News Analysis India

Tag: President

  • India set to become Atmanirbhar Bharat, says Droupadi Murmu

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday expressed hope that the country will be able to fully realise all the dreams of freedom fighters by 2047. In her address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, Murmu said, “We have given a concrete shape to the vision of those who, led by Babasaheb Ambedkar, drafted the Constitution. We are already on course to build an Aatmanirbhar Bharat — India that would realise its true potential.”

    She added: “While celebrating the Independence Day, the country is celebrating Bharatiyata. The works done with the spirit of ‘Nation First’ are reflected in every decision and every sector.” Hailing the country’s performance, she said every citizen should be aware of their fundamental duties and follow it in letter and spirit to take the nation to a new height of power and prosperity.

    The President said the keyword for today’s India is ‘compassion’ — for the downtrodden, the needy and all those on the margins of society. “When the world has been battling the economic consequences of the great crisis, India got its act together and is now moving forward. India is among the fastest growing major economies in the world,” she said.

    She added that India will realise the dreams of freedom fighters by 2047. “We will have given by 2047 a concrete shape to the vision of those who, led by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedakar, drafted the Constitution,” the President said, hailing the government’s decision to observe Nov. 15 as Janajatiya Gaurav Divas as a welcome decision.

    The President said when India won independence, there were many international leaders and experts who were sceptical about the success of the democratic form of government in India due to poverty and illiteracy at that time.

    “But we Indians proved the sceptics wrong. Democracy not only grew roots in this soil, it was enriched too,” she said as she asked citizens to pledge to give everything for the sake of the safety, security, progress and prosperity of the country. She also lauded India for crossing the 200-crore mark in cumulative vaccine coverage, and said India’s confidence is reflected in the spirit of its youth, its farmers and above all, its women.

    Describing girls as the biggest hope for the nation, the President said that they are scaling great heights, becoming pilots and space scientists. She also called upon the countrymen for conserving water, soil and bio-diversity as part oftheir duty towards the nation and children.

    “Our country is full of diversity. But at the same time, all of us have something in common. It is this common thread that binds all of us together and inspires us to walk with the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat’,” she said. India has helped the world discover the true potential of democracy and the keyword for the country today is compassion for the downtrodden, needy and those on the margins, she added.

    NEW DELHI:  Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday expressed hope that the country will be able to fully realise all the dreams of freedom fighters by 2047. In her address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, Murmu said, “We have given a concrete shape to the vision of those who, led by Babasaheb Ambedkar, drafted the Constitution. We are already on course to build an Aatmanirbhar Bharat — India that would realise its true potential.”

    She added: “While celebrating the Independence Day, the country is celebrating Bharatiyata. The works done with the spirit of ‘Nation First’ are reflected in every decision and every sector.” Hailing the country’s performance, she said every citizen should be aware of their fundamental duties and follow it in letter and spirit to take the nation to a new height of power and prosperity.

    The President said the keyword for today’s India is ‘compassion’ — for the downtrodden, the needy and all those on the margins of society. “When the world has been battling the economic consequences of the great crisis, India got its act together and is now moving forward. India is among the fastest growing major economies in the world,” she said.

    She added that India will realise the dreams of freedom fighters by 2047. “We will have given by 2047 a concrete shape to the vision of those who, led by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedakar, drafted the Constitution,” the President said, hailing the government’s decision to observe Nov. 15 as Janajatiya Gaurav Divas as a welcome decision.

    The President said when India won independence, there were many international leaders and experts who were sceptical about the success of the democratic form of government in India due to poverty and illiteracy at that time.

    “But we Indians proved the sceptics wrong. Democracy not only grew roots in this soil, it was enriched too,” she said as she asked citizens to pledge to give everything for the sake of the safety, security, progress and prosperity of the country. She also lauded India for crossing the 200-crore mark in cumulative vaccine coverage, and said India’s confidence is reflected in the spirit of its youth, its farmers and above all, its women.

    Describing girls as the biggest hope for the nation, the President said that they are scaling great heights, becoming pilots and space scientists. She also called upon the countrymen for conserving water, soil and bio-diversity as part oftheir duty towards the nation and children.

