while the former is facing charges of money laundering, the latter is facing charges in excise policy scam case. In both cases, the courts have denied them bail. In the case of Jain, the High Court categorically said prima facie his role was evident in the matter. Bail to Sisodia has been denied by the courts multiple times on similar grounds. Both matters are sub-judice.

Another political opponent that is facing a court case is Rahul Gandhi, who the Sessions Court convicted in a defamation case. He was disqualified from the Lok Sabha following the conviction. A court stayed his conviction. Gandhi has a history of making defamatory remarks, and he had to apologise for the same in the Supreme Court. However, he continued to make derogatory remarks against PM Modi, RSS, BJP leader and even freedom fighters, including Veer Savarkar.

Ironically, Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi’s most vocal political opponent, has been free as a bird, even touring the USA, and has never been jailed.

Religious minorities are safe in India

The next claim that Sanders raised was that the religious minorities have little space left in the country as PM Modi is pushing Hindu nationalism. In reality, despite being in the majority, Hindus have the least voice in the country. While a minor incident against a minority is propagated as if there has been a catastrophic incident in India, Hindus die without any much highlight in the media. Take the example of Tasleem Ahmed Rehmani, who had provoked former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma during a debate by using derogatory language against Bhagwan Shiv. While he was the reason for what Sharma said what she said, it was twisted and used against Hindus. Alt News’ Zubair played a vital role in setting a target on Sharma’s head. In the aftermath, Hindus, including Kanhaiya Lal and Umesh Kohle, were killed by Islamists merely for supporting Sharma.

The ban on terrorist organisation Popular Front of India has been propagated as an attack on Muslims. In reality, the organization was working against India and trying to establish Sharia Law in India by 2047. They were behind several terrorist attacks, luring naïve Muslim youth into extremism to join terrorist outfits.

Contrary to the notion that minorities are under threat in India, the government of India has worked extensively for the betterment of the marginalized. Schemes like Ujjawala Yojna, Awas Yojna, loan schemes, and pension schemes have been designed and implemented at extensive levels by the Union Government.

Donald Trump looks at up to 400 years in prison

Former President Donald Trump is facing charges of allegedly unlawfully storing national security documents when he left office. The authorities also claimed that he lied to the officials who sought to recover the documents. Trump was arrested and presented in court, where he pleaded not guilty. His supporters said the charges against him were fabricated. If proven guilty by the court, Trump may face prison of up to 400 years.

Uttar Pradesh: Jameel poses as Shailendra, forces a Hindu woman to marry him; rapes her with his friends once his real identity is revealed

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Jameel poses as Shailendra, forces a Hindu woman to marry him; rapes her with his friends once his real identity is revealed

The Uttar Pradesh Police has filed an FIR against a man identified as Jameel for raping a Hindu woman. The accused posed as a Hindu person named Shailendra to trap the Hindu woman in a love affair and then forced her to marry him. Later, he made the victim a hostage and raped her with his friends.

According to the reports, the incident is said to have taken place in the Raebareli district of Uttar Pradesh. The FIR has been filed by the police based on the complaint filed by the victim woman.

The Hindu victim woman in the complaint said that the accused posed as a Hindu person named Shailendra. He used to meet her when she would go to drop her younger brother at school. One day he expressed his love for her and promised to marry her. He also established sexual relations with her before marriage.

The original identity of the accused was exposed after the duo decided to marry each other in March this year. The woman said that while signing the marriage documents, ‘Shailendra’ wrote his name as Jameel. He also submitted his Aadhaar card during the process which had his original name on it. She said she was shocked when she found out that ‘Shailendra’ belonged to another religion. She tried to refuse to marry him, but she was forced to sign the marriage documents.

As per the reports, the woman was then kept hostage in an unidentified apartment. The accused raped her there and he also allowed his friends to rape her for money. The woman somehow managed to escape from there and reached her family to reveal the shocking sequence of events.

She then registered a police complaint based on which an FIR has been filed in the case. CO Vandana Singh confirmed the incident and stated that the police is looking for the accused. She also said that the girl was forced to change her religion. Further investigations into the case are underway.

Chhattisgarh: Another BJP leader killed, party says Naxals carrying out targeted killings under protection of ruling Congress, demands high-level probe

OpIndia Staff
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Chhattisgarh: Another BJP leader killed, party says Naxals carrying out targeted killings under protection of ruling Congress, demands high-level probe

On Wednesday, June 21, a group of Naxalites killed a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former sarpanch, Kaka Arjun in the Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh. A note found on his body, dumped in the middle of the road, read that he was killed because he worked for the BJP. Madded area committee of Maoists have claimed responsibility for the killing.

