News Analysis India

Tag: Ram Nath Kovind

  • Law panel to share its roadmap on simultaneous polls with Kovind committee on Oct 25 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Law Commission will share next week its roadmap on holding simultaneous polls with the high-level committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind.

    The panel has invited the Law Commission on October 25 to seek its views on how simultaneous polls can be held in the country.

    The high-level panel, which had in its first meeting recently decided to seek views of political parties, has now written to them to elicit their views on holding sustainable simultaneous polls in the country.

    In a communication to the parties, it has sought interaction with them on a “mutually agreed date”, sources said citing the letter.

    They said parties have also been given the option to send their views in writing in the next three months.

    Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi-headed law panel is working on a formula to synchronize all assembly polls by extending or reducing the tenure so that these elections can be held along with Lok Sabha polls 2029 onwards.

    The law panel is devising a mechanism to ensure a common electoral roll for Lok Sabha, assemblies and local bodies to reduce cost and use of manpower for undertaking an almost identical exercise which is carried out now by the Election Commission and various state election commissions.

    For synchronizing various assembly polls to ensure both state and Lok Sabha elections are held together from 2029 onwards, the Commission may suggest reducing or enhancing the tenure of legislative assemblies.

    A mechanism is being devised to ensure that once Lok Sabha and assembly polls are synchronized, voters go to the polling booth only once to cast their ballot for both elections.

    The sources said since assembly and parliamentary polls are held in phases, the Commission is working out modalities to see that voters do not go to polling stations more than once to cast their ballot for the two polls.

    The Commission, they said, is of the view that assembly and parliamentary polls can be held together and it is only working out modalities for the smooth conduct of the gigantic democratic exercise. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    NEW DELHI: The Law Commission will share next week its roadmap on holding simultaneous polls with the high-level committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind.

    The panel has invited the Law Commission on October 25 to seek its views on how simultaneous polls can be held in the country.

    The high-level panel, which had in its first meeting recently decided to seek views of political parties, has now written to them to elicit their views on holding sustainable simultaneous polls in the country.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    In a communication to the parties, it has sought interaction with them on a “mutually agreed date”, sources said citing the letter.

    They said parties have also been given the option to send their views in writing in the next three months.

    Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi-headed law panel is working on a formula to synchronize all assembly polls by extending or reducing the tenure so that these elections can be held along with Lok Sabha polls 2029 onwards.

    The law panel is devising a mechanism to ensure a common electoral roll for Lok Sabha, assemblies and local bodies to reduce cost and use of manpower for undertaking an almost identical exercise which is carried out now by the Election Commission and various state election commissions.

    For synchronizing various assembly polls to ensure both state and Lok Sabha elections are held together from 2029 onwards, the Commission may suggest reducing or enhancing the tenure of legislative assemblies.

    A mechanism is being devised to ensure that once Lok Sabha and assembly polls are synchronized, voters go to the polling booth only once to cast their ballot for both elections.

    The sources said since assembly and parliamentary polls are held in phases, the Commission is working out modalities to see that voters do not go to polling stations more than once to cast their ballot for the two polls.

    The Commission, they said, is of the view that assembly and parliamentary polls can be held together and it is only working out modalities for the smooth conduct of the gigantic democratic exercise. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • ‘It’s been real privilege to work with you as your PM’: Modi to Kovind

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has heaped praise on Ram Nath Kovind, saying he set the highest standards of principles, probity, performance, sensitivity and service during his tenure as India’s President.

    In a letter to Kovind on Sunday, a day before he demitted office, Modi also paid tribute to his personal journey from a small village in Uttar Pradesh to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, lauding it as “a parable for our country’s evolution and development, and an inspiration for our society”.

    “Through your life and career, you have persevered with determination and dignity, with a deep commitment to the morality and integrity that is at the core of the Indian ethos, and with the highest regard and responsibility towards the principles of our Constitution,” he said.

    During his presidency in his numerous actions, interventions and speeches, he has represented and carried the best of India to all corners of the country and the world, Modi said.

    The prime minister told Kovind that he had always been generous with his time and counsel to him over the past five years.

    “I will continue to turn to you for advice. It has been a real privilege to work with you, Rashtrapati Ji, as your Prime Minister,” he said.

    Sharing the letter, Kovind tweeted that it has deeply touched him.

