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British PM Boris Johnson calls off visit as UK enters third lockdown, speaks to PM Modi on need for him to stay in Britain

Johnson, during his visit to India will boost cooperation in areas that matter to the UK and that will be priorities for the international engagement throughout 2021 – from defence and security, to trade and investment, and health and climate change, his office said last month.

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British PM Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, called off his visit to India on Tuesday as the Republic Day chief guest due to restrictions imposed in the United Kingdom in the wake of the country-wide lockdown in the British Isles over the more virulent mutant coronavirus. The United Kingdom has entered in its third phase of lockdown amid increasing infections of the new Covid strain.   

Johnson was to be the Republic Day chief guest later this month. An initial report had said there was no such change in plan so far even after the new mutated coronavirus variant has been identified in the United Kingdom and the country has imposed strict restrictions. PM Modi had extended the Republic Day Chief guest invitation to the British PM and he had accepted India’s invite to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi in a very generous manner.

Johnson was expected to boost cooperation in areas that matter to the UK and that will be priorities for the international engagement throughout 2021 – from defence and security, to trade and investment, and health and climate change, his office said last month. The visit had assumed greater importance after the final Brexit deal with the European Union.

The United Kingdom has been seeing a huge surge in coronavirus cases
in the UK after a new mutant strain believed to be 70 percent more infectious was detected in September. Countries worldwide have imposed fresh travel bans on the United Kingdom in the wake of the new virus variant. Despite temporary travel restrictions, 30 countries have reported cases of a new mutant version of coronavirus. In India, 58 patients, all of them who came back from the UK or had contact with such travellers, have been found to be infected with the strain.

This was also to be Johnson’s first bilateral visit after the UK’s departure from the European Union in December 2020. In the past, members of the British royalty have been chief guests — Prince Philip in 1959 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1961. British chancellor of exchequer Rap Butler in 1956 and Chief of Defence Staff Lord Louis Mountbatten in 1964.

Also Read: UK PM Boris Johnson announces new nationwide lockdown amid rising coronavirus cases

In the 2020 Republic Day event, India had invited Brazil Prime Minister Jair Bolsonaro to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.

Entertainment

Dhanashree Verma’s new song Dekha Ji Dekha Maine explores betrayal, abuse amid divorce from Yuzvendra Chahal

Choreographer Dhanashree Verma dropped a new song Dekha Ji Dekha Maine that portrays themes of betrayal and domestic violence, coinciding with her divorce from cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal.

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Choreographer and influencer Dhanashree Verma released a powerful new music video titled Dekha Ji Dekha Maine on the same day her divorce from Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal was legally granted by a family court in Mumbai. The emotionally charged track, launched under the T-Series banner, highlights themes of betrayal, domestic abuse, and emotional trauma within a royal marital setup.

The video stars Dhanashree alongside actor Ishwak Singh, known for his role in Pataal Lok. Set against a traditional Rajasthani backdrop, the visuals depict Verma as a woman enduring infidelity and physical violence from her husband. One scene shows her character being slapped in public, while another captures the husband engaging intimately with another woman in her presence.

The lyrics, penned by Jaani, cut deep. Lines such as “Dekha ji dekha maine, apno ka rona dekha. Gairon ke bistar pe, apno ka sona dekha” and “Dil tera bacha hai, nibhana bhool jata hai. Naya khilauna dekh ke, purana bhool jata hai” reflect the anguish of betrayal and emotional neglect in a relationship.

Sung by Jyoti Nooran, with music composed by Jaani, the song presents a striking narrative layered with raw emotion. Speaking about her role, Dhanashree said, “This was one of the most emotionally charged performances I’ve been a part of… It demanded a certain level of intensity, and I hope it resonates deeply with the audience.”

The release coincided with her official separation from Yuzvendra Chahal, whom she married in December 2020. As per reports, Chahal has agreed to pay an alimony of ₹4.75 crore as part of the divorce settlement.

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India News

Sambhal Court issues notice to Rahul Gandhi over fight against Indian state comment

Rahul Gandhi has been summoned by a Sambhal court over his statement that the opposition is fighting the Indian state, not just BJP or RSS.

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Rahul Gandhi addresses public at party headquarters

The District Judge Court of Sambhal has issued a notice to Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, seeking his response or appearance on April 4, in connection with a complaint filed over his controversial remark that opposition parties were not merely fighting the BJP or RSS, but the “Indian state” itself.

Statement triggers legal action

The legal proceedings stem from a statement made by Rahul Gandhi on January 15, during the inauguration of the Congress party’s new headquarters ‘Indira Bhawan’. In his address, Gandhi said, “Our ideology, like the RSS ideology, is thousands of years old, and it has been fighting the RSS ideology for thousands of years. Do not think that we are fighting a fair fight. There is no fairness in this. If you believe that we are fighting a political organisation called the BJP or RSS, you have not understood what is going on. The BJP and the RSS have captured every single institution of our country. We are now fighting the BJP, the RSS and the Indian State itself.”

He also commented on the status of Indian institutions and media, suggesting that both were no longer functioning freely or fairly.

Revision petition leads to court summons

Advocate Sachin Goyal, representing complainant Simran Gupta, explained that a case was initially filed in the special MP/MLA court seeking registration of an FIR against Gandhi. However, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) dismissed the plea citing lack of jurisdiction.

Following this, a revision petition was filed, after which the Sambhal District Judge accepted the complaint and issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi. The court has asked him to either appear in person or file a formal response on or before April 4.

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India News

Assam to allow fighter jet landings on highways, boosts business hours across cities

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced fighter jets will soon land on Assam’s highways. Shops in key cities like Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Silchar can now operate 24×7 to boost the state economy.

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Fighter jet on a highway in Assam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a landmark initiative on Thursday, revealing that Indian Air Force fighter jets will soon be able to land on national highways in the state. The plan, which will be implemented later this year, includes upgrading the highway between Dibrugarh and Jorhat to meet international standards for aircraft operations.

CM Sarma shared the update during a media briefing after a Cabinet meeting held in Dibrugarh. “We are upgrading the national highway between Dibrugarh and Jorhat to meet international standards. Soon, Indian Air Force fighter jets will be able to land on this highway. Assam will witness several significant developments this year,” he said.

Without naming political rivals directly, Sarma also responded to critics, stating that while some may oppose discussions on development, the government remains committed to visible progress through major infrastructure projects like underwater tunnels and high-grade highways.

Assam permits 24×7 business operations in key cities

Alongside infrastructure growth, the Assam government has introduced sweeping changes to business operation hours across the state. Shops in Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Silchar—designated as municipal corporations—can now remain open round-the-clock.

Previously, a weekly shop closure was mandated, but that restriction has now been lifted. In other urban areas, businesses are now allowed to operate until 2 a.m., and in rural areas, shops can stay open until 11 p.m.

Measures to protect workers and create jobs

The new policies also focus on workers’ rights. CM Sarma clarified that no employee can be made to work more than nine hours a day or exceed 48 hours a week. For shops operating 24 hours, owners must hire at least three employees to ensure proper shift rotations.

“This initiative will not only encourage business expansion but also boost employment in small-scale enterprises,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the move will particularly benefit local economies during festival seasons like Bihu and Puja.

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