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Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday banned the “unregulated usage of loudspeakers at religious places and other public spaces”.

Yadav also ordered imposing a ban on meat sales “in the open”.

As per the order issued on Wednesday evening, the Chief Minister directed the officials to frame guidelines regarding the imposition of a ban on “unregulated use of loudspeakers in religious places and other public places” across the state.

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He asked the officials to identify the places where meat is being sold in open places and furnish a detailed report to the Home Department by December 31.

A senior Home Department official said that a Flying Squad will be constituted in each district to monitor the sound levels (permissible decibel limits) of loudspeakers and DJ systems playing music at religious places.

Yadav (58), who became the 19th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and fifth BJP leader to be sworn in for the top post.

He was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during his college days in 1993.

Reacting to CM Yadav’s very first order, Congress spokesperson Abbas Hafeez said the BJP is trying to divert attention from the real issues and the promises it made during the election.

“It would have been better had the CM signed first order on one of the promises it made to the people during the election campaign. But the BJP is trying to make people indulge in religious conflict. CM Mohan Yadav trying to compete with other BJP Chief Ministers,” he added.

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Parliament security breach: No passes for visitors’ gallery till further orders, says sources

New Delhi: After the security of Parliament was breached, the Secretary General of Lok Sabha has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs over a review of security and decision has been taken that no passes will be issued for the visitors’ gallery till further orders, Sources said.

Earlier, Lok Sabh Speaker Om Birla met with leaders of political parties over the security breach incident, and he agreed with the Opposition leaders raising concerns related to security, assuring that security would be reviewed.

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According to sources, the Secretary General of Lok Sabha has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs over a review of security.

No passes will be issued for the public gallery till further orders. Speaker Om Birla has also taken charge of the matter related to issuing passes to personal assistants of MPs, sources added.

On the 22nd anniversary of the Parliament terror attack, there was a major security breach when two intruders entered the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitor gallery during Zero Hour.

In a security breach in Lok Sabha, two men jumped into the House from the visitors’ gallery and had canisters in their hand, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said.

They released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by MPs.

Visuals showed an unidentified man jumping from the visitor’s gallery of Lok Sabha after which there was a slight commotion. The House was adjourned till 2 pm.

The incident happened when members were raising matters of urgent public importance and BJP MP Khagen Murmu was raising his issue.

Simultaneously, two individuals, including a woman, sprayed colored gas and shouted slogans outside the Parliament premises.

Earlier in the day, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said that two men jumped into the House from the visitor’s gallery and had canisters in their hands.

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FIDE Investigatory Panel finds no evidence that Hans Niemann cheated in over-the-board games; Carlsen fined for withdrawing

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Wednesday, 13 December 2023

Can’t declare temple ancient monument: HC tells authority concerned to decide in 6 months

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HC pulls up state govt for failing to update relevant records

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Ration ‘scam’ cost state exchequer Rs 400 crore : ED

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Dwarka court lawyers abstain from work, allege cop beat up bar member and filed false complaint

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Tuesday, 12 December 2023

Will raise onion farmers’ voices in Delhi: Sharad Pawar at protest on Centre’s export ban

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Monday, 11 December 2023

COP28: 44% drop in climate finance to agrifood systems in Asia, concern for farmers

Kerala farmer goes missing during govt-sponsored trip to Israel; probe launched

Dubai: The amount of climate finance flowing to agrifood systems is strikingly low and continues to diminish compared to global climate finance flows, a new report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warned on Sunday.

However, the drop in finance is a matter of concern for smallholder farmers.

The decline is happening at a time when more financing is urgently needed to help reach the goals of the Paris Agreement and support the implementation of the United Arab Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action signed by over 150 world leaders at the underway United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, says the FAO.

Climate finance refers to local, national or transnational financing — drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing — that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions to address climate change.

Between 2000 and 2021, climate-related development financial support for agrifood systems amounted to $183 billion, with more than half of the funding delivered after 2016.

However, in 2021, contributions plummeted to $19 billion, a 12 per cent decline compared to 2020.

