Dr Vishwas Mehta presented a copy of his book Ati Jeevanam (Survival) to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzEXwCHoUOyrZyeUfuH5Iw3HJZ0mcGxgqnU4lDByx_YvKupk37anfXwRgS1ch3dQ9w3GT3QX3Zuv8CTP-aLWzifGmqT8Uk9-UUi_qzaw5jYOnTRF7DdE1VUL3d4RXRzCG6vwgGhyphenhyphen4BmNqZvD73vUGEbZPL3s3owJIze4lYZeRVrTDF3z38WNHscM2ioLl/s1024/DR%20VISHWASH%20MEHTA%20MEETS%20WITH%20KERELA%20CM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzEXwCHoUOyrZyeUfuH5Iw3HJZ0mcGxgqnU4lDByx_YvKupk37anfXwRgS1ch3dQ9w3GT3QX3Zuv8CTP-aLWzifGmqT8Uk9-UUi_qzaw5jYOnTRF7DdE1VUL3d4RXRzCG6vwgGhyphenhyphen4BmNqZvD73vUGEbZPL3s3owJIze4lYZeRVrTDF3z38WNHscM2ioLl/w400-h300/DR%20VISHWASH%20MEHTA%20MEETS%20WITH%20KERELA%20CM.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>New Delhi / Thiruvananthapuram. </b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dr. Vishwas Mehta, former Chief Secretary of Kerala and outgoing Chief Information Commissioner of the state and a native of Dungarpur in Southern Rajasthan, presented a copy of his book 'Ati Jeevanam' (Survival) written in Malayalam language to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Chief Minister's residence at Thiruvananthapuram.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while praising the commendable efforts of Dr. Vishwas Mehta, praised the many exemplary dimensions established during his forty years of service as the Chief Secretary of Kerala and the outgoing Chief Information Commissioner of the state.  He also said that the service rendered by Dr. Vishwas Mehta to the people of the state by working day and night during the period of Covid 19 can never be forgotten.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">Chief Minister Vijayan said that although many bureaucrats write their own books, Dr. Vishwas Mehta has won everyone's hearts by writing a book in Malayalam, the official language of his working place Kerala, and collecting many inspirational memoirs in it.  He also speaks and writes Malayalam very well.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">Vijayaj expressed hope that Dr. Vishwas Mehta has set an example by coming out of a poor family from a small town Dungarpur in Rajasthan and reaching the highest peak of civil services.  I am confident that this book of his, which has come as a summary of his administrative experiences, will become a guide book for the youth coming into administrative services.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">On this occasion, Chief Minister Vijayan's wife Kamla Vijayan and Dr. Vishwas Mehta's wife Preeti Mehta were also present.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">It is noteworthy that on February 19, Dr. Vishwas Mehta's book Ati Jeevanam (Survival) was launched by Kerala Governor Dr. Arif Mohammad Khan at Kerala Raj Bhavan.  The preface of this book of more than three hundred pages has been written by the Governor of West Bengal, Dr. CV Anand Bose, who was the first collector of Dr. Vishwas Mehta.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"> Dr. Vishwas Mehta completed three years of work as the Chief Information Commissioner of Kerala on Thursday evening.  Before taking oath on this constitutional post, he was the Chief Secretary of Kerala.  In view of his remarkable services, he was given this special responsibility for three years after retirement by the government.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><b>--Neeti Gopendra Bhatt</b></p>

Dr Vishwas Mehta presented a copy of his book Ati Jeevanam (Survival) to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

New Delhi / Thiruvananthapuram.  Dr. Vishwas Mehta, former Chief Secretary of Kerala and outgoing Chief Information Commissioner of the stat...

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G20 Summit: US President Joe Biden to have bilateral meeting with PM Modi on September 8.

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIqmiOUT5OI9baeGQ6VTTyetxbT7FtDNw1fds01O8G4nnqlI0JP2PxhHyQ1VrzlzVj-Z8osxD2j7xaSahnMs_7AeEa4EdD1BEvoQj1SC6Y7a9h0GO9X5idJ0XCV0t84EoPLk795R31uyBunEYgZyfxEvDMlDOitnBmozQmwvEVoRRW6ZD-ZkD0gaywWvxH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIqmiOUT5OI9baeGQ6VTTyetxbT7FtDNw1fds01O8G4nnqlI0JP2PxhHyQ1VrzlzVj-Z8osxD2j7xaSahnMs_7AeEa4EdD1BEvoQj1SC6Y7a9h0GO9X5idJ0XCV0t84EoPLk795R31uyBunEYgZyfxEvDMlDOitnBmozQmwvEVoRRW6ZD-ZkD0gaywWvxH=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></strong></div><p></p><figure data-vars-mediatype="image" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;"><figcaption style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #757575; display: block; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px 20px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 8px 0px 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">US President Joe Biden to travel to New Delhi for G20 summit, will have bilateral meeting with PM Modi on September 8.<span> </span><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">(AP)</strong></figcaption></figure><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><a style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; color: #757575; cursor: pointer; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"></a>G20 Summit</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">: US President </span><a class="autobacklink-topic" data-name="Joe Biden" href="https://www.livemint.com/topic/joe-biden" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; color: black; cursor: pointer; font-family: "Lato Bold", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700 !important; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Joe Biden</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"> is scheduled to travel to New Delhi from September 7 to 10 to participate in the </span><a class="autobacklink-topic" data-name="G20 summit" href="https://www.livemint.com/topic/g20-summit" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; color: black; cursor: pointer; font-family: "Lato Bold", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700 !important; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">G20 summit</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">. A White House statement released recently announced that US President Joe Biden will have bilateral meeting with PM Modi on September 8.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">Earlier during BRICS Summit, American national security advisor Jake Sullivan on August 22 announced that US President Joe Biden will participate in the G20 summit and engage in bilateral meetings with various leaders, reported Trend Today. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-align: start;">During his visit, Biden will strongly advocate for the reform of multilateral development banks (MDBs), proposing measures to bolster these institutions' financial capacity. This move aims to address challenges related to poverty reduction, fostering prosperity, and combatting the climate crisis. Biden also intends to convey the message that the United States stands in solidarity with the global south.</span></p>

G20 Summit: US President Joe Biden to have bilateral meeting with PM Modi on September 8.

US President Joe Biden to travel to New Delhi for G20 summit, will have bilateral meeting with PM Modi on September 8.   (AP) G20 Summit : U...

