News Analysis India

Tag: Ram Nath Kovind

  • Raigad fort a sacred pilgrimage site for me and all Indians: President Ram Nath Kovind

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Raigad, the hill fort where Chhatrapati Shivaji was coronated, is a sacred pilgrimage site for all countrymen, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Monday. The President began his four-day tour of Maharashtra by visiting the Raigad fort, the erstwhile capital of the Maratha kingdom, and paid respects to Chhatrapati Shivaji.

    President Kovind reached the hill-fort, located 166 km away from Mumbai, by ropeway in view of opposition by some groups to the landing of his helicopter on the historic fort. He also visited the Jagdishwar temple and the samadhi of Chhatrapati Shivaji. “For me and all Indians, this fort of Raigad is a sacred pilgrimage site,” President Kovind said.

    Kovind became only the second president to visit the Raigad fort. In 1985, the then President Giani Zail Singh had visited Raigad. Shivaji Maharaj was coronated as Chhatrapati on the Raigad fort in 1674.

    President Kovind arrived at Pune Airport and was welcomed by Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Minister of State for Protocol Aditi Tatkare and Mayor Murlidhar Mohol.

    During his visit to Maharashtra from December 6 to 9, the President will visit the Air Force Station in Lohegaon in Pune on Tuesday, witness a flying display and interact with air warriors. He will present the President’s Standard to the 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron in Mumbai on Wednesday, the Rashtrapati Bhavan had said on Sunday.

  • President Ram Nath Kovind confers Vir Chakra on Abhinandan Varthaman

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who downed an enemy jet during an aerial combat with Pakistan in 2019 and was held captive for three days in that country, was on Monday honoured with the Vir Chakra award by President Ram Nath Kovind.

    The fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force has been decorated with India’s third-highest wartime gallantry medal for displaying an “exceptional sense of duty” during the dogfight, the award citation said.

    The award ceremony, held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several other dignitaries.

    Several other military officers were also honoured at the event.

    Earlier this month, the Indian Air Force approved the rank of Group Captain for Varthaman.

    “President Kovind presents Vir Chakra to Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Varthaman Abhinandan. He showed conspicuous courage, demonstrated gallantry in the face of the enemy while disregarding personal safety and displayed exceptional sense of duty,” the Rashtrapati Bhavan tweeted.

    Wing Commander Varthaman (now Group Captain) downed the Pakistani jet on February 27, 2019, before his MiG 21 Bison jet was hit.

    Pakistan launched retaliation against India for the Balakot airstrikes a day before.

    The citation read out at the ceremony said a large force of the Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft, consisting of advanced fourth-generation F-16 and JF-17, was detected heading toward the Line of Control (LOC) at around 9:55 am that day.

    It said Wing Commander Varthaman, displaying exceptional air combat acumen and knowledge of the enemy’s tactics, scanned the low altitude airspace with his Airborne Intercept (AI) radar and picked up an enemy aircraft that was flying low to ambush the Indian fighter-interceptor aircraft It said he alerted the other formation pilots about the “surprise threat”, and then consolidated the riposte against the hostile Pakistani aircraft that were attempting to drop weapons on the Indian Army positions.

    “This audacious and aggressive manoeuvre forced the enemy aircraft into tactical chaos. All the enemy aircraft thereafter turned back including the rear echelon aircraft that were yet to launch their air to ground weapons,” the citation said.

    Wing Commander Varthaman then pursued a retreating enemy fighter bomber aircraft, and in the ensuing aerial combat, shot down an F-16 aircraft with his onboard missile, it said.

    “However, in the melee, one of the enemy aircraft fired multiple advanced BVR (beyond visual range) missiles, one of which hit his aircraft forcing him to eject in enemy territory,” it said.

    The citation said despite being captured by the enemy, he continued to display exceptional resolve in dealing with the adversary in a brave and dignified manner till he was repatriated on March 1, 2019.

    “His actions raised the morale of the armed forces in general and the IAF in particular,” it said.

    The strike by India’s warplanes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot and the Pakistani Air Force’s subsequent retaliation the next day triggered fears of a war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

    The government had announced its decision to confer the Vir Chakra on Varthaman in 2019.

  • Withdraw Kangana Ranaut’s Padma Shri: Delhi Sikh body to President

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Sunday wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind urging him that the Padma Shri conferred on actor Kangana Ranaut be withdrawn as she was “spreading communal hatred, targeting a religious community, and insulting farmers and freedom fighters”.

