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Germany: Saudi Arabian ‘doctor’ kills 2 in planned terror attack, had threatened to bring ‘justice’ in Twitter post. Here is what happened

Dibakar Dutta
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Germany: Saudi Arabian ‘doctor’ kills 2 in planned terror attack, had threatened to bring ‘justice’ in Twitter post. Here is what happened

On Friday (20th December) evening, a Saudi Arabian ‘doctor’ deliberately rammed his car into multiple people at a Christian market in Magdeburg city in Saxony-Anhalt state of Germany.

As per reports, at least 2 people were killed and 60 others were injured in the terror attack. One of the deceased was a young child.

According to the premier (Saxony-Anhalt) Reiner Haseloff, the attacker has been identified as a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia.

The accused has lived in Germany for about 20 years and has a permanent residency. The police have now arrested him in connection to the case.

Premier Reiner Haseloff remarked, “It is a catastrophe for the city of Magdeburg, for the state and for Germany in general…As things stand at the moment, we are talking about a lone offender, which means that there is no further danger to the city because we were able to arrest him.”

According to a report by Reuters, Saudi Arabia had warned German authorities about the attacker after he had posted about his radical views on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

According to journalist Tim Röhn, the attacker has been identified as Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen. He informed that Taleb openly posted threats on X (formerly Twitter) but the platform did not act against him

“I seriously expect to die this year. Reason: I will bring justice at any cost. And German authorities are impeding all peaceful pathways to justice. If you are a concerned German citizen, you should demand justice now. If you are not concerned, then ok but don’t complain later,” a tweet by the attacker read.

In the meantime, the Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia has condemned the terror attack.

The CCTV footage of the incident is now doing the rounds of the internet.

The police have so far not found any explosive device attached to the vehicle of the attacker. A team was dispatched to Bernburg town, where Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen resided.

In 2016, a Tunisian refugee Anis Amri rammed his truck at a Christian market in Berlin and killed 12 people.

How Germany exacerbate the refugee crisis

At the height of the migrant crisis in Europe, German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that the country had the ‘economic strength’ to take in refugees.

She also claimed that there was no upper limit to the number of refugees that the country could take in. Angela Merkel had come under fierce criticism for not consulting the federal States.

Seehofer, the leader of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU), had criticised the Chancellor and estimated that 30% of all refugees were from Syria.

He had called upon the EU to cut funding to member States that reject mandatory refugee quotas.

A German study in 2018 found that the country’s fourth-most-populous state, Lower Saxony, witnessed an increase in violent crimes due to incoming migrants.

Between 2007 and 2014, the region saw a 21.9% decline in such crimes. However, there was a 10.4% hike by 2016 end. It was found that Lower Saxony had about 7.5 lakh residents without German citizenship.

By 2016 end, only 1.5 lakh migrants had applied for asylum. 92.1% of the total increase in crimes in Lower Saxony was attributed to the incoming migrants.

Bloomberg reported, “Between 2014 and 2016, the share of solved violent crimes attributed to asylum seekers increased to 13.3 percent from 4.3 percent — a disproportionately high share compared with the state’s foreign population…The breakdown of specific crimes committed by the asylum seekers is equally thought-provoking. In some 91 percent of murders and three-quarters of cases involving grave bodily damage, the victims are other migrants.”

The liberal, open-border policies of German Chancellor Angela Merkel had turned the country into the most sought after destination for refugees.

Between January and December 2015, a whopping 1.091 million asylum-seekers registered with the German government for their distribution among federal States.

However, in February 2016, the government conceded that it lost track of 13% of the asylum seekers.

Reportedly, the migrants did not move to their accommodation and instead migrated to other European countries or kept living in the country illegally.

The result of left-liberal indoctrination was such that a German politician by the name of Selin Gören lied about the racial identity of the 3 perpetrators who raped her in 2016.

The woman was caught off guard by the men at night in a playground and forced to perform sexual acts. She had concealed the fact that the accused spoke in Arabic /Farsi.

She claimed that she did not want to stoke hatred against migrants in Germany. The policies of the German government to wholeheartedly welcome the refugees proved costly.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai and other party leaders arrested for protest against glorification of Coimbatore bomb blast mastermind SA Basha

OpIndia Staff
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Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai and other party leaders arrested for protest against glorification of Coimbatore bomb blast mastermind SA Basha

Several BJP leaders and workers including Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai were arrested on Friday in Coimbatore while taking out a Black Day rally against the DMK govt. BJP had launched the protest against the DMK govt’s alleged support of the accused in the Coimbatore bomb blast case.

