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Sun, 22 September 2024

Telugu star Chiranjeevi makes it to Guinness Book

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23:48 Telugu star Chiranjeevi makes it to Guinness Book

Megastar K Chiranjeevi on Sunday received the Guinness World Records certificate as the most prolific film star in the Indian film industry.

A representative of the Guinness World Records handed over the certificate to Chiranjeevi at an event in Hyderabad.

"The most prolific film star in Indian Film Industry-actor/dancer is Konidela Chiranjeevi aka Mega Star (India) achieved on 20 September 2024," said a certificate issued by the Guinness World Records.

"I never expected to get Guinness World Records. All these years of my film career, dance had become part of my life," Chiranjeevi said, thanking everyone for the honour.

"Mega star Chiranjeevi has performed 24,000 dance moves in 537 songs in his 156 films in a span of 45 years," sources close to the actor said.

"22 September also happens to be the day when the mega star made his debut in the year 1978," they said.

Superstar Aamir Khan, who shared the dais with Chiranjeevi, said he is a huge fan of Chiranjeevi garu.

"I see him as my elder brother. I was so happy that Chiranjeevi garu is being given this honour and I was really thrilled to know that. If you notice him in any song of his, "his own heart" is in it, and he is enjoying himself," Khan said.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in a post on 'X' congratulated Chiranjeevi and said, "It is a matter of pride for Telugu people that popular movie actor Konidela Chiranjeevi got a place in the Guinness Book of World Records."

Chiranjeevi is one of the top stars of the South cinema, having worked in over 150 feature films in Telugu as well as Hindi, Tamil and Kannada.

Some of his popular films include Rudra Veena, Indra, Tagore, Swayam Krushi, Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, Stalin and Gang Leader.

He was bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, along with Indian cinema icon Vyjayanthimala, in May this year.

23:33 Modi concludes address to NRIs

Address to NRIs done and dusted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes his way out of the Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, New York state.

23:18 Modi announces new consulates in Boston, LA

PM Narendra Modi told the NRI event in New York state, "Last year, I declared that our government would open a new consulate in Seattle, it has been started now.

"We have also sought suggestions for two new consulates. I am happy to tell you that after your suggestion, India has decided to open two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles."

A view of the audience

23:11 When India says something the world listens: Modi

Addressing the Indian diaspora in New York, PM Modi says, "We are also a strong voice of the Global South. Today, when India says something on a global platform, the world listens. Some time ago when I said that this is not the era of war, its severity was understood by all."

"India's priority is not to increase its pressure in the world but to increase its impact. Hum aaag ki tarah jalaane waale nahin, Suraj ki kiran ki tarah roshni dene waale hain. We don't want our supremacy in the world, but to increase cooperation in the prosperity of the world."

"For India, power and potency means -- knowledge is for sharing, wealth is for caring, power is for protecting."

23:04 This is Modi's guarantee, PM tells NRI event

"That day is not far when you will see the made-in-India chip in America. This small chip will take India's flight of Viksit Bharat to a newer height. Yeh Modi ki guarantee hai', Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at an NRI community event in Nassau Coliseum, New York state, on Sunday morning local time.

"I am the first such prime minister of India who was born after Independence. Crores of Indians dedicated their life to the Independence movement... We couldn't die for India, but, we can live for the country...

"From the very first day, my heart and mission have been very clear. I couldn't give my life for 'Swaraj' (self-rule), but I decided that I would dedicate my life to 'Suraaj' (good governance) and 'Samruddh Bharat' (prosperous India)," Modi said.

22:52 Working on Made In India 6G, says Modi in NY

Addressing an NRI event in New York state on Sunday morning local time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said , "Today, India's 5G market is bigger than America. It has happened within two years. Now, India is working on made-in-India 6G."

"India is now the land of opportunities. It doesn't wait for opportunities anymore, it creates opportunities. In the last 10 years, India has created launching pads of opportunities in every sector."

And he added: "There was a time when I had chosen another path for myself but destiny brought me into politics. I had never thought I would become a chief minister. I was the longest-serving CM of Gujarat. Later, the people promoted me and made me the prime minister."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the NRI reception in New York state, "After a long process of election, this time something unprecedented has happened in India... For the third consecutive time, our government has returned to power. Such a thing didn't happen in the last 60 years. This mandate of the people of India has great importance. In this third term, we have to achieve big targets..."

"You may remember this word 'Pushp' which means flower, I define it as 'P' for progressive Bharat, 'U' for unstoppable Bharat, 'S' for spiritual Bharat, 'H' for humanity first which India has dedicated itself to and 'P' for prosperous India... All five petals of 'Pushp' or the flower which will make Viksit Bharat..."

22:27 AI also means American-Indian spirit: Modi

Addressing the PIOs in New York state on Sunday morning local time, PM Modi said, "Elections are about to be held here. The elections that were just held in India were the biggest elections held so far in human history. We had almost double the number of voters than the total population of America. When we see this scale of Indian democracy we feel even more proud."

"Wherever I go in the world, every leader praises the Indian diaspora.