    The Sikh body filed a police complaint against her on Saturday for allegedly making seditious and derogatory remarks on social media.

    In his letter to the President, DSGMC and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said Ranaut has been “deliberately provoking Sikhs” making references to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

    “She does not deserve this honour. She does not represent the spirit of India which is based on harmony and goodness for all. Considering the social sentiments, Padma Shri should be withdrawn from her immediately for insulting farmers, Sikhs, and freedom fighters,” he said.

    Sirsa said a DSGMC delegation will go to Mumbai on Monday to meet Maharashtra’s Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil and lodge a complaint against Ranaut at the Khar police station.

    He said he will meet the deputy commissioner of police to ensure the registration of an FIR against her.

    “This time it will be ensured that Kangana Ranaut does not get bail and she goes to jail for spitting venom against Sikhs time and again. She is playing the card of Hindutva for cheap publicity,” Sirsa alleged.

  • TMC moves notices for statutory resolutions in RS against ordinances on tenure of ED, CBI chiefs

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The TMC on Monday moved notices for statutory resolutions in the Rajya Sabha objecting to the ordinances by the government to extend the tenure of CBI and ED chiefs, sources said.

    On Sunday, President Ram Nath Kovind had signed two ordinances promulgated by the Ministry of Law and Justice which state that after the two year term of an Enforcement Directorate (ED) or Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief ends, the Union government may extend his or her tenure by a year for three consecutive years.

    The ordinances amend the Delhi Police Special Establishment Act, which is the parent law for the CBI, and the Central Vigilance Act, which covers the appointment of the ED director.

    The Trinamool Congress (TMC) had raised objection to the ordinances route for the extension of the tenures questioning the government’s hurry at a time when the winter session of Parliament was barely two weeks away.

    On Monday, the party moved two separate notices for statutory resolutions for the two laws the government has amended through the ordinances to extend the tenure of ED and CBI chiefs.

    “Two brazen Ordinances extend ED and CBI Director terms from 2 to 5 years #Parliament Winter Session begins two weeks from now. Be rest assured, Opposition parties will do all it takes to stop India from turning into an elected autocracy,” tweeted TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien.

    Sources indicate that such notices will be filed by other opposition parties in the run-up to the winter session of parliament. The two ordinances extending the tenure have drawn a lot of fire from the opposition parties who have all questioned their timing.

    CPI MP Binoy Viswam indicated that his party too will move a disapproval motion against the ordinances. “On a polluted Sunday, the government has embarked on ordinance route to protect their caged parrots. Disapproval motion will be moved in Parliament against this ordinance raj. Distorting constitution Modi is in a hurry to make India a banana republic,” Viswam said in a tweet on Monday.

  • Withdraw Kangana Ranaut’s Padma Shri: DCW chief Swati Maliwal writes to President Ram Nath Kovind

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday urging him to withdraw the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award, bestowed on actor Kangana Ranaut for her remarks allegedly belittling the country’s Independence.

    Ranaut on Thursday had kicked off a row by saying India attained “real freedom” in 2014, apparently referring to the Narendra Modi-led government assuming power, and describing the country’s Independence in 1947 as “bheek” (alms).

    Maliwal, in her letter, said the actor had “made certain outrageous statements disgracing the great freedom fighters of the country”.

    The DCW chief also demanded sedition charges against the ‘Queen’ actor.

    “These statements reflect her hatred for our great freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh and countless others who laid down their lives for the nation! We all know that our nation got its Independence from British rule through ultimate sacrifices and martyrdom of our great freedom fighters,” she wrote.

    Highlighting that Ranaut’s statements have hurt the sentiments of millions of Indians and are “seditious” in nature, she urged the president to “kindly take cognizance of the matter and withdraw the Padma Shri honour bestowed upon Ms Ranaut”.

    “I also request you to kindly ensure that an FIR is registered against her on charges of sedition. I hope that you will uphold the sentiments of crores of Indians and do the needful in the matter,” Maliwal stressed.

    The DCW chief said Ranaut, “through her insensitive and thoughtless lies”, had demeaned and belittled “the sacrifices of millions of Indians who participated” in various movements such as the revolt of 1857, the Champaran Satyagrah, the Khilafat Movement, the Quit India Movement, the Dandi March and the Non Cooperation Movement among several others.

    “How can we forget the thousands who had assembled at the Jallianwala Bagh to protest against British rule and the massacre that followed? Are these chapters in our history a ‘bheek’?” Maliwal sought to know.