    “Our country is full of diversity. But at the same time, all of us have something in common. It is this common thread that binds all of us together and inspires us to walk with the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat’,” she said. India has helped the world discover the true potential of democracy and the keyword for the country today is compassion for the downtrodden, needy and those on the margins, she added.

  • Zero FIR lodged against Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary over remarks against President Murmu

    By Express News Service

    BHOPAL: While BJP and Congress members indulged in a heated exchange of words in the Parliament on Thursday, over the Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary’s alleged “Rashtrapatni” remarks against President Draupadi Murmu, back in the tribal-dominated Dindori district of the BJP ruled Madhya Pradesh, zero FIR was lodged against Chaudhary on the complaint of the ruling party’s national secretary Om Prakash Dhurve.

    While confirming the lodging of zero FIR, seeking action against Chaudhary on the complaint of the BJP leader Om Prakash Dhurve, the Dindori district’s additional SP (ASP) Jagannath Markam said the FIR will be transferred for further investigations to the Parliament Street police station in New Delhi.

    The zero FIR has been lodged against the Congress’s Lok Sabha member from West Bengal u/s 15B and 55[2] IPC.

    Confirming the development, another BJP leader Vinod Gotia, chairman of MP State Tourism Development Corporation, said by making indecent remarks against Murmu, Chaudhary has insulted the post of the President of India, women and the entire tribal population of the country, owing to which the FIR has been lodged at the Dindori Kotwali by the former MP minister and BJP national secretary Om Prakash Dhurve.

    BHOPAL: While BJP and Congress members indulged in a heated exchange of words in the Parliament on Thursday, over the Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary’s alleged “Rashtrapatni” remarks against President Draupadi Murmu, back in the tribal-dominated Dindori district of the BJP ruled Madhya Pradesh, zero FIR was lodged against Chaudhary on the complaint of the ruling party’s national secretary Om Prakash Dhurve.

    While confirming the lodging of zero FIR, seeking action against Chaudhary on the complaint of the BJP leader Om Prakash Dhurve, the Dindori district’s additional SP (ASP) Jagannath Markam said the FIR will be transferred for further investigations to the Parliament Street police station in New Delhi.

    The zero FIR has been lodged against the Congress’s Lok Sabha member from West Bengal u/s 15B and 55[2] IPC.

    Confirming the development, another BJP leader Vinod Gotia, chairman of MP State Tourism Development Corporation, said by making indecent remarks against Murmu, Chaudhary has insulted the post of the President of India, women and the entire tribal population of the country, owing to which the FIR has been lodged at the Dindori Kotwali by the former MP minister and BJP national secretary Om Prakash Dhurve.

  • Curtain rises for Droupadi Murmu as India’s 15th President; swearing-in to have tribal touch

    By Online Desk

    NEW DELHI: Elaborate arrangements are in place for the swearing-in of Droupadi Murmu – India’s first tribal woman president, in the Central Hall of Parliament on Monday.

    The President-elect will be sworn-in as the 15th President of India.

    President Ram Nath Kovind and President-elect Droupadi Murmu will arrive in the Central Hall in a ceremonial procession. The President-elect will take the Oath of Office in the presence of the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, followed by a 21-gun salute. 

    The term of President Ram Nath Kovind comes to an end on Sunday. Murmu will be the first member of the tribal community and the second woman to hold the top constitutional post in the country.

    Murmu was the first woman governor of Jharkhand and served in the post from 2015 to 2021.

    Born in a poor tribal family in a village of Mayurbhanj, a backward district in Odisha, Droupadi Murmu completed her studies despite challenging circumstances. She taught at Shri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre, Rairangpur. She has also served as a minister in Odisha.

    Special saree 

    Murmu may wear a traditional Santali saree when she takes the oath of office in Delhi on Monday. Her sister-in-law Sukri Tudu is travelling to Delhi with a special saree used by Santal women in Eastern India.

    Sukri along with her husband Tarinisen Tudu on Saturday left for the national capital to witness the oath taking ceremony to be held at the Parliament’s central hall.

    “I am not sure what she will actually wear during the occasion. The Rashtrapati Bhawan will decide the dress of the new president,” Sukri said.