Annamalai and other BJP leaders were arrested while leading the rally protesting against the glorification of the terrorist responsible for the tragic loss of 58 lives in the 1998 Coimbatore bomb blasts. Notably, the bomb blast mastermind SA Basha died on 17 December months after he was released on parole on health grounds. Basha was serving a life sentence after his conviction in the bomb blast case, but died in hospital during his parole.

Thousands of people came out to mourn the dead and joined the funeral procession amid heavy police security. BJP has been targeting the DMK govt for allowing the funeral procession for a convicted terrorist responsible for death of 58 people. As part of the protest, a Black Day rally was held in Coimbatore today to condemn the DMK government for supporting the terrorists behind the Coimbatore bomb blast.

Apart from Annamalai, BJP Mahila Morcha president Vanathi Srinivasan, State General Secretary A.P. Muruganandam and other BJP leaders have been arrested by Tamil Nadu police for the protest.

BJP Tamilnadu posted on X, “We will not rest! We will not rest! We will not rest until we put an end to the DMK’s tyranny!”

Responding to the arrest, Annamalai’s official X handle posted, “We condemn the cowardly act of the DMK Government for arresting the leaders & cadres of @BJP4TamilNadu for carrying out a rally condemning the glorification of a terrorist who was the reason for the loss of 58 lives in the peace-loving city of Coimbatore in 1998.”

Basha’s funeral procession was taken from South Ukkadam to the Hyder Ali Tippu Sultan Sunnath Jamaath Masjid at Flower Market in North Coimbatore for the last rites. Shockingly, despite it being public knowledge that he was a terrorist and the mastermind of the Coimbatore serial blasts that killed 58 people and injured 231, thousands of Muslims joined his funeral procession on 17th December in Coimbatore.

BJP has blasted the DMK for allowing the glorification of the convicted terrorist after the death, alleging that Basha was given a status of martyr by the govt. Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai on Wednesday said that the DMK government allowing Basha’s funeral procession shows that the ruling party was indulged in “minority appeasement.” .”He had said, “The DMK government is promoting terrorism. The Chief Minister should take appropriate steps to control terrorism. Islamic terrorists were behind the car cylinder blast incident in Coimbatore, and the police failed to control them.”

SA Basha, the founder of Al-Ummah, was the mastermind behind the Coimbatore bombings. Supported by ISI agents like Azam Ghauri, Saleem Junaid, and Farooq Ahmed, Basha used his organisation’s network to execute the attacks. His extremist agenda was fuelled by a desire to avenge communal violence against Muslims. In addition to his role in the Coimbatore blasts, Basha was implicated in the 1993 RSS office bombing in Chennai and had been arrested for inciting communal riots the same year.

Basha had also threatened to kill then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi in 2003 ahead of his visit to Coimbatore. He was further convicted in murder of a Hindu Munnani leader.

Mysterious to the world, but everything is recorded in our Puranas: Know what is the astronomical importance of Maha kumbh, how ancient is this Sanatani tradition

श्रवण शुक्ल
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Mysterious to the world, but everything is recorded in our Puranas: Know what is the astronomical importance of Maha kumbh, how ancient is this Sanatani tradition

The grand festival of Prayagraj Maha Kumbh will begin on the 13th of January 2025 with the Magh Mela. The Prayagraj Maha Kumbh will be the biggest festival of Indian Hindu culture and spirituality, which will start in the holy month of Magh and will last for about two months.  During this period, crores of devotes will take a dip here. The preparations for the Maha Kumbh are ongoing in full swing with a special focus on the construction of new ghats, traffic and security management, expansion of drinking water and health services, as well as cleanliness and environmental protection.

This celestial event, known as Kumbh, is not only a symbol of religious faith, but it also exemplifies Indian democratic principles, diversity and tolerance. The article explores the unique aspects of Mahakumbh.

