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“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.

‘Hanuman ji isn’t God’: Manoj Muntashir makes another desperate claim to defend his crass writing, here is how Hindu scriptures prove him wrong

Pragya Bakshi Sharma
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‘Hanuman ji isn’t God’: Manoj Muntashir makes another desperate claim to defend his crass writing, here is how Hindu scriptures prove him wrong

With nowhere left to go and nothing more to say, the makers of Adipurush have exhausted every trick in the book in self-defense. The movie has been recording a downward trend at the box office for its crass dialogues, poor casting, and factually incorrect storyline.

Adding fuel to the fire, dialogue writer Manoj Muntashir sparked yet another controversy on Tuesday by saying, “Hanuman ji Bhagwan nahin hain, Bhakt hain. Humne unhe Bhagwan banaya baadme kyunki unki Bhakti mein woh power tha,” which translates to “Hanuman ji is not God, he is a devotee. We have made him God later because his devotion had such power.”

Manoj Muntashir (L), Hanuman in Adipurush (R), images via KoiMoi and Twitter

The writer very casually implied that mankind, which has largely been living in spiritual ignorance had the power to make God out of Bhagwan Ram’s most ardent devotee who was just that and nothing more. Muntashir has been coming up with one bizarre statement after another to defend the crass dialogues written by him.

Earlier he had tried to explain that the Bajrang character in his movie speaks like a pedestrian goon because “all characters in a story cannot be at the same level (of linguistic sophistication). He even tried to defend his dialogues like ‘Kapda there baap ka” saying he wrote them to make it more relatable to young masses.

He further said that Bajrang Bali (another name for Lord Hanuman) does not speak philosophical things; an insolent statement to say the least.

The statement by Manoj (Muntashir) Shukla has enraged Hindus across the country. It also shows just how distant the writer is from the truth and understanding of Hindu deities and lacks the depth required to perceive Hindu spirituality. Here’s why Manoj Muntashir Shukla is wrong in his understanding of Lord Hanuman and is consequently misleading the people.’

Hanuman ji is Rudra Avatar, the manifestation of Bhagwan Shiva Himself

Hanuman ji is one of the many avatars (manifestations) of Bhagwan Shiv. He is known by at least 108 names which encompass his Divine character and personality. Some of these names are as follows:

  1. Bajrang Bali (one with the power of lightning)
  2. Ramdoot (Bhagwan Ram’s messenger)
  3. Pawan Putra (the Son of wind god),
  4. Anjaneya (the Son of Anjana),
  5. Manojva (the one who is faster than the mind),
  6. Rudraveerya Samudbhava (born from Shiva)
  7. Bhakta Vatsal (protector of devotees)
  8. Mahavir (most valiant)
  9. Pragnya (scholar)
  10. Mahatapaswi (great meditator)
  11. Tatvagyanaprada (one who grants wisdom)

These are merely 11 of the 108+ names of Hanuman ji listed along with their meanings. If Manoj Muntashir Shukla ever cared to give these names, or even Hanuman Chalisa for that matter, a read, it would do his “scattered” mind some good to introspect why he doesn’t consider Hanuman ji as God.

According to the sacred Hindu text “Vayupuran”, Mahavir Bajrang Bali was in fact an avatar of Bhagwan Shiva. Here’s a Shloka from the scripture which reads, “आश्विनस्यासिते पक्षे स्वात्यां भौमे च मारुतिः। मेषलग्नेजनागर्भात स्वयं जातो हरः शिवः। (It was Bhagwan Shiva Himself who had taken birth from Mother Anjana’s womb as Lord Hanuman was born in Ashwin (Hindu) month’s Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi Tuesday in Swati Nakshatra in the Aries sign).

In another part of Vayupurana, Hanuman ji has been identified with Prana (life element) itself. The scripture says that Hanuman ji is symbolic of that Om which is a derived form of the Holy Trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh; just the way Om in itself is symbolic of the omnipresent, all-encompassing and formless Brahma (God).

The text further says that Hanuman ji, in the form of Om, is a part of our prana (life element). Hanuman ji being the son of Wind God is inseparable from the life element in the human body which is derived from the air we breathe.

Furthermore, in the 20th chapter of ‘Shatarudra Samhita’ of ‘Shivpurana’, Hanuman ji has been mentioned sometimes as part of Lord Shiva and sometimes as Lord Shiva Himself.

The text narrates in great detail the birth story of Anjani Putra. Bhagwan Shiva, it says, had himself taken birth as Hanuman in order to bring to fruition Bhagwan Shri Ram’s holy pursuit.

