India News
Kamal Haasan to launch his political party from Madurai tomorrow
After months of preparing the ground for his debut in politics, Tamil film icon Kamal Haasan will finally launch his political outfit at a grand public meeting in Madurai on Wednesday (February 21). The thespian will announce the name of his party, its ideology and agenda at the event which will also kick-start his state-wide tour of Tamil Nadu.
It is learnt that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who Haasan had hosted for lunch at his Chennai residence a few months ago, is likely to attend the launch event. The Tamil actor has also invited his “close friend and guide” Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan for the function while there are also rumours of an invitation being extended to Bihar and Bengal chief ministers, Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee, respectively though none of these stalwarts have confirmed their participation as yet.
Haasan is expected to visit his hometown Ramanathapuram and also tour the state’s Dindigul and Sivaganga districts after launching his party from Madurai.
Addressing the media at the Chennai airport on Tuesday, Kamal Haasan said, “I’ll take this press meet as a token of welcome. People who are going to join us are comingtomorrow. Political leaders from other parties are also coming to wish me tomorrow, you’ll see them all.”
Over the last several months, the immensely popular Tamil actor has been carefully crafting his political plans, vociferously criticising the state of politics and administration in his home state and hitting out at the incumbent AIADMK-led government of chief minister E Palaniswamy. He has been vocal about redefining Dravidian politics and the need for reaching out to other southern states of the country for building a Dravidian axis that would have more leverage with the Centre in seeking funds and development programs for the region.
While the actor had, earlier this month, asserted that the motive of his political party is to challenge the status quo that has been plaguing Tamil Nadu politics, on Tuesday, he told reporters: “Yes I spoke against the Tamil Nadu govt and I can’t speak anything more here, I’ll speak everything tomorrow at Madurai.”
Earlier in the day, Haasan took to Twitter to announce: “Tomorrow is the beginning of our journey. At 6 pm tomorrow we will load our party flag at a grand public meeting at the Madurai ground. I will explain the name of the new party and the essence of our policy. Welcome to New Age (sic).”
The actor’s entry in Tamil politics is being keenly watched by political observers, especially at a time when the other cine-icon of the state – Rajinikanth– has also triggered speculations over his imminent political debut. It remains to be seen whether the two actors, who collectively have a fan following that is arguably larger than any other Indian film personality, will ultimately join forces to break the existing power arithmetic of Tamil Nadu which has seen its government alternating between the DMK and AIADMK for nearly three decades.
Many political observers have raised doubts on whether the actor will be able to make a mark in Tamil politics or if his debut will end as another case of mere hype.
In October, at a function to inaugurate a memorial dedicated to the late Tamil film icon Sivaji Ganesan, Rajinikanth had cautioned his film colleague over his political plans saying: “to be successful in politics, just name, fame and money are not enough”. Rajini’s advise was backed by the most credible evidence possible in Tamil politics – that of Sivaji Ganesan himself. Despite his massive success in cinema and a fan-following that went beyond Tamil Nadu, Ganesan had failed to become a formidable political force in the state even after being with various political parties – including the Congress, DMK, Janata Party and floating his own outfit, the Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani. “Sivaji (Ganesan) has left a lesson not just in cinema but also in politics. He started his own political party, fought and lost (elections) from his own constituency…” Rajinikanth had said, taking a not-so-veiled dig at Haasan’s grand ambition of providing a viable political alternative to the people of his state.
India News
MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveils Statue of Oneness of Adi Shankara
This 108 ft tall statue is situated on the Mandhata Mountain in Omkareshwar. MP CM took to X(formerly Twitter) and shared a video of himself offering prayers at the site during the inauguration of the statue.
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled the Statue of Oneness of Adi Shankara, the first Shankacharya in Omkareshwar on Thursday. The state cabinet had approved this project last year to celebrate the life and philosophy of the 8th Century saint and Hindu philosopher.
This 108 ft tall statue is situated on the Mandhata Mountain in Omkareshwar. MP CM took to X(formerly Twitter) and shared a video of himself offering prayers at the site during the inauguration of the statue. He wrote there is auspiciousness and auspiciousness only in the feet of Acharya Shankar. He added the sun of welfare for the entire world lies in the auspicious thoughts of Advaita.