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Aditya L1 Launch Successful Live Updates: PM Modi congratulates ISRO

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8rIkJDpeCrF-U_GHugoiU5zXPz3byntMIENGvFmq3Wxj2t02dpteHlVUGCkke_l4esVZactV6-1WuMuv7ZLf6MzfiiFaYmFQRjEn7BueywhSUMI0HXa8LpOFOidyJh2cxqZgMBKAdffXaxiner2y8Xhn9thkuzGxvhVq9wYLv_uSrOnhYk29qqXN1GlL6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8rIkJDpeCrF-U_GHugoiU5zXPz3byntMIENGvFmq3Wxj2t02dpteHlVUGCkke_l4esVZactV6-1WuMuv7ZLf6MzfiiFaYmFQRjEn7BueywhSUMI0HXa8LpOFOidyJh2cxqZgMBKAdffXaxiner2y8Xhn9thkuzGxvhVq9wYLv_uSrOnhYk29qqXN1GlL6=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></strong></div><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #757575; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">Aditya L1 Mission: Aditya-L1, India's maiden solar mission, on board PSLV-C57 lifts off from the launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, in Sriharikota, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. </span><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; color: #757575; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">(PTI)</strong></strong><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #757575; font-family: Lato Regular, sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></b></span></div><strong style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px;">Aditya L1 Launch Live Updates: </strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">ISRO's spacecraft succesfully launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota on Saturday. With this, India inched one step closer for the completion of its maiden Solar expedition. ISRO's trusted PSLV will carry the Aditya L1 mission on a 125-day voyage to the Sun. </span><p></p><p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The Aditya L1 spacecraft will stay in Earth's orbit for sixteen days. After four months of journey, the satellite will be placed on the L1 point in the halo orbit around the Sun. </p><p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The launch took place at 11:50 am from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota today. The 23.10 hour countdown for the launch of Aditya L1 onboard PSLV C57 commenced on Friday, ISRO said. </p><p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "Lato Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Aditya L1 is designed to provide remote observations of the Solar corona and conduct in-situ observations of the Solar wind at L1 (Sun-Earth Lagrangian point), which is about 1.5 million kilometres from the Earth.</p>

Aditya L1 Launch Successful Live Updates: PM Modi congratulates ISRO

Aditya L1 Mission: Aditya-L1, India's maiden solar mission, on board PSLV-C57 lifts off from the launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centr...

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Toolkit case: Delhi court grants bail to activist Disha Ravi

<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgeLFes8ZbE_t-zodG6NBuM7dv11dOY9kk3pl4DyR8-vCTZXijofqb4YRin-EmQ5T7ZsGnj2LbOxh_CPO0hWF6tteovY7dO6gNeAVusUdicahbhiivS0qcZBGcXqMcZd9k_EU0lc2aOFh/s900/Disha_ravi.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgeLFes8ZbE_t-zodG6NBuM7dv11dOY9kk3pl4DyR8-vCTZXijofqb4YRin-EmQ5T7ZsGnj2LbOxh_CPO0hWF6tteovY7dO6gNeAVusUdicahbhiivS0qcZBGcXqMcZd9k_EU0lc2aOFh/s600/Disha_ravi.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A Sessions Court in Delhi Tuesday granted bail to climate activist Disha Ravi, who is among the three accused booked for sedition and other charges in connection with the case involving the toolkit related to the farmers’ protest.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bengaluru-based Ravi, 22, was arrested on February 13 along with two other activists in connection with a toolkit on the farmers’ protest, which had been tweeted by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. Ravi used to volunteer for Thunberg’s Fridays for Future (FFF) organisation in Bengaluru. She was arrested in the 'toolkit' case earlier this month, was given bail on Tuesday afternoon, subject two sureties of ₹ 1 lakh each.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">who was produced before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pankaj Sharma by police at the expiry of her three-day judicial custody on Monday, was remanded to one-day police custody. Her remand ended today. The Delhi Police has accused Ms Ravi, who was arrested from her home in Bengaluru last week, and activists Nikita Jacob and Shantanu Muluk of collaborating with the pro-Khalistani group Poetic Justice Foundation for creating the "toolkit" - allegedly linked to the farmers' protest on January 26 - to trigger dissatisfaction against the government. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They have also accused the three of trying to revive a pro-Khalistani group. Who was produced before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pankaj Sharma by police at the expiry of her three-day judicial custody on Monday, was remanded to one-day police custody. Her remand ended today.</div>

Toolkit case: Delhi court grants bail to activist Disha Ravi

A Sessions Court in Delhi Tuesday granted bail to climate activist Disha Ravi, who is among the three accused booked for sedition and other ...

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Echoes of the Getaway : Very interesting and informative for the readers.

<p> <span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIQ5y858UVPxUirwWbI94LfN3UEi45w9yRXPqtBcsR86vCLcNdzFHq7sfIlew5zavBv8jwGu8hfxxAMRQmuWZltWO5qg2SU_gNYjXx3SBlIwA79OcH6WnB_SmJRGLjr8zeOmzYAob8Q/s300/bookreviews.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="72" data-original-width="50" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIQ5y858UVPxUirwWbI94LfN3UEi45w9yRXPqtBcsR86vCLcNdzFHq7sfIlew5zavBv8jwGu8hfxxAMRQmuWZltWO5qg2SU_gNYjXx3SBlIwA79OcH6WnB_SmJRGLjr8zeOmzYAob8Q/w200-h148/bookreviews.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22pt;">T</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">ale of elopement of a Kashmiri pundit family from Kashmir and with this entwined the sub plots of deterioration and disintegration of social fabric of Kashmiri society with time, insights of golden and dark chapters of ancient and contemporary political, social and cultural history of the valley, terrorism, conspiracies and evil designs of a foreign state to destabilize the whole region, sufferings of the common citizens and greed for power and money of the unscrupulous, corrupt leaders combinedly form a powerful narrative of the novel titled “</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Echoes of the Getaway</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">” written by wellknown Hindi novelist Dr. Ravindra Prabhat.  Among all complex situations this novel focus on Sufism also, the oldest rawayat of the vale, as a ray of hope for re-establishment of old glory and pride of Kashmir.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Written in an anecdote style this novel will definitely prove very intresting and informative for the readers. Without any prejudice and biased approach the writer has written on a vivid and controversial subject like Kashmir very boldly and has provided details and vital informations regarding Kashmir and Kashmiriyat in a very simple, interesting and candid manner.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Though the characters and incidents of the main plot are fictitious but the narrative is based on the real facts of Kashmir. This is the very reason why this novel presents a human story of struggle for existence in any adverse situation. It is the story of common Indians, inspite </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">of complains and torments in daily lives, still have strong belief in justice and hope for a better future existence. The writer has handled the sensitive and powerful subject in a balanced and emotional way for which the narrative touches the inner chord and sensibilities of the readers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">This novel describes the plights of the Pandits living in the paradise of the earth and how they were forced for getaway from Kashmir. The writer has boldly written on communal fanaticism and it’s evil effects on the lives of the common-men Giving reference of history the writer has tried to prove his point of view and how communal discrimination and hatred developed in the society of the valley. On one hand this novel describes the pains of the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">common public during partition and on the other hand it focus on the agonies of the Kashmiri Pandits of the vale for their exodus from their land of ancestors forever.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Instead of focusi</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">ng on the political aspects of the crisis this novel tell the story of the common men who had gone through inhuman sufferings, sometimes due to partition and sometimes due to communal and jihadi fanaticism. This novel on one hand reveal the secrets of state sponsored terrorism and on the other hand present the broad picture of sufferings of Kashmiri Pandits in context to political and social intricacies of Kashmir. This novel saw the day of light at a crucial juncture of India history when the government of India by taking a bold and strong decision abolished article 370 and divided the whole state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories. This benchmark decision can by termed as a great turn for contemporary Indian history. Due to this decisive decision there is still a state of non communication between India and Pakistan.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-align: left; text-indent: 48px;">A whole generation which witnessed the Kashmir problem From the beginning has almost vanished or on the way for it’s final end but for the present generation this novel will give them an opportunity to get acquainted with the insights and problems of Kashmir and Kashmiriyat.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="text-align: left; text-indent: 48px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcN5huWNjvz0lc-r879lrm24jkpptiNP1ZRPfvmvUorZb3zybL-DoYAiBriEV606ik2vl5Q3AWtN_AleVFQpbtUG02672qxOLRuh0-xIRIRFFYF_lEaaxVGjyUToedGvUZvp9HZaDeA/s600/phpThumb_generated_thumbnail.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcN5huWNjvz0lc-r879lrm24jkpptiNP1ZRPfvmvUorZb3zybL-DoYAiBriEV606ik2vl5Q3AWtN_AleVFQpbtUG02672qxOLRuh0-xIRIRFFYF_lEaaxVGjyUToedGvUZvp9HZaDeA/w133-h200/phpThumb_generated_thumbnail.png" width="133" /></a></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 36pt;">Book Name: <b>Echoes of the Getaway (</b></span>Behind the dark shadows of the Valley)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 36pt;">ISBN : </span>9781636065694</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "THE TIMES ROMAN", serif;">Published by:</span></b><span style="font-family: "THE TIMES ROMAN", serif;"> Notion Press, Old no. 38, New no. 6, McNichols Road, Chetpet, Chennai-600031, Tamil Nadu, India</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "THE TIMES ROMAN","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">Pages </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "DevLys 010"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">%</span></b><span style="font-family: "DevLys 010";"> </span> 210 <span style="font-family: "THE TIMES ROMAN", serif;">(Paperback)</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-family: "THE TIMES ROMAN", serif;"><span style="font-family: "THE TIMES ROMAN","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;">Price</span></b><b style="font-family: "THE TIMES ROMAN", serif;"><span style="font-family: "THE TIMES ROMAN","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "DevLys 010";"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 9pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 6pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:title="indian-currency-389006__340" src="file:///C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape> </span><span style="font-family: "DevLys 010";">470</span><span style="font-family: "THE TIMES ROMAN", serif;">/-</span><span lang="HI" style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "THE TIMES ROMAN", serif;">(For Only India)</span></span></li></ul><p></p><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" style="height: 30.95pt; margin-left: -31.2pt; margin-top: 45.9pt; position: absolute; text-align: justify; visibility: visible; width: 318.3pt; z-index: 4;" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:title="SIP-logo_eng_new-(rgb)" src="file:///C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">                                                                                    <b> -</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Gautam Roy</b></span></div></span>