    She also pointed out that it was not a stray incident by the actor and that “Ranaut appears to not be of sound mind”.

    “She habitually spews venom against people of her own country and has repeatedly used vile language to attack those she does not agree with. Her behaviour is in no way befitting of the recipient of the highest award in the country and is also an insult to the stalwarts who received the award with and before her,” Maliwal added.

    Ranaut was recently awarded the Padma Shri.

  • Nepal Army Chief to be conferred Honorary rank of General of Indian Army by President Kovind

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Nepal Army Chief General Prabhu Ram Sharma reached India on Tuesday on a three-day official trip and is slated to meet top leaders both in the government and the Armed Forces. The visit is seen as important keeping in mind the Chinese focus on increasing its influence in Nepal.

    A source said, “General Prabhu Ram Sharma is visiting India on a three-day official visit from November 9 to November 11. He met the Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari today and is scheduled to meet the Army Chief General MM Naravane.” 

    General Sharma will be conferred the Honorary rank of Indian Army General by President Ram Nath Kovind on November 11, the sourced added.

    “The Nepal Army Chief will be also meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Eaxternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff and the Navy Chief,” said the sources.

    Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane was conferred the rank of Honorary General of the Nepal Army in November 2020 by the Nepal’s President Bidya Devi Bhandari. General Naravane, apart from meeting the top hierarchy of the Nepalese Army, had also met Prime Minister KP Oli during his three-day visit.

    India has been wary of the rising Chinese influence in Nepal. Army Chief General MM Naravane in 2020 had said “there is reason to believe” that Nepal’s objection on the Lipulekh was “at the behest of someone else”, hinting at China’s possible role. General Naravane had said this in response to a question on the objection raised by Nepal on the 80-km road from Ghatiabgarh in Uttarakhand to Lipulekh Pass, near the India-Nepal-China trijunction and just 5 km short of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

    General Prabhu Ram Sharma was commissioned as Lieutenant in Nepal Army in 1984. He will be visiting the National Defence College (NDC) of which he is an alumnus. He has also done the technical Officer Course in India.

    The unique tradition of conferring the rank of Honorary Generals to the Chiefs of the Army’s of Nepal and India started in 1950 with General KM Cariappa being the first Indian Army chief to be decorated with the title in 1950. It reflects a deeper understanding and trust between the two nations. 

  • Patna Diary: Chhath-puja now a global phenomenon, says President Ram Nath Kovind

    Express News Service

    President Ram Nath Kovind, who was recently in Patna on his 3-day visit to attend the centenary function of Bihar Legislative assembly, said that the Chhath-puja has become a global festival. “From Nawada to New-Jersey and from Begusarai to Boston, the Chhath-maiya is worshiped on a large scale. This is a proof that the enterprising people associated with the culture of Bihar have made their place on the world stage,” the President said. The Chhath-puja in Bihar is observed with much religious fervour and enthusiasm by offering prayer to the Sun god standing in water. “Bihar’s Loknayaak JP Narayan had given extraordinary leadership to the nationwide struggle in the interest of democracy,” he said speaking as chief guest at the centenary function.

    450 surgeons at orthopaedic conference in PatnaApproximately, 450 orthopaedics surgeons including 100 from other states, will attend the 47th annual conference of Bihar Orthopaedic Association in Patna from October 29 to 31 and delivery their expert lectures on the latest medical advancements made in the orthopaedic surgery.  Dr Rajeev Anand- organising secretary of host Bihar Orthopaedic Association said that deputy CM Tarkishore Prasad will inaugurate the conference while Dr B Shivashanaker-the president of Indian Orthopaedic Association will be the guest of honour.  He said that research papers in addition to expert lectures on various advancements in orthopaedic including the High Tibial Osteotomy will be held during the two day meet.  A meeting of members of hosting organisation was held on Wednesday here.

    Infant mortality rate in state less than nat’l avgBihar health minister Mangal Pandey claimed that infant mortality in the state is less than the national average according to sample registration survey. He said that state’s infant mortality rate is 29% per 1,000 live births compared the national average of infant mortality rate of 30%. “As per data, the infant mortality rate of Bihar was 52% per 1000 lie births in 2009 ,which has now reduced to 29 in 2019,” he claimed, adding that a plethora of works started in health sectors by the state government has helped the state in reducing the infant mortality rate. “The health authorities are running special newborn care units for neonatal care,” he said.