The most affected region was Asia, with a sharp drop of 44 per cent compared to 2020.

Africa and Europe experienced a mild increase of four per cent, while Latin America and the Caribbean saw a modest increment of six per cent.

Although there has been an overall global increasing trend in absolute terms since 2000, doubling from $9 billion allocated in 2010 to $19 billion in 2021, the growth rate of climate-related development finance towards agrifood systems falls significantly short of the average growth rate of three to four times observed in climate-related development finance overall.

Smallholder farmers are on the frontlines of climate change, especially in the developing nations, agricultural advocates told IANS.

They say the nations now need to reach out to the farmers with resources that can strengthen their operations and build resilience as they are exposed to a wide range of risks arising from weather variability, natural hazards, and pests and diseases.

Delhi-based Climate Trends compiles evidence to showcase the extent of India’s agricultural vulnerability amidst changing summer monsoon season. Citing scientific evidence and public data, Climate Trends says the summer monsoon rainfall has declined by six per cent since the 1950s.

In the central region of India, where about 60 per cent of agriculture is rainfed, summer monsoon rains have declined by 10 per cent.

While the monsoon rains have weakened, the intensity of the rains has increased, triggering dangerous floods.

“The message is loud and clear: we must turn around from the ecological disaster we are headed towards. Let us work together for the sake of all life on the planet,” Indian spiritual leader Sadhguru told IANS at COP28 where he was for ‘save soil’ campaign.

Agriculture expert Meena Pokhrel of Nepal Agricultural Cooperative Central Federation Ltd told IANS that in the fields every seed matters with smallholder farmers echo a plea for resilience.

“Strengthening our foundations with resources isn’t just a need; it’s a collective investment in safeguarding our harvests, ensuring sustenance, and weathering the storms of change.”

Stating that resources are definitely needed to build resilience, Vandana Thottoli, Business development advisor with Dutch Fund for Climate and Development at SNV, said not all climate-smart agriculture practices need to be resource heavy.

“Mulching, using bio slurry, composting and other activities can still be done with limited resources.

“Resources will always be limited, and allocation might not always be equitable in developing nations, due to a myriad of reasons. So using resources efficiently and wisely needs to be stressed.”

Neslon Kipkosgey, 30-year-old farmer from Uganda, said: “Yes, developing nations can help us in strengthening our operations and build our resilience in the face of climate change. For example, I require improved seed varieties that are resilient to extreme weather conditions.”

According to the FAO report, amid worsening climate impacts and slow progress on reducing greenhouse gases, embracing sustainable agrifood systems practices — covering production, distribution and consumption — can help nations adapt, build resilience, and cut greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring food security and protecting biodiversity.

“The unique potential of agrifood systems to tackle the climate crisis can only be realized by scaling up investments in agrifood systems solutions and actions. The diminishing trends of both agrifood and adaptation investments is a missed opportunity to equip farmers around the world with the knowledge, the much-needed technologies and innovation to enhance their resilience and adapt to climate change impacts,” said FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo.

Agriculture is one of the sectors with the highest adaptation finance needs for implementing the Nationally Determined Contributions (or national climate plans), but climate finance for adaptation is also on a downward trend.

The FAO report mentions that according to a recent analysis from the Climate Policy Initiative, only four per cent of global climate finance went to agrifood systems between 2019 and 2020.

To transform agrifood systems and achieve not only climate action but all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), nations would need to mobilise about $680 billion a year until 2030.

The report highlights the increasing popularity of blended finance, which combines public and private funds to encourage climate-smart agricultural projects with significant financial, environmental, and social benefits.

It emphasizes that effectively addressing climate change in agrifood systems requires a comprehensive and customized financing approach that aligns with the specific needs and priorities of different regions and sectors.

To accomplish this, the authors stress the importance of understanding the most suitable financial instruments and the appropriate allocation of climate finance to different sectors, a crucial step in pursuing global climate objectives while also responding to local needs and contexts.