Here’s how Hindu scriptures prove Manoj Muntashir wrong

Hanuman Chalisa is a 40-verse Hindu devotional hymn authored by Goswami Tulsidas ji, an ardent devotee of Bhagwan Shri Ram, whom the Adipurush dialogue writer has quoted several times in his defense.

The Chalisa, whilst singing praises of the hundred-plus Divine qualities of Lord Hanuman, also shows just how devoted was Tulsidas ji.

One of the verses reads, “Yam Kuber Digpal Jahan te, Kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te” (Yamraj, the God of Death, and Kuber, the God of Wealth and the Digpals, guardians of the four corners of the universe, have been vying with one another in offering homage to your glories. How then, can a mere poet give adequate expression of your super excellence?).

The same Goswami Tulsidas ji whose name Manoj Muntashir used to pass the buck on, writes in great detail and reverence about the magnificence, wisdom, strength, compassion, radiance, and glory of Hanuman ji.

Goswami Tulsidas ji

During Bhagwan Ram’s crowning celebrations, when Mata Sita removed one of the valuable necklaces from her neck and offered it to Hanuman ji, He began to break open the pearls from the necklace with his teeth. Surprised, Mata Sita asked him why he was doing so.

To this Lord Hanuman replied that he wanted to see if the pearls in the necklace contained his revered Bhagwan Shri Ram; this was because Hanuman ji never kept any such thing that was devoid of Bhagwan Shri Ram.

A member in the palace then asked Hanuman ji that in this case, He should prove whether the body that he has Bhagwan Ram in it. Basking in the glory of His love for Prabhu Shri Ram, Hanuman ji tore open His chest thus revealing to the world the image of Shri Ram and Mata Sita residing in Him.

Hanuman ji also received the boon of being Chiranjeevi (immortal). He is one of the 8 Chiranjeevis in Hindu beliefs, along with Mahabali, Ashwatthama, Parashurama, Kripacharya, Vedvyas, Vibhishana, and Markandeya.

Hanuman ji is revered as “Gyaan Gun Sagar” in the Hanuman Chalisa. But to Manoj Muntashir, “Hanuman ji daarshanik nahin the” (Hanuman ji was not philosophical). To Muntashir, Hanuman ji was a funny, child-like character with low intellect.

In Valmiki Ramayana there have been instances when Bhagwan Ram has himself praised Hanuman, hailing his knowledge, and wise manner of speaking.

US to ease visas for skilled Indian workers amid PM Modi’s state visit

OpIndia Staff
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US to ease visas for skilled Indian workers amid PM Modi’s state visit

On June 21 (local time), people familiar with the immigration sector in the US said in a statement to Reuters that the Biden administration is planning to make it easier for the Indians to live and work in the United States. The update came at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official state visit to the US. The US government’s decision will help some skilled workers enter or remain in the country.

The announcement may come by June 22 that a small number of Indians and other foreign workers with H-1B visas will be able to renew them in the US without travelling abroad. As per Reuters’ sources, it is part of a pilot project that may see expansion in the coming years.

Notably, Indian citizens are the most active H-1B program users. Around 4,42,000 H-1B workers from India were reportedly in the US in the previous fiscal year, which makes 73 percent of the total H-1B visa holders. A US official said, “We all recognise that mobility of our people is a huge asset to us, and so our goal is to approach that in a sort of multifaceted way. The State Department has already been working hard to find creative ways to change things.”

Bloomberg Law first reported the pilot program in February this year. While declining to comment on the details of the program, a State Department spokesperson told Reuters, “The pilot would begin with a small number of cases with the intention to scale the initiative over the following one to two years.” Another spokesperson added that renewing visas in the US would reduce the burden on the consulates abroad for visa interviews.

Another source informed Reuters that the pilot program will also include some workers on L-1 visas. It is available to people who are transferring within a company to a position in the US.

Every year, the US government makes 65,000 H-1B visas available to companies that seek skilled foreign workers. In addition to that, 20,000 visas are made available for workers with advanced degrees. These visas are valid for three years with a possibility of three-year renewal. In recent times, Indian-based Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services along with Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta are the top companies that bring skilled workers on H-1B visas.

As part of the proposed pilot program, the US Government is running an initiative to clear a backlog of visa applications at the US embassies in India. According to one of the Reuters sources, the matter is expected to be discussed between the US and Indian delegations in Washington during this week.

