Archives for March 2021

New Delhi: The Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020 is being conferred on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the culture ministry said on Monday.

Late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman was awarded the prestigious prize for the year 2019 in recognition of his vision to strengthen relations with India, and his efforts to promote peace and non-violence in the Gulf region, the ministry said.

The Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award instituted by government of India since 1995, the 125th birth anniversary commemoration year of Mahatma Gandhi. The award is open to all people regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or sex.

jury for Gandhi Peace Prize is chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprises of two ex-officio members, namely the chief justice of India and leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha.

Two eminent members are also part of the jury — Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder of Sulabh International Social Service Organisation.

The jury met on March 19, 2021 and after due deliberations, unanimously decided to select Bangladesh’s father of the nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and Oman’s longtime ruler Sultan Qaboos for the prize, an official statement said.

The award carries an amount of Rs 1 crore, a citation, plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item.

Modi said Bangabandhu was a champion of human rights and freedom, and a hero to Indians as well.

He also said that the legacy and inspiration of Bangabandhu has made the heritage of both countries more comprehensive and deep-rooted, and that the path shown by Bangabandhu has laid a strong foundation for the partnership, progress and prosperity of both countries over the last decade.

“Bangabandhu’s vision continues to light the India-Bangladesh friendship. I had the privilege of honouring his memory during my previous Bangladesh visit and will again pay homage to him, alongside PM Hasina, during the #MujibBorsho celebrations,” Modi said in a tweet.

“Year 2020 marked the birth centenary of Bangabandhu. He remains an icon of indomitable courage and tireless struggle for his millions of admirers,” he said.

According to the ministry, late Sultan Qaboos, the longest-serving leader in the Middle East and Arab world at the time of his death in 2020, received the prize, in “recognition of his outstanding contributions for social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods .

“His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was a visionary leader whose twin policy of moderation and mediation in addressing international issues won him praise and respect across the globe. He played an important role in supporting peace efforts in various regional disputes and conflicts, the statement said.

Sultan Qaboos was the architect of the special ties between India and Oman. He had studied in India and always maintained a special relationship with India. Under his leadership, India and Oman became strategic partners and our mutually beneficial, comprehensive partnership strengthened and scaled newer heights,” it added.

The statement said, Modi had recalled the contribution of Sultan Qaboos to India-Oman ties when he passed away by saying that he was a true friend of India and provided strong leadership for developing a strategic partnership between India and Oman .

The prime minister had also remembered him as a visionary leader and statesman and beacon of peace for our region and the world.

“His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said was a strong advocate of India-Oman friendship, and took special care of the welfare of the Indian community in Oman. I cherished my interactions with His Majesty, and benefited from his wise insights on many subjects,” Modi said in a tweet.

Gandhi Peace Prize recognises the unparalleled vision and leadership of the late Sultan Qaboos Bin Said in strengthening relations between India and Oman, and his efforts to promote peace and non-violence in the Gulf region, the statement said.

Recent awardees of the Gandhi Peace Prize include include Vivekananda Kendra, India (2015); Akshaya Patra Foundation, India and Sulabh International (jointly, for 2016); Ekal Abhiyan Trust, India (2017) and Yohei Sasakawa, Japan (2018).

Tingkhong (Assam): BJP national president J P Nadda on Monday mocked the Congress, comparing it with an elephant having two sets of teeth – “one to show off and another to chew”.

Addressing an election rally at Tingkhong in Dibrugarh district, Nadda also accused the Congress of practising “politics of opportunism” and said Assam will head into “darkness” if the opposition party is voted to power.

“The Congress’ only aim is politics of opportunism.

They are with the Muslim League and fighting against the CPI(M) in Kerala, but joined hands with it in West Bengal and Assam…,” Nadda said.

“Like a tusker, the Congress has two sets of teeth — one to show off and another to chew. It says something and always does the opposite… It is dividing the society,” the senior BJP leader said.

In an apparent reference to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, who is also campaigning in the state, Nadda said the social-media handle of the opposition party shared pictures from Taiwan and Sri Lanka when “one leader” of the party visited tea gardens of Assam.

“She plucked tea leaves then. But as far as I know, tea leaves are plucked only after April. Then, why was this photo shoot? The Congress is cheating people,” he said.

The Congress had recently assured tea garden workers that it will hike their daily wages to Rs 365 from the existing Rs 117 “within six hours of forming the government”.

Repeatedly attacking the Congress, Nadda said the opposition party “means darkness”, while the BJP stands for development.

“If you need darkness, then go with the Congress. But if you need development, hold the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Nadda said at the rally.

The Congress has neglected Assam and the northeast since Independence, and did nothing to develop the region, he alleged.

“Because of Congress’ double standard, the wheels of development had totally stopped. It attacked the civilisation of Assam, sidelining the state’s culture. But, BJP brought development and protected Assam’s culture and language,” Nadda said.

The opposition party never gave any importance to the safety of Assamese people, including not solving the Bodo problems for 50 years, he claimed.

“For a long time, our borders were open and anyone could come freely. It was a challenge to our security… The Congress does not have any intention, policy and agenda. It is only for grabbing power,” he said.