Echoes of the Getaway : Very interesting and informative for the readers.

    T ale of elopement of a Kashmiri pundit family from Kashmir and with this entwined the sub plots of deterioration and disintegration of ...

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Modi, Trudeau discuss terrorism, trade ties

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yR9a4gQFQYnaWLFwnOET9a5uBx2jSkKuuonaOQs3SYRchtvuGeoXdLic7IbLEnREUKdFsoDwB6kJfHA-5Nn7umrQJhwoqwMM-BoWYbzWg50bXnEjXE26U6Q6zFoc4AxMAK7pEkdu2Wvt/s1600/2018_2%2524img23_Feb_2018_PTI2_23_2018_000046A-ll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="302" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yR9a4gQFQYnaWLFwnOET9a5uBx2jSkKuuonaOQs3SYRchtvuGeoXdLic7IbLEnREUKdFsoDwB6kJfHA-5Nn7umrQJhwoqwMM-BoWYbzWg50bXnEjXE26U6Q6zFoc4AxMAK7pEkdu2Wvt/s640/2018_2%2524img23_Feb_2018_PTI2_23_2018_000046A-ll.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo Courtesy by PTI </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>New Delhi, Feb 23 (PTI) </b>Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on Friday held extensive talks on key issues of counter-terrorism and extremism as well as ways to boost trade ties, after which the two sides inked six pacts, including on energy cooperation After their nearly two-hour long meeting, Modi, while addressing a joint media event with the Canadian prime minister, said they discussed the entire gamut of the bilateral partnership Asserting that it is important that the two countries work together to fight terrorism, Modi said there should be no place for those who misuse religion for political goals. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The prime minister also made it clear that those who challenge India's sovereignty and unity will not be tolerated Modi's remarks come amidst criticism of the Trudeau government's soft approach towards the Khalistan issue. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Observing that Trudeau has visited various parts of India in last few days, Modi said the Canadian leader must have experienced the diversity of the country. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> On his part, Trudeau described India as a natural partner for commercial cooperation. Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on the Canadian prime minister and discussed various issues of mutual interest Swaraj had a warm meeting with Trudeau and discussed ways to strengthen and deepen the partnership between the two countries, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.</div> </div>

Modi, Trudeau discuss terrorism, trade ties

Photo Courtesy by PTI  New Delhi, Feb 23 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on Friday he...

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Pakistan declare the Chinese Mandarin as one of its official languages.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4aWQdsaE-zMuTG5LSjzV_wUh6C3QLELUeE4MsijsjVbIYECJVuRzIL8rdACUfsTGQT2cobUxc9M2a79gtDxoiMwvzNe93M38WWaSXEwwgf19u6SAsk77xCaxACS4jwmvzXd5CHnKHFXU/s1600/Pak-China-AP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="780" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4aWQdsaE-zMuTG5LSjzV_wUh6C3QLELUeE4MsijsjVbIYECJVuRzIL8rdACUfsTGQT2cobUxc9M2a79gtDxoiMwvzNe93M38WWaSXEwwgf19u6SAsk77xCaxACS4jwmvzXd5CHnKHFXU/s640/Pak-China-AP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Islamabad:</b> Pakistan on Monday adopted a motion to declare the Chinese Mandarin as one of its official languages, in a move that shows the South Asian nation's growing tilt towards China. The motion was approved by the Pakistani Senate, with the local media saying citing officials that the step was necessary in view of growing ties between Pakistan and China. However, questions are being asked whether the move is another step towards Pakistan becoming a 'Chinese colony'? </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> " India, US, Japan, Australia consider 'alternative' to China's 'One Belt One Road Initiative' Punjabi, which is widely spoken in Punjab province of Pakistan, Pashto and many other native languages have yet to be declared as official languages. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Dawn News reported that Pakistanis are more interested in learning the Chinese language than ever as they see the tides changing and expect that knowing Mandarin would mean more job opportunities in Pakistan and China. Xinhua also reported yesterday that the Pakistan-China Institute launched Chinese language classes on Monday, in a move to provide opportunities to businessmen and other professionals who are interested in doing business in China. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  “The Chinese language classes started eight years ago in Pakistan schools, and the newly launched one is the second phase of such classes for businessmen, academics, and intellectuals,” the Chinese state news agency reported on its website. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  Last year, there were murmurs that Pakistan was mulling a proposal to replace the US dollar with the Chinese yuan for trade with China. The speculation came in the wake of Beijing "temporarily" halting funding of several CPEC-related projects in Pakistan citing corruption. Tensions between the two countries had risen last year after a Chinese national was killed by unidentified gunmen in Karachi. He was working for a shipping company in the port city. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  (With agency inputs)</div>

Pakistan declare the Chinese Mandarin as one of its official languages.

Islamabad: Pakistan on Monday adopted a motion to declare the Chinese Mandarin as one of its official languages, in a move that shows th...