    State to foray into film shooting, developmentBihar with its green sceneries and natural beauty is moving up to throw open the opportunities to the film-makers and producers to come and start the filmmaking and shooting works in the state. Recently, the Bihar State Film Development and Finance Corporation Limited chaired a meeting with renowned filmmakers, producers, actors and other film workers to discuss about the state’s potential in promoting filmmaking and shooting opportunities. Bandana Preyashi, secretary, Department of Art, Culture & Youth, Bihar government, had discussion with experts in the field and also received suggestions for making the development.

    Rajesh K ThakurOur correspondent in Bihar [email protected]

  • Samyukt Kisan Morcha writes to President Kovind, demands Union MoS Ajay Mishra’s dismissal, arrest

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Samyukt Kisan Morcha on Monday wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind demanding the dismissal and arrest of Union Minister Ajay Mishra in connection with the Lakhimpur violence, and formation of an SIT under the Supreme Court’s supervision to probe the incident.

    The umbrella body of farmer unions, spearheading the agitation against the Centre’s three agri laws, noted that “conflict of interest is a key obstruction to justice” in the Lakhimpur Kheri farmers’ massacre and alleged that accused were receiving VIP treatment in custody.

    “Union Minister of State for Home Mr Ajay Mishra should be immediately dismissed from his post. Mr Ajay Mishra should also be arrested immediately for his role in the murder (criminal conspiracy under Sec. 120B in addition to other charges as described above).

    ALSO READ: Farmers protest on Tuesday to demand sacking of MoS Home Ajay Mishra

    “We also continue to demand that the investigation of this incident should be done by an Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court,” the SKM said in the letter.

    Four of the eight people who died in the violence in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3 were farmers, allegedly knocked down by a vehicle carrying BJP workers.

    Angry farmers then allegedly lynched some people in the vehicles.

    Farmers have claimed that Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish was in one of the vehicles, an allegation denied by him and his father who say they can produce evidence to prove he was at an event at that time.

    ALSO READ: Samyukt Kisan Morcha will oppose BJP in Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, says farmer leader Rakesh Tikait

    Ashish Mishra was arrested in the case on October 9.

    The SKM alleged that accused were receiving VIP treatment in custody and witness statements were not getting recorded at the pace expected by the Supreme Court.

    “It is very obvious that conflict of interest is a key obstruction to justice in the Lakhimpur Kheri farmers’ massacre, and any decent government would have, in terms of principles of natural justice, sacked and arrested Mr Ajay Mishra by now,” it said in the letter.

  • Lakhimpur violence: Congress delegation meets President, demands sacking of MoS Ajay Mishra

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: A delegation of Congress leaders, including former party president Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday met President Ram Nath Kovind demanding the immediate dismissal of Minister of State for Home Ajay Kumar Mishra over the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

    The delegation of senior Congress leaders also presented a memorandum of facts about the Lakhimpur Kheri incident to the President.

    Four farmers were among eight people killed in the violence on October 3.

    The Congress has been demanding the immediate dismissal of the Union Minister of State for Home whose son Ashish has been named in the FIR and is accused of mowing down farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3, and strict action against the accused in the killing of farmers.

    Ashish was arrested on Saturday by the Uttar Pradesh Police in connection with the violence.

  • Congress delegation to meet President Kovind on Oct 13, present memorandum on Lakhimpur violence case

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: A delegation of Congress leaders, including former party president Rahul Gandhi, will meet President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday and present a memorandum of facts on the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, party sources said.

    The seven-member delegation will comprise Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, senior party leaders AK Antony and Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal.

    Sources said the delegation will meet the President on Wednesday at 11.30 AM.

    VIEW GALLERY | ‘Fascism’, ‘Jallianwala Bagh’, ‘Hitler’: Lakhimpur Kheri farmers’ killing leads to strong reactions by Opposition leaders

    The party had written to him seeking time in this regard.

    The Congress has been demanding the immediate dismissal of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra whose son Ashish has been named in the FIR and is accused of mowing down farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri on October 3, and strict action against the accused in the killing of farmers.

    Ashish was arrested on Saturday by the Uttar Pradesh Police in connection with the violence, in which eight people, including four farmers, were killed Terming the mowing down of farmers as a “shocking incident of broad day massacre”, Venugopal had said it has shaken the conscience of the entire nation.

    He said the Congress seek to present a detailed memorandum of facts on the Lakhimpur incident.

    He lamented that despite all round protests and intervention of the Supreme Court, no decisive action has been taken either against the guilty or against the minister.