Arjun was the secretary of the BJP Bijapur district unit’s Scheduled Tribe wing, as per the party.

Arjun is the fifth BJP leader to be killed by Maoists this year. Notably, the murder happened a day before HM Amit Shah is scheduled to visit the state’s Durg district.

Condemning the killing of the BJP functionary, the opposition BJP in the state termed it a targeted killing and demanded a high-level probe into it. The party alleged that Maoists had the protection of the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government in the state.

OP Chaudhary, general secretary of the Chhattisgarh BJP, tweeted, “Another dastardly murder by Naxalites. It is clear from the brutal killing of Bijapur District ST Front Minister, former Sarpanch Arjun Kaka that BJP workers are being killed in a pre-planned manner. Law and order have ended in the state.”

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Congress spokesperson Dhananjay Singh Thakur said the killing was highly unfortunate and accused the BJP of politicising the matter.

According to Bijapur Additional Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Gavarna, Arjun, who presided as the sarpanch (head) of Ilmidi village panchayat from 2016 to 2020, left for Semaldodi village with his wife on a motorbike at around 10 am on Wednesday.

When he got there, he dropped his wife and proceeded to a forest with five other unknown people who were dressed in civilian clothing. When he did not return for long, his wife came back home, he said.

The officer said the body, with the throat slit, was found on the outskirts of Lankapara in Ilmidi, 470km from Raipur.

Police said they discovered a note at the scene issued in the name of the Madded area committee of Maoists. The note read that Arjun was associated with the BJP since 2014 and was working against the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist), police said.

In the note, the Naxals warned that any person who works against the banned CPI (Maoists) outfit will meet the same fate.

Arjun is the fifth BJP leader who has been assassinated by Maoists this year. In fact, in February this year, BJP raised the issue of the killing of party leaders in Chhattisgarh. BJP accused the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government of starting a proxy war against the BJP using the Maoists as the front.

Chhattisgarh BJP president Arun Sao also raised the issue in parliament after four BJP leaders were killed in Bastar district in a month, reportedly by Maoists and urged the Centre to direct the Chhattisgarh government to ensure the safety of the people. He said that the murders of four BJP members were a result of targeted killings and political conspiracy.

He also demanded an impartial probe into the death of the BJP’s local leaders in Bastar by any independent agency.

After BJP’s stand on the matter, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel rejected security failure claims and maintained that the killings were the last efforts by Maoists to establish their presence as they are losing ground in the Bastar area.

“May Allah guide you to convert”: Pakistani YouTuber Nadir Ali grills actor Sunita Marshall on her religion, draws flak

OpIndia Staff
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“May Allah guide you to convert”: Pakistani YouTuber Nadir Ali grills actor Sunita Marshall on her religion, draws flak

Pakistani YouTuber Nadir Ali’s recent interview has sparked a row on social media. The YouTuber, while interviewing Pakistani actor Sunita Marshall, kept pestering her with questions of conversion. At one point he also said, “May Allah give her the guidance to accept Islam.”

Sunita Marshall is a Pakistani model/actor of the Christian faith and is married to Pakistani model/actor Hassan Ahmed who is a Muslim.

Ali’s first question to Sunita was about which religion her children follow. To this, she replied, “Islam”. The YouTuber then asks Sunita, “So what is your plan then…in future..(to convert)?”

Sunita, visibly uncomfortable about the direction of the conversation, answered with a clear no. “I don’t have any such plan at least not for now. Neither do I have any pressure from Hassan’s side or from his family. There are often such comments (suggesting conversion) on Instagram but those have not affected me.”

Ali doesn’t stop there. He goes on to repeat his question asking if any of Sunita’s in-laws ever ask her to convert. Sunita again replies in the negative. And then Ali says “May Allah give her the guidance to accept Islam.”

Sunita finally told Ali, “If one really wants to (convert) then it better be from the heart or else better to not (convert) at all.”

Throughout the duration of the questions on Islam and conversion, Sunita Marshall can be seen visibly feeling awkward.

Backlash on social media against Nadir Ali

Many of his viewers on YouTube hit out at Nadir Ali for his targeted questions on conversion.

A viewer @mohsinmahesar8407 wrote, “Faith is very personal, you cannot force someone to accept any religion. Being a Muslim I am very happy to see Sunita defending her religion and respecting her husband’s and in-laws’ religion.”

Twitterati too have expressed outrage over the interview and the line of questioning.