Puranic and historical context of Maha Kumbh

The Maha Kumbh Mela is a revered celebration in Indian culture, with echoes from ancient scriptures to the modern era. Maha Kumbh Mela is a unique blend of history, religion, philosophy, and society. This fair is not just a symbol of faith, but also a remarkable blend of Indian philosophy, culture, and astronomical science. According to Puranas, drops of Amrit Kalash from Samudra Manthan fell on the holy sites of Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nashik. This is the reason why Kumbh Mela is held at these four locations. This fair has a long history, however the exact time of its inception is unclear.

Maha Kumbh is mentioned in Vedas, Puranas and epics. The story of Samudra Manthan is told in detail in Shrimad Bhagwat Purana, Vishnu Purana and Mahabharata. According to the story of Samudra Manthan, the gods and demons churned the ocean to obtain Amrit. There was a fight between the gods and demons over the Amrit Kalash that came out of the churning, in which drops of Amrit fell at four places.  

Similarly, Vishnu Purana also mentions that when Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun is in Aries, Kumbh is held in Haridwar. Similarly, when the Sun and Jupiter are in Leo, Kumbh takes place in Nasik. Kumbh takes place in Ujjain when Jupiter enters Aquarius. In Prayagraj, on the day of Magha Amavasya, the Sun and Moon are in Capricorn and Jupiter is in Aries. This astronomical calculation is followed precisely even today.

Historians are of the view that Kumbh Mela is older than the Indus Valley Civilisation. According to some historians, the organisation of Kumbh Mela started in a systematic form in the Gupta period (3rd to 5th century). Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang has also described the Kumbh Mela of Prayagraj during the reign of Emperor Harshvardhan in 629-645 AD. Tsang described it as a huge and grand event, in which innumerable sages, scholars and devotees participated. The form of Kumbh under the modern administrative structure started from the Gupta period and Shankaracharya made it a medium to connect religion and society.

Religious leaders believe that Kumbh Mela is ancient. It did not start from a single event but its tradition evolved along with human civilisation. This event is a heritage of humanity, in which there is a wonderful amalgamation of religion, culture and society.

Astronomical significance of Kumbh Mela

The Kumbh Mela is based on astronomical events. The positions of the Sun, Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn among the nine planets are believed to be significant for this event. The Puranas specifically underline the planets’ role in protecting the Amrit. The Kumbh Mela takes place every three years at four sacred sites: Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain, and Nashik. After 12 years, the fair returns to its original venue.

The Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj is particularly important as it is the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years, while the Ardh Kumbh is held every 6 years and the Maha Kumbh every 144 years. The Maha Kumbh, held every 144 years, is seen as a joint festival of gods and humans. According to the scriptures, one year on earth is equal to one day of the gods. Based on this calculation, the interval of 144 years is celebrated as Maha Kumbh.

Mahakumbh: A mystery

Maha Kumbh is a unique event not only in India but in the whole world. In Western religions, social and political events are given more importance, but there is no such recognition of any philosophical or spiritual event. The astronomical basis of Kumbh Mela and its spiritual significance is a mystery for Western ideology.

This fair reflects the depth and vision of Sanatan Dharma, in which the search for truth is given priority. Unlike the Abrahamic religions, in Hindu dharma, no one imposes his beliefs on anyone, rather everyone has the right to believe in his own method of worship. This is a wonderful example of respect for diversity and tolerance.

Kumbh Mela today is not limited to Indians only. Foreign journalists, devotees, and tourists also participate in it. For them, it is an introduction to Indian culture and spirituality. From the Western point of view, this fair is an attempt to understand the esoteric concepts of the universe and life. Foreign writers and journalists call this fair ‘the world’s largest peaceful event’. They believe that Kumbh Mela reflects the vastness of Indian philosophy and spirituality.

Image via AmarUjala

Fair of saints in Maha Kumbh, a golden opportunity for householders too

The Kumbh Mela connects saints, ascetics, and householders (Grahasth). The Kumbh Mela offers a one-of-a-kind chance for both saints and ordinary people as it is a centre of sadhana, wisdom, and faith, where householders can learn about the core of religion through the satsangs of Sadhus. Sant Samaj makes an essential contribution to Kumbh by sharing its knowledge and expertise with ordinary people.

Some saints do not leave their places of worship and only appear during Kumbh. Devotees learn about the deep mysteries of life and the essence of religion from the saints. This festival is a unique confluence of Sadhna tradition, Grihastha tradition, and Kumbh Shastra.