    The Santali sarees have some stripe-work on one end and is worn by the Santal women on special occasions. The saree is vertically symmetric and has both the ends designed with the same motifs.

    She is also carrying traditional sweet pancakes, also called ‘Arisa Pitha’ for Murmu.

    Meanwhile, Murmu’s daughter Itishree, a bank officer and her husband Ganesh Hembram, have reached New Delhi and are staying with the President-elect.

    “Only four members of the President-elect’s family – brother, sister-in-law, daughter and son-in-law – will attend the oath-taking ceremony,” said a senior BJP leader adding that essence of ‘adivasi’ culture and tradition could be reflected in the swearing-in of the country’s 15th President.

    Why July 25 holds special role? 

    Droupadi Murmu will become the 10th successive president to take oath on July 25 since 1977. Records show that since 1977, successive presidents have taken oath on July 25.

    India’s first President Rajendra Prasad took oath on January 26, 1950 — the day India became a Republic.

    In 1952, he went on to win the first presidential poll. He won the second presidential election and was in office till May 1962.

    Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan took oath as the president on May 13, 1962 and was in office till May 13, 1967.

    Two presidents — Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed — could not complete their tenures as they died in harness. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the sixth president of India, took oath on July 25, 1977.

    Since then successive presidents including Giani Zail Singh, R Venkataraman, Shankar Dayal Sharma, K R Narayanan, A P J Abdul Kalam, Pratibha Patil, Pranab Mukherjee and Ram Nath Kovind have taken oath on July 25.

    Hopes of tribals 

    Hopes and aspirations are running high among tribal of Jharkhand as they look up to Droupadi Murmu to pave the way for their ‘sengel’ (empowerment) after “centuries of neglect”.

    They are also optimistic that Murmu would take steps to fructify a long-standing demand by tribals that the Centre recognise their religion as ‘Sarna’ and ensure enumeration under this category in the next census.

    Conclusion of the ceremony 

    The National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu was officially declared as the 15th President of the country after the conclusion of the counting of votes on Thursday.

    The President will then deliver an address. On the conclusion of the ceremony, the President will leave for Rashtrapati Bhavan where an Inter-Services Guard of Honour will be given to her in the forecourt and courtesies will be extended to the outgoing President.

    According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Chairman of the Rajya Sabha M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and members of the Council of Ministers, state Governors, Chief Ministers, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Members of Parliament and principal civil and military Officers of the government of India will assemble in the Central Hall for the ceremony on Monday.

    Earlier, BJD supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday along with his party MPs met President-elect Droupadi Murmu here and congratulated her on winning the election.

    (With inputs from agencies)

    NEW DELHI: Elaborate arrangements are in place for the swearing-in of Droupadi Murmu – India’s first tribal woman president, in the Central Hall of Parliament on Monday.

    The President-elect will be sworn-in as the 15th President of India.

    President Ram Nath Kovind and President-elect Droupadi Murmu will arrive in the Central Hall in a ceremonial procession. The President-elect will take the Oath of Office in the presence of the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, followed by a 21-gun salute. 

    The term of President Ram Nath Kovind comes to an end on Sunday. Murmu will be the first member of the tribal community and the second woman to hold the top constitutional post in the country.

    Murmu was the first woman governor of Jharkhand and served in the post from 2015 to 2021.

    Born in a poor tribal family in a village of Mayurbhanj, a backward district in Odisha, Droupadi Murmu completed her studies despite challenging circumstances. She taught at Shri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre, Rairangpur. She has also served as a minister in Odisha.

    Special saree 

    Murmu may wear a traditional Santali saree when she takes the oath of office in Delhi on Monday. Her sister-in-law Sukri Tudu is travelling to Delhi with a special saree used by Santal women in Eastern India.

    Sukri along with her husband Tarinisen Tudu on Saturday left for the national capital to witness the oath taking ceremony to be held at the Parliament’s central hall.

    “I am not sure what she will actually wear during the occasion. The Rashtrapati Bhawan will decide the dress of the new president,” Sukri said.

    The Santali sarees have some stripe-work on one end and is worn by the Santal women on special occasions. The saree is vertically symmetric and has both the ends designed with the same motifs.