Earlier in March, Nadi Ali shared another video wherein he openly denied the persecution of Hindu minorities in Pakistan and said that the reason for the decrease in the percentage of the Hindu population in Pakistan is that “Allah is guiding them to Islam”.

Hindu, Sikh, and Christian girls, as young as 9 years old in Pakistan have been abducted, raped, converted, and married to their rapists. Mass conversions are rampant in Sindh. The perpetrators generally go scot-free.

Flood situation worsens in Assam’s Nalbari: 45,000 people across 108 villages affected

ANI
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Flood situation worsens in Assam’s Nalbari: 45,000 people across 108 villages affected

The flood situation in Assam’s Nalbari district has deteriorated as about 45,000 people and 108 villages under 6 revenue circles of the lower Assam district are currently underwater.

Around 200 families in Moiraranga, Batahghila village have been affected by this deluge and most of the families are now taking shelter on roads, and embankments by making temporary tents.

Following torrential rain in the past few days in Assam and neighboring country Bhutan the water level of Pagladiya River is flowing above the danger level mark and inundated new areas in the past 24 hours.

The flood waters have submerged nearly 90 villages of Ghograpar, Tihu, Barbhag, and Dhamdhama areas in the district and many villagers have been forced to leave their homes and taken shelter on roads, high lands by making makeshift tents after the flood waters entered their homes.

While talking to ANI, a village of Moiraranga village, Manoj Rajbongshi said that his family is now living in an embankment after the flood waters entered his home.

“My family is now living in an embankment after the flood waters entered my home. Many properties of our home have been damaged after the flood waters entered our home. There is now knee-deep water inside my home. The water level is gradually increasing. We are now facing lots of problems,” Manoj Rajbongshi said.

Another villager, Jyotish Rajbongshi from Moiraranga village said that he lost everything due to the flood, all his household items have been damaged.

“I have lost everything due to this flood. Every household item in our house has been damaged. I along with my wife am now living in this embankment. We couldn’t get any stuff out of the house,” Jyotish Rajbongshi said.

The flood waters submerged nearly 310 hectares of cropland in the district.

In the last 24 hours, the flood waters have damaged two embankments, 15 roads, two bridges, culverts, and agri bundh in the district.

Earlier, according to the reports of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), following torrential rains in Assam, other neighbouring states and the neighbouring country Bhutan, the water levels of several rivers are flowing above the danger level mark and inundated new areas.

The ASDMA flood report said, “44707 people have been affected alone in Nalbari district followed by 26571 people in Baksa, 25096 people in Lakhimpur, 15610 people in Tamulpur, 3840 people in Barpeta district.”

Over 1.07 lakh domestic animals, and poultry have also been affected in the first spell of flood in the flood-hit districts.
The NDRF, SDRF, and Fire and Emergency Services are also engaged in rescue operations on Wednesday evacuating 1280 people from flood-hit areas. 

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

Marinated millets, stuffed mushrooms, saffron-induced risotto, and more: White House state dinner menu for PM Modi

OpIndia Staff
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Marinated millets, stuffed mushrooms, saffron-induced risotto, and more: White House state dinner menu for PM Modi

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a state visit to the United States of America. During his visit, the White House will host a state dinner for PM Modi along with 400 other guests. A special menu has been created for the occasion keeping in mind that PM Modi is a vegetarian.

First Lady Jill Biden has roped in celebrated Chef Nina Curtis, who specialises in vegan cuisine, to work with the White House staff and create a special vegetarian menu for PM Modi, who is a devout vegetarian. During the media preview for the dinner, the First Lady shared that guests will have the option of adding a fish dish to their main course as well, as per their preference.

The first course on the state dinner will include marinated millet, grilled corn kernel salad, compressed watermelon, and a tangy avocado sauce.

The main course will include stuffed portobello mushrooms and creamy saffron-infused risotto. Upon request, guests would be served sumac-roasted sea bass, lemon-dill yoghurt sauce, crisped millet cakes, and summer squashes.

The desssert on the menu is rose and cardamom-infused strawberry shortcake. Wines on the menu list include Stone Tower Chardonnay “Kristi” 2021, PATEL Red Blend 2019, and Domain Carneros Brut Rose.

The dinner, which has been meticulously planned by the First Lady, will be hosted on the south lawn of the White House. Talking about the preparations for the dinner, Chef Nina Curtis said, “We have been working on this menu for the State Dinner for a few months. The First Lady and I are thrilled, and I believe we have successfully fulfilled our mission.”

