US President Donald Trump recently announced that he is the most followed person on Facebook, followed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that since PM Modi represents ‘1.5 billion’ people, he has an advantage over him as US population is about 330 million. India’s official population is approximately 1.3 billion.
However, that is not correct. The US President Donald Trump has a Facebook fan base of about 27 million.
Facebook likes of US President Donald Trump
On the other hand, PM Modi’s Facebook fan base is almost 47 million.
Facebook likes of PM Modi
Moreover, it is actually former US President Barack Obama who is the most followed politician currently with a Facebook fan-base of little over 55 million people.
US President Donald Trump is currently in India on a 36-hour-trip. He in presently in Ahmedabad where a grand cultural event, Namaste Trump, is being held. From here he will proceed to Taj Mahal in Agra. He is the seventh US President to visit India.
On Sunday, a clash broke out between Pro-CAA and Anti-CAA groups in Maujpur near Jeffrabad, thereby leading to heavy stone-pelting and vandalism of public property.
The police resorted to shelling tear gas to disperse the crowd. 15 people had been reportedly injured, including two cameramen and six police officers. The cops conducted a flag march and appealed to people to stay calm.
Delhi: Stone pelting between two groups in Maujpur area, tear gas shells fired by Police. pic.twitter.com/Yj3mCFSsYk
On Saturday, a group of over 500 Muslim women had gathered near the Jafrabad Metro Station and blocked road No. 66, which connects Seelampur to Maujpur and Yamuna Vihar. They were protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
These protests had also forced the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to shut down the entry and exit gates of the metro station. Ex-AAP MLA and BJP leader Kapil Mishra had called for a pro-CAA demonstration in the area on Twitter. The pro-CAA group reached the Maujpur-Baburpur metro station near 3:30 pm.
Mishra demanded the removal of Anti-CAA protestors and clearance of the road within 3 days. He emphasised that they would not listen to anyone if the Anti-CAA rioters do not shift and clear the roads within three days.
दिल्ली पुलिस को तीन दिन का अल्टीमेटम – जाफराबाद और चांद बाग की सड़कें खाली करवाइए इसके बाद हमें मत समझाइयेगा , हम आपकी भी नहीं सुनेंगे, सिर्फ तीन दिन@DelhiPolicepic.twitter.com/9ozTazMZew
The pro-CAA group was allegedly attacked with stones by those protesting against the CAA at around 4 pm. This was soon followed by the vandalism of shops and several vehicles in the area. As per reports, a Shani temple is also located in the area where stones were pelted. The stone-pelting stopped around 5:30 pm.
An eye-witness quoted by Times of India recounted, “I saw a couple of people who were hurt and bleeding. People were offering help, using Dettol and cotton. We too took refuge inside and came out only after 6 pm to find out what had transpired.”
The cops also stopped the Pro-CAA demonstrators from marching towards Kardampuri where another Anti-CAA protestor was underway. The police also conducted a flag march and appealed to everyone to stay calm. Similar instances of stone-pelting had been reported in Chand Bagh and Malviya Nagar.
As per reports, the Jaffrabad Metro station area had been under seize by the Muslim mob under the pretence of anti-CAA protests from Saturday night. In the morning, chairs and tables were also brought to erect stages but the police had removed them.
Another stunning display of peace and syncretic culture that is famously espoused by the minority of India has come to the fore. Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim has found himself as a target of Islamists after he participated in Shiv puja on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri.
In a viral video, a radical Mullah by the name of Syed Ibrahim Siddiqui can be heard saying that the Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim had left Islam and that he was no longer a Momin for having participated in Shivratri celebrations.
Siddiqui added that if Hakim died, then it would be sinful to perform his last rites as per Islamic rituals. He further claimed that the TMC politician cannot be buried post his death as he had “committed Kuffar” by doing Shiv Puja.
In a video that had surfaced earlier, Hakim could be seen showering milk and flowers on Shivling during the Maha Shivratri puja.