    She is also carrying traditional sweet pancakes, also called ‘Arisa Pitha’ for Murmu.

    Meanwhile, Murmu’s daughter Itishree, a bank officer and her husband Ganesh Hembram, have reached New Delhi and are staying with the President-elect.

    “Only four members of the President-elect’s family – brother, sister-in-law, daughter and son-in-law – will attend the oath-taking ceremony,” said a senior BJP leader adding that essence of ‘adivasi’ culture and tradition could be reflected in the swearing-in of the country’s 15th President.

    Why July 25 holds special role? 

    Droupadi Murmu will become the 10th successive president to take oath on July 25 since 1977. Records show that since 1977, successive presidents have taken oath on July 25.

    India’s first President Rajendra Prasad took oath on January 26, 1950 — the day India became a Republic.

    In 1952, he went on to win the first presidential poll. He won the second presidential election and was in office till May 1962.

    Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan took oath as the president on May 13, 1962 and was in office till May 13, 1967.

    Two presidents — Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed — could not complete their tenures as they died in harness. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the sixth president of India, took oath on July 25, 1977.

    Since then successive presidents including Giani Zail Singh, R Venkataraman, Shankar Dayal Sharma, K R Narayanan, A P J Abdul Kalam, Pratibha Patil, Pranab Mukherjee and Ram Nath Kovind have taken oath on July 25.

    Hopes of tribals 

    Hopes and aspirations are running high among tribal of Jharkhand as they look up to Droupadi Murmu to pave the way for their ‘sengel’ (empowerment) after “centuries of neglect”.

    They are also optimistic that Murmu would take steps to fructify a long-standing demand by tribals that the Centre recognise their religion as ‘Sarna’ and ensure enumeration under this category in the next census.

    Conclusion of the ceremony 

    The National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu was officially declared as the 15th President of the country after the conclusion of the counting of votes on Thursday.

    The President will then deliver an address. On the conclusion of the ceremony, the President will leave for Rashtrapati Bhavan where an Inter-Services Guard of Honour will be given to her in the forecourt and courtesies will be extended to the outgoing President.

    According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Chairman of the Rajya Sabha M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and members of the Council of Ministers, state Governors, Chief Ministers, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Members of Parliament and principal civil and military Officers of the government of India will assemble in the Central Hall for the ceremony on Monday.

    Earlier, BJD supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday along with his party MPs met President-elect Droupadi Murmu here and congratulated her on winning the election.

    (With inputs from agencies)

  • PM Modi hails President Kovind’s address as ‘inspiring’

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described President Ram Nath Kovind’s farewell address to the nation as “inspiring” and said his remarks showcase his passion towards national progress.

    President Kovind urged youths to stay connected to their roots and appealed to all to protect the environment for the coming generations, saying mother nature is in deep agony and the climate crisis can endanger the very future of this planet.

    In his farewell address to the nation, Kovind emphasised that the country is getting equipped to make the 21st century “the century of India”.

    “An inspiring address by President Kovind,” Prime Minister Modi said in a tweet. “His remarks showcase his passion towards national progress and reflect the spirit with which he served the nation as our President,” Modi said.

    President-elect Droupadi Murmu will be sworn in as the country’s 15th President on Monday.

    In his last televised address to the nation, Kovind hailed India’s democracy, saying it has “created pathways to let each citizen take part in the shaping of our collective destiny”.

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described President Ram Nath Kovind’s farewell address to the nation as “inspiring” and said his remarks showcase his passion towards national progress.

    President Kovind urged youths to stay connected to their roots and appealed to all to protect the environment for the coming generations, saying mother nature is in deep agony and the climate crisis can endanger the very future of this planet.

    In his farewell address to the nation, Kovind emphasised that the country is getting equipped to make the 21st century “the century of India”.

    “An inspiring address by President Kovind,” Prime Minister Modi said in a tweet. “His remarks showcase his passion towards national progress and reflect the spirit with which he served the nation as our President,” Modi said.

    President-elect Droupadi Murmu will be sworn in as the country’s 15th President on Monday.

