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Govt Withdraws Haj Subsidy, Says Step To Empower Muslims

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Govt Withdraws Haj Subsidy, Says Step To Empower Muslims

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The government on Tuesday withdrew the subsidy for Haj pilgrims, calling it a step taken to empower minority communities “with dignity and without appeasement”.

Announcing this, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “Muslims didn’t benefit from it. Development with dignity is what we believe in. The funds spent on the Haj subsidy will be used for educational empowerment of girls and women of the minority community.”

The government used to give discount on airfares on state-owned Air India flights, which has been running in losses.

Naqvi said that this year, even with the subsidy withdrawn, a record 1.75 lakh pilgrims will go for Haj, higher than the 1.25 lakh pilgrims who went for the annual pilgrimage in 2017, said media reports. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia had hiked India’s Haj quota.

Naqvi said that the Saudi Arabian government had agreed to allow people to go on the Haj by ships, which are cheaper than flights. Officials of the two countries would together finalise the arrangement.

The news comes about a week after Saudi Arabia approved India’s plan to allow Haj pilgrims from the country to head to Jeddah by sea. In its proposal for a New Haj Policy for 2018-22, a panel appointed by the Indian government had said in October 2017 that the Saudi Arabian government should be consulted on the matter as travelling by ship was cheaper than air travel.

Indications of the move had come earlier, when the minister had said that the Centre would abolish the subsidy for Haj pilgrims in keeping with a Supreme Court order in 2012. “A constitutional bench of the Supreme Court had, during the Congress regime, directed that the Haj subsidy be done away with. Hence, in the new policy, as per the recommendations of a committee, we have decided to do away with the Haj subsidy gradually,” Naqvi had said.

The Supreme Court’s order in May 2012 asked the government to phase out the subsidy and abolish it by 2022.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1516108599427{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #b7b7b7 !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]Several states subsidise various pilgrimages or religious events. Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand provide money to residents going on the Manasarovar yatra to cover a part of the expenses which amount to about Rs 1.5 lakh each. The Madhya Pradesh government subsidises a range of pilgrimages for senior citizens and their attendants under the Mukhyamantri Tirtha Darshan Yojana, including visits to Ayodhya, Mathura, the birthplace of Sant Kabir and St Thomas Church in Kerala.

Constitution of India, Article 27: Freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion.

No person shall be compelled to pay any taxes, the proceeds of which are specifically appropriated in payment of expenses for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious denomination.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The Ministry of Minority Affairs had asked a panel to review the Haj policy and suggest a framework for a new policy for 2018-22. The committee headed by former secretary Afzal Amanullah had, in its report submitted in October, recommended ending subsidy and allowing older women to travel without male companions.

The government has decided to allow Muslim women above 45 to go on Haj without a male guardian, in a group of at least four. Around 1,300 women from India will make the annual pilgrimage without a “Mehram” (unmarriageable male kin) after Riyadh relaxed norms and allowed a group of at least four women over the age of 45 to go on Haj unchaperoned, said a Times of India report.

A couple of years ago, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi had asked Muslims to give up Haj subsidies and fund scholarships for Muslim girls instead.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Cricket news

India vs England T20 series 2025: Complete guide to matches, squads, and streaming info

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Promotional image for India vs England 2025 T20 series featuring match details

After wrapping up two months of intense Test cricket, Team India is ready to transition to the white-ball format with the much-anticipated five-match T20 series against England. This series not only offers India a chance to regroup after some challenging Test matches but also sets the stage for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the same opponent and the ICC Champions Trophy later in the year.

Series Schedule and Venues: The action begins at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata and will move through four other major cricketing venues across India. Each match promises to be a display of high-octane cricket under the lights, with start times pegged at 7 PM IST to maximize audience engagement both at the grounds and on television.

Full Schedule:

  • 22 January: 1st T20I at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
  • 25 January: 2nd T20I at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
  • 28 January: 3rd T20I at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot
  • 31 January: 4th T20I at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
  • 2 February: 5th T20I at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Head-to-Head Record: India and England have a competitive T20I history with India leading slightly with 13 wins to England’s 11 in 24 matches. In India, the record is also closely contested, with England winning 9 of their 17 matches on Indian soil.

Viewing Options: Fans can catch all the live action on the Star Sports Network, and streaming is available on Disney Plus Hotstar. This accessibility ensures that fans won’t miss a moment of this enthralling series.