India has expressed concerns over the difficulties faced by Indian citizens to get visas to live in the US. Some of the H-1B visa holders in the US are among the thousands of workers in the tech industry that were laid off this year. In order to stay in the US, they have a 60-day window to find a new employer or head back home country.

As per reports, the Biden administration has worked for months to improve visa access for Indians in an attempt to knit together the two largest democracies. Also, it will provide a way to better compete with China. However, Congress’s lack of political will to comprehensively reform US immigration policy remained a challenge in the last few months.

A backlog was created after Washington halted almost all visa processing worldwide in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The US visa services are trying to clear that backlog that has led to some families being separated for an extended period of time.

As per the labour department, there were 10 million job openings in the US by the end of April this year.

US President Joe Biden hosts PM Narendra Modi for a private dinner a day before the high-profile state dinner, Ajit Doval present too

ANI
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US President Joe Biden hosts PM Narendra Modi for a private dinner a day before the high-profile state dinner, Ajit Doval present too

United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday (local time) hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an intimate dinner at the White House, a day before the high-profile state dinner. 

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan are also attending the dinner, which featured the President’s favourite foods- pasta and ice cream. Earlier on Wednesday the President of the United States and the First Lady received Prime Minister Modi at the White House in Washington DC on his arrival of the second leg of his official state visit. 

PM Modi’s motorcade pulled up in the South Portico around 7:36 pm (local time). US President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden welcomed him. The camaraderie between leaders was visible as they seen laughing and engaged in conversation. 

The first couple presented Prime Minister Modi with a handmade, antique American book galley from the early 20th Century among other gifts. PM Modi also presented the Bidens with gifts that included a special Mysore sandalwood box handcrafted by a master craftsman from Rajasthan and containing a silver idol of Lord Ganesha. 

At the intimate dinner, the trio enjoyed a musical tribute to the regions of India, performed by youth dancers from Studio Dhoom, a DMV-based Indian dance studio that helps connect a new generation to the vibrant culture of Indian dance, according to the White House. PM Modi took to Twitter to thank US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for hosting him at the White House.

Prior to the visit to the White House, PM Modi met Gary E Dickerson, the President and CEO of Applied Materials, Sanjay Mehrotra, President-CEO of Micron Technology and H Lawrence Culp Jr, Chairman and CEO, of General Electic and CEO of General Electic Aerospace. 

PM Modi, who arrived in Washington DC on Wednesday, started his day by attending the ‘Skilling for Future’ event where he said that India and the United States partnership will serve as the driving engine behind sustainable and inclusive global growth. 

“To maintain growth momentum, India and the US need a pipeline of talent. On the one hand, the US has top-class educational institutions and advanced technologies. On the other hand, India has the world’s biggest youth factory. That is why, I believe that the India-US partnership will prove to be the engine of sustainable and inclusive global growth,” he added. 

Highlighting the initiatives taken by the Indian government to secure a bright future for students such as implementing the New Education Policy and integrating education and skilling. Speaking about the work that the Indian government did for the bright future of the students, PM Modi stated that they have brought the New Education Policy and integrated education and skilling. 

PM Modi urged American students to come to India and said that hundreds of United States teachers are already in India, participating in a tech partnership. 

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

After Adipurush disappointed viewers and tanked at the Box Office, ’72 Hoorain’ zooms as one of the most anticipated new Indian movies on IMDb

OpIndia Staff
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After Adipurush disappointed viewers and tanked at the Box Office, ’72 Hoorain’ zooms as one of the most anticipated new Indian movies on IMDb

Released on the 16th of June, Adipurush couldn’t live up to the expectations of the audience. On the contrary, netizens, cinema critics, renowned personalities, and the general masses alike have made several scathing remarks about the film and its makers. Many among them have accused the makers of trivialising the Hindu Mahakavya Ramayana and our divine-incarnated ancestors including Prabhu Shri Ram, Mata Sita, Laxman ji, and Hanuman ji. 

The movie which was off to a great start with 200 crore in its first weekend raked only 10 crore on June 20. It experienced a startling drop of 75% on Monday and a subsequent decline on the next day.

It reportedly grossed 10 crore nett on Tuesday (across all languages), with its Hindi portion accounting for merely 5 to 6 crore. An industry tracker, Sacnilk, estimated that Adipurush minted 10.80 crores in total. Its occupancy in Hindi was approximately 11.16 per cent. T-Series announced that the film has made 375 crores worldwide on Tuesday.

