As the nation observes National Farmer’s Day, trending topics like Chaudhary Charan Singh, “Thank You Kisan,” and #NationalFarmersDay have captured widespread attention across social media platforms. The day is being celebrated with heartfelt tributes to the former Prime Minister, who is remembered for his transformative role in shaping India’s agricultural policies. The hashtag “Thank You Kisan” has gained momentum as people across the country express their gratitude for farmers, recognizing their critical contribution to food security and the nation’s economy. This surge in online discussions highlights the growing awareness and appreciation of the challenges faced by farmers, further underscoring the need for continued support and empowerment in the agricultural sector.

National Farmer’s Day, or Kisan Diwas, is observed on December 23 each year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the fifth Prime Minister of India, who was a passionate advocate for the welfare of farmers. This day highlights his enduring contributions to improving the conditions of India’s farming community. The day serves as a reminder of the vital role farmers play in the country’s economic and social fabric, celebrating their hard work and contribution to the nation’s prosperity.

Chaudhary Charan Singh, devoted a significant part of his political life to advocating for the well-being of farmers. His efforts focused on implementing policies that aimed to improve their socio-economic conditions and address the challenges they faced in rural India. His tenure as Prime Minister from 1979 to 1980 was marked by significant reforms aimed at empowering India’s agricultural community. One of his landmark initiatives was the Debt Redemption Bill of 1939, which aimed to free farmers from the clutches of exploitative moneylenders. Singh also implemented transformative land reforms in Uttar Pradesh, helping to reshape the agricultural landscape and ensure greater equity for farmers.

In honour of his legacy, a memorial named Kishan Ghat was established in New Delhi, and in 2001, the Government of India officially declared December 23 as Kisan Diwas. The observance of this day highlights Chaudhary Charan Singh’s enduring vision for the upliftment of farmers and emphasizes the importance of their well-being for the overall development of the country.

The theme for National Farmer’s Day 2024 is “Empowering ‘Annadatas’ for a Prosperous Nation.” This year’s theme underscores the necessity of providing farmers with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to ensure sustainable agricultural growth, while also fostering national prosperity. It reflects the growing recognition of farmers as the backbone of India’s economy, often referred to as the ‘Annadatas’ (providers of food).

Kisan Diwas is not only a day for honouring farmers but also an opportunity to address critical issues affecting the agricultural sector. Topics such as fair pricing, climate resilience, sustainable farming practices, and the integration of modern agricultural technologies are brought to the forefront. Additionally, the day provides a platform for discussing various government initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of farmers and boosting their contribution to the national economy.

As we observe this important day, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to support the agricultural community and ensure that the next generation of farmers is equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

In a high-profile case, former IAS trainee Puja Khedkar has been denied pre-arrest bail by the Delhi High Court in connection with allegations of forgery and cheating. Ms. Khedkar, who was dismissed from service by the Union government on September 7, has claimed she is being targeted due to her filing of a sexual harassment complaint against a senior officer.

The court’s ruling, delivered by Justice Chandra Dhari Singh, stated that Ms. Khedkar’s actions appeared to be part of a “larger conspiracy” aimed at defrauding authorities. The court noted, “The conduct of the petitioner was purely driven with a motive to dupe the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and all documents allegedly forged by her were intended to exploit benefits meant for disadvantaged groups.”

The charges against Ms. Khedkar, which the court described as “a classic example of fraud,” also led to her being deemed “unfit for appointment.” It was further observed that her actions not only betrayed the UPSC but also the public trust, constituting an offence against the nation at large.

The court indicated the possibility of collusion between Ms. Khedkar’s family members and powerful individuals in fabricating documents to secure undue advantages. This raises the likelihood of the investigation expanding to include other government officials and departments allegedly involved in the conspiracy.

Temporary protection from arrest, which had been earlier granted to Ms. Khedkar, is likely to be revoked following the court’s decision. Both the Delhi Police and the UPSC opposed her bail plea, emphasizing the need for her custody to facilitate a thorough investigation.

The Delhi Police argued that Ms. Khedkar’s custody was critical to interrogate her and identify others involved in what they described as a “deep-rooted conspiracy.” The UPSC, on its part, stressed that the alleged fraud could not have been carried out without external assistance and urged the court to deny bail to ensure an unhindered investigation.

In her defense, Ms. Khedkar maintained her innocence, asserting that the allegations were retaliatory and stemmed from her complaint of sexual harassment. She has denied all charges, including the accusation that she forged documents to gain benefits reserved for disadvantaged groups.

This case highlights significant issues surrounding alleged misuse of administrative systems and raises questions about accountability and integrity within public institutions. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities under pressure to uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.

The Police officials on Monday said that three suspected Khalistani terrorists allegedly involved in grenade attack in Gurudaspur were killed in an encounter with a joint team of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab police.

The police added that the accused were identified as Gurvinder Singh (25), Virender Singh alias Ravi (23), and Jaspreet Singh alias Pratap Singh (18). All the accused are residents of Gurdaspur. The encounter occurred in the Puranpur area of the Pilibhit district.

Director General (Law and Order) of the Uttar Pradesh Police, Amitabh Yash said the trio was involved in a grenade attack on a police checkpoint in Gurdaspur, Punjab. He added that the three sustained serious injuries in the encounter and were immediately rushed to CHC Puranpur for treatment.

Additionally, DGP UP Police Prashant Kumar confirmed that the three suspects had succumbed to their injuries. He said that the injured operatives were swiftly transported for medical care, where they later succumbed to their injuries. He added that the operation also resulted in the recovery of two AK rifles and two Glock pistols, signaling a significant disruption of the module’s capacity to cause further harm. 

Meanwhile, investigations are in progress to identify and dismantle the remaining elements of this terror network, he continued. Prashant Kumar further mentioned that two AK-47 rifles, two Glock pistols, and a huge cache of ammunition were seized from them. Speaking about the aftermath of the encounter, Amitab Yash said that the situation on the ground is under control and legal proceedings are underway.

In addition, Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav also took to X and gave the details of the encounter. Describing it a major breakthrough against a Pakistan sponsored Khalistan Zindabad Force(KZF) terror module, Yadav said that a joint operation of UP Police and Punjab Police led to an encounter with three module members who fired at the police party.

He added that this terror module is involved in grenade attacks at police establishments in border areas of Punjab. The encounter has taken place in the jurisdiction of PS Puranpur, Pilibhit, between the joint police teams of Pilibhit & Punjab and the three module members are involved in the grenade attack on a police post in Gurdaspur, he mentioned.

The Punjab DGP also clarified that the investigations are in progress to unveil the entire terror module. He further confirmed the recovery of two AK rifles and two Glock pistols from the suspects killed in the encounter.