Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav

Lucknow: Amid speculation of a rift in the Uttar Pradesh BJP, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday in a cryptic post on X seemed to be asking ruling party MLAs to switch sides to form a new government in the state.

“Monsoon offer: Bring hundred, form government,” the former chief minister said.

While Yadav did not name anyone in his post, a senior SP leader said on the condition of anonymity that it was a message for those in the BJP who were dissatisfied with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and wanted to cross over.

“The SP won 111 seats in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and if we get the support of 100 dissatisfied BJP MLAs, then we will easily form the government,” the SP leader explained.

The speculation about the rift in the BJP’s state unit was fuelled by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s post on X on Wednesday stating that the party is bigger than the government.

He also urged all ministers, MLAs and public representatives to respect party workers.

Maurya had met BJP president J P Nadda in Delhi on Tuesday but neither the BJP nor the deputy chief minister said anything about the meeting.

There has long been a buzz about less-than-warm relations between Maurya and Adityanath. In private conversations, a number of BJP leaders from the state, including those who lost in the Lok Sabha polls, have been critical of the chief minister’s working style and cited it as one of the reasons for their loss.

London: English PEN’s flagship grant program, PEN Translates, has announced its latest round of awards, recognizing 16 titles from 11 regions and 10 languages. For the first time in the award’s history, a work translated from Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi has been honored. Bhasthi’s translation of a collection of short stories by Banu Mushtaq has brought Kannada literature to the international stage, highlighting the growing global appreciation for this regional language.

The awards includes a wide variety of genres, including novels, short stories, non-fiction, poetry, prose drama, and young adult literature. This year’s list notably includes works from Cameroon and Singapore, as well as translations from the Greenlandic and Mixe languages, reflecting PEN Translates’ commitment to promoting diverse voices and stories.

Deepa Bhasthi, an accomplished writer and translator, who was also a journalist, has been honored for her translation of a collection of short stories by Banu Mushtaq. Bhasthi’s translation project, supported through English PEN’s PEN Presents grant for sample translations, led to the acquisition of the work by the publishing house And Other Stories.

Bhasthi, who works in both Kannada and English, has a distinguished career in translating and writing. Her essays, columns, and journalism focus on the politics of culture and have been widely published in both national and international outlets. In 2022, she translated Kota Shivarama Karanth’s novel “The Same Village, The Same Tree,” and her translation of short stories by Kodagina Gouramma, one of the earliest feminist writers in Kannada, is set to be published in January 2023 by Yoda Press.

In addition to Bhasthi’s work, another title supported by PEN Presents and recognized in this year’s awards is “The Aquatics” by Osvalde Lewat, translated from French by Maren Baudet-Lackner. This project was acquired by Cassava Republic Press, further exemplifying the impact of PEN’s support in bringing diverse narratives to a broader audience.

Other winners of the PEN Translates awards include:

PEN Translates award winners:

This Mouth Is Mine by Yásnaya Elena A. Gil (Mexico), translated from the Spanish and Mixe by Ellen Jones (Charco Press).

Reservoir Bitches by Dahlia de la Cerda (Mexico), translated from the Spanish by Heather Cleary and Julia Sanches (Scribe UK).

Delicious Hunger by Hai Fan (Singapore), translated from the Chinese by Jeremy Tiang (Tilted Axis Press).

The Weasel and the Whore by Martha Luisa Hernández Cadenas (Cuba), translated from the Spanish by Julia Sanches and Jennifer Shyue (Héloïse Press).

The Congress of the Disappeared by Bernardo Kucinski (Brazil), translated from the Portuguese by Tom Gatehouse (Latin America Bureau).

A Man with No Title by Xavier Le Clerc (France), translated from the French by William Rodarmor (Saqi Books).

The Aquatics by Osvalde Lewat (Cameroon), translated from the French by Maren Baudet-Lackner (Cassava Republic Press).

On the Greenwich Line by Shady Lewis (Egypt/UK), translated from the Arabic by Katharine Halls (Peirene Press).

Short stories by Banu Mushtaq (India), translated from the Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi (And Other Stories).

Water: A Chronicle by Ngọc Tư Nguyễn (Vietnam), translated from the Vietnamese by Nguyễn An Lý (Major Books).

The Wild Ones by Antonio Ramos Revillas (Mexico), translated from the Spanish by Claire Storey (HopeRoad).