Image via Kumbh.gov.in

In the city of Maha Kumbh, the tradition of Katha and Pravachan has given direction to the society for centuries. Katha and Pravachan are the medium of conveying difficult knowledge to the common people in simple language. Kathas organized by various Akharas and sects in Maha Kumbh shows the path of truth and religion to the devotees. Religious storytellers believe that these stories affect society at a deep level. Representatives of Akharas say that Katha and Pravachan are the medium of explaining the deep mysteries of life. Sociologists consider it a means of awakening the collective consciousness of Indian society. Devotees say that these Pravachans give them new vision and energy to life.

The Maha Kumbh is a meeting place of state power, social power and religious power

In the Kumbh Mela, there is no place for conversion or the imposition of any certain way of worship or theology. Everyone is allowed to come here and practice their own faith and way of worship. It is a living embodiment of the Indian tradition of unity in diversity.

Beyond the religious or spiritual aspect, the Kumbh Mela also represents a rare convergence of political power, social power, and religious power. Kumbh Mela exemplifies the peculiarity of Indian society, in which state power, social power, and religious power all operate together. Religious leaders, spiritual gurus, and administrators work together to operate the fair systematically. This event symbolises the foundation of an ideal society.

Maha Kumbh is such a confluence of Indian culture, religion and society, which gives the message of unity and tolerance not only to India but to the entire world. This event is mythologically, historically and philosophically invaluable. Maha Kumbh is a symbol of the spirit of coexistence and cultural prosperity of Indian society. It is not only a festival of faith, but also a platform where humanity, knowledge and consciousness meet.

India raises security concerns with US govt after Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatens Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra

ANI
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India raises security concerns with US govt after Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatens Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra

Following the threats issued by US-based Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun against Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized India’s serious approach to such security threats.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that these matters are promptly raised with the government of the United States.

At the weekly MEA press briefing in New Delhi on Friday, Jaiswal said, “As in when such threats are issued, we take the threats very seriously and we raise it with the US government.”

He also expressed confidence in the US addressing India’s security concerns.

Jaiswal added, “In this case, also, we have raised it with the US government, and it is our expectation that the US government will take our security concerns seriously.”

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is an India-designated terrorist who holds American and Canadian citizenship.

Earlier in October, the MEA had confirmed that the individual named in the US Justice Department’s indictment case in a foiled assassination plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was no longer an employee of the government of India.

“The US State Department informed us that the individual in the Justice Department indictment is no longer employed by India. I confirm that he is no longer an employee of the Government of India,” Jaiswal had said.

The US Justice Department had claimed that an Indian government employee (named CC-1), who was not identified in the indictment filed in a federal court in Manhattan, recruited an Indian national named Nikhil Gupta to hire a hitman to carry out the assassination of Pannun, which was foiled by US authorities, according to prosecutors.

According to the allegations levelled earlier, the accused Nikhil Gupta, is an associate of an employee of the Indian government and together they and others helped plot the assassination of Pannun in New York City.

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

Archaeological Survey of India inspects 5 shrines and 19 wells in Sambhal including the rediscovered Shiv-Hanuman Temple, 3 idols recovered

ANI
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Archaeological Survey of India inspects 5 shrines and 19 wells in Sambhal including the rediscovered Shiv-Hanuman Temple, 3 idols recovered

A 4-member team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) inspected five ‘teerth’ (shrines) and 19 wells in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh on Friday. This included discreet carbon dating of the Shiv-Hanuman Temple which was rediscovered recently during an operation against power theft.

DM Dr Rajender Pensiya informed that the inspection continued for 8-10 hours adding that a total of around 24 areas were surveyed. The inspected shrines included Bhadrak Ashram, Swargadeep, Chakrapani, and the ancient Shmashan Temple.

The ASI team also did a detailed study of the condition and historical importance of the 19 ancient wells present in the area. ASI had requested the administration to keep this inspection away from media coverage.

“It was a 4-member team. In Sambhal, 5 ‘teerth’ and 19 wells were inspected by ASI. The new temple that was found was also inspected. The survey took place 8-10 hours…the ancient temple that was opened was also surveyed. ASI will submit its report to us…total around 24 areas were surveyed,” DM Pensiya said.