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Ashwini Ponappa-Tanisha Crasto enter Top 25 with third career women’s doubles title at Guwahati Masters badminton

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Tripura tribal body firm on Christmas Day rally seeking Christian converts’ removal from ST list

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Sunday, 10 December 2023

Where there is a scam, there is a Congress leader: Irani on cash recovery

Words are of Kejriwal spoken by Italia, says Smriti Irani

Amethi: Union minister Smriti Irani on Saturday took a dig at the Congress over the recovery of “unaccounted” cash from the premises of a party leader during income tax raids, saying this is not the first time a Congress MP is found involved in “corruption”.

The seizure of “unaccounted” cash after the income-tax department raided an Odisha-based distillery group and entities linked to it is expected to reach Rs 290 crore, making it the “highest-ever” black money haul by any agency in a single operation, official sources said on Saturday.

The tax department has deployed about 40 large and small machines to count the currency notes and brought in more department and bank staffers to finish the process, which began on December 6 following raids against Boudh Distillery Private Limited and others, the sources said.

Besides these, more vehicles have also been requisitioned by the department to transport the seized cash to government banks in the state.

A premises linked to Congress’s Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand, Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, was also searched as part of the operation, the sources said.

“Why is it that where there is a scam, there is a Congress leader,” Irani, the local BJP MP, told reporters at Gauriganj here. “This is not the first MP of Congress who is involved in corruption.”

“Not only humans but also machine got tired in counting the notes, but money continues to be recovered from the house of a corrupt leader of the Congress. Rs 200 crore worth of corruption has come out of the house of a corrupt Congress MP. Whose ATM is this in the Gandhi family, the answer to this question will be awaited,” Irani said.

While addressing the Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra here, Irani targeted the Nehru-Gandhi family without naming them. “The area where India’s top politicians have ruled for years and enjoyed power, they did not think about it.”

She said India will be a developed nation by 2047.

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India vs England: Harmanpreet Kaur and Co pay for batting lapses on a forgettable night as visitors complete series win

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Saturday, 9 December 2023

Express News Quiz: Meftal scare, ‘Sam Bahadur’ & the Parthenon Marbles

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Friday, 8 December 2023

SC to deliver verdict on Monday on pleas challenging abrogation of Article 370

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Thursday, 7 December 2023

New signs emerge of ‘widespread’ sexual crimes by Hamas, as Netanyahu alleges global indifference

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Wednesday, 6 December 2023

Cyclone Michaung claims 17 lives in Tamil Nadu, leaves trail of deluge, disruption

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Tuesday, 5 December 2023

Day after election verdicts, deepened battle lines show in House as Govt takes on Opp

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Rakhi Sawant moves Bombay HC challenging outrage of modesty, defamation case filed by model in 2022

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Monday, 4 December 2023

Very little for people to rejoice over election results outside J-K: Omar Abdullah

Deeply hurtful: Omar Abdullah on BJP leader K S Eshwarappa's comments about Azaan

Jammu: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Sunday said there was very little for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to rejoice over the victory of other parties in elections held in other states.

The former chief minister of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state made the remarks on a day the BJP won assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh while the Congress wrested power away from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Telangana.

“There was very little for the people to rejoice over the victory of others in the elections held across various states in the country because it has been years now since the locals have seen elections in Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar said in his address to the party’s zonal workers during its one-day convention at Tikri in Udhampur district.

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He said, “We can only see the spectacle in other states but cannot have it here. Democracy ends where Jammu and Kashmir begins.”

Taking a swipe at the central government, the National Conference vice-president said people who blow the trumpet of democracy across the world do not allow it to come to Jammu and Kashmir.

“They have shown that they not just hate the idea of assembly but panchayats and urban local bodies as well. It’s no wonder that they might wind up district development councils as well,” Abdullah said.

“What is the fault of the people of Jammu and Kashmir that they are being deprived of their democratic right and are not even being given the opportunity to elect their assembly (members)?” he asked.

On the contrary, he alleged that “crownless kings” have been imposed upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir who take decisions related to the Union Territory but do not involve the people in those.

