Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will deliver a keynote address at the inaugural session of the first-ever World Meditation Day at the United Nations headquarters, New York, marking a historic moment for the global meditation movement, officials said on Thursday. India has made a monumental contribution to global wellness by leading the initiative to designate December 21 as World Meditation Day, a resolution unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, they said. This landmark effort, spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, reflects India’s dedication to sharing its ancient wisdom with the world, they said. The date aligns with the beginning of Uttarayana in Indian tradition, an auspicious time of the year, and complements the International Day of Yoga celebrated on June 21, the officials said. "Meditation, an ancient practice rooted in India's cultural and spiritual heritage, involves focusing one’s attention on the present moment using techniques such as mindfulness and concentrated thought. It fosters mental clarity, emotional calmness, and physical relaxation, serving as a powerful tool for personal well-being," a senior official said. "Ravi Shankar will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session of the first-ever World Meditation Day from the United Nations headquarters, New York, marking a historic moment for the global meditation movement. "Through structured programs, scientific research, and humanitarian missions, he has showcased meditation's transformative power," the official added. Recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a significant self-care tool, meditation is proven to reduce stress and improve overall mental and physical health. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 December,2024 09:28 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe Congress on Thursday accused the BJP of unleashing a pre-planned conspiracy to shield Home Minister Amit Shah after his "reprehensible statement" about BR Ambedkar, as it demanded that Shah must resign and apologise for his remarks. The opposition party also alleged that the BJP is "anti-Constitution" and "anti-Ambedkar". Addressing a joint press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi condemned Shah's remarks on Ambedkar and said they would continue to protest across the country and that a movement against this had already begun. "The BJP wants to divert attention from Shah's remarks on Ambedkar and that is why they are raising other issues," Kharge told reporters. He said they (Congress leaders) were only demanding the resignation of Home Minister Shah and were protesting "in support of our demands, but the BJP MPs blocked us from entering Parliament". "They pushed me, I lost my balance and sat down," the Congress chief said, adding that he condemns Shah's remarks on Ambedkar. Kharge said they will run a nationwide movement raising the issue of Ambedkar's alleged insult by the home minister. Gandhi said the BJP-RSS thinking is "anti-Constitution" and "anti-Ambedkar". "The BJP is indulging in distraction. We want the apology and resignation of home minister over his remarks on Ambedkar," Gandhi said, adding that they would continue to raise their demand and the Adani issue. Later, in a post on X, Gandhi said, "Amit Shah, Apologise and Resign." At the press conference, he said a few days ago, the issue of a case being filed against (Gautam) Adani in America came up, on which the BJP did not allow any discussion in the House for the entire session. "Then came Amit Shah's statement on Ambedkar ji. We have been saying from the beginning that the thinking of BJP-RSS is anti-Constitution and against Ambedkar ji. The people of BJP and RSS want to erase the contribution of Babasaheb Ambedkar ji. They have shown their thinking towards Ambedkar ji in front of everyone," he said. Gandhi said they (Congress) had sought Shah's resignation but that did not happen, and "today again he (Shah) tried to divert the issue". "We were moving peacefully from Ambedkar's statue to the Parliament. BJP MPs were standing on the steps of the Parliament, who were not letting us go inside. Amit Shah has insulted Ambedkar ji, he should apologize for that and resign. "The main issue that the BJP wants to erase is the Adani case, on which they do not want any discussion. Narendra Modi is selling India to Adani," Gandhi told reporters. Narrating the events of the day, he said they wanted to go inside Parliament, but BJP leaders came and sat at the gate to "stop us". Women MPs of the INDIA bloc were also prevented from entering, he claimed. At the presser, Kharge said, "Even when we were walking towards the Makar Dwar of Parliament, these people were making fun of us. The kind of environment that the BJP has created in the country will not be tolerated anymore. Today, because of this, a movement is being carried out across the country." Later in a post on X, Kharge said, "Today, the BJP unleashed a pre-planned conspiracy to shield Amit Shah’s reprehensible statement against Babasaheb Ambedkar ji." He said fresh facts have come to light that the BJP MPs also "attacked our women MPs while we were holding a peaceful protest" at the Makar Dwar. "In a systematic conspiracy, BJP workers ransacked the offices of Mumbai Congress and West Bengal Congress in Mumbai and Kolkata respectively, which was later foiled by our committed Congress workers. "In their utter frustration, after being exposed first on their agenda to change Constitution and then on their Anti-Babasaheb mindset, Modi-Shah duo have resorted to unleash political violence and intimidation," he said. The Congress chief said the fact that BJP MPs were sent carrying sticks with placards in the Parliament premises to "obstruct" INDIA bloc's peaceful protest was nothing but a carefully "choreographed conspiracy to deflect attention". "Every Indian who believes in social justice and an egalitarian society will unitedly fight against BJP’s oppressive tyranny and Manuvadi mindset," he said in his post. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 December,2024 09:18 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIPolice have registered a case against the son and the nephew of a Congress MLA in Madhya Pradesh for allegedly assaulting a former BJP legislator in Tikamgarh district, an official said on Thursday. Former BJP MLA Rakesh Giri's security guard Lokendra Singh lodged a complaint in this connection, based on which the case against Akash Singh, the son of local Congress lawmaker Yadavendra Singh, and his nephew Ansh Singh, was filed, Kotwali police station's in-charge Pankaj Sharma said. As per the complaint, the accused abused and assaulted Giri and his family members on Wednesday night at a marriage event, he said. The case against the duo was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty), 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter a public servant from his duty), 296 (obscene act) and others, he said. Investigation into the case is underway, he said. Congress MLA Yadvendra Singh could not be reached for his comment. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 December,2024 09:11 PM IST | Tikamgarh (MP) | PTIMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that told Ajit Pawar that he would be the CM one day, reported the PTI. "Ajit Pawar will work in the morning since he is an early riser. I am on duty from 12 noon to midnight while throughout the night, you all know who," Devendta Fadnavis said, referring to Eknath Shinde, who is known to work till late hours, as per the PTI. Maharashtra CM Fadnavis said that he and his deputies Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde would work 24/7 in shifts. He was replying to a debate in the legislative assembly on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his joint address to both Houses of the state legislature during the ongoing Winter Session in Nagpur. Turning to Ajit Pawar, Devendra Fadnavis said, "You are called 'permanent deputy CM'... but my wishes are with you... you will be the CM someday," according to the PTI. Ajit Pawar on December 5 took oath as the deputy CM of Maharashtra for the sixth time. The NCP leader, who has been vocal about his chief ministerial ambitions, split the Sharad Pawar-founded Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 2023 and joined the BJP-led Mahayuti government. In the ensuing battle for the party name and its 'clock' symbol, his faction got both. His uncle and veteran politician Sharad Pawar now heads NCP (SP), an ally of the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) under the banner of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). After a severe drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls that saw NCP bagging only one seat, Ajit Pawar's party made an impressive comeback in the recently held assembly elections, emerging victorious in 41 of the 57 constituencies where it was in the fray. The Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP won over 230 of the state's 288 assembly seats, while MVA could manage to grab only 46. Meanwhile, Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday also assured that all the ongoing schemes of the government including the flagship Ladki Bahin scheme for women will continue. The December installment of the Ladki Bahin scheme will be deposited in the bank accounts of eligible women by month-end, the chief minister stated. The winter session of the state legislature is underway in Nagpur following the BJP-led Mahayuti's massive victory in the November 20 assembly elections. (with PTI inputs)
19 December,2024 07:15 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentA 16-year-old girl allegedly kidnapped from Maharashtra's Latur district was traced to Pune and rescued, a police official said on Thursday, reported news agency PTI. The police official stated that the girl was kidnapped on October 22, after which a case was registered at Chakur police station against an unidentified person, stated PTI. "She was rescued from Pune on Tuesday. The action is part of the Anti Human Trafficking Unit's 'Operation Muskaan' being conducted across Maharashtra since December 1 to trace missing minors," Inspector Babita Wakadkar told PTI. Another official said the girl had "married" the accused and both have been brought to Latur for further legal proceedings, PTI reported. A four-year-old boy kidnapped near his home in Thane, police launch search In a distressing incident in Thane, Maharashtra, a four-year-old boy was allegedly kidnapped by an unidentified person on Sunday evening. The incident took place in the Kalyan Phata area, according to police officials. The boy was reportedly abducted from near his home, and his family, upon noticing his disappearance, began an immediate search for him but was unable to locate him. The family approached the local Shil-Daighar police station on Monday to file a report. As per the police official, a case of kidnapping was registered under section 