"Yesterday, President Biden took me to his home, in Delaware. His affection was a heart-touching moment for me. That honour is of 140 cr Indians, this honour is yours, and of lakhs of Indians living here. I am grateful to President Biden and you people.

"This year of 2024 is important for the entire world. On one side there is conflict and struggle between some countries, on the other side democracy is being celebrated in many countries. India and America are together in this celebration of democracy..."

PM Modi added, "For the world, AI means artificial intelligence, but for me, AI also means American-Indian spirit. This is the new 'AI' power of the world....I salute the Indian diaspora here."

22:27 AI also means American-Indian spirit: Modi

"Wherever I go in the world, every leader praises the Indian diaspora.

PM Modi added, "For the world, AI means artificial intelligence, but for me, AI also means American-Indian spirit. This is the new 'AI' power of the world....I salute the Indian diaspora here."

22:27 AI also means American-Indian spirit: Modi

"Wherever I go in the world, every leader praises the Indian diaspora.

PM Modi added, "For the world, AI means artificial intelligence, but for me, AI also means American-Indian spirit. This is the new 'AI' power of the world....I salute the Indian diaspora here."

Addressing the Indian diaspora at Nassau Coliseum in New York, PM Modi said, "We belong to a country where there are dozens of languages and dialogues, all faiths and religions of the world and yet we are moving forward united."

"You have connected India to America and America to India. Your skill, talent, and commitment have no competition. You might have come seven seas apart, but no sea has that much depth that it can distance you from India.

"What Ma Bharati has taught us, we can never forget that. Wherever we go, we accept all as family. To understand diversity, to live diversity is in our veins."

Addressing the Indian diaspora at the Nassau Coliseum in New York state on Sunday morning local time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I have always understood the capabilities of the Indian diaspora. I understood it even when I held no official position...For me, you all have been strong brand ambassadors of India. This is why I call you 'Rashtradoot'..."

"Your love is my good fortune," he added.

22:00 Modi enters Nassau Coliseum to rousing welcome

PM Modi enters the Nassau Coliseum arena to address the Indian diaspora, and receives a thunderous welcome.

21:44 Modi arrives at NRI event in Nassau Coliseum

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived at the Nassau Coliseum in New York where he will address the Indian diaspora.

A series of cultural performances was staged before his arrival at the Coliseum on Long Island.

On Saturday, he was in Wilmington, Delaware, to attend the Quad Leaders' Summit hosted by President Joe Biden.

"After programmes in Delaware, landed in New York. Eager to be among the diaspora at the community programme in the city and to take part in other programmes," Prime Minister Modi had posted on X earlier in the day on his arrival in New York.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has called for stress management lessons to be imparted by colleges and universities that will help increase the students' inner strength, comments made in apparent reference to the death of a young CA professional employed with EY that came under sharp criticism from opposition Congress which described her remarks "outright cruel."

Anna Sebastian Perayil, who passed her Chartered Accountancy exams in 2023 and worked at EY Pune office for four months, died in July.

According to a letter her mother wrote to the EY India Chairman Rjiv Memani, Perayil was overworked with a "backbreaking" load as a new employee that affected her "physically, emotionally, and mentally".

The government too has stepped in to say that it will investigate the work environment at Big Four accounting firm EY.

Addressing an event at a private medical college in Chennai on Saturday, Sitharaman referred to the death of the 26- year-old woman, without naming the victim or the company.

"...was discussing about an issue that is on newspapers for the past two days. Our children go to colleges and universities for education and come out in flying colours. A company, without mentioning its name, its a partnership. There, a woman who had studied CA well, unable to cope with the work pressure, two-three days ago we received a news--she died unable to cope up with the pressure," Sitharaman said.

Even if educational institutions impart good education, ensure jobs to students through campus recruitment, they should teach certain things, along with education, that are taught in the family, she said.

"What should families teach--whatever you study and the job you do, you should have the inner strength to handle that pressure and this can be achieved through divinity only.

"Believe in God, we need to have God's grace. Seek God, learn good discipline. Your Atma shakthi will grow only from this. The inner strength will come only with growing Atma shakti," the FM added.

"Educational institutions should bring in divinity and spirituality. Then only will our children get the inner strength, it will help in the progress of them and the country. That is my strong belief," the minister added. -- PTI

PM Modi is set to address the "Modi and US" programme around noon local time at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York state, where 15,000 members of the Indian diaspora have gathered from 42 American states to welcome him.

Speaking to ANI, a member of the event organising committee, Jagdish Sewhani, said, "It is a historical event in Nassau Coliseum. It looks like we are celebrating Diwali here... 15,000 Indian diaspora members have come here in New York from 42 different states.

"More than 500 artists are going to perform, and we all are awaiting PM Modi. It is the first time ever, that an Indian PM is coming to Long Island in 75 years. The mayor of Nassau County is so excited that he said that he is going to welcome the most popular leader, not only in India but in the world," he added.

Preparations are in the final stage at the venue where PM Modi will address the Indian diaspora around noon.

Artists from different groups are preparing to showcase traditional music on Modi's arrival. Artists will perform 'Yakshagana', a form of traditional folk dance popular in the coastal districts of Karnataka and parts of Kerala, at the venue.

