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‘Clean Energy Is The Need Of The Hour’: PM Modi Highlights India’s Clean Energy Initiatives

By
The Commune
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the nation’s major and crucial achievements in this direction in a significant reaffirmation of India’s dedication to clean energy. In his post on X, the Prime Minister stressed the need for sustainable practices globally in present circumstances. Reposting Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s insights on this, PM Modi in his X post highlighted the substantial and transformative effect of India’s clean energy initiatives over the last ten years.

PM Modi wrote in a post on X: “Clean energy is the need of the hour. Our commitment to a better tomorrow is paramount and is reflected in our work.” Union Minister Hardeep Puri’s post on X marked the achievements in this field under PM Modi’s leadership from 2014 to 2024. He described these efforts as crucial to fueling progress and significantly improving lives across the country. Key highlights of what the Union Minister shared via his X post are as follows: Savings of foreign exchange: India has saved Rs 1,06,072 crore in foreign exchange. This is attributable to enhancing domestic energy production and reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Cut-down in carbon emissions: India has successfully cut down 544 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of CO2 emissions. This has been a significant step towards combating climate change and promoting environmental sustainability. Substitution of crude oil: By substituting 181 lakh MT of crude oil, India is actively reducing its carbon footprint and shifting towards more renewable energy sources. Transforming farmers’ role: The government’s focus on ethanol blending has financially benefited farmers. An amount of Rs 90,059 crore was paid to farmers.

This move has transformed the roles of farmers, turning “Annadatas” (providers of food) into “Urjadatas” (providers of energy). This highlights the integration of agriculture into the energy sector. LPG access: The PM Ujjwala Yojana has played a pivotal role in improving energy access for millions. Over 10.33 crore households have received free LPG connections, significantly enhancing the quality of life by providing cleaner cooking fuel and reducing health risks associated with traditional biomass cooking methods.

–IANS

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MP Govt To Develop Ashrams In Ujjain Along Lines Of Haridwar: CM Mohan Yadav

By
The Commune
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Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday said that the government has decided to establish ashrams for priests in the religiously significant city of Ujjain. Yadav said that the ‘sadhu sanyasis’ or ascetics and other devotees of Lord Mahakal visiting Ujjain are facing a tough time finding a suitable place to stay there.

“Lakhs of Sadhu Sanyaasi will be coming to Ujjain during the Simhastha Mela in 2028. Therefore, we have decided to develop multiple ashrams on the lines of Haridwar,” Yadav said, addressing a press conference in Ujjain on Monday. Ujjain Development Authority (UDA) has been directed to identify the land and prepare a complete road map for the construction of ashrams. “Ashrams would be permanent with enough space where more than 5 lakh people could assemble at a time,” he added.

Simhastha Mela, the largest congregation of Hindus which is held once in 12 years, holds a special place nationally and globally, and the preparations are in full swing keeping all these factors in mind. The state government has already sanctioned a budget of Rs 5,882 crore for Simhastha Mela for several projects, including the construction of ghats along the Kshipra River.

This time, around 15 crore visitors from across the world are expected to visit Ujjain during the month-long Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which will be held in the religious city of Ujjain in 2028. Simhastha Kumbh Mela was last held in 2016. It had then received around 7.5 crore visitors from across the world, according to the government.

As a large number of visitors would land at Indore airport and then drive off to Ujjain for Simhastha Mela, the road connectivity between these two cities would be crucial. Besides this, the Madhya Pradesh government has also been working on strengthening rail connectivity between the two cities. The prominent cities of Ujjain and Indore are 54 km apart, which by road, amounts to a travel time of one hour and 21 minutes.

–IANS

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India Used Digital Tech To Improve Citizens’ Lives As US ‘Wasted’ Opportunities: Paul Romer

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The Commune
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India Used Digital Tech To Improve Citizens’ Lives As US 'Wasted' Opportunities: Paul Romer

Nobel laureate Professor Paul Michael Romer said on Monday that while the United States, which saw the rise of Silicon Valley, failed to use technology to improve the lives of its citizens, India has shown the world how to use digital technology to make the lives of 140 crore people better. Citing the example of digital public infrastructure (DPI) solutions like Aadhaar and Unified Payment Interface (UPI), Romer said the technological opportunities that were presented to the US were “wasted and squandered”.