137(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to kidnapping. "The family had made attempts to search for the boy on their own, but as they were unsuccessful, they reached out to the police authorities on Monday," said the official from Shil-Daighar police station. He did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident but assured that all possible efforts were being made to trace the child and locate the person responsible for the abduction. Following the registration of the case, the police launched a search operation, scouring the surrounding areas and conducting inquiries with local residents. The police have also been using available resources to monitor security footage and collect information that could lead to the identification of the suspect. Earlier this year the Thane police, through a collaborative effort with a hospital in Thane, and the Madhya Pradesh police, reunited a 17-year-old specially-abled boy from Ujjain, with his family, officials said. Police said that the boy, who had been missing for nearly three years, from his home in MP, was reportedly found wandering barefoot and in tattered clothes on the streets in Thane in August 2022. (With inputs from PTI)
19 December,2024 06:56 PM IST | Latur (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentThree NDA MPs, including Anurag Thakur and Bansuri Swaraj, have filed a police complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of being involved in "physical assault and incitement" during a 'scuffle at Parliament', an officer said. Thakur and Swaraj, accompanied by a TDP MP, gave the met the officers at the Parliament Street Police Station and gave a written complaint. "We have filed a complaint against Mr Rahul Gandhi for physical assault and incitement," Thakur told media, outside the police station. Earlier in the day, a face-off at the Parliament entry steps between the opposition and NDA MPs in Parliament premises over the alleged insult to B R Ambedkar left former minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi injured. The BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of pushing the senior member, a charge rejected by the Congress leader. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said BJP MP Mukesh Rajput was also injured in the melee. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Sarangi and Rajput and enquired about their health after they sustained injuries in the Parliament complex, sources said. A senior officer said police have received the complaint and are looking into it. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 December,2024 04:49 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIFarmers in Nashik, briefly halted auctions at the Lasalgaon Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) on Thursday, the country's largest wholesale onion market due to drop in onion prices, reported news agency PTI. The farmers were protesting the significant decline in onion prices, which have been falling steadily in recent days. The farmers demanded removal of the 20 per cent export duty on onions and an aid of Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 per quintal of the produce, the APMC officials said, reported PTI. Approximately 1,500 onion-laden vehicles arrived for auction on Thursday. The morning session saw prices ranging from a minimum of Rs 800 to a maximum of Rs 2,900 per quintal, with an average price of Rs 1,900. When auctioneers announced prices between Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 per quintal, farmers immediately stopped the auction in protest. Later, the prices improved slightly. The agitation was called off after about half-an-hour and the auctions restarted, stated PTI. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar urged the central government to remove 20 per cent export duties and provide relief to the growers. In a letter to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Pawar highlighted the farmers' distress, noting that unseasonal rains and changing climate have already impacted their earnings. “The onions grown here (in Nashik) are available in other states of India and also exported in large quantities. As of today, onions from the summer yield have been exhausted and the fresh crop has reached various market committees in Maharashtra,” Pawar wrote. Due to the arrival of a large stock of onions, farmers are now in distress as they are forced to sell their produce at a much lower rate since they have yet to receive any minimum support price, said Pawar. They are selling onions at an average of Rs 2,400 per quintal, Pawar said. The Centre has levied a 20 per cent duty on the export of onions due to which the kitchen staple from the state loses its competitiveness in international markets, according to farmers, stated PTI. On Wednesday, 1,950 vehicles of onions arrived at the Lasalgaon APMC. The prices were Rs 800 per quintal minimum, Rs 2,801 per quintal maximum and Rs 1,950 per quintal average. Prior to that, on Tuesday, 1,689 vehicles of onions arrived for auction at the APMC, with the prices being Rs 1,000 per quintal minimum, Rs 3,252 per quintal maximum and Rs 2,200 per quintal average, as per officials. PTI (With inputs from PTI)