Meanwhile, the Shiv-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal, which was uncovered during an anti-encroachment campaign by the district police and administration on December 14, held its morning aarti on December 20. Heavy security has been deployed outside the temple.

Geeta Pradhan, a former member of Uttar Pradesh’s Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission and a BJP leader visited the temple to offer prayers on Wednesday. The temple, which had remained closed since 1978, was reopened on December 14 following efforts by the administration.

Pradhan shared, “We are very happy. With the efforts of Honorable Yogi ji, an ancient temple has been rediscovered with the support of the administration. Everyone is here to offer prayers, and there is a wave of happiness among people. Many idols were installed outside the temple, all of which were demolished, and houses were built on the temple land.”

She further explained, “When the police administration came to investigate an electricity theft, they found the ancient temple. Today, the Hindu community is very happy.”

Three idols were recovered from a well near the ancient Shiva-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, following the temple’s reopening during an anti-encroachment drive. The temple premises were cleaned, electricity connections were restored on Sunday, and CCTV cameras were installed for security purposes.

Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, patron of the Nagar Hindu Sabha, confirmed that the temple had reopened after 46 years, explaining that the closure had been due to the absence of a resident priest.

(With inputs from ANI)

Allahabad HC stays arrest of Mohammed Zubair accused of creating social disharmony, restrains him from leaving the country

OpIndia Staff
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Allahabad HC stays arrest of Mohammed Zubair accused of creating social disharmony, restrains him from leaving the country

On Friday (20th December), the Allahabad High Court stayed the arrest of Alt New co-founder Mohammed Zubair, accused of creating social disharmony through a social media post.

The matter was heard by a 2-judge Bench of Justices Siddhartha Varma and Nalin Kumar Srivastava. The court stayed the arrest till the next hearing scheduled on 6th January 2025.

Mohammed Zubair has been directed to not leave the country and cooperate with the police in the investigation process.

The Allahabad High Court has further asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file a detailed counter in the case by 6th January 2025.

During the hearing, the government had submitted how Mohammed Zubair threatened to undermine India’s sovereignty and integrity through a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter).

Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal highlighted, “The FIR shows what your conduct has done. It caused so much damage and has created a threat to the sovereignty and integrity of the country. He (Zubair) is giving half-baked information on his X post. He is not checking that the court gave the bail to Yati Narsinghanand.”

For the unversed, the dubious ‘fact checker’ was accused of promoting enmity and inciting violence by sharing old and edited video clips of Yati Narsinghanand.

The Uttar Pradesh police had booked Mohammed Zubair under Section 152 of BNS.

Delhi HC orders removal of doctored content of journalist Rajat Sharma created using AI and deepfake technology

ANI
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Delhi HC orders removal of doctored content of journalist Rajat Sharma created using AI and deepfake technology

The Delhi High Court has granted senior journalist Rajat Sharma protection over his personality rights, directing the removal of content created through artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology.

Justice Amit Bansal in an order passed on December 18, issued prohibiting several defendants, including individuals and entities, from using or exploiting Sharma’s name, image, voice, photos, or videos for any personal or commercial purposes without his explicit written consent.

The Court passed an ad interim injunction and also directed Meta Platforms Inc. to immediately block/remove/take down the following impugned content of Defendants and further disclose complete details (such as name, address, email, phone number, etc.) of Defendants

According to the suit, eight defendants are perpetuating gross misinformation including through the wrongful use of AI technology for

creation of doctored videos bearing distorted, modified and modulated images/voice and other personality traits of Plaintiff Rajat Sharma.

It was also submitted that the impugned content is being circulated either to promote purported drug(s) for diabetes/ prostatitis/ joint pain alleged to have been formulated by certain eminent doctors or certified by the government or as alleged health tips by Plaintiff along with other eminent persons such as Amitabh Bachchan and Naresh Trehan, thereby resulting in gross violation of the personality and publicity rights of Plaintiff Rajat Sharma.

It was further submitted that given Plaintiff Rajat Sharma’s unique position as a trusted voice in Indian households, any misrepresentation of his endorsement risks irreparable damage not only to his personal reputation but also to public trust at large. The misuse of his persona for fraudulent health claims exacerbates the propensity for harm, potentially endangering the health and safety of countless individuals who rely on the purported endorsement.