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'Oru Adaar Love' song takes Mapilapattu lovers by surprise

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13bsRKnGg0j1r45Pw8B78b3nxqL9wqwekSmRHyUGKE0kOQ98HD4bO217opeMBAsopk8KY9UCsyGzCWUDKxBzMm3jpXce-x_2SqKzlP2AuHwit8xFREFDCp41DHY_IyFKJaMMia8TrNZLV/s1600/PriyaPrakashVarrierWink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="660" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13bsRKnGg0j1r45Pw8B78b3nxqL9wqwekSmRHyUGKE0kOQ98HD4bO217opeMBAsopk8KY9UCsyGzCWUDKxBzMm3jpXce-x_2SqKzlP2AuHwit8xFREFDCp41DHY_IyFKJaMMia8TrNZLV/s640/PriyaPrakashVarrierWink.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: white; font-family: Fira-Sans, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">On </span><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; font-family: Fira-Sans, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span style="color: #20124d;">February 11 and 12, the words ‘Priya Prakash Varrier’, ‘Priya Varrier video’, and ‘Priya Varrier Instagram’ were some of the most searched-for words on Google. Photo: YouTube screenshot  </span></span></div> <div class="ng_factbox infobox-container" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #fcfcfc; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(209, 206, 210); box-sizing: border-box; color: #505050; display: inline-block; float: left; font-family: Fira-Sans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: auto; margin: 7px 20px 28px 30px; outline: 0px !important; position: relative; width: 300px;"> <div class="infobox-heading" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #133b5a; box-sizing: border-box; color: #faf9f6; display: inline-block; font-family: Fira-Sans-Semibold, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; height: auto; line-height: 19px; outline: 0px !important; padding: 5px 15px; position: relative; width: 300px; z-index: 5;"> What is Mapilapattu?</div> <div class="infobox-description" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; outline: 0px !important; padding: 17px 23px 8px; width: 300px;"> <ul style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #282828; font-family: TundraWeb, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px 0px 0px -22px; outline: 0px !important; width: auto;"> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(180, 180, 180); box-sizing: border-box; color: #505050; font-family: Fira-Sans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 5px; outline: 0px !important; padding: 5px;">Mapilapattu or Mappila songs are Muslims folk songs popular in Kerala’s Mallapuram. While the lyrics are in Mappila dialect of Malayalam the songs generously use Persian, Arabic, Urdu and Tamil words.</li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(180, 180, 180); box-sizing: border-box; color: #505050; font-family: Fira-Sans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 5px; outline: 0px !important; padding: 5px;">These songs possess a unique literary format as well as original modes of singing. Love and tenderness were the hallmarks of Mappila songs.</li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(180, 180, 180); box-sizing: border-box; color: #505050; font-family: Fira-Sans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 5px; outline: 0px !important; padding: 5px;">The Mappila songs are integral part of the Malabar. There is a song for every occasion from marriage to separation, faith to rebellion.</li> <li style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border-bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #505050; font-family: Fira-Sans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 5px; outline: 0px !important; padding: 5px;">The earliest known Mapilapattu dates back to 17th Century.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: tundraweb, serif; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 10px; width: 600px;"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-size: 18px;">he controversy over picturisation of a song sequence in the upcoming Malayalam movie Oru Adaar Love has taken the Mapilapattu lovers across the State by surprise. The controversy over the song Manikya Malaraaya Poovi, a Mapilapattu originally penned by P.M.A. Jabbar in 1978, could have been avoided, they said. “Those who worked behind this song in the film could have used any other Mapilapattu. They should have been vigilant against playing into the hands of fundamentalists,” said Moosa Eranholi, veteran Mapilapattu singer whose rendition of Manikya Malaraaya had the widest appeal so far. finds nothing objectionable either in the song or in the picturisation. “In fact, that winking scene has captured the adolescent romance on a campus in its sublime beauty.</span></span></div> </div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: tundraweb, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 10px; width: 600px;"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="background-color: white;">But the movie makers should have cared for the sentiments of the people at large. There are all sorts of people waiting for an issue,” he said.</span></div> </div> <div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: tundraweb, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 30px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 0px 10px; width: 600px;"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="background-color: white;">Veteran Mapilapattu lyricist O.M. Karuvarakundu said that there was nothing much about the song to be made an issue. “We have been listening to this song for the past four decades. Although there have been some minor issues in both the lyrics and its tune, the song courted no controversy so far largely because of its popularity,” said Mr. Karuvarakundu.</span></div> </div> </div>

'Oru Adaar Love' song takes Mapilapattu lovers by surprise

On February 11 and 12, the words ‘Priya Prakash Varrier’, ‘Priya Varrier video’, and ‘Priya Varrier Instagram’ were some of the most sea...

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P.M. Modi asked me to join hands with Edappadi: Panneerselvam

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtqhku8iWEqoQ_hLIRf4Q9dlzpy4XutaDDZdWHPAt6un07wN9NFnvYASwGg9sI_6kA3ZUSQKraYQtTr-6sfWgEfZKe6HbwKwxLSLtHzG-fk9lNe2Lsww2QcEs7tIcoNkVu40JKiqVJ5_N/s1600/MODI-OPS+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="660" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtqhku8iWEqoQ_hLIRf4Q9dlzpy4XutaDDZdWHPAt6un07wN9NFnvYASwGg9sI_6kA3ZUSQKraYQtTr-6sfWgEfZKe6HbwKwxLSLtHzG-fk9lNe2Lsww2QcEs7tIcoNkVu40JKiqVJ5_N/s640/MODI-OPS+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Chennai, Spl. Correspondent:</b> Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has admitted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked him to merge his faction with the Edappadi K. Palaniswami and be part of the AIADMK government. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> At an AIADMK party meeting in Theni on Friday, he said he went and met the Prime Minister on a courtesy call before the merger. He said that at the meeting the Prime Minister told him that he had discussed party issues with Jayalalithaa earlier. “The Prime Minister told me that under the present circumstances, the two [factions] should merge to save the party,” </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mr. Panneerselvam told the cadre. “I agreed for the merger and that should not be a problem. I told him I don’t want to be part of the government. For that he said, ‘No, no you should be a Minister and be part of the government.’ That is why I am a Minister now, ” the deputy chief minister said. “When I told this to my [present cabinet] colleagues Thangamani and Velumani. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> They also insisted that I have to be in the government. I don’t desire to be a Minister. Amma [Jayalalitha]) had made me an MLA four times and Chief Minister twice. I can live with that pride,” he said the cadre amid applaus</div> </div>

P.M. Modi asked me to join hands with Edappadi: Panneerselvam

Chennai, Spl. Correspondent: Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has admitted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked him to merge h...

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CBI arrests retired PNB deputy manager, and two others in Nirav Modi case.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "droid serif", serif; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; text-align: justify;"> <img alt="PNB के लिए इमेज परिणाम" height="356" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSs9aIRtunjx9dqSGk8Fchx81ijEeTdJMsOjXROqpT2cbxVoKw5uw" width="640" /><b>New Delhi (E W D): </b>The CBI on Saturday arrested three people in connection with the over Rs 11,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case. The probe agency arrested Gokulnath Shetty, then Deputy Manager (now Retd) Punjab National Bank; Manoj Kharat, SWO (single window operator) PNB and Hemant Bhat, Authorised Signatory of the Nirav Modi Group of Firms. All three will be produced before a CBI Special court in Mumbai later in the day.</div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "droid serif", serif; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; text-align: justify;"> The CBI, which raided the residences of the PNB officials today, is probing their role in issuing the LoUs to the companies. Shetty and Kharat, according to the bank, have “fraudulently ” issued letter of undertakings ( LoUs) and “transmitted SWIFT instructions to the overseas branches of Indian Banks” to raise buyers credit for three firms of Modi without “making entries in the bank system”.</div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "droid serif", serif; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px;"> Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate is conducting raids at several branches of Gitanjali Gems across the country.</div> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "droid serif", serif; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 28px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px;"> The CBI had filed a fresh FIR in the case on Friday, naming 16 people, including Gitanjali Group promoter Mehul Choksi, also the maternal uncle of billionaire diamond jeweller Nirav Modi, and two officials from PNB. The agency alleged in the FIR that Choksi and his three companies — Gitanjali Gems, Gili India and Nakshatra Brand — swindled PNB to the tune of Rs 4,886.72 crore in 2017-18. This was done by getting 143 Letters of Understanding (LoU) issued through the bank.</div> </div>

CBI arrests retired PNB deputy manager, and two others in Nirav Modi case.

