Category: National

Dalai Lama incident: Congress MLA suggests Chinese hand

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Shimla: Amid a controversy over a video clip purportedly showing the Dalai Lama asking a boy to “suck” his tongue, Himachal Pradesh Congress MLA Ravi Thakur on Saturday suggested the hand of China in it to defame the Tibetan spiritual head.
Thakur, the MLA from the Lahaul and Spiti district, also expressed solidarity with the Buddhist community protesting against what they called a “malicious propaganda” against the Dalai Lama.
Speaking to reporters, the MLA said the Dalai Lama is a respected Buddhist leader and removing him from the scene would help China to take full control over Tibet.

He also blamed television news channels for exploiting the “unfortunate” incident to garner viewership.
On April 10 last, the Dalai Lama apologised to a boy, his family and friends for the “hurt his words may have caused”, after a video clip purportedly showing the Tibetan spiritual head asking him to suck his tongue sparked a row.
In the two-minute-five-second video, the Dalai Lama also asked the child “to look at those good human beings who create peace, and happiness and not follow those who kill other people”.
In a statement, the Tibetan spiritual head’s office said, “A video clip has been circulating that shows a recent meeting when a young boy asked His Holiness the Dalai Lama if he could give him a hug. His Holiness wishes to apologise to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused.”

Meanwhile, several social and religious organisations issued a joint statement on Saturday saying that Dalia Lama has solely dedicated his life to serve the humanity and global community.

In the Tibetan tradition, “eat my tongue” is a phrase used particularly by grandparents especially if the child asks for candy which grandparents don’t have, the statement said, and added that defaming the Dalai Lama is undeniably a part of Chinese propaganda.
“Dalai Lama is a global icon of peace, a Nobel laureate. He is an embodiment of compassion and a beacon of hope, love and compassion and has been selflessly and tirelessly promoting religious harmony and peace,” according to the statement.
A playful interaction between the Dalai Lama and a boy, a genuine affection and playful moment have been ruined beyond imagination, the statement added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Siasat staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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#Dalai #Lama #incident #Congress #MLA #suggests #Chinese #hand
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 22, 2023
Gurudwara in Arunachal converted into Buddhist shrine, alleges SGPC

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Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee on Saturday claimed a shrine associated with Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh Guru, in Arunachal Pradesh has been turned into a Buddhist shrine.
The SGPC claimed in a statement that photos shared by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on April 8 on social media made it clear that Gurdwara Guru Nanak Tapasthan in Mechuka has been converted into a Buddhist shrine.
Converting Gurdwara of Sri Guru Nanak Dev in Arunachal Pradesh to Buddhist shrine an attack on Sikhs – Harjinder Singh Dhami
-Abolishing existence of Sikh shrine against Constitution, President and Prime Minister should intervene
Amritsar, April 22-
The Shiromani Gurdwara… pic.twitter.com/dlwwFoSIRE
— Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (@SGPCAmritsar) April 22, 2023
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami termed this alleged act “an attack on Sikhs” and said converting any religious place of one community to that of another is a direct violation of Article 25 of the Constitution.

He said Guru Nanak Dev made religious journeys to different places for the welfare of humanity, which is known as ‘Udasis’ in Sikh history. Accordingly, there is a reference to Guru Nanak Dev’s visit to Mechuka.
The SGPC president said Gurdwara Guru Nanak Tapasthan was established in memory of the Sikh guru.
Historian Colonel Dalvinder Singh Grewal made an important contribution to the development of this gurdwara and with the support of the Indian Army, it was handed over to the ‘Sangat’ in March 1987.
“But it is highly unfortunate that now a mischievous attempt has been made to destroy this memorial shrine of the first Sikh Guru. It is unfortunate that the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh after visiting this historical Sikh shrine is showing it as a Buddhist shrine. This act is going to hurt Sikh sentiments, which will be strongly opposed at all levels,” said Dhami.

He said the president, the prime minister, the home minister and the National Commission for Minorities should intervene immediately, adding he will write to them and ask for action in the matter.

Many cases related to Sikh shrines in different parts of the country are already pending and now another case has been created, he said.
“This is another example of discrimination against Sikhs, on which the government should take cognisance and move towards a solution,” he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Siasat staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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#Gurudwara #Arunachal #converted #Buddhist #shrine #alleges #SGPC
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 22, 2023
Eid brings message of peace, harmony and happiness: UP CM

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Lucknow: People belonging to all walks of life converged to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday and exchanged festive greetings with each other in Uttar Pradesh even as the chief minister appealed to revellers to take precautions amid a surge in coronavirus cases.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended warm greetings and best wishes to the people of the state on the occasion.
A tweet issued by the Chief Minister’s Office said, “The CM has extended hearty greetings and best wishes to the people of the state on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. The chief minister said that the festival of Eid brings a message of happiness. This festival gives the message of peace and harmony.”