Criticising the central government and BJP leaders for “misleading the country” on Article 370, Abdullah said, “These people give speeches every day enumerating the negatives related to Article 370 but if I may ask them what exactly did its revocation change for the people of Jammu and Kashmir?”

“What benefits did our people reap from its revocation? Contrarily, it was Article 370 that gave land rights to our people. It was the very same provision that made the right to free education up to the university level possible in Jammu and Kashmir. Our people, particularly the landless, poor and the workers — irrespective of their religious and regional affiliations — reaped the benefits of Article 370 while its abrogation has not yielded any benefit. People are only suffering,” he added.

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Riding anti-incumbency wave, welfare plank, Congress ousts BRS in Telangana

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Sunday, 3 December 2023

Three tourists killed in Goa after car driven by Russian citizen rams into them

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Saturday, 2 December 2023

Close ties with Maldives, Centre to decide on recalling military staff: Navy Chief

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Unboxing Bengaluru Habba kicks off with tribute to Kempe Gowda, heritage walks and music

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Friday, 1 December 2023

Jos Alukkas robbery: Coimbatore police recover 3 kg gold, hunt on for prime accused

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Thursday, 30 November 2023

Sector 22, Chandigarh: 44 out of 70 parks with his association, BJP leader gets MC notices — and money too

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Wednesday, 29 November 2023

Maxwell magic trumps Gaikwad ton as Australia keep T20 series alive with big chase

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Gadkari says ‘relieved and happy’ after rescue of 41 workers from Silkyara tunnel

New Delhi: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said he is “relieved and happy” as all 41 trapped workers have been rescued from the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand.

“I am completely relieved and happy as 41 trapped laborers in the Silkyara Tunnel Collapse have been successfully rescued,” Gadkari said in a post on X.

I am completely relieved and happy as 41 trapped laborers in the Silkyara Tunnel Collapse have been successfully rescued.

This was a well-coordinated effort by multiple agencies, marking one of the most significant rescue operations in recent years. Various departments and…
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) November 28, 2023

The 41 workers, who were trapped in the tunnel since November 12, were rescued on Tuesday evening.

The Road Transport and Highways Minister said that the government will do a safety audit of all under-construction tunnels.

“This was a well-coordinated effort by multiple agencies, marking one of the most significant rescue operations in recent years. Various departments and agencies complemented each other despite facing numerous challenges,” Gadkari said.

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He expressed gratitude to each agency and individual involved in this rescue operation as well as deep appreciation for the international rescue experts, administrative officers, and the Uttarakhand government for their swift and effective response.

“I take this opportunity to thank the Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, who has been constantly monitoring the entire operation and providing guidance and support whenever required. CM Uttarakhand Shri @pushkardhami Ji and my colleague Shri @Gen_VKSingh Ji almost camped there during the operation,” he said.

I take this opportunity to thank the Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, who has been constantly monitoring the entire operation and providing guidance and support whenever required. CM Uttarakhand Shri @pushkardhami Ji and Shri @Gen_VKSingh Ji almost camped
— Vedant Aher Patil (@VedantAherPatil) November 28, 2023

Gadkari also expressed his gratitude to the officers and engineers of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for their sincere efforts.

The minister said that the ministry has learnt a lot of lessons from this incident. “We will also do a safety audit of all under-construction tunnels,” he said.

Noting that the Himalayan geology is “fragile”, Gadkari said the ministry will try to find solutions to the problems being faced there.

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Over 400 hours, multiple setbacks: A timeline of how the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue op transpired

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Tuesday, 28 November 2023

Home ministry advisor meets Tripura CM, talks with TIPRA Motha likely tomorrow

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Despite challenges, efforts on to rescue trapped workers in Uttarakhand: PM Modi

Congress seeks EC action against PM, accuses him of 'hate speech' in Raj

Hyderabad: Despite challenges from nature in the evacuation process of the 41 workers trapped inside a tunnel in Uttarakhand, the government stands firmly to bring them out to safety, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

Modi prayed for the safe evacuation of the workers who have been trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand for the last 15 days at a ‘Koti Deepotsavam’, a religious event of lighting lamps during the Hindu Kartika month, here.