Members from Tamil Nadu will play the traditional musical instrument 'Parai' at the event.

A group was seen performing Malkhamb, an acrobatic activity from Maharashtra, outside Nassau Coliseum in New York, Long Island. Jaydev Anata of Malkhamb Federation US, said, "We are promoting Malkhamb in the US as an acrobatic and gymnastic sport with the objective of getting it into the Olympics. We are using every opportunity to present this to the public..."

Marxist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday was declared winner of the Sri Lankan presidential election by the country's Election Commission after an unprecedented second round of counting of votes.

Dissanayake, 56, the leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party's broader front National People's Power (NPP), defeated his closest rival Sajith Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe was eliminated in the first round after he failed to become within the top two in the vote list.

NPP said Dissanayake will take oath on Monday.

Earlier, the Election Commission ordered a second round of counting after no candidate secured over 50 per cent votes needed to be declared the winner of Saturday's election.

Dissanayake will be the country's 9th president.

No election in Sri Lanka has ever progressed to the second round of counting, as single candidates have always emerged as clear winners based on first-preference votes. -- PTI

An FIR was registered on Sunday against Samajwadi Party's Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad's son Ajit Prasad for allegedly kidnapping, threatening, and assaulting a man, police said.

SP MP has denied the allegations terming its a politically motivated as his son is the party candidate for Milkipur assembly seat, where by-election is due.

The FIR was lodged in this connection following a complaint by Ravi Tiwari at the Kotwali city police station here on Saturday against three named including Ajit and 15 unidentified persons at the Kotwali city police station.

It was lodged under BNS sections 140 (3) (kidnapping), 115 (2) (voluntary causing hurt), 191 (3) (rioting armed with deadly weapon), 351 (3) (criminal intimidation by threatening to cause death), police said.

The incident allegedly occurred near the State Bank of India's main branch intersection in the Faizabad City on Saturday afternoon after a dispute over commission in a land purchase case, police said.

The FIR alleged that Ajit Prasad and five-six others assaulted, threatened and kidnapped Tiwari.

Prasad, who is also involved in property dealing, is likely to contest from the Milkipur seat as Samajwadi Party candidate in by-election. The seat was held by his father but fell vacant after his election as an MP.

However, the party has not officially released its list of candidates for the by-elections. -- PTI

A parliamentary panel examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has received a staggering 1.2 crore email responses amid campaigns launched by rival groups to ratchet up support for their respective viewpoints regarding the draft law.

Parliamentary sources said the Joint Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, chaired by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagadambika Pal, has also received 75,000 responses with documents to support the respective views, prompting the panel to seek additional staff from the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

"We have deployed 15 additional personnel to go through the email responses and categorise and document those," one of the sources said.

Radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has appealed to his supporters to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill by sending responses to the parliamentary panel examining the draft law.

The appeal from Naik has triggered a counter-reaction and several Hindu groups too have urged their supporters to write emails to the committee in support of the Bill.

Last month, the committee sought written suggestions from the general public, NGOs, experts, stakeholders and institutions on the Bill. In a statement, the committee asked people to send their comments to the joint secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat, Room No. 440, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi-110001 or mail those to jpcwaqf-lss@sansad.nic.in.

The committee is also embarking on a five-city tour to seek feedback from government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members and community representatives. -- PTI

Adani Group's subsidiary Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) on Sunday said passengers at airports across the country have been experiencing disruptions in accessing airport lounge, owing to suspension of services by Dreamfolks.

AAHL, in a statement, said it is "actively working" with banks to facilitate the immediate resumption of services, which have not yet been restored.

Acknowledging the "temporary disruption" in its services, Dreamfolk Services Ltd said its team is working to resolve the issue but clarified that the company is in compliant with all its obligations.

AAHL operates seven airports in the country -- Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru.

"Passengers at airports across India have been experiencing disruptions in lounge access. This is due to the unexpected suspension of services by Dreamfolks Services Ltd, a lounge access provider partnered with several banks, in violation of its service agreements with the affected airports," AAHL said in the statement.

AAHL is working with banks to facilitate the immediate resumption of services, it said, adding, "despite our requests, services through Dreamfolks have not yet been restored."

As an interim alternative, the statement said lounges at Adani-operated airports are accepting all major debit and credit cards from other access providers.

"We are currently addressing a temporary disruption in our services. Our dedicated team is working with our partners to identify the root cause and implement solutions as quickly as possible," Dreamfolks said in a statement.

It also clarified that all its "contractual agreements remain in full force".

"We are fully compliant with our obligations and are executing our services accordingly," the company spokesperson said.

"Our top priority is to minimise any inconvenience to passengers and restore normal operations swiftly," Dreamfolks added. -- PTI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday mounted a sharp attack on the Congress saying the party's structure has become as "dilapidated" as once Babri was in Ayodhya.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister, who addressed poll rallies at Narwana in Jind, Rai in Sonipat and Assandh in Karnal, and asked people to reject caste politics and bring the BJP back to power in Haryana for accelerated development.