“On the occasion of Eid, everyone should take a pledge to further strengthen harmony. The chief minister has appealed to the people to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr by taking all precautions in view of the corona infection,” the tweet added.
A senior police official said Eid prayers in the state passed off peacefully at all the 31,838 places. “Due to everyone’s efforts and efficient management, no untoward incident has been reported anywhere,” he said.
Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar, in a statement, said, “Alvida namaz was offered at 29,439 mosques in the state, while Eid-ul-Fitr namaz was offered at 31,838 Eidgahs and mosques in the state.
“In view of Eid-ul-Fitr and Alvida namaz, 2,933 sensitive places have been identified in all the districts of the state,” he said

Kumar also informed that 249 companies of the PAC force, three companies of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), five CAFs and 7,000 under-training sub-inspectors were deployed for the safe conduct of Alvida namaz and Eid-ul-Fitr.

Apart from this, a team of women cops in plain clothes were deployed with body-worn cameras and binoculars. Drone cameras and high-powered CCTV cameras were also installed to monitor the prayer places, he said.
In Lucknow, the special namaz marking the festival was held at the Aishbagh Eidgah where the old and young were seen embracing each other and exchanging greetings on the day.
Prominent among those who visited the Eidgah included Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav who stressed that the day marks brotherhood and social harmony.
Mayoral and other candidates of Lucknow for the coming urban body elections belonging to different parties and Congress leaders were also seen at the Eidgah.
Earlier on Friday, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, Sadar (Chairman) of Markazi Chand Committee Farangi Mahal and Qazi-e-Shahar, Idgah Lucknow, had announced that the moon has been sighted and Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Saturday.
On the last Friday of the month of Ramzan, the prayers of Zuma Alvida were offered by the Muslim community in the mosques of the state for which elaborate security arrangements were made.
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#Eid #brings #message #peace #harmony #happiness
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 22, 2023
International trade in rupee currency soon: Piyush Goyal

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Rajkot: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday expressed hope that traders will soon be able to settle foreign trade in the rupee currency as several banks from different countries are opening special Vostro accounts with Indian banks.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved 60 requests to open Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) of correspondent banks from 18 countries, including the UK, Singapore, and New Zealand.
The RBI, he said, is in discussion with the central banks of other countries on the matter. “We will soon start seeing operationalisation of this rupee trading in international trade with several countries,” Goyal told reporters here.

He also said that negotiations for free trade agreements (FTAs) with developed regions like the European Union, the UK, and Canada are in “advanced” stages.
Groups including European Free Trade Association Free Trade Agreement (EFTA), Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are also keen to start talks for similar pacts with India.
“The whole world wants to have a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with India,” the minister said.
On the second phase of the production-linked incentive scheme for the textiles sector, he said that extensive stakeholder discussions have happened on the subject. “I am quite confident that very soon we will be able to finalise the contours of the scheme and take it up for approval at the highest level,” he added.

Goyal said that Indian textile exporters were earlier facing customs duty disadvantages in developed markets vis-a-vis countries like Bangladesh, but as the government is inking trade pacts with regions like the UAE and Australia, domestic exporters would be able to push shipments.

On promoting sustainability in the textiles sector, Goyal said that the textiles ministry has decided to set up an ESG (environmental, social, and governance commitments) task force.
The task force will come up with suggestions to make the sector more environment-friendly and sustainable.
The textiles ministry has also launched a portal to promote the sale of handicrafts and handloom products.
On the National Textiles Corporation, he said that viability and other issues of its units have been discussed with the Finance Ministry but no final decision has been taken yet.
On pink worms affecting cotton crops in certain places, the minister said that they are in discussion with the agri ministry and scientists to develop pink worm-resistant varieties.
On exports, Goyal said expressed confidence that the USD 100-billion target for the textiles sector would be achieved.
He also said working with industry would help take the industry’s combined domestic and international economic value to USD 250 billion. “It is possible. We will definitely achieve that,” he added.
Goyal was here as part of the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam which is being conducted under the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ Initiative in Gujarat in Rajkot.
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#International #trade #rupee #currency #Piyush #Goyal
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 22, 2023
Angkita Dutta episode: Assam police leaves for Karnataka to arrest Srinivas B V

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Guwahati: A team of Assam Police on Saturday left for Karnataka to apprehend the national president of Indian Youth Congress Srinivas B V based on the harassment complaint lodged against him by the suspended Assam unit youth Congress chief Angkita Dutta, an official said.
A case has been registered against Srinivas B V in Dispur police station under Sections 509, 294, 341, 352, 354, 354A, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) along with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.
According to sources, a four-member team of Assam Police has been sent to Karnataka to apprehend Srinivas. Assam DGP G.P. Singh has confirmed the development. However, he refused to divulge any further details.