Sharma further claimed that the defendants were unlawfully using and violating several registered trademarks of INDIA TV, as well as infringing on the copyright of footage from its show ‘AAJ KI BAAT: RAJAT SHARMA KE SAATH.’

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

Former Haryana CM Om Prakash Chautala passes away at 89

ANI
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Former Haryana CM Om Prakash Chautala passes away at 89

Former Haryana Chief Minister and INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala passed away on Friday at his residence in Gurugram. Chautala had served as Haryana’s chief Minister for five terms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of the former CM saying, “I am deeply saddened by the demise of former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala ji. He was active in state politics for many years and constantly tried to carry forward the work of Chaudhary Devi Lal ji. My deepest condolences to his family and supporters in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.”

Haryana CM Nayab Saini also condoled the death of the former CM, “The demise of INLD supremo and former Chief Minister of Haryana Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala ji is extremely sad. My humble tribute to him. He served the state and society throughout his life. This is an irreparable loss for the politics of the country and Haryana state. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed soul at his feet and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this sorrow.”

Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala expressed his grief over the demise of former Haryana Chief Minister and INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala.

In a post on X, the Congress MP said, “The demise of former Haryana Chief Minister, Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala, is an irreparable loss for the state. May God grant a place to the departed soul in his lotus feet and give strength to the family members to bear the grief.”

“My humble tribute. Om Shanti Om.,” he added.

On the demise of INLD supremo and former Chief Minister of Haryana Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala, Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda said, “This is very bad news that we have got. The demise of Om Prakash Chautala is an irreparable loss for the politics of the country and Haryana state.”

Haryana government minister Anil Vij also expressed his sadness after the demise of Chautala.

“This is very sad news. Om Prakash Chautala ji, who has been in politics for a very long time in this state, has contributed a lot to this state. He was also the chief minister many times, and he was an efficient administrator with whom I got the opportunity to work, Anil Vij said.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed his grief and said that the former Haryana CM had made a significant contribution to the service of Haryana and the country.

“The news of the demise of former Haryana Chief Minister and senior leader Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala is sad. He made a significant contribution to the service of Haryana and the country. In this hour of grief, we express our deepest condolences to his family and supporters and pray for the peace of the departed soul.”


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

Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela: Not just a Kumbh of Sanatani faith, also a boost to economy, ‘Vocal for Local’ being promoted in the grand preparations

OpIndia Staff
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Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela: Not just a Kumbh of Sanatani faith, also a boost to economy, ‘Vocal for Local’ being promoted in the grand preparations

The Maha Kumbh Mela, which will take place in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, will not only be a blend of tradition and modernity but will also be unique in every way. Maha Kumbh has been an exceptional forum for religion, culture and tradition as well as socialization and business since ancient times till the present. The state administration will profit monetarily from the pilgrims who visit from all over the world to attend the auspicious gathering.

The British administration also made constant efforts to ensure that Kumbh was organized successfully. Although it was not significant to the British in terms of religion or culture, it was crucial to their economy. The government of British India used to make more money from this event than it spent on sponsoring it, until 1906. The preparations for Prayagraj Maha Kumbh 2025 were initiated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in 2022. He presided over the inaugural Maha Kumbh 2025 meeting, which took place in 2022. He also visited Prayagraj frequently during that time.

The pious occasion has also piqued the interest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He travelled to Prayagraj for this purpose to personally assess the festival preparations. CM Yogi and PM Modi also launched, unveiled and inaugurated other projects associated with the Mahakumbh celebration. The two are making great efforts to put this event on a global pedestal in this manner.

Special projects for Maha Kumbh Nagri

It is anticipated that 45 crore people will attend the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela. This will boost local employment, trade, regional handicrafts and arts as well as tourism and overall development. Kumbh helps the government build the region’s infrastructure in every manner, which eventually helps the people and makes trade easier. Yogi Adityanath’s government in the state has set a target of completing more than 500 projects for Maha Kumbh.

The total cost of these projects is around Rs 6,382 crore which includes the widening of roads, laying of drinking water pipelines and running of new buses, among others along with multiple types of infrastructure development. Over 50,000 labourers are working hard day and night to establish Maha Kumbh City. Bridges are being constructed as needed. Temporary four-lane steel bridges were built in areas where bridge construction was not feasible. Even railroad bridges were set up where required. Furthermore, all of the roads that led to Prayagraj were made broader and more attractive.