Siddiqui alleged that the Kolkata Mayor had left his deen and every Mulfi (Islamic scholar) would label him as “Kaffir” for his action of worshipping a Hindu god and participating in a Hindu ritual. The Mullah said that despite being to Hajj (Islamic pilgrimage), Hakim had been simultaneously worshipping idols and reading Namaaz. As such, the TMC leader had no respect for his religion (Islam).
He urged all “Muslim brothers” to ostracise Firhad Hakim for his treachery to Islam. The Mullah requested other Muslims to work for religion and stay away from Hakim.
Lastly and quite ironically, he emphasised that Bengal was a melange of cultures and religions and that one should steer clear off blasphemists. This, while he was issuing a Fatwa against Hakim, who had dared to participate in a Hindu puja.
Farhad Hakim is, however, not new to controversy. Earlier Firhad Hakim had stirred up controversy when the official Facebook page of Kolkata Municipal Corporation had posted the mayor’s Republic Day message along with a distorted map of India. The regions of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and Aksai Chin were seen missing from the Indian Kashmir.
Further, after widespread riots by Muslims opposing CAA and NRC, the Kolkata Mayor from the Trinamool Congress, Firhad Hakim, had appealed to the Muslim rioting mobs, who he addressed as friends, to not indulge in rioting in the state and damage public property. He further stated that they were only benefitting the BJP with their violence and rampage.
He also said that Mamata Banerjee has already declared that NRC and CAB will not be implemented in the state, therefore, they need not worry.
Hakim had said, “Why should we, as people of Bengal, harm other people of Bengal? Why should we damage the public property of the people of Bengal? Those people will then start supporting Amit Shah and if 70% of them support Amit Shah, then when BJP comes to power here, then you’ll have to keep your heads down like they do in Uttar Pradesh. No one will come on the streets then.”
He had continued, “If you want to protest, then join the rally called by Mamata Banerjee. Protest against the CAB and NRC in a democratic, social way. We are not criminals that we will burn buses and spread anarchy. Therefore, I request the brothers who are indulging in these protests to think sensibly. The people of Bengal are being hurt and Delhi’s Amit Shah is laughing at this.
Hilariously, while Hakim has now come under fire by Islamists, he had earlier tried to shield Islamists by telling them not to indulge in rioting only because it benefits BJP.
Self-proclaimed representatives of Islam are often seen calling for the social boycott of Muslims who do not toe the line of religious dogmatism. In 2017, a 16-year-old girl, Nahid Afreen, from Assam who took part in the 2015 edition of the popular singing reality show was issued a fatwa for singing against Islamic values.
20 Rohingya families have been settled in Nepal along the India-Nepal border. They are settled at the Rupandehi district and have also received funding from some Islamic groups. As reported by Live Hindustan, the Indian intelligence agencies are on an alert after this information. Agencies are reportedly keeping an eye on the movement of Rohingyas near the border regions India shares with neighbouring countries.
The Rohingyas reportedly moved to Nepal after India passed the Citizenship Amendment Act and proposed eventual implementation of National Register for Citizens. The report further states that the sources in intelligence agencies have informed that in recent times a lot of Rohingya families have moved to Nepal and have lodged themselves near Kathmandu. Now they are being shifted to regions near the India-Nepal border. The 20 families who have been moved to Rupandehi have been shifted from Kathmandu. They were earlier funded by some Nepal-based organisations.
As per reports, Rohingyas have settled in other districts of Nepal as well. About 35 temporary homes have been spotted in Dhadhing district. About 104 Rohingyas have also been seen in Panauti district. As per reports, the intelligence agencies have raised concerns over Rohingyas moving to Nepal. Some of the Rohingyas are also in touch with real estate brokers to buy land in Nepal.
On Saturday, 22 February, two men in Kerala had found an abandoned package which contained bullets. The Kerala police, when alerted had recovered the bullets. As per reports, the seized bullets had carried the markings of “POF”, allegedly pointing towards their origin at Pakistan Ordinance Factory.
As per reports, the package was found in Kulathupuza in Kollam, Kerala. DGP Loknath Behera had reportedly sought the help of central intelligence agencies due to the suspected Pakistani origin of the bullets, suspecting links to a Pakistan-sponsored terror outfit.