He took on both the Congress and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), both of which are separately fighting the October 5 Haryana polls, saying they are busy in "parivarvad" (dynastic politics). He also took swipes at AAP and the BSP. The BSP is fighting polls in alliance with the INLD.

"Today, the structure of the Congress has become dilapidated like once Babri (mosque) structure in Ayodhya... when Lord Ram's devotees had raised the slogan 'ek dhakka aur do, Babri dhanche ko tod do'.

"The Babri structure has been demolished forever. The structure of slavery was demolished, paving the way for construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya," he said.

"And I have come to make this appeal to you. They want to divide you by doing caste politics. I told you, didn't I say 'batoge toh katoge, ek rahoge toh nek rahoge, koi mai ka laal aapka baal banka nahi kar payega'."

Adityanath further alleged the Congress had "created obstacles in building Nankana Sahib corridor".

He also targeted the Congress over 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

"And what was Rahul Gandhi saying abroad, he was abusing Sikhs. He was defaming India..," he said referring to the Congress leader's recent statement in the US.

When Gandhi visits abroad, he raises a question on the country's constitutional bodies, attacks the country's faith, he alleged.

"...He does not miss any opportunity to defame the country in the world," he said.

"..These people who play with the security of the country, to expect that they will make any effort for the security and prosperity of India will be meaningless. And today, the Congress has resorted to this dishonesty.

"After Independence, for their political interests, they worked to make the society fight among themselves," he alleged.

The BJP leader said that despite the Congress ruling the country for a long time, they did not name even one airport after Maharishi Valmiki, Sant Ravidas or after B R Ambedkar. They used to name them after their family, he said. -- PTI

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut on Sunday alleged that the Himachal Pradesh government takes loans and gives it to former Congress president Sonia Gandhi which has made the state's coffers "hollow".

Addressing people after launching a BJP membership drive at a village in Shimla, the actress-turned-politician said, "Everyone is aware that corruption is prevalent and the Congress-ruling state governments have hollowed their respective states."

She wondered how the party spends "so much" on elections.

Attacking the Congress government headed by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, she said, "They take loans and give it to Sonia Gandhi which has made the state hollow."

"Disasters and Congress government have taken the state decades back and I would appeal to people to root out the present government," Ranaut said.

"If we give disaster funds, it should go to the CM Relief Fund but everyone knows that it goes to the Sonia relief fund," she alleged. -- PTI

18:07 Quad is here to stay, says Modi at summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the Quad is not against anyone, but for a rules-based international order and respect for sovereignty.

"Our message is clear -- Quad is here to stay, to assist, to partner and to complement," Modi said in his opening remarks at the summit hosted by US President Joe Biden and also attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

"We are not against anybody, we are for international rules-based order, respect for sovereignty," Modi said.

A free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific is the grouping's priority, Modi said, without naming any country.

China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea. China claims sovereignty over all of the South China Sea.

Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims.

Ten detonators, which the railways terms "harmless", recently went off on tracks in Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa district, prompting the authorities to briefly halt a "military special train", officials said on Sunday.

The incident happened on Wednesday near Sagphata between Nepanagar and Khandwa stations of Bhusawal division. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is probing it, Central Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer Swapnil Nila told PTI.

The detonators that went off had been given by the railways and they are used as part of regular operations, he said.

These detonators are called crackers and when they explode, they make a loud sound which is a signal for an obstruction or fog or mist ahead, he said.

"These detonators are regularly used by the railways and such detonators were put there (on tracks). There was no need to put them there, that is why RPF is thoroughly investigating it," Nila said.

"The investigations are being carried out from all angles," he said.

Another top railway official said that the military special train was going from Khandwa at the time.

"After the warning signal or 10 harmless detonators on track went off, our deputy station superintendent (of Sagphata) heard the sound. He got the military special halted and got things checked. The train was allowed to proceed in just two minutes, the senior railway official said.

The statements of the "patrolling gang of 10 to 12 people" are being recorded and investigations are underway, the official added. -- PTI

The Congress on Sunday appointed Uday Bhanu Chib as the president of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), replacing Srinivas B V. Chib was currently serving as the general secretary of IYC and is a former president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has appointed Uday Bhanu Chib as the president of the Indian Youth Congress with immediate effect, a party statement said.

The party appreciates the contributions of the outgoing president Srinivas BV, it added. -- PTI

A three-year-old male tiger was found dead on Sunday following a territorial battle in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, located in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district, an official said.

Ramanand Bhaskar, Deputy Conservator of Forest told PTI that the forest guards discovered the tiger's body in the Khandar range, showing signs of injury.

"Preliminary evidence suggests that the tiger, T-2312, died during a territorial dispute," Bhaskar said.

With this incident, the total number of tigers in the national park, which is one of the biggest and most renowned national parks in Northern India, has decreased to 72.

Tigers are territorial animals that vigorously defend their domains.

To mark their boundaries, tigers use methods such as urinating, secreting substances from their anal glands, and leaving scratch marks on tree bark, bushes, and rocks.

The territory can extend up to 100 square kilometres, sources said. -- PTI

Former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik met Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Sunday and said he will campaign for the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the upcoming Maharashtra polls.

