English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

PM Modi invites tourists to visit Gujarat’s Rann Utsav for lifetime experience

He recalled that Kutch experienced a devastating super cyclone in 1999 and celebrated the remarkable transformation of the region in the 21st century, describing it as an unprecedented turnaround in history.

Published

on

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged everyone to experience Gujarat’s Kutch during the ongoing Rann Utsav, emphasising that it will be an unforgettable journey.

“Kutch is calling! Come explore the stunning White Rann, its rich culture, and the warm hospitality of the Kutch community during the Rann Utsav,” the Prime Minister expressed in a post on X. This festival, which runs until March 2025, promises to be a memorable event.

Kutch is renowned for its vibrant culture, unique wildlife sanctuary, and expansive salt desert. In a more detailed LinkedIn post, PM Modi described the vast salt desert shimmering under the moonlight, offering a unique and surreal experience. He also highlighted the region’s flourishing arts and crafts.

Most importantly, he noted that Kutch is home to incredibly welcoming people who take pride in their heritage and are eager to connect with visitors. In his post, PM Modi extended a “personal invitation” to dynamic professionals and their families to visit Kutch and immerse themselves in the Rann Utsav.

The festivities began on December 1 and will continue until February 28, while the Rann Utsav tent city will remain open until the end of March. PM Modi assured his audience that Rann Utsav will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. He mentioned that for those seeking rest and relaxation, Kutch is the perfect destination, while those interested in exploring history and culture will find plenty to discover.

“Engage with our ancient heritage by visiting Dholavira, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Experience nature at the Vijay Vilas Palace or Kala Dungar. The ‘Road to Heaven’, nestled among white salt flats, is one of the most breathtaking roads in India,” PM Modi listed, highlighting various attractions.

He also commended the craftsmanship of Kutchi artisans. The Prime Minister pointed out that Smriti Van, a tribute to the victims of the 2001 earthquake, has been recognized as “the world’s most beautiful museum,” receiving the Prix Versailles 2024 World Title for “Interiors” from UNESCO.

“This museum exemplifies how the human spirit can adapt and flourish even in the face of adversity,” he stated. Kutch had previously been overlooked and faced numerous challenges, being bordered by the Registan Desert on one side and Pakistan on the other.

PM Modi took over as Gujarat’s Chief Minister shortly after the earthquake and remained in that role until becoming Prime Minister in 2014. He recalled that Kutch experienced a devastating super cyclone in 1999 and celebrated the remarkable transformation of the region in the 21st century, describing it as an unprecedented turnaround in history.

“Together, we worked towards the comprehensive development of Kutch, focusing on disaster-resistant infrastructure and creating livelihoods that retained the local youth, enabling them to find work without leaving their homes,” he explained. Once a land of perpetual drought, Kutch has now gained recognition for its agriculture, with its fruits, including mangoes, reaching international markets.

“In 2005, the Rann Utsav was established to realize the untapped tourism potential of Kutch, and it has since evolved into a vibrant tourism hub,” he continued. Rann Utsav has also garnered multiple awards both domestically and internationally.

Dhordo, the village that hosts the annual Rann Utsav celebrations, was honored as the 2023 Best Tourism Village by the United Nations World Tourism Organization for its commitment to cultural preservation, sustainable tourism, and rural development.

India News

CBSE denies OSM portal data breach, terms online allegations misleading

CBSE has strongly dismissed social media allegations of a security breach in its On-Screen Marking (OSM) portal, clarifying that the exposed URL is a mere testing site containing no actual student data or exam marks.

Published

on

CBSE

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has refuted viral claims circulating on social media regarding a security breach in its On-Screen Marking (OSM) portal. In an official statement, the national education board dismissed the allegations, labeling them completely false and highly misleading.

The clarification comes after social media posts suggested that sensitive student records and internal assessment systems had been compromised by unauthorised actors. Media reports indicate that the board has categorically denied any leak of actual student marks or examination-related details.

Testing site hosted no real student details

According to the statement released by the board, the web address highlighted in the viral allegations belongs strictly to a testing environment. The board clarified that this URL is utilized purely for internal evaluations, data sampling, and platform reviews during development phases.

The board firmly reiterated that no live student details, official scoreboards, or active examination data are stored on this testing site. Authorities have advised stakeholders and students to refrain from panic and avoid circulating unverified rumors that challenge the integrity of the examination system.

Continue Reading

India News

Congress Dismisses Karnataka Leadership Transition Rumors After Six-Hour Delhi Meet

The Congress party has rejected ongoing rumors regarding a leadership change or a rotating Chief Minister formula in Karnataka, stating that a recent six-hour meeting in Delhi focused strictly on the upcoming Rajya Sabha and MLC elections.

Published

on

The Congress party has strongly downplayed the intense political buzz surrounding a potential leadership transition or a change in the Chief Minister’s post in Karnataka. Following a marathon six-hour meeting with the state’s top leadership in New Delhi, the party explicitly rejected the ongoing speculation, labeling it as having “no reality.”