Earlier, on the sidelines of a programme in the national capital, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that Congress’ handling of the situation was dismal and said that the law will take its own course on this issue.
“The way Assam Congress has handled this matter is sad. They ought to have established an inquiry committee and worked things out among themselves,” he said.
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#Angkita #Dutta #episode #Assam #police #leaves #Karnataka #arrest #Srinivas

( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 22, 2023
Understood what went wrong, will be lot steadier now: Bharat Arun

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Kolkata: Having endured a hat-trick of losses before the halfway stage, Kolkata Knight Riders team management has understood what went wrong, said bowling coach Bharat Arun, insisting that the team would be a lot more “steadier” from matches hereon.
KKR have slipped to eighth place in the 10-team standings and against Delhi Capitals they made as many as four changes but only to end up losing.
“It’s very difficult to maintain a total winning momentum in the IPL. Look at all the teams, they have won some and lost some. There is very little to choose from both the sides. So it’s going to be interesting and competitive,” Arun told reporters on the eve of their clash against Chennai Super Kings, here.

Arun further said they have tried out all the permutation and combination and it’s time to back their best possible XI as they approach the business end of the season.
KKR have tried out different opening combinations through the season, and in their last match they brought in Bangladeshi wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das in place of Gurbaz Rahmanullah, who has a fifty to his name.
Litton (4; 4b) however failed to impress and missed two stumpings of Axar Patel and Lalit Yadav — which proved to be decisive as DC returned to winning ways after five losses on the trot.
Asked whether they are yet to get their combination right, Arun replied in negative.

“Not really so. We have tried out different people in different circumstances.”

“You have to see what your best combination through the first-half of the IPL, and then back them in the rest of the tournament.
“Now, we do understand what everyone brings to the fore. Futuristically, if you look at it, it would be a lot steadier than what it was,” Arun said.
Arun further said they have to improve their powerplay batting and bowling.
“One is our powerplay batting and our powerplay bowling. If these two things we can really step up, that will add up.
“Every innings we are getting close to 200 runs in spite of not doing so well in the powerplays. Also matches are going close. If you look hard at those areas. We have understood where we have gone wrong. It’s an opportunity.”
Their pace bowling department has been a big letdown with Umesh Yadav bagging just one wicket from six matches, while Shardul Thakur has accounted from two from five outings.
Overseas duo of Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee have just three wickets between them.
“In this IPL, if you notice, every team is coming hard in the Powerplays, also because our spin department is doing exceptionally well, so all the more reasons for them to target our fast bowlers in the Powerplay. We are aware of that and I’m sure we will come back with better performance in future.”
Asked whether Shardul-Umesh’s form was a concern, he said: “I don’t think so. If you look at first two games, Umesh has bowled pretty well.
“So, that’s not a major cause of worry. Last year, we had got wickets in the powerplay. This year we have not got the wickets as we expected but definitely will look to put stem on the run fest that’s happening in the powerplay,” he added.
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#Understood #wrong #lot #steadier #Bharat #Arun
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 22, 2023
Rollback privatisation of Ordinance Factory Board: Harish Rao writes to Centre

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Hyderabad: Telangana finance minister T Harish Rao shot a letter to the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urging the privatisation of Ordinance Factory Board (OFB) be rolled back.
The minister, on Friday, asked the Centre to upgrade the factory machinery and initiate measures to enhance the skills of manpower.
He referred to the representation by the Ayudha Karmagara Telangana Udyodula Samakhya calling the privatisation an ‘arbitrary and unilateral decision of Government of India’.

Harish Rao reiterated the employee unions’ opinion that the decision was made ‘without convincing the stakeholders and 74,000 central government employees’.
The letter further states, “Due to corporatisation of the seven Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU), competition will emerge affecting the development of new warfare items, as a result, the concept of Make in India will be defeated automatically.”
Harish Rao said that a sufficient workload was available for the year 2022-23 due to which the Ordnance Factory Medak has achieved the target of Rs 930 crores.
“There is no sufficient workload for the year 2023-24. Due to this situation, a threat of declaring the sole ordinance factory located in Telangana as a sick industry in coming years will impact the livelihood of 2,500 direct employees, 5,000 indirect beneficiaries and approximately 25,000 individuals’ future,” the letter stated said.