Detailed Squad Information:

India’s Squad:

  • Suryakumar Yadav (Captain): The dynamic batsman leads the team, known for his innovative stroke play.
  • Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper): A versatile player known for his aggressive batting and sharp wicketkeeping skills.
  • Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy: Young talents who have shown promise in domestic circuits.
  • Hardik Pandya: An all-rounder known for his ability to change the game with both bat and ball.
  • Axar Patel, Washington Sundar: Skilled spinners who can also contribute with the bat.
  • Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh: Emerging fast bowlers expected to bring energy and pace.
  • Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi: Experienced in their roles, crucial for their bowling attack.
  • Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper): Another young wicketkeeper with impressive domestic performances.

England’s Squad:

  • Jos Buttler (Captain): The explosive wicketkeeper-batsman leads the English side with his aggressive play.
  • Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith: Formidable batters known for their fast scoring.
  • Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed: Young players who bring fresh energy and skills.
  • Liam Livingstone: A powerful all-rounder known for hitting long sixes and bowling effective spin.
  • Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood: A strong bowling lineup with a mix of pace and spin, crucial for T20 format.

With both teams featuring a blend of seasoned internationals and exciting new talent, the T20 series is expected to be a closely contested affair. As the squads gear up for this high-profile series, the cricketing world eagerly awaits to see if India can maintain their formidable form in T20s or if England can disrupt their winning streak on Indian soil.

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Gadgets

Oppo Find N5 set to launch with 50W wireless charging and IPX9 water resistance

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Oppo Find N5 being tested underwater to showcase its IPX9 water resistance rating.

Oppo has officially confirmed that its latest innovation, the Find N5, will support 50W wireless charging and feature an IPX9 water resistance rating. The announcement comes as part of a series of teases highlighting the capabilities of this next-generation foldable smartphone, set to launch in February.

According to recent leaks, the Find N5 will be the first smartphone to incorporate the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, signaling significant performance enhancements. Pete Lau, Oppo’s Chief Product Officer, has touted the device as the “thinnest foldable phone,” positioning it against leading competitors like the latest iPhone in terms of sleek design.

Zhou Yibao, head of the Oppo Find series, shared insights via Weibo about the Find N5’s advanced features. The device not only matches the wireless charging speeds of newly released models like the Oppo Find X8 Pro and OnePlus 13 but also integrates seamlessly with in-car systems from major electric vehicle brands such as BYD and NIO.

In a compelling demonstration of its durability, a recent video posted by Yibao showed the Find N5 being submerged underwater, showcasing its capability to withstand significant water exposure, evidenced by its IPX9 rating. This test included recording underwater videos, highlighting the phone’s versatile camera capabilities in extreme conditions.

The Find N5 also sports a refined design with slimmer borders and a larger overall form factor compared to its predecessors, which could attract users looking for a sleek yet robust foldable phone.

As anticipation builds, Oppo has begun sharing images of the Find N5, revealing a foldable design as thin as a USB-C port when opened. This device promises to merge aesthetic appeal with functional excellence, setting a new benchmark in the evolving foldable phone market.

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India News

Saif Ali Khan out of hospital six days after stabbing at his residence

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Detained individual linked to the stabbing of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan being escorted by police.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has returned to his home after being discharged from the hospital, where he was treated for injuries sustained from a stabbing incident at his residence last week. The actor, known for his roles in films such as “Dil Chahta Hai” and “Tanhaji,” was reportedly attacked unexpectedly in his home, leading to his hospitalization.

The incident, which sent shockwaves through the Bollywood community and his fanbase, occurred late at night and resulted in multiple injuries for Khan. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he received immediate medical attention. The specifics of the incident, including the motive and the identity of the assailant, have not been publicly disclosed by the authorities.

During his stay at the hospital, Khan was under constant medical supervision and underwent several treatments to address his injuries. His discharge comes after a six-day period of intensive care, indicating a stable recovery.

Family members and representatives of Khan have expressed their gratitude to the medical team for their efforts and to fans for their support and well wishes during this challenging time. While the actor has been released from the hospital, he is expected to continue his recovery at home under the guidance of his personal doctors.

The Mumbai Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, and further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.

This troubling event has sparked a conversation about the safety of public figures and the pressures they face. As Khan recuperates at home, the film industry and his supporters worldwide hope for his full recovery and return to the silver screen.

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