Attacking the Congress-AIUDF alliance, Nadda said former chief minister Tarun Gogoi never allied with the Badruddin Ajmal-led party, but his son has now embraced the AIUDF.

“This is nothing but opportunism. How are you going to protect the Assamese culture? By joining hands with Ajmal?” the BJP chief said.

Gogoi’s son Gaurav is a Lok Sabha MP and chairman of the Manifesto Committee of the Assam Congress.

The Congress, which was in power for 15 years in Assam since 2001, has formed a ‘Grand Alliance’ with AIUDF, BPF, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML), Anchalik Gana Morcha (AGM), RJD and the Jimochayan (Deori) Peoples Party (JPP) to fight the upcoming Assembly election against the BJP-led NDA.

Nadda also alleged that the Congress did nothing for the development of the tea garden workers, protection of ‘Namghars’ (a place of worship for Vaishnavite followers) and ending violence in Bodoland areas.

“During the Congress tenure, 2,155 people died, 2,004 security personnel lost their lives and 1,300 people were kidnapped in Bodo areas. When the BJP came, the Bodo agreement was signed, 4,000 assault rifles were surrendered and 2,300 cadres laid down arms,” he claimed.

Nadda accused the Congress of “latkana (delaying), atkana (stalling) and bhatkana (misleading)” people on development projects, “which have been cleared after the BJP formed government in Assam”.

During BJP’s tenure, land pattas (deeds) were given to 3.3 lakh people, 135 mobile medical units were set up for tea gardens, Rs 1,000 crore allocated for welfare of such areas, Bogibeel bridge over Brahmaputra was completed and Rs 8,000 crore gas royalty was provided, he said.

“During the 13th Finance Commission, Rs 50,000 crore was given to Assam. The 14th Finance Commission after BJP came to the Centre provided Rs 1,55,000 crore to the state,” Nadda said.

He said former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was a Rajya Sabha Member for 10 years, but “did not do anything” for the development of the state.

New Delhi The Delhi Cabinet on Monday approved a new excise policy lowering the minimum age for consumption of liquor to 21 years from 25 years, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced.

According to the new policy, no new liquor shops will be opened in Delhi and the government will not run any vend.

“The new excise policy was approved by the Cabinet today on basis of the recommendations of the Group of Ministers. It was decided that no new liquor shops will be opened in the national capital and the government will not run any liquor shops. At present, 60 per cent liquor shops in Delhi are run by the government,” Sisodia said at a press conference.

“Government will ensure equitable distribution of liquor shops so that liquor mafia are thrown out of the trade. A revenue growth of 20 per cent is estimated after the reforms in excise department,” he added.

Gandhinagar: Gujarat’s Independent MLA Jignesh Mevani was on Friday suspended from the state Assembly for a day for “indiscipline” after he raised the issue of a Dalit man’s murder without the Speaker’s permission.

He was evicted from the House on the orders of Speaker Rajendra Trivedi over the issue.

Mevani had been evicted from the Assembly for the same reason on Thursday as well.

As soon as the Question Hour came to an end, Mevani, who represents the Vadgam Assembly constituency, suddenly raised a poster that carried the picture of the Dalit man killed on March 2 by a mob allegedly in the presence of a policeman. The poster read: “Why you are not arresting the culprits?”

He was referring to the incident, in which one Amrabhai Boricha (50), a resident of Sanodar in Ghogha taluka of Bhavnagar, was allegedly killed in the presence of a local police sub inspector.

As Mevani’s mic was turned off, he started shouting and asked why the BJP government in the state has not arrested the PSI yet.

He asked the government to clarify if the Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja was related to the PSI.

The speaker then asked Mevani not to indulge in “indiscipline” and sit down.

Trivedi told the MLA that he should first seek permission from him if he wanted to raise any issue.

When Mevani did not sit down despite repeated requests, Trivedi asked the sergeants to take the MLA out of the House.

Trivedi also suspended the MLA for the day for “indiscipline”.

Mevani was then escorted out by the sergeants without using much force.

New Delhi, Mar 19: Around Rs 10 lakh has been raised for the boy who was allegedly thrashed for drinking water inside a Ghaziabad temple, online crowdfunding platform Ketto said Friday.

The fundraiser was started to extend financial support to the boy’s family and for his education by one of the co-founders of the fact-checking website Altnews, Ketto said in a statement.

Through the crowdfunding, around Rs 10 lakh has been raised in just two days with contributions from about 648 people, it said.

Commenting on the fundraiser, the altnews co-founder said the boy belongs to a poor family and wishes to study hard to change his family’s fate. “Within 2 days we have raised around Rs 10 lakh on Ketto.org. The money raised on Ketto will support Asif to secure his future and get some financial stability,” he said.

The teenager was allegedly thrashed by a man, who was arrested after a video went viral showing him beating up the boy for drinking water inside a temple in Ghaziabad, police had said on Saturday.

In the disturbing video, Shirangi Nanad Yadav was seen asking the boy his name, who said he was Asif. Yadav was then seen brutally thrashing him. The incident reportedly took place near Dasna Devi temple.