19 December,2024 04:42 PM IST | Nashik (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentBharatiya Janata Party legislator Ram Shinde on Thursday was elected unopposed as chairperson of the Maharashtra legislative council, reported news agency PTI. The council chairperson's post was lying vacant ever since July 7, 2022, after NCP leader Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar's term ended more than three years ago. Now, the presiding officer's post in both houses of the state legislature is with the BJP, PTI stated. BJP MLA Rahul Narwekar was elected unopposed as Speaker of the 15th Maharashtra legislative assembly last week during the ongoing winter session in Nagpur. Before becoming a member of the Upper House of Maharashtra legislature on July 8, 2022, Shinde was a minister during Devendra Fadnavis’s 2014-19 tenure. In the recent Maharashtra assembly election, which was held on November 20, Shinde had lost the Karjat Jamkhed assembly seat to NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar by a narrow margin. Maharashtra assembly winter session: MVA protests at Vidhan Bhawan steps over Amit Shah's Ambedkar remarks Opposition members staged a protest at the Vidhan Bhawan steps in Nagpur on Thursday over Union minister Amit Shah's remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar and said the country will not tolerate insult of the Constitution's architect, reported news agency PTI. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, wearing blue caps and stoles, took out a morcha from the Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur. They reached steps of the Vidhan Bhawan complex raising the slogan "Babasaheb ka apman nahi sahega hindustan", reported PTI. The protesters included leader of opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve, Congress leaders Nana Patole, Nitin Raut, Vijay Wadettiwar, Bhai Jagtap, Shiv Sena (UBT) legislators Aaditya Thackeray, Sachin Ahir, Varun Sardesai, Bhaskar Jadhav and NCP (SP) legislator Rohit Pawar. A massive political row erupted on Wednesday as the Congress and other opposition parties launched an all-out attack on Shah for his remarks on Ambedkar and demanded his sacking, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top BJP leaders rallied to his defence and said he has exposed Congress' "anti-Ambedkar" stand. The opposition members claimed Amit Shah's remarks were an insult to Ambedkar. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh had shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the Upper House of Parliament on Tuesday. The Maharashtra assembly winter session is currently underway in Nagpur. (With inputs from PTI)
19 December,2024 02:12 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentDeputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has called on the Union Government to immediately revoke the 20% export duty on onions, stating that the move would help farmers secure better prices for their produce and prevent financial losses. In a letter to Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Pawar highlighted the need to support Maharashtra's onion farmers, particularly in light of increased import opportunities in neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka. The demand comes after a concerted effort by Maharashtra legislators, including MLAs Nitin Arjun Pawar, Dileeprao Bankar, Hiraman Khoskar, and Saroj Ahire, who approached the Deputy Chief Minister seeking intervention. Taking their concerns into account, Ajit Pawar wrote to the Centre urging swift action to alleviate the challenges faced by the state’s farmers. Opportunity to boost Onion export Ajit Pawar pointed out that Sri Lanka has recently reduced its import duty on onions by 20% and is actively increasing onion imports. This development presents a significant opportunity for farmers in Maharashtra, especially in Nashik, to export their red onions to international markets. However, the central government’s 20% export duty on onions has made it challenging for farmers to capitalise on this demand. Pawar stressed that removing the duty would enable farmers to get fair, cost-based prices and stabilise the market. Maharashtra, particularly Nashik district, is one of the largest onion-producing regions in India. This year, the state’s farmers have battled adverse weather conditions, including unseasonal rains, which have severely affected crops. Despite these challenges, a new harvest of red onions has recently entered the markets. However, with an average market price of ₹2,400 per quintal, many farmers are unable to recover their production costs. Red onions, which are less durable than other varieties, need to be sold immediately, forcing farmers to accept low prices. According to Pawar, this has added to the financial strain faced by onion growers. He emphasised that maximising exports is crucial to stabilising prices and ensuring farmers receive appropriate compensation for their produce. In his letter to the Union Minister, Pawar argued that withdrawing the export duty would create a win-win situation for farmers and traders, allowing them to access international markets at competitive rates. Such a move, he added, would protect the livelihoods of onion farmers and bolster the agricultural economy. "The removal of the 20% export duty will help sustain the prices of red onions and ensure farmers receive cost-based returns, reducing their financial losses," Pawar wrote in the letter. The Deputy Chief Minister expressed hope that the Centre would respond positively to his request and take immediate steps to address the concerns of onion farmers. With red onions flooding local markets and prices dropping steadily, a timely decision by the central government could provide much-needed relief to Maharashtra's struggling farming community.