    In his last televised address to the nation, Kovind hailed India’s democracy, saying it has “created pathways to let each citizen take part in the shaping of our collective destiny”.

  • Presidential poll results: VP Naidu meets Murmu, compliments on her thumping victory

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu met Draupadi Murmu on Friday after she was officially declared the 15th President of the country and complimented the latter on her thumping victory.

    Reportedly the meeting lasted for about 15 minutes.

    Murmu was declared the 15th President of the country after the conclusion of the counting of votes on Thursday. Greetings and wishes poured in following her win.

    Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Droupadi Murmu on her election as new President of the country and said she has emerged as a ray of hope for citizens, especially the poor, marginalised and the downtrodden.

    President Ram Nath Kovind also extended his best wishes to Draupadi Murmu who will succeed him in the highest office of the country. “Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Smt. Droupadi Murmu on being elected as the 15th President of India,” President Kovind said in a tweet.

    The Prime Minister said that India has scripted history as a daughter hailing from a tribal community born in a remote part of eastern India has been elected President.

    “India scripts history. At a time when 1.3 billion Indians are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a daughter of India hailing from a tribal community born in a remote part of eastern India has been elected our President!” he said in a tweet.

    The Prime Minister said Droupadi Murmu’s life motivates every Indian.

    “Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji’s life, her early struggles, her rich service and her exemplary success motivates each and every Indian. She has emerged as a ray of hope for our citizens, especially the poor, marginalised and the downtrodden,” he said.

    The Prime Minister thanked MPs and MLAs who supported her candidature cutting across party lines.

    “Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji has been an outstanding MLA and Minister. She had an excellent tenure as Jharkhand Governor. I am certain she will be an outstanding President who will lead from the front and strengthen India’s development journey,” he said.

    “I would like to thank all those MPs and MLAs across party lines who have supported the candidature of Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. Her record victory augurs well for our democracy,” he added.

    Murmu received 2,824 votes with a value 6,76,803 while her opponent Yashwant Sinha secured 1,877 votes with a value 3,80,177. A total of 4,809 MPs and MLAs cast their votes in the polling that took place on July 18.

    Secretary General of Rajya Sabha and the Returning Officer for Presidential Election 2022, PC Mody handed over the certificate to President-elect Droupadi Murmu at her residence in Delhi.

    “Presidential Election concluded with declaration of result…4754 votes polled, out of which 4701 valid & 53 invalid…The quota (for a candidate to be elected the President) was 5,28,491. #DroupadiMurmu secured 2824 first preference votes-value of which is 6,76,803,” Mody said.

    “1,877 first preference votes were secured by Yashwant Sinha – value 3,80,177. As 1st preference votes secured by #DroupadiMurmu were greater than the requisite quota, I in my capacity as Returning Officer declare that she has been elected to office of President of India,” he added.

    NEW DELHI: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu met Draupadi Murmu on Friday after she was officially declared the 15th President of the country and complimented the latter on her thumping victory.

    Reportedly the meeting lasted for about 15 minutes.

    Murmu was declared the 15th President of the country after the conclusion of the counting of votes on Thursday. Greetings and wishes poured in following her win.

    Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Droupadi Murmu on her election as new President of the country and said she has emerged as a ray of hope for citizens, especially the poor, marginalised and the downtrodden.

    President Ram Nath Kovind also extended his best wishes to Draupadi Murmu who will succeed him in the highest office of the country. “Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Smt. Droupadi Murmu on being elected as the 15th President of India,” President Kovind said in a tweet.

    The Prime Minister said that India has scripted history as a daughter hailing from a tribal community born in a remote part of eastern India has been elected President.

    “India scripts history. At a time when 1.3 billion Indians are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a daughter of India hailing from a tribal community born in a remote part of eastern India has been elected our President!” he said in a tweet.

    The Prime Minister said Droupadi Murmu’s life motivates every Indian.

    “Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji’s life, her early struggles, her rich service and her exemplary success motivates each and every Indian. She has emerged as a ray of hope for our citizens, especially the poor, marginalised and the downtrodden,” he said.

    The Prime Minister thanked MPs and MLAs who supported her candidature cutting across party lines.