    “I take his kind and heartfelt words as a reflection of love and respect fellow citizens have showered on me. I am sincerely grateful to you all,” he said.

    Modi wrote that as President, Kovind upheld and reinforced the ideals of India’s Constitution and the vitality of its democracy with sound judgement, great dignity and extraordinary statesmanship and always with the best interests of the Republic as his compass.

    As the country’s first citizen, he was always unwavering in his compassion and concern for the welfare of the weakest citizen, and remained firmly and proudly rooted in its soil and connected with the people, he added.

    Kovind was always in people’s company, sensitive to their problems, perceptive about their expectations, and acutely aware of the needed change, he said in the letter.

    “You were a steadfast and passionate champion of social transformation and inclusion, speaking for the poor, the historically excluded and oppressed, and the marginalised, with special attention to the status and role of women,” the prime minister said.

    “The themes and issues that you have prioritised — the civic duty in giving back to society, the commitment to an India that is a confluence of our ancient heritage as well as of modern science, and of sustainable social change driven by increasing and expanded access to education, especially for girl children -have been well thought-out and meaningful,” he added.

    Modi noted that his interaction with Kovind, a long time BJP member before being appointed first as Bihar governor and then President, goes beyond his presidency.

    He has seen him toil among people during his political career, and as an MP he made a mark as an effective parliamentarian.

    His gubernatorial tenure in Bihar was outstanding as he made unparalleled efforts to make the Raj Bhavan into a “Lok Bhavan”, accessible to the common people.

    Prime Minister Modi said he was always deeply touched by Kovind’s humility, grace and generosity, and mentioned their visit to his native village Paraunkh in Uttar Pradesh a few weeks back.

    “I was particularly touched to see how you had donated your family residence to help others, especially those belonging to the poor and marginalised sections of society. It was equally heartening to see you retain the deep connect with your roots and the affection the people showered upon you,” Modi said.

    His special gesture of coming to receive him at the helipad will remain etched in his memory forever, the prime minister said.

    Equally special was Kovind’s gesture of visiting his mother and talking to her on several issues which showed his deep-rooted commitment to the value-systems integral to Indian society, the prime minister said.

    “Your life and service reflect the dearly held belief that you recently shared with students – never fail to give back to the society which has given you the opportunity to become a successful individual,” Modi said.

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has heaped praise on Ram Nath Kovind, saying he set the highest standards of principles, probity, performance, sensitivity and service during his tenure as India’s President.

    In a letter to Kovind on Sunday, a day before he demitted office, Modi also paid tribute to his personal journey from a small village in Uttar Pradesh to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, lauding it as “a parable for our country’s evolution and development, and an inspiration for our society”.

    “Through your life and career, you have persevered with determination and dignity, with a deep commitment to the morality and integrity that is at the core of the Indian ethos, and with the highest regard and responsibility towards the principles of our Constitution,” he said.

    During his presidency in his numerous actions, interventions and speeches, he has represented and carried the best of India to all corners of the country and the world, Modi said.

    The prime minister told Kovind that he had always been generous with his time and counsel to him over the past five years.

    “I will continue to turn to you for advice. It has been a real privilege to work with you, Rashtrapati Ji, as your Prime Minister,” he said.

    Sharing the letter, Kovind tweeted that it has deeply touched him.

    “I take his kind and heartfelt words as a reflection of love and respect fellow citizens have showered on me. I am sincerely grateful to you all,” he said.

    Modi wrote that as President, Kovind upheld and reinforced the ideals of India’s Constitution and the vitality of its democracy with sound judgement, great dignity and extraordinary statesmanship and always with the best interests of the Republic as his compass.

    As the country’s first citizen, he was always unwavering in his compassion and concern for the welfare of the weakest citizen, and remained firmly and proudly rooted in its soil and connected with the people, he added.

    Kovind was always in people’s company, sensitive to their problems, perceptive about their expectations, and acutely aware of the needed change, he said in the letter.

    “You were a steadfast and passionate champion of social transformation and inclusion, speaking for the poor, the historically excluded and oppressed, and the marginalised, with special attention to the status and role of women,” the prime minister said.

    “The themes and issues that you have prioritised — the civic duty in giving back to society, the commitment to an India that is a confluence of our ancient heritage as well as of modern science, and of sustainable social change driven by increasing and expanded access to education, especially for girl children -have been well thought-out and meaningful,” he added.