Jellyfish Have No Ears by Adèle Rosenfeld (France), translated from the French by Jeffrey Zuckerman (MacLehose Press).

Samahani by Abdel Aziz Baraka Sakin (Sudan/Austria), translated from the Arabic by Mayada Ibrahim and Adil Ibrahim Babikir (Foundry Editions).

Zombieland by Sørine Steenholdt (Greenland), translated from the Greenlandic by Charlotte Barslund (Norvik Press).

Elevator In Saigon by Thuận (Vietnam/France), translated from the Vietnamese by Nguyễn An Lý (Tilted Axis Press).

Iran + 100 by various authors, translated from the Farsi by various translators (Comma Press).

Since its inception, PEN Translates has supported 376 books translated from over 90 languages, awarding over £1.2 million in grants. The program has played a crucial role in bringing international literature to English-speaking audiences, with 19 PEN Translates-supported books appearing on International Booker Prize longlists. Recently, the program-supported “Kibogo” by Scholastique Mukasonga, translated from French by Mark Polizzotti (Daunt Books), won the 2024 Oxford-Weidenfeld Prize, and “Of Cattle and Men” by Ana Paula Maia, translated from Portuguese by Zoë Perry (Charco Press), won the 2024 Republic of Consciousness Prize.

Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar

Pune: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said a decision on the potential entry of any leader in his party will be a collective one, refusing to confirm whether Ajit Pawar will be accommodated if he chooses to come back.

Sharad Pawar spoke on multiple issues during his interaction with reporters in Pune when he was asked whether his estranged nephew and current Deputy Chief Minister in the Mahayuti government will be welcomed back into the party.

Responding to a query, the Pawar senior said everyone has a place in the “house”.

When reporters specifically asked if Ajit Pawar has a place in the NCP (SP), Sharad Pawar said, “Such decisions cannot be taken at the personal level. My colleagues who stood by me during the crisis will be asked first”.

Ajit Pawar split the NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar, in July 2023 when he led some MLAs loyal to him to join the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government, also comprising the Shiv Sena and BJP.

Ajit also secured the party name and poll symbol- the watch- from the Election Commission.

Speculations about unrest in the Ajit Pawar camp started doing rounds after the NCP led by him lost three of the four seats it contested in recent Lok Sabha elections.

The NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar scored an impressive victory by winning 8 out of 10 constituencies it contested in alliance with Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).

The Pawar senior recently admitted that some MLAs from the breakaway NCP led by Ajit Pawar had met his party’s senior leader Jayant Patil.

New Delhi: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted extremely heavy rainfall over south interior and coastal Karnataka on July 18.

According to the IMD release, Konkan & Goa and coastal Karnataka are expected to witness isolated extremely heavy rainfall on July 18, followed by isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over the subsequent three days. Isolated heavy rainfall is also very likely over north interior Karnataka during this period.

The IMD further predicts isolated extremely heavy rainfall over south interior Karnataka, Saurashtra, and Kutch on July 17 and 18.

The release further read, a fresh low-pressure area is likely to form over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal around July 19. A cyclonic circulation currently lies over Saurashtra and Kutch in the lower tropospheric levels.

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan on Wednesday issued orders declaring rain holiday for schools and PU colleges of few taluks of the district on July 18.

According to the order, all Anganwadi centers, government, aided and private primary, high school and pre-university colleges falling under Puttur, Bantwal, Belthangady, Sullia, Kadaba taluks will remain closed on Thursday July 18.

Nasheman news

Sri M established the first-ever largest place of worship dedicated to Sri Guruji Adinath ‘Mahavtar’ Babaji, which is open to people of all faiths.

The Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the temple was done by Sri M, himself, in the presence of Honorable Minister of Road, Transport and Highways, Sri Nitin Gadkari at the Madanapalle Ashram in Andhra Pradesh.

Grand Opening of Sri Guru Mahavtar Babaji Temple at Sri M’s Ashram  Welcomes All Faiths 

~The grand inauguration was graced by the Honorable Minister of Road, Transport and Highways,  Sri Nitin Gadkari~ 

~ At 4,000 square feet, the temple built by Sri M is the first-of-its kind, largest place of worship  dedicated to Sri Guru Babaji anywhere in the world~ 

A beautiful, elegantly designed, spacious pillared temple dedicated to Adinath  Sri Guru Babaji was sanctified by Spiritual Master Sri M today within the precincts of his  Madanapalle Ashram, set deep within the verdant grasslands of rural Andhra Pradesh. 