19 December,2024 01:34 PM IST | MumbaiOpposition members staged a protest at the Vidhan Bhawan steps in Nagpur on Thursday over Union minister Amit Shah's remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar and said the country will not tolerate insult of the Constitution's architect, reported news agency PTI. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, wearing blue caps and stoles, took out a morcha from the Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur. They reached steps of the Vidhan Bhawan complex raising the slogan "Babasaheb ka apman nahi sahega hindustan", reported PTI. The protesters included leader of opposition in the legislative council Ambadas Danve, Congress leaders Nana Patole, Nitin Raut, Vijay Wadettiwar, Bhai Jagtap, Shiv Sena (UBT) legislators Aaditya Thackeray, Sachin Ahir, Varun Sardesai, Bhaskar Jadhav and NCP (SP) legislator Rohit Pawar. A massive political row erupted on Wednesday as the Congress and other opposition parties launched an all-out attack on Shah for his remarks on Ambedkar and demanded his sacking, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top BJP leaders rallied to his defence and said he has exposed Congress' "anti-Ambedkar" stand. The opposition members claimed Shah's remarks were an insult to Ambedkar. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh had shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the Upper House of Parliament on Tuesday. The Maharashtra assembly winter session is currently underway in Nagpur. The opposition members had staged protests at the Vidhan Bhawan steps during the last three days also over various issues, including problems of farmers, violence in Parbhani last week and murder of a sarpanch in Beed district. (With inputs from PTI)
19 December,2024 01:20 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentCompeting marches by members of the opposition INDIA bloc and the BJP-led NDA escalated into a chaotic altercation within the Parliament House premises on Wednesday. Amidst the heated exchanges, BJP MP Pratap Sarangi sustained a forehead injury, with the party alleging that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had pushed him during the melee. Sarangi was reportedly taken to hospital and received stitches to stop the bleeding, Union Minister Shivraj Chouhan told reporters. The incident occurred during simultaneous marches held by both camps over the Ambedkar issue, with the opposition accusing Home Minister Amit Shah of disrespecting B R Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. Speaking to the press, Rahul Gandhi claimed that BJP members blocked his entry to the Parliament premises and even resorted to physical intimidation. "This is the entry to Parliament. It is our right to go inside, and the BJP members were stopping us," he alleged, pointing towards Makar Dwar. When asked whether Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had also been pushed, Rahul Gandhi confirmed, saying, "It has happened, but we are not bothered by this pushing around." On the other hand, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey alleged that Rahul Gandhi's actions led to Sarangi's injury. "Rahul Gandhi pushed an aged parliamentarian, causing him to fall and sustain an injury," Dubey claimed. According to PTI, the confrontation took place as opposition INDIA bloc MPs, dressed in blue—a colour associated with B R Ambedkar—staged protests demanding an apology and resignation from Amit Shah for his remarks on the late leader. The MPs carried placards with slogans such as "Main Bhi Ambedkar," "Jai Bhim," and "Amit Shah Maafi Maango" and held a demonstration at the Ambedkar statue in Parliament premises before marching through the grounds. Simultaneously, NDA parliamentarians also organised a march within the Parliament premises, accusing the opposition Congress of insulting Ambedkar and demanding an apology from the party. As per PTI reports, the two sides came face to face at Makar Dwar, resulting in intense sloganeering from both camps. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha also chaired a meeting of Congress MPs in the main committee room earlier in the day, strategising their response to Shah’s remarks. Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien submitted a privilege motion notice in the Rajya Sabha against Shah, citing his comments that Congress leaders would have “found a place in heaven” had they chanted God's name instead of Ambedkar’s. The uproar spilled beyond Parliament, with protests erupting across the national capital and other states, including Maharashtra, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu. In Delhi, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal led a massive demonstration outside the BJP office, raising slogans such as “Amit Shah Maafi Mango.” Senior opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, DMK leader M K Stalin, Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray, and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, strongly criticised Shah’s remarks. Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned due to the furore. As per PTI, the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has staunchly defended Amit Shah, accusing the opposition of attempting to derail Parliamentary proceedings and politicising the Ambedkar issue. (With inputs from PTI)
19 December,2024 12:51 PM IST | New DelhiADVERTISEMENT