He said the government is making continuous efforts to evacuate the workers safely and as early as possible.

“But, we have to complete this relief and rescue operation with lot of alertness. Nature is continuously giving us challenges in this effort. But, we are standing firm. We are making efforts round-the-clock. We have to pray for the safe evacuation of those workers and to do it as early as possible,” Modi said.

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The government and all agencies together are leaving no stone unturned to bring them out safely, he said.

“When we are praying to God today and talk about human welfare, then we have to pray for all those worker brothers who have been trapped inside a tunnel in Uttarakhand for the past two weeks,” he said.

The family members of the workers need to be given courage that the whole country is with them, he said.

He prayed that every lamp lit in the ‘Dev Diwali’ and ‘Koti Deepotsavam’ would bring light in the lives of those trapped workers at the earliest.

It has been 15 days since the 41 workers were trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel after a portion of it collapsed on November 12. The rescue operation was started soon after the incident but the work was delayed due to hurdles in drilling.

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Monday, 27 November 2023

Delhi: Woman bites off husband’s ear during fight, FIR registered

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PM to attend COP 28 summit in Dubai

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Hardik Pandya’s return to Mumbai Indians explained: Is there a transfer fee involved? How do trades work in IPL?

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Sunday, 26 November 2023

RSS, BJP want to change Indian Constitution, usher in Hindu Rashtra: Prakash Ambedkar

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Does India have bowlers who can finish games with the bat and where does Steve Smith fit for Australia?

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Saturday, 25 November 2023

Odisha Winter Session lasts 4 days, adjourned 26 days before schedule

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Friday, 24 November 2023

After ED’s ‘misuse’ claim, lawyer who was allowed to travel to Nagpur for father’s last rites directed to be brought back to jail

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Thursday, 23 November 2023

‘Killing 4,000 Palestinian kids wasn’t enough’: Ex-Obama aide hurls Islamophobic rant at vendor, loses job

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Igor Stimac: ‘Let’s stop talking about the Asian Cup’; What are we to talk about, coach?

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Wednesday, 22 November 2023

Maratha outfits agree to allow DyCM’s Kartiki Akadashi puja at Pandharpur temple

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Tuesday, 21 November 2023

I&B ministry enhances sop for foreign film production in India, eyes medium, big projects

Panaji: Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur on Monday announced enhancing incentive for production of foreign movies in the country, hiking the limit for reimbursement of expenses incurred in the country as he inaugurated the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.

The move was aimed at attracting medium and big budget international film projects to India, he said while addressing a star-studded gathering after opening the 54th edition of IFFI at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium near here.

The paradigm shift in incentivizing film production serves as a testimony to India’s commitment and support for artistic expression and reinforces its position as a preferred destination for cinematic endeavours, Thakur said.

The minister said last year at the Cannes Film Festival, the central government introduced an incentive scheme for production of foreign films in India, offering reimbursement of up to 30 per cent of their expenses incurred in the country, capped at Rs 2.5 crore.

The scheme was announced with an aim to make India a favourite destination for foreign film makers.
“We realised that given India’s size and vast potential, there was a need for higher incentive to attract medium and big budget international projects. Today, I am pleased to announce an increase in the incentive for foreign film production in India,” Thakur said.

“The maximum incentive would be now up to 40 per cent of the expenditure incurred with a raised limit of Rs 30 crore, exceeding USD 3.5 million. You can also get additional 5 per cent bonus for significant Indian content,” he added.

Speaking further, Thakur said the Government of India has taken several measures in the recent past to augment the media and entertainment sector.

“Recently, the Cinematograph Act, which stands as the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023, received approval from both Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha,” he said.

The legislation not only broadens the legal framework, shifting its focus beyond censorship to encompassing the copyright protection, but also introduces rigorous measures against piracy, stated the minister.

“Only few countries have done this (bring a law like Cinematograph Act). This has been done under the leadership of (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi,” Thakur added.

Thakur lit the traditional lamp in presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murgan and Union minister Shripad Naik, among others, to mark the inauguration of the IFFI.