The multilingual project’s global box office performance was also weak. It clocked 17.93 crores on Tuesday, following the first-day total of 140 crores internationally, per film industry observer Manobala Vijayabalan. Less than 120 crore Hindi nett in box office receipts for the movie has effectively ended its run. The movie allegedly cost more than 500 crores for its production, however, its global box office revenue has not yet reached 400 crores.

‘72 Hoorain’: Most anticipated upcoming movie

Now, it seems that this has shifted everyone’s focus to the next most anticipated movies slated to release in the near future. Well, if the IMDb list of most anticipated new Indian movies and shows is anything go by, then 72 Hoorain seems to be climbing the popularity chart. The movie directed by two-time National Award-winning director Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, will be released on the 7th of July. 

As per IMDb, ‘72 Hoorain’ is the second most anticipated movie on a real-time popularity basis. Around 16.4% audience is waiting for the release of this film. It is just behind the highly anticipated Gadar 2 with 23.2% votes, which is the sequel to the blockbuster hit Gadar: Ek Prem Katha released in 2001.

Reportedly, the film delves into the much-touted concept of 72 Hoorain (Virgins). Time and again, it has been stated that many religiously-inclined Islamic youths have been brainwashed to believe in it and commit horrifying acts of terrorism. 

The IMDb description of the movie states, “72 Hoorain” is a tale, where conviction merges with chaos, where belief dances with brutality, and where the unimaginable becomes a haunting reality.”

It further adds, “In this riveting narrative, an unfathomable force is unleashed, driven by a belief so fierce that it defies all logic. These Fidayeens (Jihadis), bound by an unyielding faith, embark on a harrowing journey that leads them to the celestial realms (Jaanat). Their ultimate goal? To meet the legendary 72 Virgins, known as the Hoorain.”

After The Kerala Story, 72 Hoorain is expected to be another controversial movie, with Islamists already starting to object to it.

Motion poster

Released on June 4, the motion poster of the film depicted pictures of many dreaded Islamic terrorists including Osama Bin Laden who planned and executed the 9/11 attacks in America, Ajmal Kasab who was one of the 10 terrorists in the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, Yakub Memon who executed the serial bomb blasts in Mumbai in 1993, Masood Azahar responsible for the Delhi plane hijack in 1999, and among others. 

In the background, the voice of some religious fanatic in the Islamic terrorist outfit is heard saying, “You will get those 72 hoorain (hoors). Those hoorain are made for you.”

In order to capitalise on the strong buzz in the film’s release, the makers decided to release the movie’s first official teaser in 10 different languages – English, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu to Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Kashmiri, and Assamese. 

The film, ‘72 Hoorain’ will have Pavan Malhotra and Ameer Bashir in the lead roles.

The concept of ‘72 Hoorain’ (72 virgin)

Islamic terrorism has been an undeniable reality for aeons now. Apparently, it has prevailed for centuries throughout the world, particularly in those areas where Islamic tyrants invaded and caused havoc in the name of faith. Unfortunately, India had to face a major brunt of this. In fact, Indian civilisation is one of the biggest suffering survivors of this organised crime in the name of religion.

Jihad – the so-called war for religion – is said to be one of the central pillars of Islamic terrorism. Many religiously fanatic Islamic youth, who join Jihad and prepare to die as martyrs for the Islamic cause, had been lured by various baits shown to them by fanatic religious preachers. 

However, the most-touted among them is the allurement of 72 hoorain (hoors or beautiful virgin ladies). They will get this so-called privilege when they go to Jannat (paradise or heaven) after attaining martyrdom for the Islamic cause, that is, wage Jihad against Kaafirs (infidels or non-believers) and kill them. 

Ironically, the trap of unbound lust and greed is so tempting that these radicalised Muslim youth become terrorists and then get ready to kill not only others but also themselves.  

The film titled ‘72 Hoorain’ (72 Hoors) claims to depict this dark reality of Islamic terrorism. However, since the film talks about a very strong subject, one whose mere mentioning rattles those who in many ways are linked, benefit, or have vested interests in its outcome, it has initiated a vicious moment against itself. These vested interest groups are trying to ban the film or cause commotion of different sorts to stop it from propagating the reality about this concept.  

Apparently, social media actions are just a part of it and the Twitter handle of Ashoke Pandit, the movie’s co-producer was suspended just a few weeks ahead of its official release. 