    Modi noted that his interaction with Kovind, a long time BJP member before being appointed first as Bihar governor and then President, goes beyond his presidency.

    He has seen him toil among people during his political career, and as an MP he made a mark as an effective parliamentarian.

    His gubernatorial tenure in Bihar was outstanding as he made unparalleled efforts to make the Raj Bhavan into a “Lok Bhavan”, accessible to the common people.

    Prime Minister Modi said he was always deeply touched by Kovind’s humility, grace and generosity, and mentioned their visit to his native village Paraunkh in Uttar Pradesh a few weeks back.

    “I was particularly touched to see how you had donated your family residence to help others, especially those belonging to the poor and marginalised sections of society. It was equally heartening to see you retain the deep connect with your roots and the affection the people showered upon you,” Modi said.

    His special gesture of coming to receive him at the helipad will remain etched in his memory forever, the prime minister said.

    Equally special was Kovind’s gesture of visiting his mother and talking to her on several issues which showed his deep-rooted commitment to the value-systems integral to Indian society, the prime minister said.

    “Your life and service reflect the dearly held belief that you recently shared with students – never fail to give back to the society which has given you the opportunity to become a successful individual,” Modi said.

  • 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”.

  • Twitter marks video of PM Modi tweeted by AAP, Congress leaders as ‘out of context’

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Social media platform Twitter on Sunday marked the tweets by Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh and Congress spokesperson Rohan Gupta, as “presented out of context”, who shared a clip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeting outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind in the Central Hall of Parliament.

    In the video shared by the two leaders, President Kovind is seen greeting the leaders, including PM Modi and Union minister Piyush Goyal sitting in the front row during the farewell function hosted by the MPs on Saturday.

    ऐसा अपमान Very Sorry Sirये लोग ऐसे ही हैं, आपका कार्यकाल ख़त्म अब आपकी तरफ़ देखेंगे भी नही। pic.twitter.com/xaGIOkuyDM
    — Sanjay Singh AAP (@SanjayAzadSln) July 24, 2022
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury were among those present on the occasion. President Kovind’s tenure as President came to an end on Sunday.

    Hitting out at the BJP, Gupta tweeted “Don’t Disturb” attaching the clip, while Singh tweeted “Such an insult Very Sorry Sir. These people are like this, your term is over, now they will not even look at you”.

    Twitter marked both the tweets as “out of context” and said, “PM Modi did greet President Ram Nath Kovind in his farewell event, say fact-checkers and news reports”.

    The social media platform, while attaching a picture via Rashtrapati Bhavan of PM Modi greeting the President while the latter went past him, said, “On July 23, 2022, a farewell event was organized in Parliament to commemorate the end of President Ram Nath Kovind’s tenure. A short clip from the event is being shared with misleading claims, according to fact-checkers. Boom Live, The Quint and other news media have reported PM Modi can be seen greeting the president in the original video footage.”

    Twitter marks the media “out of context” that “may deceive or confuse people and lead to harm”.

    “You may not share synthetic, manipulated, or out-of-context media that may deceive or confuse people and lead to harm (“misleading media”). In addition, we may label Tweets containing misleading media to help people understand their authenticity and to provide additional context,” according to the Twitter website.

    Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday, while alleging that Sanjay Singh had insulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi by sharing an “edited clip” of him greeting President Ram Nath Kovind in Parliament, questioned the intention behind the act of the AAP leader.

    BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that PM Modi had greeted President Kovind which could be seen in the complete video of the Parliament.

    Addressing a press conference here, Poonawalla said, “Sanjay Singh tweeted today in which he said that the outgoing president was insulted. There could not be anything more unfortunate than this. He posted an edited clip and levels allegations against the Prime Minister at such an event on which there should not be any politics. The edited clip was shared. The Prime Minister had greeted President Kovind which could be seen in the full video. There are pictures in the public domain showing PM Modi greeting the President. Still, such an allegation was levelled. What was the intention?” 

    NEW DELHI: Social media platform Twitter on Sunday marked the tweets by Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh and Congress spokesperson Rohan Gupta, as “presented out of context”, who shared a clip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeting outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind in the Central Hall of Parliament.