Actors Madhuri Dixit, Shahid Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Sunny Deol and filmmaker Karan Johar were present for the opening ceremony of the nine-day festival being held at different venues in the coastal state.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sawant welcomed the film fraternity for the event and said grand celebration of cinema in the picturesque state of Goa promises to be a mesmerizing journey.
“The cinema has power to evoke multitude of emotions, inspire minds and challenge the perspectives,” he maintained.

Sawant said the IFFI, over the years, has emerged as a “beacon of cinematic experience” and remarked that this year the festival promises to be different.

“Let us remember that cinema has power to transform lives. It can ignite imagination and broaden horizon around us,” he said.

Sawant said Goa, made the permanent venue of the IFFI in 2004, is a proud host of the festival.

“We are committed to providing all necessary support to make the festival a success. We want to make Goa a hub for filmmaking and the IFFI will help us in promoting that destination,” the CM stated.

Sawant opined the Goan film industry has grown by leaps and bounds over the years and now slowly stepping into the national scene.

“The Konkani cinema has carved a place for itself in the IFFI,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the Entertainment Society of Goa, one of the IFFI organisers, has floated an expression of interest for setting up a film city in the tourist state.

“It is our commitment that we will complete the procedure for this work (film city) a time-bound manner,” Sawant averred.

At the function, Union I&B Minister Thakur honoured Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit with the ‘Special Recognition for Contribution to Bharatiya Cinema’ award.

Dixit, who started her film journey in mid-1980s, said she has worked with some wonderful directors during her decades-old career.

“I am happy to be here today. Thank you for this beautiful award. In nearly 38 years in the industry, I got to work with wonderful directors and did wonderful films,” Dixit said.

The 56-year-old actor described the IFFI as a platform for expressing creativity.

“Thanks to IFFI organisers for creating this platform. The IFFI is an emotion. People used to come to Goa only for holidays, now they are coming here to watch films,” the actor said.

IFFI is an annual event organized by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), Union Ministry of I&B, in collaboration with the Goa government through the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) and the Indian film industry.

The festival showcasing an eclectic array of world cinema to the audiences worldwide will kick-start with the international premiere of ‘Catching Dust’, by award-winning British filmmaker Stuart Gatt.

This year, the IFFI has received an overwhelming response, according to an I&B ministry release.

A total of 2,926 entries from 105 countries were received, which is three times more international submissions than last year. During the nine-day festival, more than 270 films will be showcased at four venues across Goa, said the release.

As many as 13 world premieres, 62 Asia premiers and 89 India premieres will be screened during the event.

A total of 32 entries have been received in 10 languages from 15 OTT platforms for Best Web Series (OTT) Award. Fifteen feature films — 12 international and three Indian movies — will compete for the coveted Golden Peacock award this year, said the release.

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‘Congress wants to end Sanatan… it means end of Rajasthan culture’: PM Modi

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Monday, 20 November 2023

MP: ‘I’m now a 2023 model’, Kamal Nath says at rally; makes slew of promises

Kamala Nath

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh unit Congress president Kamal Nath on Sunday in a bid to woo the voters tried to present himself in a refreshing avatar, saying he has changed a lot since 2018 (last Assembly elections), and is now a “2023 model”.

Addressing a rally in Datia district, the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister said: “I am no more a 2018 model but of 2023. Our government (in 2018) had waived off loans of 27 lakh farmers. We will do that again this time, and also work towards providing an amount of Rs 1 lakh 1 thousand for the marriage of girls.”

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Kamal Nath said the “era of corruption” would also end if the Congress comes to power in the state.

“We will ensure that the youths get employment opportunities,” he said addressing the crowd, while urging the people to vote for the Congress on November 17 to get rid of “corruption and slavery”.

The former chief minister said the upcoming Assembly election is not about any party or person but more about the future of the state as well as that of the youths.

“We will give a support price of Rs 2,600 per quintal for wheat and Rs 2,500 for paddy. Our government will work towards increasing the price to Rs 3,000 per quintal. The unemployed people of the state will be given Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 monthly.