“The question is, if we are given opportunities, what do we do with those? The digital opportunities that were given to the US were wasted and squandered phenomenally,” Prof. Paul Romer said during the ‘NDTV World Summit 2024’. UPI-based transaction volume surged 52 per cent to 78.97 billion in the first half of this year (H1 2024), from 51.9 billion in the same period last year. Similarly, the value of transactions grew by 40 per cent, increasing from Rs 83.16 lakh crore to Rs 116.63 lakh crore in the first six months of this year. Hailing the Aadhaar initiative, the Nobel laureate said that digital technology was used to give citizens existence and further access to various government schemes seamlessly.

“The government has an important role to function as a regulator to effectively utilise technology for public good,” the top economist said. “The government in India was happy to make apps (like UPI). It did not happen in the US. People in India can see how because of the government’s technological and digital intervention, their lives have become better,” said Romer, a former Chief Economist of the World Bank.

He further stated that problems like climate change can be tackled with technological innovation without compromising economic growth. According to the economist, the digital revolution in India is very different from most countries of the world, where the target is only a lucky few beneficiaries. “India’s story is unique because it is providing benefits to all,” he said.

–IANS

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India Deserving G4 Member For UNSC Seat: German Ambassador

By
The Commune
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India Deserving G4 Member For UNSC Seat: German Ambassador

India is an important part of the world equation and along with other G4 members a deserving candidate for a seat in the UN Security Council, said Ambassador of Germany to India and Bhutan Philipp Ackermann on Monday. Speaking at a session on “Geo-Political Disruptions: Emerging Powers vs Existing Powers” at the NDTV World Summit 2024 here, Ambassador of Germany to India and Bhutan Ackermann said there appeared to be a lack of willingness and preparedness on the part of China and Russia on the issue of reform in the UNSC.

“Everybody says that there should be a larger UNSC but it is more of a lip service, they do not have real intention to do so,” said the German Ambassador while calling upon G4 partners not to give up hope. “We have to keep on fighting, India, Germany, Japan and Brazil belong to the table,” he said. Talking about the India-Canada row, he said it was an unfortunate situation considering that both countries have a long relationship. “They should be able to find a way,” he said. Ambassador of Brazil to India Kenneth H. da Nobrega hailed India’s leadership in pushing for the agenda of the Global South as it has a cultural heritage and it is focusing on the 21st century challenges.

“The vision of PM Modi regarding leadership of the Global South is admirable and Brazil is willing to be a partner,” he said. The Brazilian Ambassador also highlighted his country’s commitment to work with India in the field of countering climate change. “India is moving very fast to achieve green targets and Brazil is sharing its bio-fuel success story with it,” he said. Ambassador Nobrega said one-size-fits-all solutions would do the trick and Brazil believed in technological neutrality in the field of renewable energy. The German Ambassador added by saying, “Without India, the fight against climate change is senseless.” India’s former permanent Representative of India to the UN Syed Akbaruddin suggested a reset in the manner in which G4 engages with others on the issue of reform in the UNSC. Outlining the challenges that may be thrown up in coming years, he said countries would need to forge partnerships to counter challenges which may be thrown up by non-state players or which are trans-boundary.

Talking about West Asia challenges, Ashok Malik, Partner Chair of India Practice, The Asia Group, said India could plan for a role in the post-conflict times. “We should be planning for the day after. Israel, the Arab world and India, as a stakeholder, could play a role in maybe post-conflict Gaza, post-conflict Lebanon,” he said, adding that spaces were opening up as Iranian proxies get pushed back.

Earlier, during his inaugural address at the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India did not build relations on a “taken-for-granted” basis, highlighting that trust and reliability were the foundations of the country’s relations with the global community. “Our progress brings joy to the world and not jealousy,” said PM Modi, in a veiled message to China which is often criticised for its perceived expansionist policies and predatory lending.

–IANS

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EAM Jaishankar Slams Canadian ‘Double Standards’

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The Commune
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EAM Jaishankar Slams Canadian 'Double Standards'

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Monday slammed the “double standards” adopted by the Justin Trudeau-led government in Canada on the way it treats Indian envoys, and its expectations from New Delhi on Canadian diplomats’ privileges. Speaking on the topic, “The India Century – Diplomacy Redefined” at the two-day “NDTV World Summit 2024 – The India Century” event, EAM Jaishankar said: “The licence they give themselves is totally different from the restrictions they impose on diplomats in Canada.”