    In the video shared by the two leaders, President Kovind is seen greeting the leaders, including PM Modi and Union minister Piyush Goyal sitting in the front row during the farewell function hosted by the MPs on Saturday.

    ऐसा अपमान Very Sorry Sir
    ये लोग ऐसे ही हैं, आपका कार्यकाल ख़त्म अब आपकी तरफ़ देखेंगे भी नही। pic.twitter.com/xaGIOkuyDM
    — Sanjay Singh AAP (@SanjayAzadSln) July 24, 2022
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury were among those present on the occasion. President Kovind’s tenure as President came to an end on Sunday.

    Hitting out at the BJP, Gupta tweeted “Don’t Disturb” attaching the clip, while Singh tweeted “Such an insult Very Sorry Sir. These people are like this, your term is over, now they will not even look at you”.

    Twitter marked both the tweets as “out of context” and said, “PM Modi did greet President Ram Nath Kovind in his farewell event, say fact-checkers and news reports”.

    The social media platform, while attaching a picture via Rashtrapati Bhavan of PM Modi greeting the President while the latter went past him, said, “On July 23, 2022, a farewell event was organized in Parliament to commemorate the end of President Ram Nath Kovind’s tenure. A short clip from the event is being shared with misleading claims, according to fact-checkers. Boom Live, The Quint and other news media have reported PM Modi can be seen greeting the president in the original video footage.”

    Twitter marks the media “out of context” that “may deceive or confuse people and lead to harm”.

    “You may not share synthetic, manipulated, or out-of-context media that may deceive or confuse people and lead to harm (“misleading media”). In addition, we may label Tweets containing misleading media to help people understand their authenticity and to provide additional context,” according to the Twitter website.

    Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday, while alleging that Sanjay Singh had insulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi by sharing an “edited clip” of him greeting President Ram Nath Kovind in Parliament, questioned the intention behind the act of the AAP leader.

    BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that PM Modi had greeted President Kovind which could be seen in the complete video of the Parliament.

    Addressing a press conference here, Poonawalla said, “Sanjay Singh tweeted today in which he said that the outgoing president was insulted. There could not be anything more unfortunate than this. He posted an edited clip and levels allegations against the Prime Minister at such an event on which there should not be any politics. The edited clip was shared. The Prime Minister had greeted President Kovind which could be seen in the full video. There are pictures in the public domain showing PM Modi greeting the President. Still, such an allegation was levelled. What was the intention?” 

  • My government will complete tenure, we will even win next election: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday exuded confidence about completing his tenure in office and even winning the next elections in alliance with the BJP.

    Addressing a press conference here with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis by his side, he said a decision about the expansion of the Maharashtra council of ministers will be taken in Mumbai next week.

    Shinde and Fadnavis, who arrived in the national capital on Friday night, met President Ram Nath Kovind, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP chief J P Nadda on Saturday.

    Earlier, the Maharashtra chief minister and his deputy had lengthy deliberations with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during which the broad contours of the power-sharing arrangement were learnt to have been finalised.

    Shinde dismissed his predecessor Uddhav Thackeray’s call for mid-term elections, asserting the state government was strong and enjoyed the support of 164 MLAs in the house of 288 while the opposition had just 99 legislators.

    At the press conference, when Fadnavis was asked about the BJP cadre being unhappy over his “demotion” to the post of deputy chief minister, he said that on the contrary, the party workers were happy that the “injustice” done to them in 2019 has been rectified.

    The BJP workers were happy as natural allies BJP and Shiv Sena have formed government, unseating the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, he said.

    “It is very clear. The chief minister is the leader. We will work towards making this government successful,” Fadnavis said.

  • Presidential poll: Congress, Left brass to skip Mamata meeting; Akhilesh to attend

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  If all goes well, the opposition will try to build a consensus on Wednesday after Mamata Banerjee-called meeting for putting up the opposition candidate against the ruling BJP-led NDA candidate in the upcoming presidential election.

    The presidential election is scheduled on July 18 for picking up the successor of Ram Nath Kovind, whose term will end on July 24. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday to host the meeting she had called to unite 22 opposition parties.

    Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress supremo, met NCP chief Sharad Pawar at his residence to convince him to be the common opposition candidate. The Maratha strongman, who has friends across the deeply divided political spectrum, however, turned down the proposal, sources in the opposition camp said.TMC sources said she discussed the strategy for fielding of a consensus candidate with Pawar.