Kerala Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) investigating the site in Kulathupuzha, Kollam where 14 live bullets with Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) markings, were found yesterday. pic.twitter.com/Bfq6siMfQO
The Kerala state ATS had begun its investigation yesterday. Informed by the ATS, a military intelligence squad had also arrived at the spot to assist on the investigation. As per reports, officials from NIA and military intelligence will also help in the investigation.
Officials from military intelligence and NIA had arrived at the spot. As per reports, a total of 14 bullets were recovered. The bullets were of 7.62 mm size and were marked with POF, which is suspected to be ‘Pakistan Ordinance Factory’. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the bullets may have been made in 1981-82. The bullets are used in machine guns. Forensic and ballistic investigations have also begun.
As per tye New Indian Express report, the state crime branch has denied reports that the recovered bullets were the bullets missing from the SAP camp. Crime branch confirmed that the serial number of the bullets stored in the camp have been examined and they do not match with the seized bullets.
The POF is a major firearm manufacturing facility under the Ministry of Defence Production in Pakistan, headquartered in Wah Cantonment, Punjab province in Pakistan. 12 bullets were found inside a bullet pouch and 2 were inside a case. The suspected links to the POF in Pakistan has initiated a major investigation as to persons linked with the supply and use of those bullets.
The President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, along with First Lady Melania Trump, daughter Ivanka Trump and the high-level delegation is expected to land in Ahmedabad, India, shortly. Prime Minister Modi will receive him at the airport from where he will go to Motera stadium for the grand Namaste Trump event. Over a lakh people are expected to participate in the Namaste Trump event during his India visit. En route, he will stop by at Sabarmati Ashram and pay respects to Mahatma Gandhi.
Trump will be the seventh American President to visit India. Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi tweeted that India looks forward to welcoming US President Trump.
While the event is being touted as a historic milestone in the relationship between India and USA, the usual activists, backed by Congress, have taken it upon themselves to find ways to mar the visit, for petty political reasons.
A shameful article published in the National Herald today bore testament to how the political and civil society dispensation often acts out of hate, against the interests of India.
While a historic engagement is about to take off between India and the USA, National Herald, the Congress mouthpiece, decided to publish an opinion article by Aakar Patel headlined, “India is the only poor and ‘shit-hole country’ that Donald Trump has ever visited”.
National Herald article written by Aakar Patel
The article written by Aakar Patel is essentially a rant that gives away the author’s hate, not only for Donald Trump but also for India.
At the outset, Aakar Patel tries to prove, with aa flurry of assumptions, why he thinks, Donald Trump considers India a ‘shit-hole’. First, middle-aged Aakar Patel reminisces and says that when he was 16 and spending time in an American village, there was a desk for exchange student programs where Americans could travel abroad and per him, nobody signed up. Aakar uses this experience, which presumably happened 3 decades ago, to extrapolate and claim that Americans, in general, don’t like to travel, and hence, by extension, neither does Donald Trump.
Then, Aakar Patel proceeds to lie in order to prove why he thinks Donald Trump considers India a shit-hole.
He writes, “Donald Trump since becoming president has visited 20 countries of which the majority are in Europe. He has been to France four times. He dislikes the developing world and doesn’t want immigrants from what he calls ‘shit-hole country’, in which list he presumably includes India”.
Since January 20th 2017, President Donald Trump has actually visited 22 countries, India being the 23rd and unless Aakar Patel considers Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, North Korea, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Singapore as ‘Europian countries’, he is clearly way off the mark.
Further, Aakar Patel sneakily mentions that Trump has visited France 4 times, in order to somehow insinuate that travelling to “poor, non-white countries” is something Trump considers below his dignity. What he fails to mention is that Trump has also visited Vietnam and South Korea twice.