Referring to the troubled relations with Canada in recent times, S. Jaishankar said Canada has a problem with Indian diplomats trying to find out about what is happening there in relation to India, “but the Canadian diplomat in India will have no problem with collecting information on our military or police, profiling people, targeting people to be stopped in Canada”. He also took a swipe at Ottawa for interpreting freedom of expression as per its own convenience. When we tell them that there are people openly threatening leaders and diplomats of India, their answer is “freedom of speech”, the External Affairs Minister said, slamming the Canadian government for saying that issuing threats to air carriers was part of freedom of speech.

Hinting that Canada’s credibility was taking a hit due to its double speak on freedom of speech, the minister said the Canadian government can list out 20-25 Indian journalists saying they are interfering in my country because they have made social media posts and this is the same government that says threat to airlines is part of freedom of speech. He also shared the example of an objection raised by Ottawa when an Indian journalist said in a post that the Canadian envoy walked out of the South Block looking very grumpy and Ottawa called it foreign interference. “There are countries which feel your concerns don’t matter. That’s part of our politics. But if the slightest of thing happens to them, even if it is legitimate, they start jumping up and down,” S. Jaishankar said.

Despite the diplomatic row, EAM Jaishankar said that India would like to maintain people-to-people relations with Canada even though New Delhi is having problems with a segment of politics in that country. “I won’t be so anxious on issues like about the safety of Indian families there,” he said. Earlier, in his first reaction after being withdrawn by New Delhi following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s continued “hostility” towards India, senior diplomat and High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma on Sunday termed the allegations levelled by Ottawa as “politically motivated” with no evidence whatsoever presented by the Canadian government of India’s alleged involvement in last year’s killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

“Nothing at all. No evidence was presented. Politically motivated,” Verma told Canada’s CTV ahead of his departure from the country. India recently decided to withdraw its High Commissioner and “other targeted diplomats and officials” from Canada after the Trudeau government – in what was termed as “preposterous imputations” by New Delhi – suggested that the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats are ‘persons of interest’ in a matter related to an investigation in the country.

–IANS

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Russia Has Never Done Anything To Impact India’s Interests Negatively: EAM Jaishankar

By
The Commune
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Russia Has Never Done Anything To Impact India's Interests Negatively: EAM Jaishankar

A day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s departure to Kazan for the 16th BRICS Summit, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar hailed the longstanding and time-tested India-Russia relationship, which has advanced to a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership over the past 10 years. “If you look at our history with Russia after Independence, Russia has never done anything to negatively impact our interests. Among the major countries, there are not many about whom you can say this,” Jaishankar said at the NDTV World Summit.

In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Moscow on a two-day visit to Russia – his first to the country since 2019 and first to its capital after 2015. During the visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin conferred PM Modi with the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, Russia’s highest civilian award. A lot had changed in the region after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 but India-Russia partnership has remained resilient in the wake of multiple geopolitical challenges that the world has been facing. “Today Russia’s situation is different, I think Russia’s relationship with the West has obviously broken down. So, you have a Russia which is turning much more towards Asia. We need to ask ourselves that if Russia is looking at Asia, should Russia not have multiple options in Asia? Should we not do what is good for us in national interests?” the EAM stated.

While New Delhi has maintained a steady relationship with Moscow even as PM Modi repeatedly asserted that no solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives and that escalation of hostilities and violence is in no one’s interest, India-Russia bilateral trade continues to increase, touching close to $65 billion in 2023-24, primarily due to strong energy cooperation between the two countries. “Clearly, Russia as a major natural resources power has a complementarity with India at this stage of development when we are big resource consumers. It isn’t just Russian oil, it could be fertilisers, metals, coal. There is a whole economic logic to it. There is also a basic strategic logic, that if you look at the Eurasian landmass, there are three big countries. You always keep a balance, a relationship with the further away country in a very good state,” added Jaishankar.

At the same time, the Russian President continues to hail India’s rising global stature and the strength of its growing economy under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Putin and Modi are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan which is being held under the theme of ‘Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security’ and will provide an important platform for leaders to discuss key global issues.