“We will also make school education free, and provide Rs 500 per month to students up to Class 8 while Rs 1,000 per month will be given to Class 9 and 10 students. Also, we will give Rs 1,500 per month to children of Class 11 and 12,” Kamal Nath said while addressing the rally.

Kamal Nath also visited Pitambara Shaktipeeth and offered prayers to Maa Pitambara there.

After that, the Congress leader addressed the rally.

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Sunday, 19 November 2023

Bazarghat fire incident: Hyderabad cops arrest owner of building

Hyderabad: The Nampally police have arrested the owner of the building where ten people lost their lives in a devastating fire incident in Bazaarghat area recently.

Police said, Ramesh Kumar Jaiswal, 53, the prime accused, would deal in chemicals he procured from a distributor in Mumbai and from Mathangi Chemicals in Shad Nagar.

Whenever he received an order for chemicals, he used to get the material from distributors and supply it to his customers the next day. Most of the loads arrived during night time and the accused was storing the load at the stilt of Balaji Residency apartment at Bazaarghat, which was being used as godown.

The residents urged the accused several times not to store the resin drums and cans in the stilt, but the accused did not mend his ways. For his own convenience, the accused always stored the flammable resin drums and cans on the stilts of the building illegally, knowing that the chemical material was putting lives of the residents in danger.

On November 11, the accused received 32 cans of resin chemical, each weighing 35 kgs, from Mathangi Plasticizer Private Limited, Moti Ghanpur Village, Shad Nagar. He stored the it at Balaji Residency.

On November 13, 2023, massive fire erupted from the south side of the Balaji residence, where the accused had stored the resin cans.

This fire might have been ignited by a short circuit, however, the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained by the electricity department, who have inspected the spot. During the investigation, 30 drums and 88 cans of resin were seized and samples were sent to FSL for chemical examination.

Police have seized two DVR’s from the building and sent them to FSL for data retrieval. After receiving the report from FSL, the actual source of ignition of fire will be revealed.

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Day 7: New road planned to free trapped Uttarkashi workers

Uttarkashi: With time running out, officials on Saturday began preparations to drill a vertical hole from the top of the hill under which 41 workers have been trapped inside a collapsed tunnel for seven days with limited food and communication.

As the sun slipped behind the mountains and night fell on another day gone by, officials held out the hope that the Border Roads Organisations (BRO) road to create an alternative route to the under-construction Silkyara tunnel would be ready by Sunday afternoon and the rescue mission that had been stalled since Friday could finally resume.

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Uttarakhand tunnel rescue work halted; drilling machine awaited

“We are trying to make a vertical track from the top of the tunnel. A point at the top of the tunnel has been identified from where drilling will start soon.

“This track is about 1,000-1,100 metres long. Simultaneously, we are also conducting a survey to know how much time it will take. As per our calculations, the track should be ready by tomorrow afternoon,” BRO’s Major Naman Narula told reporters.

A high-performance drilling machine was brought here from Indore on Saturday to pierce through the rubble of the collapsed tunnel on the Char Dham route and was being assembled before it is deployed to resume drilling, officials at the site said.

The Silkyara tunnel, about 30 km from the district headquarters of Uttarkashi and a seven-hour drive from the Uttarakhand capital Dehradun, is part of the ambitious Char Dham all-weather road project of the central government. It is being constructed under the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

The tunnel collapsed around 5.30 am last Sunday. One week on, as the hours ticked by, the desperation of families waiting outside mounted. That rescue operations had been suspended since Friday afternoon when a US-made auger machine deployed to drill and push in pipes through the rubble to prepare an escape passage for the workers developed a snag exacerbated the anxiety.

By the time the drilling was halted, the auger machine had drilled up to 24 metres through the rubble spread over a 60-metre area inside the tunnel.

While families back home and those gathered at the mouth of the tunnel counted the hours, officials waged their own frantic battle against time as they weighed the various options available to them.