New Delhi (E W D): The CBI on Saturday arrested three people in connection with the over Rs 11,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case. ...

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Karen McDougal alleges affair with Donald Trump

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"A second woman has made allegations of an affair with Donald Trump, describing complex legal and financial agreements in an alleged bid to cover it up."</span></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="Donald Trump के लिए इमेज परिणाम" height="402" src="https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/trump-december-15-ap-img.jpg?scale=896&compress=80" width="640" /></div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 34px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; width: 772.813px;"> COLUMBIA (<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">AFP) </span>: A second woman has made allegations of an affair with Donald Trump, describing complex legal and financial agreements in an alleged bid to cover it up.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 34px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; width: 772.813px;"> Former Playboy model Karen McDougal claims that she and Trump had a sexual relationship in 2006, which began months after first lady Melania Trump gave birth to the president`s youngest son.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 34px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; width: 772.813px;"> The White House did not immediately reply to a request for comment. </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 34px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; width: 772.813px;"> But in a statement to the New Yorker an unnamed a spokesperson said the president had denied having a relationship with McDougal, calling the claims "fake news."</div> <div class="block margin-bt30px adATF" data-google-query-id="CMClpazJrNkCFdRJKwodHwoAwQ" id="ad4-2081915" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; height: auto; margin: auto; padding-bottom: 20px; width: 300px;"> <div id="google_ads_iframe_/11440465/Zeenews_English_Article_Inarticle_300x250_BTF_1__container__" style="border: 0pt none; box-sizing: border-box;"> <span style="font-size: 19px;">According to the New Yorker, the nine-month relationship ended quietly, but years later -- during the 2016 presidential campaign -- McDougal sold her story.</span></div> </div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 34px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; width: 772.813px;"> The New Yorker reported that on August 5, 2016, McDougall agreed to give the company which owns the National Inquirer tabloid exclusive rights over "any romantic, personal, or physical relationship she has ever had with any `then-married man.`"</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 34px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; width: 772.813px;"> The deal is alleged to have been worth $150,000, but the story never ran.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 34px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; width: 772.813px;"> "I`m the one who took it, so it`s my fault, too. But I didn`t understand the full parameters of it," McDougal told the New Yorker of the alleged payment.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 34px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; width: 772.813px;"> The National Enquirer is owned by David Pecker, who has claimed to be a friend of Trump`s. The tabloid endorsed Trump`s bid for the presidency.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 34px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; width: 772.813px;"> In a statement, the tabloid`s owner, AMI, said that the suggestion that it "engages in any practice that would allow it to hold influence over the President of the United States is laughable."</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 34px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; width: 772.813px;"> The model`s story strongly echoes allegations of an affair between Trump and the porn star Stephanie Clifford -- known as Stormy Daniels -- during the same period.</div> <div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 34px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; width: 772.813px;"> In that case, the president`s personal lawyer admitted to paying Daniels $130,000 but refused to say why.</div> </div>

Karen McDougal alleges affair with Donald Trump

"A second woman has made allegations of an affair with Donald Trump, describing complex legal and financial agreements in an alleged ...

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WhatsApp 'Full Feature' Money Transfer Service Launching in India

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <span class="reviewer" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Titillium, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span itemprop="name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Reuters</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Titillium, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">, </span><span class="dtreviewed" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Titillium, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">16 February 2018</span><br /> <span class="dtreviewed" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Titillium, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiP9cGeMlvYlPunxUvRqjgGaPoGX1lJkDRGAwBsGe4CB3QqEz1nZEOJnb08_0M1KgEsHPtVeKlnFojiIgcQKFigZPUZI0g5S7_MAq2bm5hF4RfGoTKbbjrYxAJcOzQd8fjY_lqnS0i9tc/s1600/download.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiP9cGeMlvYlPunxUvRqjgGaPoGX1lJkDRGAwBsGe4CB3QqEz1nZEOJnb08_0M1KgEsHPtVeKlnFojiIgcQKFigZPUZI0g5S7_MAq2bm5hF4RfGoTKbbjrYxAJcOzQd8fjY_lqnS0i9tc/s1600/download.png" /></a></div> WhatsApp will launch a "full feature" inter-bank money transfer service in India, its biggest market, after a test involving a million users, National Payments Corp of India said. Friday's statement marks the de facto official launch of WhatsApp's new service as NPCI is the body set up by the central bank and lenders to oversee payment services.<br /> <br /> WhatsApp launched a limited service in India, where it has more than 200 million users, last week. The beta service uses customers' phone numbers linked to bank accounts to facilitate payments and marks the first global foray into money transfers by the Facebook-owned firm. Four banks will join join the multi-bank BHIM United Payments Interface (UPI) model - which powers the payments service - and a full feature product shall be released after the beta test is successful, NPCI said. At present, India's third-biggest lender ICICI Bank processes the fund transfers on WhatsApp, the application shows.<br /> <br /> WhatsApp's popularity in India is likely to pose a threat to established players, but it is entering a competitive market after Alphabet Inc's Google launched a payments app last year to compete with local players.<br /> <br /> The country's cashless economy got a boost after Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government banned old high-value currency notes in late 2016, leading to a surge in online payment providers such as homegrown player Paytm, the biggest in India. Paytm, which is backed by Alibaba and SoftBank expressed concerns about the security of WhatsApp's new payments service in a statement released on Friday. © Thomson Reuters 2018 Disclosure: Paytm's parent company One97 is an investor in Gadgets 360.</div>

WhatsApp 'Full Feature' Money Transfer Service Launching in India

Reuters ,  16 February 2018 WhatsApp will launch a "full feature" inter-bank money transfer service in India, its biggest mar...