Speaking to reporters, Malik, a vocal critic of the current administration, expressed confidence that the MVA will emerge victorious and claimed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party would be "wiped out" in the state elections, likely to be held in November.

He suggested the MVA allies -- Shiv Sena-UBT, Congress and Sharad Pawar's NCP-SP -- to make adjustments and stay united for the assembly polls.

Malik, who had played a crucial role in the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, met former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence in Mumbai.

The ruling Mahayuti in the state comprises the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP and the Ajit Pawar-headed NCP.

Asked about his views on the upcoming polls to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly, Malik said, "The BJP will not just receive a major blow, but the party will be wiped out in the state elections. Uddhav Thackeray will play the most important role in this election. You need not worry."

"I have extended my full support to the MVA. I will also campaign for it," said Malik, the last governor of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Malik said they discussed the status of Maharashtra and issues concerning the state.

Asked about his message to Thackeray, he said, "As per my information, the BJP is losing; you (MVA) people will win." -- PTI

A concertgoer hurled his smartphone at Diljit Dosanjh during the Paris show of his ongoing "Dil-Luminati Tour 2024" and the Punjabi performer's calm and composed response to the incident is winning hearts online.

In a video purportedly doing social media rounds, Dosanjh can be seen stopping his performance on his popular song "Patiala Peg" after the mobile lands on the stage.

The singer then went on to pick it up and spoke to the fan who allegedly threw the smartphone towards him.

"Take care of your phone, paaji. Don't do this. Don't ruin the moment. Don't do this s***. I love you, brother. I love you too but why would you break your phone? I love you, I love you so much but don't do this s***," Dosanjh said through his microphone.

He later took off the jacket he was wearing for the show and tossed it in the air towards the fan.

The Punjabi singer is currently doing his international shows as a part of the "Dil-Luminati Tour 2024".

He will perform at Birmingham, the UK, on Sunday.

Dosanjh will visit India next month and will perform shows from October 26 to December 29 across Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Pune, Kolkata and other cities. -- PTI

Dubbing the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister as a "habitual liar", YSR Congress chief YS Jagana Mohan Reddy on Sunday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to reprimand Chandrababu Naidu over the Tirupati laddu adulteration issue.

In a letter addressed to Modi, Jagan alleged that CM Chandrababu Naidu has stooped so low as to hurt the beliefs of crores of people purely for political objectives.

Detailing the process undertaken at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) the custodian of the super-rich shrine of Sri Venkateswara Swamy for accepting ghee, in an eight page letter, Jagan alleged that Naidu's actions lowered not only the stature of CM but also that of everyone in public life, the sanctity of TTD and its practices.

"Sir, the entire country looks to you at this crucial juncture. It is very imperative that Mr Naidu be reprimanded in the severest way for his shameless act of spreading lies and the truth be brought to light. Sir, this would help allay the suspicions that Mr Naidu has created in the minds of crores of Hindu devotees and restore their faith in sanctity of TTD, Jagan wrote in his letter.

Explaining the sequence of events, he said it is crucial to note that the ghee allegedly adulterated was rejected and not allowed to enter the premises of TTD. However, Naidu with malafide intention raised the issue at a political party meeting on September 18.

During an NDA legislative party meeting a few days ago, the TDP supremo claimed that the previous YSRCP government did not even spare Sri Venkateswara temple and used substandard ingredients and animal fat for making laddus. -- PTI

15:23 5 held for converting people in UP's Mathura

Five persons have been arrested for allegedly trying to convert people to Christianity in Mathura, police said on Sunday.

According to the police, they received information regarding a "Dharm Sabha" (religious gathering) being conducted in the Tulsi Nagar Indrapuri colony.

They rushed to the spot and found around four dozen men and women gathered for the alleged conversion, Senior Superintendent of Police, Shailesh Kumar Pandey said.

The accused were arrested under provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, he said.

Those arrested included Samson Samual, Amardeo, Vikas Bhoi, Ajai Selvaraj and Rakesh, he said. A large number of religious books, posters and public address systems were recovered, he said.

They have been sent to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway, he added. -- PTI

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka on Sunday ordered a second preference count after no candidate secured over 50 per cent of the votes needed to win the presidential election.

Election Commission Chairman R M A L Rathnayake said that Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa have secured maximum votes in the 2024 presidential election.

However, he said that as neither has secured more than 50 per cent vote, the second preference vote will be counted and added to these two candidates.

He said the new president will be declared elected after the cumulative votes and preference votes are counted. -- PTI

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh if it agreed with the Bharatiya Janata Party's politics of using central agencies to break up parties and topple opposition governments, and inducting "corrupt" leaders into its fold.

In his first 'Janta ki Adalat' public meeting at Jantar Mantar following his resignation as Delhi chief minister, Kejriwal asked five questions to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, including if the BJP's rule on age of retirement also applied to Modi as it did for LK Advani.

He questioned Bhagwat if he agreed with the BJP's politics of calling politicians "corrupt" and then inducting them into its fold.

Kejriwal, in another question, asked Bhagwat how he felt when BJP chief JP Nadda said his party did not need the RSS, which is the saffron party's ideological mentor.