Omkareshwar is located on the banks of Narmada river. It is 80 km away from the city of Indore. MP CM said the cultural foundation on which Adi Shankara propounded Advaita Vedanta by seeing the existence of only one Brahma in every living being. Chouhan said Adi Shankara united India in one thread. He said he was proud of the fact that this unique personality of the spiritual world attained knowledge on the land of Madhya Pradesh and united the whole country.
Chouhan said future generations will continue to visit this statue and become familiar with the contribution of Shankarcharyaji from time to time. MP CM highlighted how Adi Guru Shankara worked to unite the nation culturally. He spread the essence of Vedas to the common people. Chouhan added Adi Shankara made four monasteries in four corners of the country. Hence helped in keeping India culturally united.
This statue is the third major statue built in India by the government. Before this PM Modi inaugurated the statue of equality near Hyderabad to commemorate the 11th Century Bhakti saint Sri Ramanujacharya. The statue was inaugurated in Ramanujacharya’s 1000th birth anniversary. In 2018 PM Modi inaugurated the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Kevadia. The statue was made in the memory of former deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
India News
India’s luxury train Deccan Odyssey makes a comeback, starting services on September 23
The train was inaugurated on September 21 around 1:30 pm at the CST Station in Mumbai but the operation will be starting from Saturday.
India’s luxury train Deccan Odyssey is all set to start its commercial services from September 23. It is a comeback for the Royal Train after 3 years. The operation of this train was stopped in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The train was inaugurated on September 21 around 1:30 pm at the CST Station in Mumbai but the operation will be starting from Saturday.
According to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) official, notable personalities such as Rahul Narvekar, Deepak Kesarkar, and Girish Mahajan attended the inauguration, with attempts being made to invite Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar as guests of honour.
The official said that after Covid-19, the first seven-day journey, will traverse through royal destinations including Vadodara, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Agra, Sawai Madhopur and culminate in New Delhi.
The MTDC operate the Deccan Odyssey Royal Train. The train provides a luxury service at a cost starting from Rs 6.5 lakh per person. The cost has been revised after the Covid-19 pandemic.
If a passenger books in a group of two people, the charges will cost around Rs 9 lakh for the royal experience.
To experience the grandeur of Maharashtra’s royal history, aboard the iconic Deccan Odyssey. The train features 21 coaches, with 11 dedicated to guests, as well as dining, conference, spa, and lounge coaches. MTDC has appointed a new tour operator to ensure seamless operations.
People can book now for the first trip after the COVID pandemic, with 25 seats already reserved out of a total capacity of around 80 persons.
The Deccan Odyssey showcases Maharashtra’s cultural heritage and scenic wonders, blending elegance and opulence for a luxurious travel experience.
The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) recognised World Heritage site Ajanta Ellora Caves is also included in the Royal Train journey, people can experience this journey.
India News
Indian High Commission, consulates facing threats, Canada’s allegations politically motivated: MEA
Arindam Bagchi further underscored that it is Canada that needs to look into its growing reputation of being a safe haven for terrorists, extremists, and organised crime.
Amidst escalating tension between India and Canada, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that the allegations by Canada seems to be politically motivated, adding that there’s a degree of prejudice. Diplomatic standoff between both the countries broke out after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday claimed that his country’s security agencies were investigating a link between the Indian government and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Briefing the media regarding the aforesaid allegation, Arindam Bagchi noted that no specific information was shared by Canada on the Nijjar case. He added that the Indian government had shared specific information concerning criminal activities by individuals on Canadian soil but no actions were taken regarding the same.
Arindam Bagchi further underscored that it is Canada that needs to look into its growing reputation of being a safe haven for terrorists, extremists, and organised crime. He asserted that the security situation is owing to the inaction by the Canadian government. He also claimed that there are elements linked to organized crime, terrorists, and extremists who are on a free run and politically condoned.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson also claimed that the Indian High Commission and consulates are facing security threats in Canada and therefore cannot process visa applications temporarily. He noted that all categories of visas are suspended and that the issue is not about travel to India but about incitement of violence and inaction by the Canadian government. Those who have valid visas and OCI cards can travel freely, he continued.
He conveyed that the Indian government has informed the Canadian government that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in their mutual diplomatic presence. Notably, in a meeting that was held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada, promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship.