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Maldives Is Latest Flashpoint In India Vs China Rivalry: Foreign Media

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <img alt="Maldives Is Latest Flashpoint In India Vs China Rivalry: Foreign Media" src="https://i.ndtvimg.com/i/2018-02/maldives-afp_650x400_71517924418.jpg" /><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">A </span>power struggle in the Maldives, a tiny Indian Ocean nation known for scenic luxury resorts and crystal-clear blue water, is taking center stage in a wider battle for regional influence between India and China. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> On Monday, President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency after the Supreme Court ordered him to free political prisoners and opposition politicians he's thrown in jail. Security forces then stormed the court and arrested two judges, as well as a former leader. The remaining judges later annulled the previous ruling, the Associated Press reported Wednesday. <br /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The political drama has sparked concern in India, which said last week in an unusually strong statement that it's "imperative" for the government to obey the Supreme Court. China, which signed a free trade agreement with the Maldives last year, said Tuesday the country of roughly 400,000 people has "the wisdom and capabilities to cope with the current situation independently." India, which views China as its main geopolitical foe in Asia, has been more assertive under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in pushing to maintain geo-strategic supremacy in the Indian Ocean, with backing from the U.S. and Japan. China, meanwhile, has expanded its influence by building ports in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Djibouti, a small African nation that is also home to its first overseas military base. <br /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>China Outreach</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "As India tries to establish itself as the preeminent power in the Indian Ocean region, the Maldives have become increasingly important," said Constantino Xavier, a fellow at Carnegie India in New Delhi. Yameen has "definitely accelerated his outreach to China, to fend off pressure from the west and also reduce leverage from India." The Maldives has become politically volatile in recent years.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Yameen, who has courted Chinese and Saudi investment since coming to power in an election in 2013, has been criticized by the State Department for jailing opposition politicians and eroding human rights protections. Before the decision to annul the court ruling, Mohamed Nasheed, an exiled former Maldives president and opposition leader, had asked India's armed forces to back an envoy that would help enforce the order, free political prisoners and secure the safety of judges. The U.S. has condemned the state of emergency. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Trend Today and is published from a syndicated feed.)</i></div> </div>

Maldives Is Latest Flashpoint In India Vs China Rivalry: Foreign Media

A power struggle in the Maldives, a tiny Indian Ocean nation known for scenic luxury resorts and crystal-clear blue water, is taking cent...

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Maldives crisis: Military on standby, but no knee jerk reaction from India

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <img alt="Maldives crisis: Military on standby, but no knee jerk reaction from India" height="480" src="https://www.oneindia.com/img/2018/02/indian-army-1517995401.jpg" width="640" /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> As Maldives plunged into crisis, all eyes would be on the Indian response. While experts are of the opinion that India needs to assert itself in the region, there are various aspects that would be taken into consideration. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /> If an operation becomes absolutely necessary, it would be undertaken and in all probability, the Southern Command would undertake the same. The top priority for India would be to ensure that its citizens are safe. If the problem propels out of control, then the forces would carry out the evacuation of the Indian tourists who visit Maldives in large numbers. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Officials say that currently there is no threat to any of our military establishments as well the people from India. The slugfest is political and it has not affected the people. As part of the defence cooperation programme, India has some defence personnel in Maldives.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> India's warships, choppers and aircrafts patrol the economic zone. India's intervention into the crisis would be restricted only to protecting its interests. The military equipment and the people if faced with any danger would evoke a response from India. Any sort of intervention would be done without confrontation with the people of Maldives. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> (Trend Today News)</div> </div>

Maldives crisis: Military on standby, but no knee jerk reaction from India

As Maldives plunged into crisis, all eyes would be on the Indian response. While experts are of the opinion that India needs to assert i...

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Tactical nuclear weapons in South Asia

<span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Currently, Pakistan is deeply embroiled in its internal economic and security problems, and there are possibilities of India’s provocation over the issue of Kashmir</span> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The threat of nuclear terrorism in South Asia has resumed a greater profile as India and Pakistan continue to maintain a large number of nuclear facilities. The recent hostile attitude of Mr Modi’s government towards Pakistan once again put the process of peace and stability in the region at a spike. India has developed various types of tactical nuclear weapons that have threatened the security of the region. The test of Pakistan’s ballistic missile, Nasr, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, and India’s ballistic missile, Prahaar and others, complicated nuclear weapons race in South Asia. India’s tactical nuclear weapons are more dangerous than Pakistan’s. Indian nuclear missiles like Agni-I, Agni-III, VI and V present a bigger threat to the national security of the subcontinent. India has also launched various military and surveillance satellites to enter into an anti-satellite weapons and ballistic missile defence race with China. <br /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> India’s ballistic missile Agni-VI’s range is believed to be 10,000 kilometres. This missile can target North Korea, Japan, China and Russia, while its new ballistic missile range is more than 15,000 kilometres, which can target North America. There are speculations in the international press that India is planning to embark on a covert uranium enrichment project to produce thermonuclear weapons. India is desperately seeking modern nuclear technologies to counter the threat of Pakistan’s tactical nuclear weapons. The country has signed nuclear deals with France, Mongolia, the US, Namibia and Kazakhstan.<br /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The two states operate in a strategically competitive triangle that includes China. India is also a bigger challenge for China by developing nuclear missiles to achieve a strategic deterrent against that country. As a strong state, India has adopted a very hostile attitude and continues to create more difficulties for Pakistan and other neighbours. The 2008 Mumbai and the Line of Control incidents prompted deep distrust between the two states. In June 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a stern warning to Pakistan: “I had told you on television that this is not Manmohan Singh’s government, it is Narendra Modi’s government. If you do something, we will also do but we cannot sit quiet.”<br /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Indian Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad criticised Pakistan and its support to extremist groups across the border. Mr Ravi Shankar demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. However, Pakistan-based terrorist groups used the same language against Mr Modi’s government. In its video message, an extremist group, Ansar-ul-Tawheed fi Belad Hind (Brotherhood for Monotheism in India) warned Mr Modi of retaliation for the Gujarat massacre. Moreover, India cancelled its talks with Pakistan on the pretext that Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Delhi had met Kashmiri Hurriyet leaders. The suspension of talks set off alarm bells in the US and China that are stakeholders in the relationship between both the states. <br /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> When Pakistani High Commissioner to India Mr Abdul Basit met a Kashmiri separatist leader without the consent of India, it further inflamed Mr Modi’s colleagues in parliament. During his Kashmir visit, Prime Minister Modi made a strong statement against Pakistan. In his Laddakh visit, Mr Modi said the Indian armed forces were suffering more casualties from terrorism than from any war. Mr Modi said that Pakistan continued to support a proxy war against India. Moreover, various politicians in India have issued irresponsible statements against Pakistan, creating a hostile environment in the region. In military circles, India’s new army chief, Dalbir Singh Suhag, also issued a stern warning to Pakistan and said that Pakistan is unable to intercept cross-border infiltration. <br /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Experts of tactical nuclear weapons in South Asia understand that the ruction between the two states could pave the way for a nuclear crisis in the region. We understand that India and Pakistan are deeply concerned over the threat of nuclear terrorism or the use of nuclear improvised explosive devices but there are reports that they have adopted some professional security measures recently that may help prevent terrorists gaining access to their installations. Currently, Pakistan is deeply embroiled in its internal economic and security problems, and there are possibilities of India’s provocation over the issue of Kashmir. In these circumstances, extremist groups in Pakistan could start nuclear terrorism in South Asia.<br /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The future of the nuclear weapons race between Pakistan and India is precarious as both states continue to develop modern tactical nuclear weapons. India has established its military bases in Afghanistan. On October 5, 2013, the foreign secretary of Pakistan said, “We have appraised India of our concerns on terrorism. If India has apprehensions about Pakistan then we have more apprehensions than India,” he said. <br /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> As the situation is going to deteriorate in the region, India and Pakistan need to resume talks on all issues including the Line of Control and tactical nuclear weapons. They need to work with each other on these issues that could spark an abrupt nuclear war in South Asia. Notwithstanding all efforts of the international community to help secure the nuclear weapons of both states, and as nuclear facilities and infrastructure have grown, there are concerns that security measures may not be sufficient to protect their nuclear and biological installations. We hope that the involvement of the international community, particularly the US and China, will help to professionalise the security measures of their nuclear and biological weapons. These efforts are considered to be more effective if they also strengthen the mechanism of cooperation. Their cooperation against non-state actors or extremist groups trying to gain access to radiological and nuclear weapons might help their nuclear forces in building an effective security infrastructure around their nuclear installations.<br /> <br /></div> <h1 class="author-name" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1b5786; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </h1> <h1 class="author-name" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1b5786; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </h1> <h1 class="author-name" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1b5786; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span style="background-color: transparent;">Musa Khan Jalalzai</span></h1> <div class="author-description" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="color: #292929;"> The writer is the author of Punjabi Taliban and<br /> can be reached at<br /> zai.musakhan222@gmail.com</div> </div>

Tactical nuclear weapons in South Asia

Currently, Pakistan is deeply embroiled in its internal economic and security problems, and there are possibilities of India’s provocation o...