Released on bail from Tihar jail on September 13 after over five months in prison in connection with the excise policy case, Kejriwal asserted that he joined politics to serve the country and not for any greed for power or post.

The former chief minister also said that he resigned because he was hurt by the corruption allegations against him and added that he had only earned respect, not money, during the past 10 years.

He said the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls were an "agni pariksha" for him and urged people not to vote for him if they thought he was dishonest.

The AAP supremo added he would move out of the chief minister's official residence after the "shraddh" period during Navratri and go live among the people, who had been offering him accommodation. -- PTI

United States President Joe Biden commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Ukraine last month and his message of peace as the two leaders held wide-ranging talks that figured pressing global challenges, including the situation in the war-ravaged country.

The US President hosted Modi at his personal home in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday afternoon, hours after the prime minister arrived in the US on a three-day visit.

In the talks, Biden conveyed to the Indian prime minister that the US supports initiatives to reform global institutions to reflect India's important voice, including permanent membership for New Delhi in a reformed UN Security Council, according to a joint fact-sheet on the meeting.

Though the Modi-Biden talks primarily focused on bilateral ties, the two leaders also touched upon key global challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in the Indo-Pacific that has witnessed increasing Chinese muscle-flexing.

The fact-sheet said President Biden expressed his "immense appreciation" for India's leading role on the world stage, particularly Modi's leadership in the G-20 and in the Global South and his commitment to strengthen the Quad to ensure a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

It said India is at the forefront of efforts to seek solutions to the most pressing challenges, from supporting the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic to addressing the devastating consequences of conflicts around the world.

"President Biden commended Prime Minister Modi for his historic visits to Poland and Ukraine, the first by an Indian prime minister in decades, and for his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine, including its energy sector, and on the importance of international law, including the UN charter," it said.

It is understood that Modi briefed Biden on his visits to Moscow in July and to Kyiv last month.

In his talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on August 23, Modi said both Ukraine and Russia should sit together without wasting time to end the ongoing war and that India was ready to play an "active role" to restore peace in the region.

The prime minister said India was on the side of peace since the beginning of the conflict and he would even like to contribute personally for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. -- PTI

The national selectors on Sunday retained the Indian team, which hammered Bangladesh by 280 runs in the opening Test here, for the second and final match in Kanpur.

The hosts won the first Test with as many as five sessions to spare, and in the run-up to the series opener, there were speculations that few India players, including pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, could be rested for the second game as part of the team's workload management programme.

"The Men's Selection Committee has retained the same squad for the second Test of the IDFC FIRST Bank Test series against Bangladesh," the BCCI said in a statement.

The second Test will be played in Kanpur from September 27.

Speaking ahead of first Test against Bangladesh, skipper Rohit Sharma had said that India would follow the same process they did during the Test series against England earlier this year.

Senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin completed a memorable all-round outing with a six-wicket haul as a dominant India crushed Bangladesh by a huge margin on the fourth day of the opening Test to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Set an improbable target of 515, Bangladesh were bowled out for 234 in their second innings, with first-inning centurion Ashwin (6/88) doing the bulk of the damage at the his home ground at the Chepauk.

India declared their second innings at 287 for 4 riding on twin hundreds from Rishabh Pant (109) and Shubman Gill (119) for an overall lead of 514.

Squad:

Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.

The finance ministry will commence the exercise to prepare the annual budget for 2025-26 from the second week of next month in the backdrop of the Indian economy recording 7 per cent growth rate for the fourth consecutive year.

The budget for the next financial year would focus on reforms to be pushed to further accelerate growth momentum and measures to generate jobs and boost demand in the economy.

"Pre-budget meetings chaired by Secretary (Expenditure) shall commence in the second week of October 2024. Financial Advisers shall ensure that necessary details...are properly entered in UBIS (Union Budget Information System) before/latest by October 7, 2024," Budget circular 2025-26 issued by the Department of Economic Affairs said.

Hard copies of the data in the specified formats should be submitted for cross-verification, it said.

It will be the second budget of the Modi 3.0 government and 8th straight Budget for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a rare distinction in Indian polity.

"All the ministries/departments should submit details of autonomous bodies/ implementing agencies, for which a dedicated corpus fund has been created.

The reasons for their continuance and requirement of grant-in-aid support, and why the same should not be wound up, should be explained," it said.

The Budget Estimates for 2025-26 will be provisionally finalised after completion of pre-budget meetings, it said.

Pre-budget meeting shall commence from second week of October, 2024 and shall continue till around mid-November, 2024, it said.

During the pre-Budget meetings requirement of funds for all categories of expenditures along with receipts of ministries/departments and expenditure estimates on net basis are discussed.

Besides, receipts of departmentally-run commercial undertakings, which are netted against the gross expenditure and non-tax revenues, including arrears of non-tax revenue are also assessed during the meetings. -- PTI

12:25 Now, gas cylinder found on rail track in UP

An empty gas cylinder was found placed on the tracks by the loco pilot of a goods train, who applied emergency brakes and stopped the train near Prempur railway station here on Sunday, the second such incident in the state this month.

