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Ram Nath Kovind takes oath as 14th President of India, Modi terms it a ‘significant milestone’

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7 years ago

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Ram Nath Kovind takes oath as 14th President of India, Modi terms it a ‘significant milestone’

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Second Dalit to occupy President’s office since KR Narayanan; talks about an ‘India of Opportunities’ in his maiden address to Parliament

From virtual political anonymity till a few months ago, Ram Nath Kovind was sworn in as the 14th President of India in a traditional ceremony organized inside the Central Hall of Parliament on Tuesday.

Kovind, only the second Dalit since KR Narayanan and the first man from Uttar Pradesh to occupy India’s highest constitutional office, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Chief Justice of India, JS Khehar, in the presence of outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In his maiden address to a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament, Kovind drew inspiration in large measure from the late Jan Sangh president and RSS icon Deen Dayal Upadhyay’s doctrine of Antyodaya, as he talked at length about “an India that will provide equality of opportunities”.

Kovind, who once was an active albeit low-profile member of the RSS – having led its Dalit-cell – and was the Governor of Bihar until the BJP decided to make him its nominee in the recently concluded Presidential polls, also made a strong pitch for synchronizing the traditional India with aspirations and needs of the India of 21st century.

He talked about his government’s (as he is now not a member of the BJP but Constitutional head of India – and the Union government) efforts towards a Digital India. “The India of the 21st century will be one that is in conformity with our ancient values as well as compliant with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. There is no dichotomy there, no question of choice. We must combine tradition and technology, the wisdom of an age-old Bharat and the science of a contemporary India. As the gram panchayat must determine our consultative and community based problem solving, the Digital Republic must help us leapfrog developmental milestones. These are the twin pillars of our national endeavour,” Kovind said in his inaugural address after being sworn-in.

Breaking from the tradition followed by most newly sworn-in Presidents, Kovind kept references to individual freedom fighters to a minimum. While completely blacking out any reference to India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Kovind made fleeting references to Mahatma Gandhi, stating that “Our Independence was the result of efforts by thousands of patriotic freedom fighters” led by him and hailed Sardar Patel, who “integrated our nation”. He spoke of BR Ambedkar as, predictably, the “principal architect of our Constitution”.

But, at a time when the country is facing a polarizing debate over its citizen’s choice of following a religion, Kovind made at best a tangential mention of India’s secular ethos when he made a brief comment on India’s diversity: “India’s success is its diversity. Our diversity is the core that makes us so unique. In this land we find a mix of states and regions, religions, languages, cultures, lifestyles and much more. We are so different and yet so similar and united,” Kovind said.

Kovind even skipped mentioning KR Narayanan – who like him was a Dalit and the first person from the persecuted community to hold the top constitutional office – even while selectively referring to his predecessors who have held the office that he will now grace for at least the next five years

Drawing inspiration from the Antyodaya doctrine, Kovind asserted that “Nations are not built by governments alone. The government can at best be a facilitator, and a trigger for society’s innate entrepreneurial and creative instincts. Nation building requires national pride”. He then went on to hail individual sections of the country’s citizenry – women, soldiers, farmers, weavers, scientists and even start-up entrepreneurs as “nation builders”.

However, as soon as Ram Nath Kovind’s swearing-in ceremony ended, the Central Hall of Parliament also witnessed loud chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ – something that is unprecedented at a President’s oath-taking ceremony and expectedly caused discomfiture to some members of the Opposition and other guests present at the ceremony.

Through the day, greetings from various sections of the society – the power elite and common citizens alike – poured in for Kovind on various social media platforms.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Parliament winter session: Government lists 15 bills, including Waqf bill

The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

Published

15 hours ago

on

November 21, 2024

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The government has listed five new ones and one to amend the contentious Waqf law out of 15 bills for the winter session of Parliament. The session will kick off on November 25 and conclude on December 20.

The government has introduced five new bills, including the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to promote coasting trade and increase the participation of Indian-flagged vessels owned and operated by Indian citizens for both national security and commercial purposes.

Another significant legislation that will be introduced by the government is the Indian Ports Bill, 2024. This bill is designed to implement measures for the conservation of ports, enhance security, and manage pollution, ensuring compliance with India’s international obligations and statutory requirements.