“One option is to make a four-six inch long hole which will help in providing essential items to the trapped people. If the conditions are favourable, a three-feet diameter hole will also be made so people will be able to come out. This road is about 900 metres long. Hopefully, the road will be ready by tomorrow morning,” said RS Rao of the Directorate General Border Roads (DGBR).

Four machines have been currently put to work right now and four more are arriving, he added.

A team of officials from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and experts at the site also decided to work simultaneously on five plans to rescue the 41 men.

“The experts were one in their view that rather than working on just one plan we should work at the same time on five plans to reach the trapped workers as early as possible,” Bhaskar Khulbe, former advisor to the prime minister and now OSD in the Uttarakhand government, said at a press conference in Silkyara.

The five plans include drilling from one end to the other on both Silkyara and Barkot sides, vertical drilling from the top of the tunnel and perpendicular drilling, he said.

“Efforts to build a platform to start vertical drilling through the top of the tunnel have begun already,” he said.

The ONGC, RVNL, Satluj Jal Vikas Nigam Ltd, the BRO and the state PWD besides the NHIDCL will be the agencies carrying out different responsibilities to establish early access to the trapped workers, he said.

Khulbe is part of a team that includes Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Mahmood Ahmed, Deputy Secretary, PMO, Mangesh Ghildiyal, geologist Varun Adhikari and engineering expert Armando Capellan.

Asked about the rescue work being suspended at the tunnel for so long, Khulbe said it was time to look ahead. “We should think of what we can do now. Time is not appropriate to discuss what happened in the past.”

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a meeting with officials at his official residence in Dehradun for an update on the crisis. He expressed the hope that the state-of-the-art machines manufactured in the country and abroad will be successful in rescuing the labourers.

“Under the guidance of the PMO, the state government is busy making all efforts to evacuate labourers trapped inside the tunnel are rescued. We hope we will soon succeed in the mission,” he said.

“The government stands with the families of workers who are trapped. Their safe and timely evacuation is our priority,” Dhami said.

Notwithstanding government assurances, it was an agonising wait for the families keeping vigil outside, despairing as the hours and days rolled on inexorably.

Their voices are getting weaker, their strength seemingly dimming, family members said after speaking to some of the workers.

Among those waiting was the family of Gabbar Singh Negi. His two brothers, Maharaj Singh and Prem Singh, and son Akash Singh have been camping outside, desperate for any sliver of news that comes their way. The family belongs to Kotdwar in the state.

Maharaj said he spoke to Gabbar through a pipe used for supplying oxygen and his voice sounded very feeble.

“I could not talk to my brother. His voice sounded very weak. He was hardly audible. Rescue work in the tunnel has come to a halt. Those trapped are also short of food and water. We have come to the end of our patience. What more can I say?” Maharaj told PTI.

Their brother Prem said the trapped workers are beginning to lose hope.

“Gabbar said he is alright but his voice is feebler now. They are getting light edibles like chana, kheer and badam. How long can they sustain on this?” Prem asked.

“India has gone digital. They talk about the success of India’s Chandrayan mission but they cannot evacuate our people trapped for around a week.”

The health condition of the men is worsening and his family back home getting increasingly panicky, added Haridwar Sharma, whose younger brother Sushil is among those inside the tunnel.

“All we are getting are assurances from authorities that the trapped labourers will be rescued. It has been nearly a week,” Sharma, who is from Bihar’s Rohtas district, told PTI.

“There is no work going on inside the tunnel. Neither the company nor the government is doing anything,” he added tearfully.

Rescue operations stalled around 2.45 pm on Friday. During the positioning of a fifth pipe, a big cracking sound was heard in the tunnel upon which rescue operation was suspended immediately, a statement from the NHIDCL tasked with the construction of the tunnel said in a statement on Friday night.

The sound created panic among the rescue team. An expert involved with the project warned about the possibility of further collapse in the vicinity. Subsequently, the pipe pushing activity was stopped.

The number of workers inside has been revised from 40 to 41. The NHIDCL, which is constructing the tunnel through Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd, came to know about this discrepancy on Friday.

Deepak Kumar from Muzaffarpur district in Bihar was identified as the 41st person to be stuck in the tunnel.

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