Police said the incident occurred at 8:10 am when the train was going to Allahabad from Kanpur.

"It was found that the cylinder was of five litre capacity and empty. It was removed from the track. The matter is being investigated," a statement issued by the local police said.

Earlier on September 8, an attempt was made to derail the Kalindi Express, heading towards Bhiwani from Prayagraj, by placing an LPG cylinder on the tracks.

The train hit the cylinder before coming to a screeching halt. Due to being hit by the train, the cylinder was thrown away from the tracks. -- PTI

Around 75 per cent UPI users will stop using it if any transaction charge is levied on the service, a survey by Localcircles said on Sunday.

The survey found that 38 per cent of users make over 50 per cent of their payment transactions via UPI instead of debit, credit or any other form of digital transaction.

"Only 22 per cent UPI users surveyed are willing to bear a transaction fee on payments, 75 per cent of respondents stated that they will stop using UPI if a transaction fee is introduced," the survey said.

The survey comprising three broad areas claims to have received 42,000 responses from 308 districts but the number of replies on each question varied.

The questions regarding transaction fee on UPI received 15,598 responses.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) posted a record 57 per cent rise in the volume of transactions and 44 per cent rise in value in the 2023-24 fiscal year, compared to the previous fiscal year.

For the first time UPI transactions crossed 100 billion and closed at 131 billion in a financial year, compared to 84 billion in 2022-23. In value terms, it touched Rs 199.89 trillion, compared to Rs 139.1 trillion, the report said.

The survey found 37 per cent of respondents shared UPI transaction accounts for more than 50 per cent of their total payment in value terms. -- PTI

11:19 Modi arrives in New York

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday landed in New York to attend an Indian community event in New York and to address a key conclave at the United Nations.

After wrapping up the Quad Leaders' meeting in Wilmington, hosted by President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Modi left for New York.

The Quad Leaders' Summit took place on Saturday in Biden's hometown Wilmington. It was attended by Prime Minister Modi, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan.

'After programmes in Delaware, landed in New York. Eager to be among the diaspora at the community programme in the city and to take part in other programmes,' Prime Minister Modi posted on X.

Modi is in the US on a three-day visit. In New York, Modi will attend an Indian community event at Long Island on September 22 and address the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly the next day.

The prime minister's other engagements include participating in a round table with CEOs of American firms working on cutting-edge technologies such as AI, quantum computing and semiconductors. -- PTI

10:55 Pakistani intruder arrested along LoC

A 35-year-old Pakistani intruder was arrested by Indian army troops guarding the Line of Control in Mendhar sector of Poonch district on Sunday, security officials said.

The intruder was intercepted and taken into custody by the troops when he tried to sneak into this side from across the border in the early hours of the day, the officials said.

They said the arrested intruder is being questioned by the army at a forward location to ascertain the motive behind his attempt to enter India. -- PTI

Justice V Srishananda of the Karnataka High Court has expressed regret over the alleged objectionable remarks he made recently during judicial proceedings, which have gone viral prompting the Supreme Court to take cognisance of it.

On September 20, a five-judge bench of the Apex court headed by the Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud took serious note of two videos in which the HC judge is seen making the comments in open court and sought a report from the Registrar General of the High Court.

In one of the clips, Justice Srishananda referred to an area in Bengaluru as 'Pakistan'.

On Saturday afternoon, as the court proceedings commenced, Justice Srishananda read out his statement in this connection.

"A few observations made during judicial proceedings were reported out of context on social media platforms. The observations were unintentional and not meant to hurt any individual or any section of society. If such observations hurt any individual or any section of society or community, I express my sincere regrets," the HC judge said.

Some members of the Advocates' Association, Bengaluru (AAB) were also present when Justice Srishananda read out his message.

The lawyers pointed out that some YouTubers were posting the clips of court proceedings with misleading headlines, which was causing problem. -- PTI

Photograph: @MEAIndia/X

09:26 US hands over 297 antiquities smuggled out of India

The United States has handed over to India 297 antiquities, which were smuggled out of the country, during the ongoing visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials said on Sunday.

Official sources said the illicit trafficking of cultural property is a longstanding issue that has affected many cultures and countries throughout history, and India has been particularly hit.

Modi said on X, 'Deepening cultural connect and strengthening the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural properties. I am extremely grateful to President Biden and the US Government for ensuring the return of 297 invaluable antiquities to India.'

With this, the total number of ancient items recovered by India since 2014 has gone to 640, officials said, adding the number returned from the USA alone will be 578.

Apart from the current visit, the earlier visits of Modi to the USA have also been particularly fruitful in return of antiquities to India.

Officials said during his visit to the US in 2021, 157 antiquities were handed over by the US government, including the exquisite bronze Nataraja statue from the 12th century CE.

Also, a few days after his US visit in 2023, 105 antiquities were returned to India.

India's successful recoveries extend beyond the USA, with 16 artefacts being returned from the UK, 40 from Australia among others, they noted.

In stark contrast only one artefact was returned to India between 2004 and 2013, they said.