    ALSO READ | Presidential poll: Pawar’s no to becoming Opposition candidate, hectic parleys on ahead of Mamata’s meet

    Mamata’s meeting is likely to be attended by the Congress and Left leaders. Sources in the Congress hinted that Jairam Ramesh, Malliakarjun Kharge or Randeep Singh Surjewala will represent the party at the meeting.

    CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI general secretary D Raja said the top leadership will not attend the meeting. The CPI(M) will be represented in the meeting by the leader of the party in Rajya Sabha, E Kareem.

    ALSO READ: Mamata invites 22 opposition leaders, CMs for meeting on June 15

    Before assigning his party MP for meeting, Yechury wrote a letter to Banerjee calling her decision to host the meeting “unilateral communication.” Apart from leaders from Congress and Left, DMK’s TR Baalu, Shiv Sena’s Subhash Desai, RLD’s Jayant Chaudhary, and Mehbooba Mufti have confirmed participation for the meeting. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will also attend, as will Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren.

  • President Ram Nath Kovind to lay foundation stone of new Raj Bhavan building in Goa on May 30

    By PTI

    PANAJI: President Ram Nath Kovind will lay the foundation stone of the new Raj Bhavan building in Goa on May 30, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said. “The president will be in Goa on May 30, celebrated as the state’s 35th Statehood Day. He will lay the foundation stone of the new Raj Bhavan building at Dona Paula near here within the existing complex,” Sawant told reporters on Friday.

    During the event, all the past chief ministers of the state or their representatives, will be felicitated, he said.

    Several other people from different fields, including education, sports, agriculture and industries, will also be felicitated by Kovind on the occasion, the chief minister said, adding that the new Raj Bhavan building would be constructed by the state Public Works Department and it would be ready within a year, he added.

  • 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 Ram Nath Kovind to visit two Caribbean nations from May 15 to 21

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind will embark on a week-long visit to Jamaica and St.

    Vincent and Grenadines (SVG) beginning May 15, in the first-ever tour to the two Caribbean nations by an Indian head of state.

    The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday that the visit reflects a continuation of India’s high-level engagement with the countries in the Caribbean region and emphasises its commitment to work with small island developing countries.

    “President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, will pay a state visit to Jamaica and St. Vincent & Grenadines (SVG) from May 15 to 21. This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State to these countries,” the MEA said in a statement.

    It said Kovind will be in Jamaica from May 15 to 18 during which he will hold delegation-level talks with his counterpart, the Governor General of Jamaica Sir Patrick Allen.

    The President will also meet Prime Minister Andrew Holness, and other dignitaries.

    The MEA said the President will address the joint sitting of the two Houses of Jamaican Parliament.

    Jamaica has a 70,000-strong Indian diaspora, which acts as a living bridge with India.

    “The visit comes at a significant milestone as 2022 is the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Jamaica,” the MEA said.

    In the second leg of his tour, the President will visit SVG from May 18 to 21.

    “During the visit, he will hold discussions with his counterpart Governor General Susan Dougan. He will also meet Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves as well as other dignitaries,” the MEA said.

    Kovind will also address the House of Assembly of SVG, it said.

    Jamaica and SVG are active members in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

    “The first-ever Head of State visit to these countries is a continuation of India’s high-level engagement with the countries in the Caribbean region and emphasises our continued commitment to work with small island developing countries,” the MEA said.

  • Tragedy beyond words: President Kovind on deaths due to electrocution in TN

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday condoled the loss of lives due to electrocution in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur, saying it is a tragedy beyond words.

    Eleven people, including children, were electrocuted during a temple chariot procession in Thanjavur when it came in contact with a high tension transmission line.

    ALSO READ: 11 electrocuted as temple car touches overhead power line near Thanjavur

    The incident occurred early Wednesday when the Appar temple chariot procession was underway.

    “The loss of life, including that of children, due to electrocution in a procession in Thanjavur is a tragedy beyond words. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Kovind tweeted.

    The loss of life, including that of children, due to electrocution in a procession in Thanjavur is a tragedy beyond words. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.
    — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 27, 2022

    Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his anguish over the tradegy. He announced Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Find to the next of kin of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.