The Telangana minister urged the Union Government to strengthen the research and development organisations and upgrade machinery at OFB.

His letter added to initiate measures to enhance the skills of manpower, simplify the purchase and administrative procedures, ensure sufficient workload to increase productivity as well as ensure the service of employees in government as was done in the case of Prasara Bharathi.
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#Rollback #privatisation #Ordinance #Factory #Board #Harish #Rao #writes #Centre
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 22, 2023
Piyush Goyal takes a dig at Satya Pal Malik’s recent allegations

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Rajkot: Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday condemned people who spread negativity and try to hinder the progress of the nation, alluding to critical remarks made by former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik about the BJP-led central government.
Goyal asserted that they are positive-thinking people.
“Unfortunately, some people always think negatively and all the time try to stall the country’s progress by misleading people. I completely condemn such people,” he told reporters here.

He was replying to a question about Malik in a media interview making critical remarks about the BJP-led Centre, especially regarding its handling of Jammu and Kashmir where he served as the last governor before the erstwhile state was bifurcated into Union territories.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has asked Malik to answer certain queries in connection with an alleged insurance scam in Jammu and Kashmir. This is the second time in seven months that Malik, who has served as the governor of various states, will be questioned by the federal agency.
Malik was questioned by the CBI sleuths in October last year after he concluded his gubernatorial responsibilities in Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Goa and finally, Meghalaya.
The CBI move comes barely a week after Malik gave an interview to “The Wire”, in which he made critical remarks about the BJP-led Centre, especially regarding its handling of Jammu and Kashmir where he served as the last governor before the erstwhile state was bifurcated into Union territories.
Malik and some Khap leaders held a protest at a police station in New Delhi on Saturday after not being allowed to hold a meeting at a south Delhi park as they lacked requisite permission, according to officials, who rejected reports that he was detained.

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#Piyush #Goyal #takes #dig #Satya #Pal #Maliks #allegations
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 22, 2023
CII’s session on sustainable cooling for low-carbon future

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Chandigarh: CII IGBC Chandigarh Chapter on Saturday organised an interactive session on sustainable cooling for a low-carbon future to mark World Earth Day and as part of the 23rd Edition of CII Coolex.
The event aimed to address the growing demand for sustainable cooling solutions in response to the increasing strain on energy systems and the exacerbation of the climate crisis.
The session brought together experts from various fields, including architecture, engineering, construction, and climate science, to share and exchange the latest developments and innovations in sustainable cooling.

The session explored a range of topics, including the current state of cooling technology and its impact on energy consumption and emissions, emerging technologies and trends in sustainable cooling, design strategies for minimizing cooling needs in buildings, and case studies.
Sharing the welcome remarks, Col Shailesh Pathak, Chairman, IGBC Chandigarh Chapter and CEO, Art & Glass Inc, said: “Green rating systems and building codes play a crucial role in driving the adoption of energy-efficient cooling technologies, which are essential for reducing our carbon footprint and mitigating the impact of climate change.
“The use of energy efficient ACs, such as those with inverter technology, can result in significant reductions in energy consumption and emissions up to 50 per cent. IGBC 31 different rating systems advocate and reward the use of for energy efficient appliances and eco-friendly and products among other green practices.”
Jit Kumar Gupta, Co-Chair, IGBC Green Hill Habitat Rating System and Former Advisor (Town Planning), PUDA, emphasised the need for green spaces and buildings in the planning and development processes.

“By prioritising the incorporation of green spaces and green buildings, we can reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, and create a more liveable environment for all. As the world moves towards low carbon emissions, IGBC’s launched a mission on net zero has been successful in this endeavour, with more than 350 leading organisations committing to achieve net-zero status for their new and existing buildings, in which energy plays a key role.”

The session was part of the ongoing CII Coolex exhibition on air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation, which is showcasing the best of technologies in energy-saving, intelligent, and eco-friendly solutions for commercial and industrial enterprises as well as households.
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#CIIs #session #sustainable #cooling #lowcarbon #future
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 22, 2023
Parkash Singh Badal hospitalised with uneasiness in breathing

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Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal, 95, has been undergoing treatment in Fortis in Mohali near here with complications of uneasiness in breathing.
“In view of the criticality of Parkash Singh Badal’s health, he continues to be closely monitored in the Medical ICU,” the hospital said in a media bulletin.
Earlier on Saturday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh enquired about the health of five-time Chief Minister his son, Sukhbir Badal.

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#Parkash #Singh #Badal #hospitalised #uneasiness #breathing
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 22, 2023