Additionally, the government plans to introduce the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to meet India’s obligations under maritime treaties and support the development of Indian shipping while ensuring the efficient operation of the Indian mercantile marine in a way that serves national interests.

Pending legislation includes the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is awaiting consideration and passage after the joint committee of both Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha. The committee is expected to report by the end of the first week of the winter session.

Currently, there are eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, pending in the Lok Sabha, while two additional bills are in the Rajya Sabha.

Furthermore, the government has also listed the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill for introduction, consideration, and passage, which seeks to increase the pecuniary appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

The Merchant Shipping Bill, along with the Coastal Shipping Bill and the Indian Ports Bill, is slated for introduction and eventual passage.

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare.

Published

16 hours ago

on

November 21, 2024

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International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes

The International Criminal Court (ICC) today issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The court accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, inhumane acts, and the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare. The leaders allegedly restricted essential supplies such as food, water, and medical aid to civilians in Gaza, resulting in severe humanitarian crises and deaths, including among children.

Last year in October, Israel had launched attacks on Gaza in retaliation for the surprise attack by Hamas. The Israel-Hamas war has led to the death of thousands of civilians, while lakhs have been displaced. The major infrastructures in Gaza, including hospitals and schools, were also destroyed as Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas.

The International Criminal Court stated that it found reasonable grounds to believe the accused intentionally targeted civilians and limited medical supplies, forcing unsafe medical procedures, which caused immense suffering. This ruling was based on the findings from at least October 8, 2023 until at least May 20, 2024.

The court remarked that it has assessed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that PM Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza.

Furthermore, it also noted that the lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and medical supplies created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, leading to death of civilians, including children due to malnutrition and dehydration.

Additionally, the International Criminal Court dismissed two challenges by Israel against its jurisdiction in the situation in the State of Palestine.

Notably, Israel had contested the ICC’s jurisdiction, claiming it could not be exercised without Israel’s consent. Nonetheless, the Chamber ruled that the Court has jurisdiction based on Palestine’s territorial scope, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. It further noted that Israel’s objections were premature, as jurisdictional challenges under the Rome Statute can only be made after an arrest warrant is issued.

Reportedly, Israel had also requested a fresh notification regarding the investigation, started in 2021. Denying the request, the court stated that Israel had earlier declined to request a deferral, making additional notifications unnecessary.

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Yogi Adityanath accords tax-free status to Sabarmati Report film in Uttar Pradesh

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.

Published

16 hours ago

on

November 21, 2024

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accorded a tax-free status to ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film, based on the train burning incident at Godhra in Gujarat in 2002, in the state.

The announcement was made after Chief Minister Adityanath attended the screening of Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna-starrer ‘The Sabarmati Report’ in Lucknow with the film’s cast.  

Speaking to reporters, actor Vikrant Massey thanked the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for making ‘The Sabarmati Report’ film tax-free in the state. “I want to thank Yogi Adityanath ji. This is an important film and I appeal to everyone to go and watch this film,” he said.

Chief Minister Adityanath along with many of his cabinet colleagues watched the film ‘The Sabarmati Report’ under a special screening at a cinema hall in the capital, said a spokesperson of the state government.

Several people associated with the film unit were also present on the occasion. Later the chief minister announced to make this film tax-free in UP.

The BJP-ruled states have been praising the makers of The Sabarmati Report, claiming the team has tried to bring out this truth in front of the people of the country through the film.

The saffron party is appealing to people to watch this film and try to get closer to the truth of Godhra.

Uttar Pradesh becomes the sixth BJP-ruled state after Haryana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to declare lead actors Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna’s film tax-free.

Adityanath said along with identifying the faces of those who are conspiring against the country for political gains, there is also a need to expose them. The film team has discharged its responsibilities to expose the truth, he said, adding an attempt has been made to bring the real truth in front of the country in a big way through the film.

The Sabarmati Report is said to be based on the incident of setting fire to a train full of ‘karsevaks’ in Godhra on February 27, 2002, killing 90 devotees. After this incident, communal riots broke out in Gujarat. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have also praised this film.

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