The rest of his statement, based on these lies, is even more problematic. He uses this lie to essentially peddle his agenda on immigration and his hate for India. He says that Donald Trump dislikes the developing world and does not want immigrants from what he calls ‘shit-hole countries’. While Trump has received serious flak for his immigration policy from the Left-Liberal coterie, what he has essentially stood against is illegal immigration, which is something India is also trying to curb. Aakar brings this up, not because he wishes to critique USA’s immigration policy, but because he wishes to stir that hornet’s nest while anti-NRC riots rage across the country by Muslim mobs and also, to lead into his next assertion. After this, Aakar willy-nilly extrapolates, that since Trump does not support illegal immigration, he must assume that “poor country” India is a shit-hole. That assumption is them added to the headline, which gives the impression that Trump, at some point, has actually called India a ‘shit-hole’, which he has not.
The ideological moorings and bias of Aakar Patel are quite evident when he lashes out at conservatives and praises the liberals, Presidents of the USA or Prime Ministers of India, subtly.
For example, after praising Clinton for having “harsh words about India” when a “Hindutva Govt” under AB Vajpayee was in power, he goes on to deride George W Bush, seen as a conservative and visited India when “Liberal” Manmohan Singh was in power.
Nestled carefully in the body of his article, Aakar Patel reveals the true agenda of writing this hate-rant.
Excerpt from Aakar Patel’s article in National Herald
Hilariously, National Herald, which is a Congress mouthpiece, tries to paint Barack Obama as a frugal middle-class man while Modi, as the flamboyant spend-thrift. Aakar Patel writes how Obama wears re-soled shoes and thus, is a “very middle-class man”.
Interestingly, according to Businessinsider, the net worth of Barack Obama runs into a whopping $40 million. From the time he joined the US senate in 2005 to the end of his presidency, Obama made $20 million alone from his salary, book royalties and the money he charges for speaking engagements – yes – the frugal middle-class do-gooder does not speak to children for free.
The Obamas had entered the White House in 2008 with a little over a million dollars and by the time they left, his net worth was conservatively, over $40 million with the number set to soar higher considering how he has been speaking at several events on a regular basis. Further, in 2017, both the Obamas signed book deals worth well over $60 million. They have also recently signed a production deal with Netflix, the amount of which hasn’t been disclosed yet.
According to Business Insider, in his post-Presidency life, Obama is set to earn well over 242.5 million dollars. Again, a conservative estimate.
While the frugal middle-class Obama is set to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, Modi, after a political career spanning decades, has assets worth Rs 2.5 crore including a residential plot in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar, fixed deposits of Rs 1.27 crore and Rs 38,750 cash in hand.
He has declared movable assets worth Rs 1.41 crore and immovable assets valued at Rs 1.1 crore.
The prime minister has invested Rs 20,000 in tax saving infra bonds, Rs 7.61 lakh in National Saving Certificate (NSC) and another Rs 1.9 lakh in LIC policies.
His cash balance in the savings bank account is Rs 4,143.
Modi has four gold rings, weighing 45 grams, valued at Rs 1.13 lakh.
With such a massive disparity, it is sheer hate towards PM Modi and India that allows Aakar Patel to lie and for Congress mouthpiece National Herald to publish the drivel.
After this litany of lies, National Herald goes on to equate PM Modi and President Trump as narcissists who hate Muslims, lying that Trump has banned travel of Muslims from certain countries and also, that Modi has excluded Muslims from CAA. CAA is an act that aims to expedite citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighbouring Islamic nations and since the law is aimed towards persecuted, religious minorities, the question of “excluding” the majority people of Islamic nations does not arise – since Muslims being religiously persecuted in Islamic nations does not exactly make sense.
After the blatant lies and assertions that the visit of the US President to India won’t yield much, Aakar Patel finally, albeit unknowingly, admits that this article published in the Congress mouthpiece, was nothing but a propaganda piece aimed to almost campaign for the Democrats in the upcoming presidential elections.
He writes, “A Democrat in the White House will mean greater scrutiny of our actions in Kashmir and over the CAA and National Register controversy. The best thing that Modi can hope for in this visit is that he is able to mobilise Indians in America to vote Republican and try and help Trump return to power”.