An attractive appearance to Prayagraj

The city has been given a unique appearance in an attempt to draw in pilgrims visiting Prayagraj. A budget of Rs 60 crore has been allocated by the Prayagraj Development Authority to give the city walls and important intersections a magnificent appearance. This includes street art on major walls of the city, murals on intersections, sculptures of various styles, landscaping, traffic signs, green belts, horticulture and others. The walls of the city will be inscribed with various symbols of religion, spirituality and culture.

Such images will be created to give the impression that they were communicating with the visitors, describing the historic city to them and welcoming them in the religious and cultural confluence of modernity. They will be portrayed in roughly 10 lakh square feet of the city in this manner.

Employment to local people

According to an estimate, 45,000 families will get work from the Maha Kumbh. 25,000 workers have been employed in Mahakumbh. 45,000 thousand families have been trained under skill development for the event. The state government has created more than 2,000 paying guest facilities in the city to accommodate pilgrims coming from outside. The Uttar Pradesh government formulated a tourism policy in the year 2022, which aimed to train 10 lakh people. These skilled service providers will find work and play a significant part in this Maha Kumbh. Self-employment, such as an eco-friendly axe or stone mill, would be crucial in this. The small-scale industries will greatly benefit from the same.

The Department of Tourism of Uttar Pradesh has been providing all forms of training to various service providers including tour guides, drivers, sailors and street vendors. The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has trained more than 2,000 ferrymen to attract tourists and increase their income which includes everything from attending to the devotees to taking care of their safety. Moreover, local women are also selling clay stoves to maintain the purity of food during Kumbh. Every service provider and small business that has a direct or indirect connection to the pilgrims visiting the Mahakumbh has so received training, ensuring that visitors enjoy both the special joy of hospitality as well as religious and cultural experience.

Special arrangements in tent city

The state government has erected over 2,000 Swiss cottage-style tents for devotees in the Kumbh region and a posh tent city is being built for it. The Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Limited (UPSTDC) is in charge of creating these. This city has been founded by UPSTDC in collaboration with six partners. Various blocks are being set up in the tent city. Kumbh Camp India, Rishikul Kumbh Cottage, Kumbh Village, Kumbh Canvas, Kumbh Era, and others are prominent among these. These tents will have five-star hotel facilities per international standards and will be available in Super Deluxe, Tent Villa, Maharaja, Swiss Cottage and Dormitory formats.

Vocal for local

CM Yogi’s government of Uttar Pradesh has made a framework to promote the local products of the state internationally through Prayagraj Mahakumbh 2025. The government has made PM Modi’s “Vocal for Local” its main mantra for it. During this time, ‘One District, One Product’ which means that each district will have a major product. Sarees of Banaras, brassware of Moradabad, terracotta of Gorakhpur and Shajar stone products of Banda are expected to gain more fame and promotion on the international stage. As a result, it is also expected to increase the turnover of the related products of these districts. PM Modi had massively supported “Vocal for Local” and the Uttar Pradesh government has set a new standard in it.

45 crore tourists from 75 countries

Mahakumbh 2025 which is to be held in Prayagraj is believed to attract 45 crore people from more than 75 countries around the world. These comprise devotees to journalists and researchers. The Mahakumbh could alone attract about 4 lakh visitors from Europe. The state Tourism Department has received inquiries from tour companies in many European nations. Muslims from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and other Muslim nations are also making reservations at hotels in Prayagraj to visit Mahakumbh. As a result of the influx of foreign visitors, India will also receive foreign exchange. Both India and Uttar Pradesh’s economies will reap the rewards from this. Additionally, the brand UP will gain international awareness.

There were 24 crore devotees who attended the 2019 Mahakumbh. Twenty-five lakh of them were overseas visitors. This figure appears to be rising swiftly this time. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s exemplary law and order reform in Uttar Pradesh has been welcomed and trusted not only by the nation but also by the entire world. A total of 48 crore tourists visited Uttar Pradesh in 2023, which is the same number as last year. These comprise both foreign and domestic travelers. This number represented a 50% increase over 2022. It is projected that by 2028, this number will have increased to 85 crores. This makes the Mahakumbh of the next year extremely crucial.

