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BJP Gujarat poll campaign: 26 union ministers, 6 CMs, 12 MPs among those enlisted

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BJP-Gujarat-Poll-Campaign

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Of a union cabinet of 29 and a total ministry size of 76, BJP will have 26, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, campaigning for Gujarat Assembly elections. Other prominent campaigners include half a dozen chief minister and a dozen MPs.

It is little wonder, then, that the Parliament’s winter session was put off till after the Gujarat polls are over. The winter session, which usually starts around mid-November, will be held from Dec 15 to January 5.

Earlier, the Election Commission in an unusual decision had postponed announcing Gujarat election schedule while declaring dates for Himachal Pradesh, saying this was done to allow flood relief work in Gujarat.

The modification of GST rates to assuage disgruntled traders also comes in the list of steps taken with Gujarat election in mind.

The BJP is pulling out all stops for the Gujarat polls, seen as vital for the standing of its two top leaders, PM Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, both from Gujarat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself leads the charge. He will join poll campaigning on November 27 and is scheduled to address at least 30 rallies before the first phase of election on Dec 9.

While the theme of governance may find mention in the senior leaders’ campaign rallies, what is pushed at the ground level would be something else. The campaign is likely to revolve around Hindutva, ‘Gujarat’s pride’ and fanning other emotive issues. This stratagem would also aim at sidestepping, or diverting attention from, issues such Rafale deal, Amit Shah’s son’s business deals and others where the BJP is on a weak wicket.

Among campaigners, “Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is the hot favourite. Crowd at his rallies are almost double what other netas draw,” a media report quoted a BJP worker in Ahmedabad as saying.

Taking off on the Youth Congress’ ‘tu chai bech’ meme on PM Modi, withdrawn with apology after a furore, the BJP would try to turn the tables with a mass contact program on Sunday, “Chai ke sath’.

Speaking to The Indian Express, BJP spokesperson Jagdish Bhavsar said: “During the progamme Mann Ki Baat, Chai Ke Saath, the party workers will discuss issues related to Gujarat and also insults hurled as the Prime Minister by Congressmen.” The meme, posted on the official Twitter handle of the Youth Congress online magazine Yuva Desh, was a photograph of Modi, US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May in conversation. It showed Modi telling the two leaders about the Opposition’s memes targeting him – “Aap logon ne dekha vipaksh mere kaise kaise maimai banvata hai?” Trump corrects him, saying the word is pronounced as ‘meme’ – “usse maimai nahin, meme kehte hain”. May tells Modi to sell tea – “Tu chai bech”.

Under the BJP plan, in Gujarat’s nearly 50,000 voting booths, BJP workers and leaders would gather with the public over a cup of tea to listen to PM Modi’s regular ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address.

The BJP had used the similar ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ ahead of the 2014 general election to project the humble beginnings of Narendra Modi as a tea-seller in childhood and show him as a self-made man who came up the hard way and reached the top.

For roping in one-third of the union council of ministers in the poll campaign, the BJP’s explanation, according to a media report, was: “We have a galaxy of leaders. The Congress does not have any – and the ones who they do have are being sidelined.”

Seen as a verdict on his performance by PM Modi’s own state, what has got the BJP exercised over is the impact of GST and how traders might have taken it as well as the three caste movements with their respective leaders: Hardik Patel of Patidar community, Alpesh Thakore of OBCs and Jignesh Mevani leading the Dalits. All three have gravitated towards the Congress.

Of the three, it is Hardik Patel that poses the biggest threat to BJP as he and his followers come from the Patidar community that constitute a vital part of BJP’s social base in Gujarat. They form about 14% of the population. The biggest leaders of the BJP will be deployed to counter Hardik Patel in Patel-dominated areas including in Saurashtra.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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China gives nod to build world’s largest dam on Brahmaputra close to Indian border

The investment in this dam could surpass one trillion yuan (approximately $137 billion), significantly overshadowing all other single infrastructure projects, including China’s own Three Gorges Dam, which is currently recognized as the largest in the world.

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China has given its nod to construct the world’s largest dam, termed the most significant infrastructure project globally, with an estimated cost of $137 billion, located on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet near the Indian border, raising alarms for neighboring countries, particularly India and Bangladesh.

The Chinese government announced its decision to develop a hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, which is the Tibetan nomenclature for the Brahmaputra.

The dam will be sited at a substantial gorge in the Himalayan region where the Brahmaputra river makes a notable U-turn, flowing into Arunachal Pradesh before reaching Bangladesh.

The investment in this dam could surpass one trillion yuan (approximately $137 billion), significantly overshadowing all other single infrastructure projects, including China’s own Three Gorges Dam, which is currently recognized as the largest in the world.