A brief statement issued to the media after the high-level meeting advised against spreading rumors, clarifying that the discussions were entirely centered on upcoming electoral strategies rather than structural changes within the state government. The party stated that the deliberations solely revolved around the state’s three vacant Rajya Sabha seats and the upcoming Member of Legislative Council (MLC) elections.

Rajya Sabha and MLC Polls Take Center Stage

The high-stakes meeting was attended by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, and party General Secretary KC Venugopal, alongside Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Briefing the media post-meeting, KC Venugopal stated that conversations were strictly confined to the Rajya Sabha and MLC elections, emphasizing that there is no truth to any other political speculation. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also confirmed that the agenda of a potential cabinet expansion or a leadership shift did not come up during the six-hour-long discussion.

Background of the Power Struggle

The question of leadership in Karnataka has remained a recurring theme for over a year. Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have consistently maintained that the central leadership promised a rotating Chief Ministership arrangement when the government was formed after the 2023 assembly elections.

Speculation had intensified recently as the ruling government faced local anti-incumbency pressures alongside renewed political activity from the opposition bench. Some internal reports had even indicated a push from within certain sections of the high command, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, for a leadership revamp.

Balancing Caste Equations and Party Structure

The central leadership has navigated the situation cautiously to maintain political stability. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, 80, commands a powerful “Ahinda” support base—a coalition comprising minority communities, backward classes, and Dalits. This social alliance was crucial in helping the party navigate the traditional Vokkaliga and Lingayat caste dynamics during the 2023 elections.

Although the rotation issue had previously gained significant momentum when the government completed two years in office, the party high command had chosen to maintain the status quo to avoid any adverse electoral impact in neighboring assembly elections, such as in Tamil Nadu. With those elections concluded, supporters of the 64-year-old Deputy Chief Minister had expressed optimism for a transition. Shivakumar currently holds the dual responsibility of being the Deputy Chief Minister as well as the state Congress chief, signaling his critical organizational value to the party. However, for the time being, the party high command has firmly signaled that the current leadership structure will remain unchanged.

Continue Reading

Cricket news

Bowlers may hold the key in high-stakes IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala

Although the media build-up centers on the batting heavyweight clash between Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala is set to be decided by the bowling consistency of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Siraj.

Published

on

Flat pitches, towering sixes, and relentless run-scoring have defined the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 so far. However, when Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lock horns in Qualifier 1 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala, the contest could ultimately hinge on the bowlers.

The HPCA Stadium has proved to be unforgiving for bowlers due to its short boundaries. A teaser of what could unfold was evident during recent net sessions, where Gujarat Titans’ Jos Buttler and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Tim David regularly launched monstrous hits out of the stadium. In the three matches played at this venue this season, teams crossed the 200-run mark five times, with the lowest score being 199/8. An average of nearly 25 maximums per match has been hit here, promising another potential run-fest.

Moving past the Kohli vs Gill narrative

While media attention focuses on the iconic battle between the ‘King’ Virat Kohli and the ‘Prince’ Shubman Gill—hailed as the heir to Indian cricket’s batting legacy—the true deciding factor might lie elsewhere. Both batters look in pristine touch. Gill occupies the second spot in the Orange Cap race with 616 runs from 13 matches, trailing behind his opening partner Sai Sudharsan. Meanwhile, Kohli has bounced back from a brief mid-tournament slump by smashing a sparkling century, taking his tally to 557 runs this season.

Despite the incredible batting firepower on display, the bowling units are expected to dictate which team blinks last. Media interactions with team managements highlighted that consistency and self-belief within the respective bowling departments have been the defining traits of both squads this season.

Powerplay battles to decide the finalist

For RCB, veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the charge alongside Kagiso Rabada for GT, with both spearheads locked as the joint-highest wicket-takers across the two sides at 24 wickets each. Bhuvneshwar holds a slight edge due to a superior economy rate. Close behind them is GT’s Mohammed Siraj, who has taken 17 wickets so far. With supporting acts like Josh Hazlewood, Jason Holder, Prasidh Krishna, Rasikh Salam Dar, and spinners Rashid Khan and Krunal Pandya in the mix, the match promises an intriguing tactical battle.

Gujarat Titans’ assistant coach Vijay Dahiya acknowledged that negotiating Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the powerplay will be a massive task, but reminded that GT possesses equal firepower in Siraj and Rabada. “If you talk about the powerplay, our numbers are among the best in this tournament,” Dahiya stated.

RCB captain Rajat Patidar echoed similar views, placing immense faith in his bowling attack to stop GT’s prolific opening duo of Gill and Sudharsan. “Our strength is bowling. The way we bowl in the powerplay will be very crucial. We’ll look for early wickets and that is what we have done throughout the tournament,” Patidar remarked.

In a tournament dominated by towering batting displays, the team whose bowling unit holds its nerve under the Dharamsala lights will seal a direct spot in the IPL final.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com