–IANS

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Tamil Nadu: Cyber Crime Arrest Six People In Online Trading Scam

By
The Commune
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TN Cyber Crime Arrest Six People In Online Trading Scam

The cyber wing of the Tamil Nadu Police have arrested six people for dupping a person of Rs 14 crore, an official said. Sandeep Mittal, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Cyber Crime said that the group was involved in running an online share trading scam and was misleading victims into investing in fake share trading opportunities.

“These cyber criminals formed a group via WhatsApp and created share investment apps. They said that the group had misled people into believing that they could earn up to 500 times their investments by trading shares online,” said the ADGP. He added that the group had circulated false information suggesting that many people are making significant profits through these apps, thereby cheating the public under the guise of online share trading. Police said that a gang member had introduced himself working with an institution called Black Rock Asset Management Business School on a WhatsApp call. The caller, according to the cyber wing police, falsely claimed that investing in Black Rock would yield a 500 per cent profit within two months.

The complainant also said that the caller had told him that the company was SEBI-approved. The complainant was also convinced to invest with a stipulation that he must pay a 20 per cent service charge on the profits generated from the investment. “The complainant was asked to download a mobile app through a link and subsequently invested Rs 14 crore into various bank accounts. On finding that the invested money was not being returned, the investor filed a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal,” the Police in the statement said.

The police registered an FIR at Cyber Crime Wing Headquarters, Chennai – SCCIC (State Cyber Crime Investigation Centre), and the police retrieved the money from 13 bank accounts. After analysing the call records and money trail, the special team of police arrested V. Subramanian, 39, from Chengalpattu and based on his confession, the other suspects were arrested. The arrested are M. Madan (43) from Neelankarai, who owns a chit company in T. Nagar; R. Saravanapriyan (34) from Thiruvallur, who is an associate producer in the film industry; Sathish Singh (46) from Avadi, who is an associate of Saravanapriyan; Shafahed (38) from Pulianthope, who owns a shop that converts currency and D. Manikandan (30) from Madurai, who previously worked at a cine producer’s office in Chennai. Additionally, two cryptocurrency wallet accounts were also frozen.

–IANS

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EAM Jaishankar Labels India-China LAC Patrolling Agreement As ‘Positive Development’, Advises Less Speculation On Road Ahead

By
The Commune
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EAM Jaishankar Labels India-China LAC Patrolling Agreement As 'Positive Development'.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Monday termed the India-China agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh as a “positive development” and a product of very “patient and persevering diplomacy”.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced Monday afternoon that both countries, after discussions that have taken place over past several weeks, arrived at an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the LAC leading to disengagement and eventually a resolution of the issues that had arisen in the region 2020 following the violent Galwan Valley face-off in June 2020. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit immediately after Misri made the announcement, EAM Jaishankar said that the agreement creates the basis for peace and tranquillity which should be there in the border areas and existed before 2020 – something which had been India’s major concern over the past few years for the bilateral relationship to turn normal.

“At various points of time, people almost gave up. We have always maintained that on the one hand, we had to obviously do the counter deployments… But, side by side, we have been negotiating since September 2020 when I met my Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Moscow. It has been a very patient process, maybe more complicated than what it could and should have been. The fact is that if we are able to, as we now have, reach an understanding regarding patrolling and observing the sanctity of the LAC, then, I think, it creates the basis for peace and tranquillity which there should be in border areas and existed there before 2020,” remarked Jaishankar.

Ever since the Chinese side attempted to transgress the LAC along the India-China border, New Delhi had made it clear that upholding peace and tranquillity on the ground has to be in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments. The EAM, however, advised to exercise caution and not go too fast on speculating immediate outcomes, insisting that the agreement has just happened and there will be discussions and meetings to plan the next steps.

“We are neighbours and have an unresolved boundary issue. They have been rising and we too have been rising. So, if two large neighbouring countries next to each other in the same time frame, it is not easy and there are very few historical parallels for that. Managing this double rise and that too in proximity will require a lot of skills, deftness and diplomacy. The truth is that our capabilities will change, our influence will change and our ambitions will change. Both of us would naturally want to be bigger, more visible and more effective in the world. How to get an equilibrium in our relationship will be one big issue, for us and them” the EAM opined.