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Resigned as Kerala Governor, Says Sheila Dikshit

<a href="http://www.ndtv.com/news/images/Sheila_Dikshit_Quits_360_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Resigned as Kerala Governor Yesterday, Says Sheila Dikshit" border="0" src="http://www.ndtv.com/news/images/Sheila_Dikshit_Quits_360_1.jpg" /></a><b></b> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><b>New Delhi:</b> Sheila Dikshit has quit as Governor of Kerala, barely seven months after she took office.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "The news flashing on TV channels is correct. I have resigned," said Ms Dikshit, 76, at a press conference. She said she will not discuss her plans till her resignation is formally accepted by President Pranab Mukherjee.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Ms Dikshit, whose political career was pivoted on three consecutive terms as Chief Minister of Delhi, said she had sent her resignation letter yesterday. She had met with Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the President.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Ms Dikshit has, after some push-back, given the government what it has been looking for. Since the BJP came to power in May, it has made it clear that it wants to replace nearly a dozen governors who were appointed by the previous government with its own nominees.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Ms Dikshit will head back to Delhi as parties in the capital prep for a possible election. President's Rule was declared in the capital six months ago after Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party quit as chief minister after a 49-day term. His minority government had been formed after the Congress, fronted by Ms Dikshit, was badly bruised in the December election, placing third after 15 years of running the capital.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Congress and other opposition parties say that the government's mass ejection of governors is a blatant violation of a Supreme Court order from 2010 that says governors cannot be removed if the government at the Centre changes.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Last month, the government sacked Kamla Beniwal as Governor of Mizoram just a month after transferring her there from Gujarat, where she had shared a fractious relationship with Narendra Modi while he was Chief Minister.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="color: #999999;">Courtsy by NDTV</span></div>

Resigned as Kerala Governor, Says Sheila Dikshit

New Delhi: Sheila Dikshit has quit as Governor of Kerala, barely seven months after she took office. "The news flashing on TV ...

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Worst cross-border firing by Pakistan since 1971 war: BSF

<img alt="LoC" src="http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/stories//2014August/border-650_082714015831.jpg" /><b>Jammu:</b> The Border Security Force (BSF) said Tuesday that it was for the first time after the 1971 war that Pakistani troops were firing at Indian posts on such a massive scale. BSF Director General D.K. Pathak said: "It is for the first time after the 1971 war that Pakistani troops have been violating the ceasefire on the international border on such a large scale, targeting even civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir." Pathak was speaking to the media at the Miran Sahib headquarters of the BSF in Jammu district. He said the BSF had been effectively retaliating against the Pakistani military on the international border. "We are giving them a befitting reply as we ensure that no civilian areas on their side are affected by our response." Pathak said there were 25-30 launching pads where heavily armed militants were waiting on the Pakistan side to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir. "These launching pads are located in schools, community halls and forest areas on the other side," he said. Pathak is also visiting a government medical college hospital in Jammu to meet those injured by Pakistan firing. The BSF guards the 210 km long international border in the three districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua in Jammu region. <span style="color: #999999;">Source yahoo News</span>

Worst cross-border firing by Pakistan since 1971 war: BSF

Jammu: The Border Security Force (BSF) said Tuesday that it was for the first time after the 1971 war that Pakistani troops were firing at ...

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No LK Advani, MM Joshi in BJP's parliamentary board

<img alt="BJP Veterans LK Advani and MM Joshi are Mentors, Not Decision-Makers" id="story_image_main" src="http://www.ndtv.com/news/images/story_page/advani_joshi_afp_650.jpg" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; width: 650px;" title="BJP Veterans LK Advani and MM Joshi are Mentors, Not Decision-Makers" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "roboto" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span> <br /> <div class="ins_mainimg_caption" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(242, 242, 242); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #999999; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px 0px 7px;"> FILE photo of senior BJP leaders MM Joshi (left) and LK Advani (AFP)</div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.464000701904297px;"><b>New Delhi: </b>The BJP Tuesday named its central parliamentary board with party president Amit Shah as its chairperson, a statement from the party office said.</span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.464000701904297px;"> </span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.464000701904297px;">The 12-member board has Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as its members.</span> <br /> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.464000701904297px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.464000701904297px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;"> The other members are Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gadkari, Ananth Kumar, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Jagat Prakash Nadda and Ramlal.</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 22.464000701904297px; margin-top: 11px; padding: 0px;"> <div style="font-size: 14px;"> Party veterans L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi have not been included in the board.</div> <div style="font-size: 14px;"> </div> <div style="font-size: 14px;"> <strong>BJP names 'margdarshak' committee</strong></div> <div style="font-size: 14px;"> </div> <div style="font-size: 14px;"> Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah Tuesday announced a "margdarshak" committee with veteran leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani in it, a statement from the party office said.</div> <div style="font-size: 14px;"> </div> <div style="font-size: 14px;"> "Shah has constituted a 'margdarshak' committee with veteran party leaders as its members for guiding party activities," it said.</div> <div style="font-size: 14px;"> </div> <div style="font-size: 14px;"> Senior party leader Murli Manohar Joshi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh are the other three members of the committee.</div> <div style="font-size: 14px;"> </div> <span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Courtsy by <span style="line-height: 26.597999572753906px;">By </span><span class="fn" style="line-height: 26.597999572753906px;">Indo Asian News Service</span></span></div>

No LK Advani, MM Joshi in BJP's parliamentary board

FILE photo of senior BJP leaders MM Joshi (left) and LK Advani (AFP) New Delhi: The BJP Tuesday named its central parliamentary board wi...