Essentially, the Congress party and Aakar Patel would ideally want the Democrats to return to power in the USA so as to ensure that their liberal, Muslim appeasing policies find an audience.
Essentially, the Congress party’s mouthpiece, by publishing this shoddy piece has attempted to cater to their main vote banks – deluded liberals and the rioting Muslims who have taken to the streets since the passage of CAA. For the Liberals, the conservative regime, whether in the USA or India (though both very different principally) is an abhorrent outlier and for the Islamist, USA will always be the big monster out to get them. By equating PM Modi to the big-bad-USA-regime, the Congress effectively caters to its Islamist vote bank and succeeds in fear-mongering. Considering several Congress leaders have been charged in the anti-CAA riots and have actively supported seditious anti-India elements, this motivated article falls completely in line with the official stand the Congress party seems to have taken – Oppose Modi, even if it means breaking India.
“India awaits your arrival. Your visit is definitely going to further strengthen the friendship between our nations. See you very soon in Ahmedabad,” PM Modi tweeted.
US President Donald Trump is expected to land in Ahmedabad at around 11:30 AM from where he will proceed to Motera stadium where Namaste Trump grand cultural event is organised to welcome him. He will also stop by at Sabarmati Ashram to pay respects to Mahatma Gandhi. POTUS is accompanied by his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and high level delegation.
Customs officials at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru seized five kilograms of ephedrine on Friday. Ephedrine is used for medication and can be abused as a stimulant. It can also be used to manufacture methamphetamine using certain chemical reactions. It is a controlled substance covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
The drug peddlers had concealed the ephedrine in 43 wedding invitations that were due for shipping to Australia.
Customs officials at the #Bengaluru airport seize 5 kg of ephedrine, concealed in wedding invitations that were to be shipped to Australia. Imagine how innovative and alert the officials have to be to counter this menace. pic.twitter.com/GqqWwNDqWR
As per reports, the drug was concealed in 86 pouches and the entire quantity is approximately worth Rs. 5.05 crores. “During verification of export consignment at the courier terminal of Air Cargo Complex, Bengaluru, the officers of Central Intelligence Unit, Air Cargo Complex intercepted an export cargo on February 21. Preliminary scanning of the package indicated the concealment of powder. Detailed examination of the package was done and it was found to contain 43 invitation cards and garments,” Joint Commissioner of Customs, M.J. Chethan, said in a statement.
A total of 86 ephedrine pouches were found expertly concealed within two-sided cardboard of the 43 invitation cards.
“The invitation cards made of cardboard were two-sided and foldable. On cutting open the 43 invitation cards, white crystalline powder was found packed in polythene pouches which had been concealed between the cardboard layers of each side in each of the 43 cards,” he added. Only on the 18th of February, 5 kg of Ephedrine valued at Rs 5 crore in the international market was seized by customs officers of the Air Cargo Complex. This consignment was due to be shipped to Australia as well.
Officials suspect a link between the two consignments. “That consignment of ephedrine, worth over Rs 5 crore in the grey market, was concealed in bobbins, and was also reportedly booked by the same person at Madurai to be smuggled to Australia,” an officer was quoted by The New Indian Express as saying. “We will coordinate with our counterparts in Australia to get a larger picture of the smuggling of contraband drugs,” he added.
It is also reported that the particular courier company was selected because it is the only company in South India to have a gateway to Australia through Bengaluru.
“If you consider both hauls, then the value is estimated to be about ₹10 crores. We are also verifying with the courier agencies and the company that printed the wedding cards,” said a police officer as per The Hindu.
US President Donald Trump along with First Lady Melania Trump, daughter Ivanka Trump and the high level delegation is expected to land in Ahmedabad, India, shortly. Prime Minister Modi will receive him at the airport from where he will go to Motera stadium for the grand Namaste Trump event. Over a lakh people are expected to participate in Namaste Trump event. En route, he will stop by at Sabarmati Ashram and pay respects to Mahatma Gandhi.
Trump will be the seventh American President to visit India. Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi tweeted that India looks forward to welcoming US President Trump.