Formally inaugurated by Honorable Minister of Road, Transport and Highways, Sri Nitin Gadkari, the  temple was declared open to the public after Sri M conducted a moving Prana Pratishtha ceremony  of the serene image of Babaji sitting within a rough-hewn rock cave in deep contemplation. 

Sri Guru Babaji, also known as Mahavatar Babaji, is considered a manifestation of the Supreme Being  by the Nath Sampradaya, whose chief disciple, Sri Maheshwarnath Babaji, was Sri M’s Guru. He is  revered by many across faiths as a great Yogi who has taught Kriya Yoga as one of the paths to attain  Moksha or liberation in these difficult times. 

Padma Bhushan Sri M, himself a realized Yogi, travels and teaches across the globe, also imparting  Kriya Yoga to aspirants. At 4,000 square feet, the temple built by Sri M is the first-of-its kind, largest  place of worship dedicated to Sri Guru Babaji anywhere in the world. 

Speaking on the occasion, Sri M said, “This Babajis temple is open to all irrespective of caste creed or  religion, Babaji who is in your heart, is the same whose Prana Prathishta is done here today. Hari Om  Tat Sat.” 

Amidst melodious chants of the Lalita Trishati and the Sama Veda, the Prana Pratishtha of both a Sri  Yantra and Babaji’s image concluded with the blowing of conches, nadaswaram, and the damru. Fireworks lit the sky in rejoicing as the temple welcomed people from all denominations to move  ahead on the spiritual path with deep introspection and quiet contemplation. 

The ceremony was attended by over 2,000 devotees from across India and abroad participated in the  event, including the distinguished presence of Justice (retd) Sunil Shukre, the local MLA, the District  Collector, and the Additional District Collector. The ceremony concluded with a community lunch  (Annadanam) and the distribution of Prasad. 

The temple at Sri M’s Ashram is now open to visitors of all faiths, offering a sacred space for  meditation, contemplation, and spiritual enrichment.

About Sri M 

At the age of nineteen, irresistibly drawn to the snow-clad Himalayas, Sri M embarked on his journey  to seek a true Master. Maheshwarnath Babaji, a senior disciple of Sri Guru Babaji, took Sri M under  his tutelage and initiated him into the Nath tradition. For three and half years, Sri M lived and  travelled extensively through the Himalayas with him. What he learnt from Maheshwarnath Babaji  transformed his consciousness. 

As instructed by his Guru, Sri M returned to the plains and led a quiet, working family life while  preparing to teach all that he had learnt and experienced. A few years after his Master’s passing, Sri  M received the signal to commence his teaching mission. 

Sri M established The Satsang Foundation over twenty years ago, as a meeting point for spiritual  seekers of all persuasions. Conversant with the teachings of most major religions, Sri M’s teachings  seek to transcend the outer-shell of all religions by exploring the core and nurturing the innate  goodness in every human being. In his words: “Go to the core. Theories are of no use.” 

About Satsang Foundation 

The Satsang Foundation—established by Sri M, is a meeting point for spiritual seekers of all  persuasions. The Foundation actively conceptualizes, organises and executes activities and initiatives  that bring true reformation and change in human minds for a better, more inclusive and truly united  world. 

Mangaluru: Taranath Gatti Kapikad, President of the Tulu Sahitya Academy, has urged MLAs from Coastal Karnataka to advocate for the recognition of the Tulu language as an official language of the state during the current assembly session.

In a letter addressed to the region’s legislators, Kapikad emphasized the importance of fulfilling the longstanding demand of Tulu speakers for official language status. He noted that in a previous session, the government acknowledged this demand and promised to make a decision after reviewing the implementation of multiple official languages in other states.

“The state government has now received the necessary information from various states,” Kapikad stated in his letter. “In this regard, all the legislators should propose the demand before the assembly.”

Kapikad’s appeal highlights the cultural significance of the Tulu language and its widespread use in the coastal regions of Karnataka. By recognizing Tulu as an official language, he argues, the government would affirm the linguistic and cultural diversity of the state.