Special trains from Prayagraj to other religious places

Devotees coming to Maha Kumbh Mela can also visit famous pilgrimage sites like Vindhyachal, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Vrindavan and Mathura. The state government has created a religious corridor for pilgrims to visit these sacred sites during the Maha Kumbh Yatra. Special arrangements have been made for Varanasi including waterways and special trains. Railways have decided to run 34 trains between Varanasi cantonment and Prayagraj to link the event directly to Varanasi.

It has been decided to run similar special trains between Prayagraj to Ayodhya, Prayagraj to Vindhyachal and Prayagraj to Mathura-Vrindavan. ‘Fast Ring Memo’ service has been launched for these cities which will pass from Prayagraj to Ayodhya, Varanasi and Prayagraj. Similarly, the second train will arrive from Prayagraj to Varanasi, then Ayodhya and again Prayagraj. This service will be available on all days except the main days (when holy baths are taken) of the festivals.

‘Ambedkar allied himself with British government, insulted Congress’: Read what Jawahar Lal Nehru wrote in his letter

OpIndia Staff
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‘Ambedkar allied himself with British government, insulted Congress’: Read what Jawahar Lal Nehru wrote in his letter

While the Congress party is busy claiming that Home Minister Amit Shah ‘insulted’ Dr BR Amedkar during his parliament speech, by twisting a single sentence from his statement without context, the BJP has been responding by highlighting how the Congress, currently pretending to be an ardent admirer of Amedkar’s policies, has been complicit in ignoring him and sidelining him from its early days in power.

As a further embarrassment to the Congress, a letter from Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, has been making the rounds on social media, characterizing Ambedkar as a person who “allied himself with the British Government and against the Congress” and apparently branding him a traitor.

The letter dated 26th January 1946 was addressed to Amrit Kaur (possibly Congress leader Rajkumari Dame Bibiji Amrit Kaur who was appointed the first health minister of independent India). It read, “I have received two or three letters from you. As for Mayer’s letter, I sent it merely for Bapu’s (Mahatma Gandhi) information. There is nothing to be done about it. I quite agree with you about this business of using blood for writing and tilak marks. I have protested repeatedly. Nan is now due to arrive here early next week. But I shall not be certain till she actually comes.”

However, the crucial part of the letter came letter where Nehru informed, “You will have read about the violent attack on the Communists in Bombay. This is producing an intolerable situation. I have said something about it, I hope Bapu will take this matter in hand. About the gentleman named Rai Sahib Sonadhar Das Senapati at Shillong and the report of the conversation between him and me, I am not aware of the name of the person but someone did meet me and irritated me exceedingly by his stupidity.”

He then voiced his views about Ambedkar and conveyed, “The report as given is very incorrect, lie (presumably Rai) asked me why the Congress should not go to Ambedkar and make it up with him. I told him that we are going to do nothing of the kind. Ambedkar had repeatedly insulted the Congress and Congress leaders and unless he apologised we would have nothing to do with him. I certainly did not say that the scheduled castes would not get the political privileges given to them under the Poona Pact. My whole stress was on the fact that Ambedkar had allied himself with the British Government and against the Congress and we could not deal with him.”

Image from Selected Works of Jawaharlal Nehru (Series 1 | Vol. 14 | June 1945 – February 1946)

The historical record further mentioned that in a letter on 17th January 1946, Amrit Kaur stated, “I see you had a sketch given to you which had been drawn in blood. I saw too in the papers that some girls had put the tilak mark our your forehead with blood. Because of this, I think I expressed myself forcibly on this issue. I send back to you the report that the gentleman most probably gave you.” The response of which was delivered by Nehru in his letter.

Nehru’s letter was also shared by BJP’s Amit Malviya. He termed the development as “shocking beyond imagination” and highlighted, “Nehru wrote to Amrit Kaur, referring to the revered Baba Saheb Ambedkar as a traitor and accusing him of collaborating with the British.”

Malviya cited the pertinent paragraph from the letter and charged, “There can be no greater insult to Baba Saheb Ambedkar, the architect of our Constitution, and to the entire Dalit community. The Congress’s deep-rooted disdain for Dr Ambedkar is both troubling and unacceptable.” Despite the Congress party’s best efforts to discredit the BJP by twisting Amit Shah’s words about Ambedkar, their own previous actions appear to have come back to haunt them and reveal their hypocrisy, leaving them in an uncomfortable situation.

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