    “Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji has been an outstanding MLA and Minister. She had an excellent tenure as Jharkhand Governor. I am certain she will be an outstanding President who will lead from the front and strengthen India’s development journey,” he said.

    “I would like to thank all those MPs and MLAs across party lines who have supported the candidature of Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. Her record victory augurs well for our democracy,” he added.

    Murmu received 2,824 votes with a value 6,76,803 while her opponent Yashwant Sinha secured 1,877 votes with a value 3,80,177. A total of 4,809 MPs and MLAs cast their votes in the polling that took place on July 18.

    Secretary General of Rajya Sabha and the Returning Officer for Presidential Election 2022, PC Mody handed over the certificate to President-elect Droupadi Murmu at her residence in Delhi.

    “Presidential Election concluded with declaration of result…4754 votes polled, out of which 4701 valid & 53 invalid…The quota (for a candidate to be elected the President) was 5,28,491. #DroupadiMurmu secured 2824 first preference votes-value of which is 6,76,803,” Mody said.

    “1,877 first preference votes were secured by Yashwant Sinha – value 3,80,177. As 1st preference votes secured by #DroupadiMurmu were greater than the requisite quota, I in my capacity as Returning Officer declare that she has been elected to office of President of India,” he added.

  • PM & Prez have to visit Bengaluru often for civic agencies to do their duty? asks Karnataka HC

    By PTI

    BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court has wondered whether the President and Prime Minister should often visit the city and travel on different roads for civic agencies to do their job.

    The HC said this in reference to reports that the city civic body, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), spent Rs 23 crore to repair roads in the city for the Prime Minister’s recent visit.

    The chiding came during the hearing of a contempt petition against Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) officers.

    Manjula P and Sharadamma P had approached the HC seeking restoration of water and sewerage line connection to two of their housing sites in Visvesvaraya Layout. The connections were sanctioned but not laid.

    ALSO READ | Days after PM Modi leaves Bengaluru, tar leaves roads

    On October 21, 2020, a single-judge bench of the HC ordered the civic agencies to restore the connection to the two sites within two months and disposed of the case.

    The two women approached the HC a year later with a contempt petition against the commissioners and concerned engineers of BDA and BWSSB as the earlier HC order was not followed by them.

    The officers had sought time before the division bench of Justice B Veerappa and Justice K S Hemalekha who were hearing the contempt plea.

    Even the contempt plea is pending since May 2021 but the BDA and BWSSB failed to follow the court order repeatedly.

    On Thursday, the HC said: “Maybe the condition of roads will improve if the PM and President visit Bengaluru often. Last week you spent Rs 23 crore to fill potholes. The PM has to travel on different roads each time for you to do your duty ?”

  • Yashwant Sinha picked as joint Opposition candidate for presidential polls

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Former Union minister Yashwant Sinha’s name has emerged as the consensus presidential candidate of 13 opposition parties, including the Congress, the TMC and the Samajwadi Party, which met here on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

    Opposition leaders, who gathered at the Parliament annexe for the meeting convened by NCP chief Sharad Pawar to decide on a consensus candidate for the presidential election, agreed on Sinha’s name, they said.

    Sinha’s name came up after Pawar, Gopalkrishna Gandhi and Farooq Abdullah opted out of the race.

    The parties that attended the meeting include the Congress, NCP, TMC, CPI, CPI-M, Samajwadi Party, National Conference, AIMIM, RJD and AIUDF.

    We (opposition parties) have unanimously decided that Yashwant Sinha will be the common candidate of the Opposition for the Presidential elections: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh pic.twitter.com/lhnfE7Vj8d
    — ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2022
    Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh, TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva, CPI-M’s Sitaram Yechury and CPI’s D Raja were among those who participated in the meeting.

    Five regional parties considered non-aligned – TRS, BJD, AAP, SAD and YSRCP — stayed away.

    These parties had also stayed away from the June 15 meeting convened by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

    Earlier today, Yashwant Sinha had said that he will “step aside” from the TMC to work for the larger national cause of Opposition unity. “I am grateful to Mamataji for the honour and prestige she bestowed on me in the TMC. Now a time has come when for a larger national cause I must step aside from the party to work for greater opposition unity. I am sure she approves of the step,” Sinha said in a tweet.

  • Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee, Mallikarjun Kharge to evolve President consensus

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday fobbed off requests from several parties to become the joint Opposition candidate for the forthcoming Presidential polls, at a two-hour meeting called by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee here. Mamata set the ball rolling by proposing his name and getting the concurrence of several others. But Pawar politely declined.

    The meeting that had representation from 18 Opposition parties urged him to reconsider his decision. But Pawar sought to put a lid on it, taking to his Twitter handle later to say: “I sincerely appreciate the leaders of opposition parties for suggesting my name as a candidate for the election of the President of India, at the meeting.

    However, I like to state that I have humbly declined the proposal of my candidature.” The meeting adopted a unanimous resolution to field a common Opposition candidate in the Presidential elections. It decided to tentatively meet again on June 21, informed CPI MP Binoy Viswam. Mamata, Pawar and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge were authorised to consult other parties to evolve a consensus on the matter.

    With Pawar shutting the door, sources said Mamata suggested the names of National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and retired diplomat Gopalkrishna Gandhi for consideration as alternative candidates. The suggestion was met with a stony silence, an opposition MP informed. Kharge said his party has no particular name in mind but will sit with others to play a constructive role to arrive at a consensus if Pawar continues declining the offer.

    Mamata said she will consult other parties that could not make it to the meeting, like AAP, SAD, AIMIM, TRS and BJD. Parallelly, BJP leader Rajnath Singh called up Opposition leaders like Kharge, Mamata and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to build a national consensus on the Presidential elections. He also spoke to JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar.

    Sources said Opposition leaders sought to know the NDA nominee for the high post. BJP chief J P Nadda, too worked the phones, to reach out to leaders of parties like the BJD, YSR Cong, JD(U), RJD, TRS, DMK and others with whom he is has good rapport.

    Too premature to comment: Gandhi“It is too premature to comment,” Gopalkrishna Gandhi, said when asked about his candidature. He is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and was the consensus opposition pick for Vice President in 2017

  • President confers13 Shaurya Chakras, Param Vishisht Seva Medal to Army Chief

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind conferred 13 Shaurya Chakras which included six posthumous to the personnel of Indian Armed forces on Tuesday for their conspicuous courage displayed during operations.

    Army Chief General Manoj Pande was conferred with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) for his distinguished service of exceptional order at a defence investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

    The Ministry of Defence in its statement said, “The Gallantry awards were given to the personnel for displaying conspicuous gallantry, indomitable courage and extreme devotion to duty.”

    The President also conferred 14 PVSM, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSM) and 24 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSM) for distinguished service of exceptional order.

    These awards of Gallantry and other defence decorations conferred on Tuesday were approved by the President in January on the eve of 73rd Republic Day celebrations this January.

    Gen Manoj Pande assumed the charge of the 29th Chief of the Army Staff on April 30. Before that he was serving as the Vice Chief of Army Staff for three months and was the General Officer Commander in Chief, Eastern Command of the Army before that.

  • President Kovind to confer Padma awards

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind will confer Padma awards, including to General Bipin Rawat (posthumous) and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, at a civil investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.

    Among the awardees, two will be conferred with Padma Vibhushan, eight will be given Padma Bhushan and 54 will be given Padma Shri awards for the year 2022.

    Prominent awardees include Padma Vibhushan recipients General Rawat (posthumous) and late chairman of Gita Press Radhey Shyam, Padma Bhushan awardees Azad, Punjabi folk singer Gurmeet Bawa (posthumous), Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekharan, former CAG Rajiv Mehrishi, Covishield’s maker Serum Institute of India’s Cyrus Poonawalla among others.

    The awards are conferred in three categories — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

    These awards are given in various disciplines and fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.

    ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field.

    The awards are announced on the eve of Republic Day every year.

    The awards are conferred by the President at ceremonial functions which are held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

    This year, a total of 128 Padma Awards are being conferred, including two duo case (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one).

    The list of awardees comprises four Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri Awards.

    Thirty-four awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 13 Posthumous awardees. The second civil investiture ceremony is scheduled to be held on March 28.