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U.S. commander Joe Dunford Said that Military did not support fixing Afghan exit date.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUF2QKDpjpMCTaqjzyYyu3gVjudU4AcjX4F-FYXQzCIfvoMPsSwkuN0Hx7Kbj9zpVIqkOcTMv1bmyk_qDKakJckfGT_IAbgbA_ARXkXJfLKz6Zy-629e3bsui-Lnke-sixFSJcNQDLTdH/s1600/download+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUF2QKDpjpMCTaqjzyYyu3gVjudU4AcjX4F-FYXQzCIfvoMPsSwkuN0Hx7Kbj9zpVIqkOcTMv1bmyk_qDKakJckfGT_IAbgbA_ARXkXJfLKz6Zy-629e3bsui-Lnke-sixFSJcNQDLTdH/s1600/download+(1).jpg" width="640" /><span style="color: black;">U.S. soldiers arrive at the site of burning NATO supply trucks after an attack by militants in the Torkham area near the Pakistani-Afghan in Nangarhar Province June 19, 2014.</span></a></div> <div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUF2QKDpjpMCTaqjzyYyu3gVjudU4AcjX4F-FYXQzCIfvoMPsSwkuN0Hx7Kbj9zpVIqkOcTMv1bmyk_qDKakJckfGT_IAbgbA_ARXkXJfLKz6Zy-629e3bsui-Lnke-sixFSJcNQDLTdH/s1600/download+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUF2QKDpjpMCTaqjzyYyu3gVjudU4AcjX4F-FYXQzCIfvoMPsSwkuN0Hx7Kbj9zpVIqkOcTMv1bmyk_qDKakJckfGT_IAbgbA_ARXkXJfLKz6Zy-629e3bsui-Lnke-sixFSJcNQDLTdH/s1600/download+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #999999;">CREDIT: REUTERS/ PARWIZ/FILES</span></a></div> <div style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> (Reuters) - U.S. military officials would have preferred the United States not announce a date for ending its troop presence in Afghanistan, as the White House did in May, the outgoing commander of U.S. forces there said on Thursday.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> General Joe Dunford, commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, was asked at a Senate committee hearing whether President Barack Obama's announcement that almost all U.S. troops would be gone by 2017 had damaged morale among Afghan soldiers.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> "I think all of us in uniform, to include the Afghans, would have preferred that that be a bit more ambiguous," Dunford said.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> He was responding to a question by Republican Senator John McCain Of Arizona, a persistent critic of Obama's Afghanistan policy, during a hearing on Dunford's nomination to become the next head of the U.S. Marine Corps.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> The White House announced in May that if a bilateral troop deal is signed in time, it plans to keep a residual force of 9,800 soldiers in Afghanistan after the current international military mission ends in December.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> That force would gradually be reduced and by the end of 2016 there would be only a small number of soldiers left at the U.S. embassy under the authority of the U.S. ambassador, as the United States had in Baghdad after its 2011 withdrawal from Iraq.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> McCain asked whether any senior military leaders had recommended setting a fixed date for a full pullout of the U.S. military force, and whether Dunford would have preferred that future troops levels be based on evolving security conditions.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> "None that I know of, senator. And - and I think we still plan to have, as you know, some presence after 2017. But no one recommended zero," he said.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> "Every military leader would want to have the conditions on the ground and the assumptions be revalidated as a transition takes place," he said.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> As foreign troops leave, Afghanistan's military is taking charge of the fight against Taliban and other militants, even as the country grapples with uncertainty resulting from a disputed second round of presidential voting last month.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> Early on Thursday, militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades attacked Kabul airport.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> Dunford said Afghan security forces, while greatly improved, may be unable to conduct effective operations against militants when the United States departs.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> "There's no doubt that the Afghan forces today would not be capable of conducting the kind of operations we're conducting to pressure on the network" of militants in Afghanistan, Dunford said. He said he expected that Afghan forces would not have that capability by 2017 if the current militant threat persisted.</div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> </div> <span class="focusParagraph" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span><span id="midArticle_0" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span><span id="midArticle_1" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span><span id="midArticle_2" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span><span id="midArticle_3" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span><span id="midArticle_4" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span><span id="midArticle_5" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span><span id="midArticle_6" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span><span id="midArticle_7" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span><span id="midArticle_8" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span><span id="midArticle_9" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span><span id="midArticle_10" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span><span id="midArticle_11" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span><span id="midArticle_12" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span><span id="midArticle_13" style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans";"></span> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> (Reporting by Missy Ryan; Editing by David Storey)</div> <div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="color: #999999;">Courtsy by <span style="background-color: transparent;">Reuters</span></span></div> </div>

U.S. commander Joe Dunford Said that Military did not support fixing Afghan exit date.

U.S. soldiers arrive at the site of burning NATO supply trucks after an attack by militants in the Torkham area near the Pakistani-Afg...

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India committed to good neighbourly relations: Narendra Modi

<div style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="India committed to good neighbourly relations: Narendra Modi " src="http://www.livemint.com/rf/Image-621x414/LiveMint/Period1/2014/06/17/Photos/Modi--621x414.jpg" /><span style="background-color: #efeee4; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "sans serif"; font-size: 12px;">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) shakes hands with Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk in Thimphu on Sunday. Photo: AFP</span></div> <br style="background-color: #efeee4; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, 'sans serif'; font-size: 12px;" /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>himphu:</b> (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India is committed to good neighbourly relations and assured Bhutan that change in government will not alter the dynamics of Indo-Bhutan ties. “India is committed to good relations with its neighbours,” Modi said in his address to joint session of Bhutan’s Parliament here. On second day of his two-day visit to the Himalayan country, Modi said if India progresses, it will directly impact the development of its neighbours. “Stability and development in India will help neighbours like Bhutan,” he said in his speech in Hindi.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He also lauded Bhutan for the smooth transition from monarchy to democracy in a span of seven years which showed maturity in governance in that country. 63-year-old Modi arrived here on Sunday on his first foreign trip after assuming office last month. Recalling India’s historic ties with Bhutan, Modi said his government would work towards further strengthening the relations between the two neighbours. Noting that terrorism divides and tourism unites, he said Bhutan has immense potential in the tourism sector. Modi said development of tourism does not require large investment but can yield substantial profit and even the poor can benefit from it. Describing the Himalayas as a shared legacy of the two countries, he stressed on the need to develop the region and said India is planning to open a university for Himalayan studies. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He also thanked Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay for attending his swearing in ceremony in Delhi last month. Modi had on Sunday vowed to nurture bilateral relations which he described as “B4B Bharat for Bhutan and Bhutan for Bharat” as he held wide-ranging talks with Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Tobgay. He had also inaugurated the Supreme Court complex built by India as part of the developmental cooperation. During his talks, Modi had assured Bhutan’s leadership that India is committed to its happiness and progress even though the government in Delhi has changed. Speaking at a banquet hosted by Bhutanese Prime Minister Tobgay here last night, he had said India and Bhutan are “made for each other” considering the “glorious” traditional linkages between the two countries. Modi is accompanied by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, national security adviser Ajit Doval and foreign secretary Sujatha Singh.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> On Monday he will lay the foundation for a 600 megawatt hydroelectric power station, part of an energy cooperation plan to feed demand in Bhutan, and also India. "PM underlined that he would not only nurture strong bonds but would also strengthen them," a government official said after Modi's talks with Bhutan's King Jigme Kesar Wangchuk and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. Bhutan, wedged in the Himalayas between India and China is the closest India has to an ally in South Asia, a region home to over 1.5 billion people but held back by bristling rivalries. Modi's Bhutan visit shows an astute sense of the region's critical importance to India's economic dynamism and strategic strength, said Alyssa Ayres, a South Asia expert at the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations. "Of course, India is also closely watching China's border talks with Bhutan and China’s recent efforts to establish stronger ties with Thimphu," she said. On Sunday, hundreds of school children dressed in traditional red and green tunics lined the route from the airport to wave the Indian flag as Modi's motorcade arrived in the kingdom which for centuries was closed to outsiders.</div>

India committed to good neighbourly relations: Narendra Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) shakes hands with Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk in Thimphu on Sunday. Photo: AFP ...

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