PM Modi-led International Yoga Day celebration at UN headquarters create a Guinness World Record

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi-led International Yoga Day celebration at UN headquarters create a Guinness World Record

On the 21st of June, the Yoga event at UN Headquarters in New York on the International Day of Yoga created a Guinness world record for most nationalities in a Yoga session. The event was led by PM Modi in which 135 nationalities took part. 

The Guinness World Records official adjudicator, Michael Empric, said, “Today there was a Guinness World Records title attempt for most nationalities in a Yoga lesson. The mark to be was 140 nationalities. Today in New York, at the UN, they have 135. It is a new Guinness world records title.”

People from all walks of life, prominent New Yorkers, Hollywood celebrities, members of the Indian diaspora, and envoys of over 100 nations, attended the event under PM Modi’s leadership. 

PM Modi: Yoga means to unite

At the event, PM Modi said, “I am delighted to see you all and thank you all for coming. I am told that almost every nationality is represented here today and what an amazing cause to bring us together. Yoga means to unite. The coming together in itself is another form of Yoga.”

PM added, “Like all Indian traditions, yoga is dynamic. It is free from royalty, copyright, and patents.” 

He stated that you can do it at home, at work, or in transit and it is flexible, you can learn from a teacher or be self-taught.

PM Modi further said, “Yoga is a way of life. A holistic approach to health and well-being. A way to mindfulness in thoughts and actions. A way to live in harmony with self, with others, and with nature.”

Attending the event, New York Mayor Eric Adams said, “Use Yoga to fight against wars, gender violence, food insecurity, and the destruction of our planet.”

Major attendees of the event include the President of the United Nations General Assembly Csaba Korosi, the Mayor of New York City Eric Adams, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina J. Mohammed, and the popular American actor Richard Gere among others.  

Earlier in the day, India created another Guinness Record on the International Yoga Day event. The Yoga program held in Gujarat’s Surat hosted the largest gathering for a yoga session at one place with 1.53 lakh participants. 

Previously, Kota City of Rajasthan made a Guinness record in 2018 when 1,00,984 people participated in a Yoga Day session in one place.

The International Day of Yoga was first celebrated on the 21st of June, 2015, following a call by Indian PM Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly. Overall, this was the 9th edition of International Yoga Day.

Pentagon says it overestimated war aid sent to Ukraine by $6.2 Billion due to “accounting error”

OpIndia Staff
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Pentagon says it overestimated war aid sent to Ukraine by $6.2 Billion due to “accounting error”

On the 20th of June, the Pentagon found that it overestimated the amount of funding for weapons it sent to Ukraine by $6.2 billion due to an “accounting error”. Speaking to the media, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh revealed this accounting error and explained the reason behind it. 

She stated that the department overestimated the value of the weapons it had sent to Ukraine over the past two years. This has resulted in a surplus, which the department claims will be used for future security packages.

Singh said, “In a significant number of cases, services used replacement costs rather than net book value, thereby overestimating the value of the equipment drawn down from US stocks and provided to Ukraine.”

She noted that the latest calculations indicate an error of $3.6 billion in the current fiscal year and $2.6 billion in the previous fiscal year, which ended on September 30th, 2022.

Earlier, in May, the Pentagon had estimated that it made an accounting error of $3 billion. However, the recent announcement made by Singh clearly indicates that the situation was far worse than the Pentagon stated earlier and the accounting error was far higher than previously estimated in May.

However, Singh asserted that these valuation errors would in no way limit or restrict the size of any of our PDAs or impact the provision of support to Ukraine.

As stated above, the department now has additional money in its coffers that can be used to support Ukraine. Currently, Ukraine is engaging in a counteroffensive against Russia. 

US Assistance to Ukraine

On the 13th of June, the US announced that it committed more than $40 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched an assault on Ukraine. But after this new revelation, it is clear that the U.S. has actually provided less than $34 billion in aid to the Ukrainian people.

So far, the Biden administration has approved four rounds of aid to Ukraine to counter Russia. The combined value of all four assistance packages is reportedly $113 billion. However, not all of it has been sent to Ukraine, some of it was allocated toward replenishing U.S. military equipment which was sent to the frontlines earlier. 

In December, the US Congress approved the last round of aid amounting to $45 billion for Ukraine and its NATO allies. Congress designed the aid package to last for the current financial year. However, analysts suggest that it may be fully utilised before the year’s end due to the evolving situation on the ground in Ukraine.

On several occasions, President Joe Biden and his administration have repeatedly announced that the United States will keep helping Ukraine “as long as it takes” to repel the Russian forces from the Ukrainian territory.

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