Further, in July 2024, on the sidelines of the 46th World Heritage Committee, at New Delhi, India and the United States signed the first ever 'Cultural Property Agreement' to prevent and curb the illicit trafficking of antiquities from India to the USA.

The spectacular achievement over the last ten years demonstrates the government's resolve to reclaim India's stolen treasures and preserve its cultural heritage for future generations, they said.

Modi's personal bond with global leaders has played a pivotal role in securing these returns. His proactive approach has led to the recovery of significant artefacts, including revered sculptures and idols, reaffirming India's cultural identity, they added. -- PTI

Photo: Kind courtesy @Shivsa_Firwasi/X

09:21 Row over demolition of 600-year-old Chhatri by Kota Development Authority

The demolition of a 600-year-old 'Chhatri' (canopy) of erstwhile Bundi royal Rao Surajmal Hada by the Kota Development Authority has sparked a row, with Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat demanding an inquiry into the matter.

Villagers claimed that it was revered site for the Rajput community and they were not informed in advance about the demolition which was done on Friday for the expansion of Kota airport.

Union Tourism Minister Shekhawat condemned the demolition of the historic structure located in Tulsi village on the border of Kota-Bundi district.

'The demolition of the Chhatri of Bundi Naresh Rao Surajmal Hada ji is a sad and distressing incident. Did KDA commit this act despite knowing the historical importance of the Chhatri? Investigation and adequate action is necessary in this regard,' he posted on X.

Shekhawat said that it was the moral responsibility of the administration to keep public sentiment supreme.

Kota Collector Ravindra Goswami could not be contacted for comments.

According to Bharat Singh, a local member of the Rajput community, the Kota Development Authority team demolished the Chhatri which was a 'sacred' place for the locals and every Sunday a fair used to be held at the site.

"The Chhatri of the princely era, which was worshipped as a temple, was demolished. It was on private land. The villagers were worshipping the idol of Rao Surajmal Hada, situated under the Chhatri, as their deity for 600 years," he said.

He said the Rajput community feels the historic Chhatri should have been shifted instead of being demolished and its members will hold a protest rally. -- PTI

08:25 China testing us, Biden tells Quad leaders

United States President Joe Biden was caught on a hot mic telling leaders of the Quad nations that China was testing them, thus reflecting upon the American seriousness of the emerging Chinese threat.

Biden's remark came during the Quad Leaders' Summit on Saturday, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

"We believe Xi Jinping is looking to focus on domestic economic challenges and minimise the turbulence in China," Biden told the leaders at the Summit.

His opening remarks were caught on the hot mic as pool reporters were leaving the Summit venue.

Biden was heard saying that Chinese President Xi Jinping is ' looking to buy himself some diplomatic space, in my view, to aggressively pursue China's interest'.

Biden added that China continues to 'behave aggressively, testing us all across the region on several fronts, including on economic and technology issues'.

"At the same time, we believe intense competition requires intense diplomacy," he said.

Later a senior administration official tried to downplay the error.

"I don't think I have much to elaborate on that. It's consistent with what has been said before, and I don't think it'll be much of a surprise that our inside voice matches our outside voice," the official said.

"I think it's not surprising that China would have been on the agenda. It's an Indo-Pacific convening. This is an Indo-Pacific partnership. China is a major country in the Indo-Pacific. But I think it's also fair to say that there were a number of other topics on the agenda," said the official.

China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea.

It claims sovereignty over all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims.

The four-member Quad, or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, advocates upholding a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. China claims that the grouping aims to contain its rise. -- PTI

IMAGE: US President Joe Biden speaks as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese look on during a Cancer Moonshot event at the Quad leaders summit in Claymont, Delaware, on September 21, 2024. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

01:39 First look: Quad leaders ahead of summit

PM Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida pose for a photograph ahead of the Quad meeting in Wilmington, US.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves from US President Joe Biden's personal residence in Greenville, Delaware, after the conclusion of the bilateral meeting.

Next on the agenda is the Quad leaders' summit.

00:59 'Every time we meet...': Biden tells Modi

As the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden concluded in Wilmington, Delaware, on Saturday (local time), the latter said that each time the two leaders sit down, they find new areas of cooperation.

The bilateral meeting between the two leaders took place at Biden's personal residence at Greenville, Delaware, on Saturday afternoon.

Prime Minister Modi was received by US President Biden as he arrived at Greenville, Delaware.

"The United States' partnership with India is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history," Biden wrote in a post on X, following the meeting.

"Prime Minister Modi, each time we sit down, I'm struck by our ability to find new areas of cooperation. Today was no different," he added.

The US delegation comprised of Antony Blinken, Secretary of State; Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs; and Eric Garcetti, Ambassador of the United States to India, while the Indian delegation consisted of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Ambassador of India to US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

"A special start to a significant visit. @POTUS @JoeBiden warmly received PM @narendramodi at his residence in Greenville, Delaware," the Prime Minister's Office said, sharing a post on X.

Notably, this could be the last bilateral meeting between the two leaders, as Biden is in his last month of his presidency.

The 2024 US presidential Election is scheduled for November 5, 2024.

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