China had previously operationalised the $1.5 billion Zam Hydropower Station, the largest in Tibet, back in 2015. This Brahmaputra dam project forms part of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and is aligned with broader National Economic and Social Development goals and Long-Range Objectives set out through 2035, as established by the Communist Party of China’s key policy-making body in 2020.

Concerns have been raised in India, as the dam would allow China not only to manage water flow but also potentially to release significant water volumes, which could inundate border areas during hostilities. In parallel, India is also pursuing the construction of a dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh.

In 2006, India and China instituted the Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) to address various matters related to trans-border rivers, which involves China providing hydrological data regarding the Brahmaputra and the Sutlej rivers during the monsoon seasons.

Discussions on data sharing related to trans-border rivers were highlighted in recent talks between the Special Representatives for border issues in India and China, NSA Ajit Doval, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, which took place on December 18.

The proposed Brahmaputra Dam presents substantial engineering hurdles, situated along a tectonic plate boundary known for seismic activity. The Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the “roof of the world,” is susceptible to earthquakes because of its location over tectonic plates.

An official statement released on Wednesday attempted to alleviate fears concerning seismic risks, asserting that the hydropower project is designed to be safe and emphasizes ecological protection.

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SBI PO recruitment 2024: 600 probationary officer posts announced

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The State Bank of India (SBI) has released its official notification for the recruitment of Probationary Officers (PO) for 2024. The recruitment drive aims to fill 600 vacancies, including 586 regular positions and 14 backlog positions. Interested candidates can apply online through the official website, sbi.co.in, starting December 27, 2024.

This recruitment drive aims to fill 600 Probationary Officer (PO) positions, offering a great opportunity for aspirants looking to build a career in banking with one of India’s most prestigious financial institutions. The SBI PO posts will be filled through a rigorous three-phase selection process, including preliminary exams, main exams, and a final interview.

Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria, including a graduation degree and age requirements, to apply for the posts. The application process will be conducted online, with important dates for registration, examination, and document submission clearly outlined. Interested candidates are encouraged to check the official SBI website for detailed instructions and begin preparing for the upcoming selection rounds.

Key Dates

  • Application Start Date: December 27, 2024
  • Application Deadline: January 16, 2024
  • Preliminary Exam Call Letters Available: 3rd or 4th week of February 2025
  • Phase-I Preliminary Examination: March 8 and 15, 2025

Eligibility Criteria

  • Educational Qualification: A graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized university or equivalent. Final-year students can apply provisionally, provided they present proof of graduation by April 30, 2025.
  • Age Limit: Applicants must be between 21 and 30 years old as of April 1, 2024 (born between April 2, 1994, and April 1, 2003, inclusive).

Selection Process

The selection process involves three phases:

  1. Phase I: Preliminary Examination
    • An online objective test carrying 100 marks.
  2. Phase II: Main Examination
    • Conducted online, it includes an objective test for 200 marks and a descriptive test for 50 marks.
  3. Phase III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Personal Interview
    • A psychometric test will profile candidates’ personalities. Shortlisted candidates will participate in group exercises and interviews.

Application Fee

  • Rs. 750/- for Unreserved, EWS, and OBC candidates.
  • No fee for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates.

How to Apply?

Candidates must visit the official website, register, and complete the application process by the deadline. The call letters for the preliminary examination will be available in February 2025.

This recruitment provides an excellent opportunity for aspiring candidates to join one of India’s premier banking institutions. Applicants are advised to carefully review the eligibility and selection criteria before applying.

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Instagram influencer and RJ Simran Singh found dead in Gurugram

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Simran Singh, popular Instagram influencer and radio jockey, found dead in Gurugram apartment

Simran Singh, a well-known freelance radio jockey and social media influencer from Jammu and Kashmir, was found dead in her apartment in Gurugram’s Sector 47. Authorities suspect suicide as the cause of death.

The 25-year-old, known by her fans as RJ Simran, had a significant following on Instagram, amassing nearly seven lakh followers. Her last post, shared on December 13, featured a reel captioned, “Just a girl with endless giggles and her gown, taking over the beach.”

Simran, often referred to as “Jammu Ki Dhadkan” (Heartbeat of Jammu), was a beloved personality in her hometown and beyond. Her vibrant presence and engaging content had endeared her to fans across the country.

According to police reports, Simran’s friend, who was staying with her, alerted authorities. Following standard procedures, her body has been handed over to her family.

The news of her untimely death has left her fans and followers in shock. Many have taken to social media to express their grief and pay tribute to the young influencer.

Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances leading to her death.

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