Ahmedabad is India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City. After attending Namaste Trump event in Ahmedabad, the delegation will proceed to Agra where they will visit the Taj Mahal. The US President will then reach Delhi for the main leg of their 36-hour-trip. On 25th February, the US President will receive a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan as per protocol following which he will go to Rajghat to pay homage at Mahatma Gandhi’s samadhi.
Later, US President Trump and Prime Minister Modi will hold delegation level talks at Hyderabad House in Delhi. After the official meetings have concluded, the US President and First Lady will have a lavish lunch hosted by PM Modi. Later, President Trump will go to ITC Maurya Hotel where External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu are expected to call on him. On 25th night, the US President will leave back for US on his special flight.
Ahead of his visit to Ahmedabad, the city has turned into a fortress with thousands of security personnel deployed for the security. Some people have been detained as well but Ashish Bhatia, the Commissioner of Police, said that he will not be able to disclose the number of detainees as of now. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been requested for the anti-drone system. and people have been directed not to use drones for any purpose.
The POTUS and FLOTUS will enjoy some Gujarati delicacies like khaman and multigrain rotis during their visit to India. Broccoli-corn samosa, honey-dip cookies and special chai also on the menu.
US President has been particularly excited at the grand reception he’ll be getting which is expected to be attended by lakhs of people.
#WATCH US President Trump ahead of his visit to India: I look forward to being with the people of India, we will be with millions&millions of people. I get along very well with PM,he is a friend of https://t.co/gdvh2zVfyu told me this will be the biggest event they have ever had. pic.twitter.com/2aG6jr1m9G
US President Donald Trump has also demonstrated his excitement towards visiting India in his own unique way by sharing a spoof video of Bahubali on Twitter that superimposed his face over the face of the lead in the movie. Donald Trump retweeted the 81-second video by a Twitter account identified as Sol, who had written, “To celebrate Trump’s visit to India I wanted to make a video to show how in my warped mind it will go… USA and India united!”.
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath has said that this generation is privileged as it will witness the construction of the Bhavya Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. The construction of the Mandir is expected to begin within six months and the foundation stone laying ceremony of the proposed Ram Temple in Ayodhya is expected to occur on an auspicious date in April.
The Mahant of Gorakhnath Muth said, “Our generation is fortunate, we all saw the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, we also got the opportunity to, directly and indirectly, participate in the movement and we will also see the construction of the grand temple of Lord Rama with our own eyes.” He made the remark after visiting Ramlalla and Hanumangarhi.
The UP chief minister made the comments in Ayodhya on Sunday, on his first visit to the temple town after the Supreme Court verdict on the Ram Mandir – Babri Masjid dispute. He inaugurated the Mukhya Mantri Aarogya Mela, a health fair, in Ayodhya, after which he attended a gathering of Hindu seers where he made the comments.
UP के मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ: हम लोगों की पीढ़ी सौभाग्यशाली है, हम सबने राम जन्मभूमि आंदोलन को आंखों से भी देखा, प्रत्यक्ष-अप्रत्यक्ष रूप से आंदोलन में सहभागी होने का सौभाग्य भी मिला और भगवान राम के भव्य मंदिर का निर्माण भी हम सब लोग अपनी आंखों से देख पाएंगे। pic.twitter.com/PrqLGYWrP7
Commenting on the apex court’s verdict paving the way for construction of a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the chief minister said, “The Supreme Court has shown its judicial power to the world by its verdict over the issue of Ram Mandir.”
“I always told saints of Ayodhya to have trust in Prime Minister Modi as under his leadership, we will achieve our goal of having a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya,” he added.
The Gorakhpur Muth, with which Yogi Adityanath is associated, itself has contributed significantly towards the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement. Three generations of the Gorakhnath Muth have made significant contributions towards the return of Ramlalla to Rama Janmabhoomi. Mahant Digvijay Nath conceived the idea, Mahant Avaidyanath nurtured it and the dream will be fulfilled by Mahant Yogi Adityanath as Chief Minister.