–IANS

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Son Of Actor Vijay Sethupathi Says He Struggles Hard With 500 Daily Pocket Money From Dad, Netizens React

By
The Commune
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Son Of Actor Vijay Sethupathi Says He Struggles Hard With 500 Daily Pocket Money From Dad, Netizens React

Surya Sethupathi, the son of renowned actor Vijay Sethupathi, has found himself at the centre of controversy following his comments about his family’s ‘financial‘ struggles. The budding actor is set to make his cinematic debut in the film Phoenix (Veezhaan), directed by acclaimed stunt master Anal Arasu, which is slated to hit theaters on 14 November 2024.

He was already seen in Naanum Rowdy Thaan, playing his father’s younger self and in the 2019 release Sindhubaadh. This year he is expecting to see the release of two films – Viduthalai Part 2 apart from Phoenix.

Despite his father’s immense popularity across Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema, Surya’s recent remarks have drawn criticism rather than support. During the announcement of his film, he claimed, “I have come to this place because of hardship since my childhood. My father gives me 500 rupees daily for expenses. That’s why I have come to win in cinema.”

These statements were met with ridicule on social media, where netizens expressed disbelief at the notion of enduring hardship on a daily allowance of just 500 rupees.

Netizen Reactions

One netizen shared a clipping of a Lollu Sabha episode where a sister is seen studying “hard” by keeping her book at a distance and struggling to read to justify her brother’s hardwork taking care of the family. The sister character was mocked as Surya.

https://twitter.com/ValuBoy/status/1848257265381282292

Another calling it a PR failure wrote, “PR failure. If I was advising this kid, the statement would read this: “My father gives 15,000 Rs per month and I have to live with that money, come what way. This has helped me understand the world better by living a frugal lifestyle“

Here are some other netizen reactions:

https://twitter.com/raj_cricspace/status/1848254838158832032

The backlash intensified following Surya’s earlier comments, where he seemed to distance himself from his father’s legacy. He stated, “Father is different and I am different. Even on the poster, I have put Surya. I did not put my name as Surya Sethupathi.” This attempt to carve out his identity has been perceived by many as disingenuous, especially given his privileged background in the film industry.

Critics have pointed out that these statements reflect a disconnect from reality instead of fostering humility. As Surya Sethupathi prepares for his debut, the scrutiny over his comments raises questions about the challenges of navigating fame and expectation in the shadow of a prominent father.

(With inputs from ABPLive)

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Unlawful Transfer Of 57 Acres Of Agricultural Land To Waqf Board Reversed Thanks To BJP Tamil Nadu Leader H Raja’s Efforts

By
The Commune
-
57 acres of agricultural land in Ranipet District was recovered from the Waqf Board for Hindu farmers BJP leader H Raja.

In a significant turn of events, the Convenor, Co-ordination Committee, BJP Tamil Nadu, H Raja, successfully recovered 57 acres of agricultural land in Veppur village, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu, that was unlawfully transferred to the Waqf Board in January 2023 for Hindu farmers.

In January 2023, a significant parcel of agricultural land was unlawfully transferred to the Waqf Board. This land, originally held by a man named Wahab in the early 1900s, was divided among his four wives after his death. The wives mortgaged the land to Hindu farmers, who eventually won a court case in Chengalpet, resulting in the issuance of pattas (land titles) to these farmers. For nearly 40 to 50 years, these families cultivated the 57-acre plot, which became their sole source of income.

However, the situation changed abruptly when Tamil Nadu Minister R. Gandhi, accompanied by the district collector and police, arrived in the village and announced that the land was now classified as Waqf property. This action was taken without any prior notice or adherence to legal procedures, despite protests from the affected families. During the confrontation, government officials claimed they were acting on orders from the Waqf Board, stating that they were instructed to survey the land and enforce its control.

When villagers questioned the legitimacy of this sudden change, they were met with evasive responses from officials. They highlighted that the names on the land records could not have changed so rapidly, raising concerns about the legality of the transfer. Many families, who relied on this land for their livelihood, expressed their desperation and helplessness as their rights to the land were disregarded.

This significant achievement of retrieving the land was met with gratitude from the Hindu farmer family, who expressed their thanks to the BJP leadership and H Raja for their support in reclaiming their land.

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