After the dinner, there will be performances by Grammy award winner Joshua Bell and Penn Masala – a South Asian acapella group from the University of Pennsylvania.

Earlier, PM Modi arrived at the White House in Washington DC on Wednesday for the second leg of his official state visit. In DC, PM Modi met US President Joe Biden at the White House. The two leaders exchanged selected gifts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented various gifts representing India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage to President Biden.

While in Washington, PM Modi will also address a joint meeting of the US House of Representatives.

Dasa Danam, Upanishads, a ‘green’ diamond for the First Lady: List of all the gifts PM Modi presented to US President Joe Biden

OpIndia Staff
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Dasa Danam, Upanishads, a ‘green’ diamond for the First Lady: List of all the gifts PM Modi presented to US President Joe Biden

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on his historic visit to the United States. On Thursday, June 22, PM Modi met US President Joe Biden at the White House. The two leaders exchanged selected gifts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented various gifts representing India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. PM Modi gifted a special sandalwood box handcrafted by an artisan from Jaipur in Rajasthan. He also gifted Krishna Yajurveda—a Hindu religious scripture’s Vaikhanas Grihya Sutram along with “The Ten Principal Upanishads” published by London’s Faber and Faber Ltd.

Sandalwood box and the ten donations

A craftsman from Jaipur, Rajasthan, has handmade the unique sandalwood box. Sandalwood from Mysore, Karnataka, is elaborately carved with flora and fauna artwork. It is notable that sandalwood carving is an old art form popular in Rajasthan.

This sandalwood box contains ten donations. According to the Krishna Yajurveda’s Vaikhanas Grihya Sutram, a person turns into ‘Drishta Sahasrachandro’ or the one who has witnessed one thousand full moons once he completes the age of eighty years and eight months.

Because this stage of life is commemorated and honoured, an elaborate set of Vedic ceremonies are performed. There is a custom of ten different types of donations or ‘Dasa Daanams’ during one of the rituals. The box contains goods that are often donated following the rite. 

The gift box includes Lord Ganesha’s idol. This Ganesha silver idol was crafted in Kolkata by a fifth-generation silversmith family. A diya has also been placed in the box. Diya holds a special significance in Hindu households. Diyas are not only a part of worship but also signify hope and resistance against darkness or evil. The box also includes a Tamra-Patra (copper plate) on which a shloka is inscribed.

Sandalwood box gifted by PM Modi to US President Joe Biden (Image: ANI)

An exquisitely crafted silver coconut by West Bengal’s finest artisans is donated in lieu of a cow for Gaudaan (gift of a cow). A fragrant piece of sandalwood from Mysore, Karnataka, is donated in lieu of land for Bhudaan (land gift). Tamil Nadu-sourced til or white sesame seeds for Tildaan. Hiranyadaan (gold donation) is a handcrafted 24K pure and hallmarked gold coin offered in Rajasthan. Maharashtra-sourced gud or jaggery for Guddaan. Rajasthan artisans have created an aesthetically pleasing 99.5% pure and hallmarked silver coin for Raupyadaan. Gujarati lavan or salt is also presented to the US President for Lavandaan. In addition to this, Ghee or clarified butter has been included in the box for Ajyadaan and clothes for Vastradaan.

PM Modi has also presented a first edition copy of the book ‘The Ten Principal Upanishads’ by WB Yeats, co-authored by Shri Purohit Swami. It was published by Faber and Faber of London in 1937 and it is one of the final works of Yeats.

The lab-grown diamond gifted by PM Modi to the US First Lady Jill Biden (Image: ANI)

PM Modi additionally presented First Lady Jill Biden with a 7.5-carat lab-grown diamond that possesses the chemical and optical attributes of earth-mined diamonds. The diamond is placed in a Papier mâché – the box known as kar-e-kalamdani. The laborious paper pulp preparation known as sakthsazi in Kashmir is combined with the intricate painting process known as naqqashi to create the magnificent papier mâché.

kar-e-kalamdani box (Image: ANI)

Interestingly, President Biden presented PM Modi with some special gifts, including a vintage American camera coupled with an archival facsimile print of George Eastman’s Patent for the first Kodak camera, a hardcover book on American wildlife photography, and a signed, first edition copy of Collected Poems of Robert Frost.”

PM Modi arrived at the White House in Washington DC on Wednesday for the second leg of his official state visit. The first pair was spotted conversing with their guest for approximately a minute before posing for photographs. According to the White House, the trio enjoyed a musical tribute to India’s regions performed by youth dancers from Studio Dhoom.

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