New Delhi:

Smriti Singh, the widow of Captain Anshuman Singh, stood before President Droupadi Murmu with folded hands. Alongside her stood Captain Singh’s mother, their shared grief palpable. Both of them were at the Rashtrapati Bhavan to accept the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest gallantry award, awarded posthumously to Captain Singh for his bravery during a fire incident in Siachen. 

“He would tell me, ‘I would die with the brass on my chest. I would not die an ordinary death,'” Smriti Singh recalled.

“We met on the first day of college. I don’t want to be dramatic but it was love at first sight. After a month, he got selected into the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC). We met at an engineering college but then he got selected in a medical college. Super intelligent guy. From then on, after just one month of meeting, it was a long-distance relationship for eight long years,” she added. “Then we decided to get married. Unfortunately, within two months of our marriage, he got posted in Siachen.”

Cpt #AnshumanSingh was awarded #KirtiChakra (posthumous). It was an emotional moment for his wife & Veer Nari Smt Smriti who accepted the award from #President Smt #DroupadiMurmu. Smt Smriti shares the story of her husband’s commitment & dedication towards the nation. Listen in! pic.twitter.com/SNZTwSDZ1Z

— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) July 6, 2024

Captain Singh was posted with 26 Punjab as a medical officer in the Siachen Glacier area. On July 19, 2023, a short circuit led to a fire in an Indian Army ammunition dump around 3 am. Captain Singh saw a fibreglass hut engulfed in flames and immediately acted to save those trapped inside. He successfully rescued four to five individuals, however, the fire soon spread to a nearby medical investigation room. 

Captain Singh went back into the blazing structure. Despite his efforts, he could not escape the inferno, and was trapped inside before dying.

“Unfortunately, within two months of our marriage, he got posted in Siachen,” Ms Singh recounted. “On July 18, we had a long conversation about how our life would be in the next 50 years. On July 19 morning, I got a call that he is no more,” she said. “For the next 7-8 hours we were not ready to accept that anything of such sort has happened.”

“Now that I have the Kirti Chakra in my hand, maybe it is true. But it’s okay, he’s a hero. We can manage a little of our lives. He has given all his life to save other families, his army family,” Ms Singh said. 

Captain Singh was cremated with full state honours in Bhagalpur in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district on July 22, 2023. 

New Delhi:

President Droupadi Murmu addressed a joint sitting of Parliament today. In her address President assured the nation that in the upcoming Parliament sessions, major economic and social decisions, and historical steps will be announced during the Union Budget.

Congratulating the new MPs in her first address to the joint sitting of Parliament after the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha, President Murmu said she hoped they would act as the medium for fulfilling the aspirations of the people of India.

Here is the full text of President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the Parliament:

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate and MP from Kota, Om Birla was elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha after the motion for the same was moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seconded by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The motion was adopted by the house through a voice vote.

This is the first Lok Sabha session post-general elections in which the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) bagged 293 seats while the INDIA bloc secured 234 seats. The BJP, however, couldn’t reach a majority on its own, as it secured the win in only 240 seats.

The Emergency imposed in 1975 was the biggest attack and a blot on the Constitution of India, President Droupadi Murmu said today in her address to a joint sitting of the Parliament. This is her first address to Parliament after the general election elected a new Lok Sabha this year.

“The Emergency in 1975 was the biggest attack on the Constitution of India and a blot on it,” the President said, amid cheers from the treasury benches and protests by the Opposition.

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar echoed the President on the Emergency and said it had “attacked the Constitution”.

The President’s remark comes against the backdrop of a heated exchange between the ruling BJP and the Opposition on Emergency. While central ministers, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have stressed on the horrors of the Emergency imposed by the Indira Gandhi government, the Congress and its allies have said an “undeclared emergency” is in the force over the past 10 years of Narendra Modi government.

In her address to Parliament, the President outlined the government’s achievements in the last term and outlined its vision for the ongoing. India, she said, has become the fastest growing major economy in the world and has gone from the 11th spot in 2014 to the 5th in terms of the size of economy. She said the government is now focused on its goal of making India the third-largest economy. “The government is giving equal priority to all three arms: manufacturing, services and agriculture. India is becoming Atmanirbhar in every field at a rapid pace.”

The President’s address also touched upon the burning issue surrounding irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), an all-India exam for admission to medical courses.

The government, she said, is fully committed to investigating the recent incidents of paper leaks and ensure that the guilty are punished. As she made the remarks, cries of “NEET” were heard from the Opposition benches.

“Sanctity, transparency are a must in government recruitments and examinations. The government is committed to conduct fair investigation and ensure the most stringent punishment to those guilty in the recent incidents of paper leak,” she said, adding that there is a need to rise above “partisan politics” and take strong steps on this issue.

New Delhi:

Controversy – from leaked question papers to the award of ‘grace marks’- over the NEET exam for admission to medical courses found mention in President Droupadi Murmu’s speech in Parliament Thursday morning.

Addressing a joint sitting of both Houses – the first in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term, and one likely to be rocked by opposition protests over the NEET row – Ms Murmu said the government is “committed to a fair investigation” and vowed “strict punishment to the culprits”.

“The recent irregularities and paper leaks are being dealt with strongly (and) the government’s focus is on improving the exam process,” the President said amid an uproar over the word ‘NEET’.

“Such incidents (leaked question papers) have happened in many states… there is a need for measures beyond politics,” she told assembled MPs from the ruling and opposition parties.

Concerns over the NEET exam were flagged after an unusually high number of students – a record 67, including six from one coaching centre – scored a perfect 720 in an uber-competitive exam.

There were also red flags over ‘grace marks’ to 1,563 students. On paper these were for students who ran out of time, but it was later confirmed there is no protocol for award of such marks.

The CBI was tasked with investigating allegations of leaked question papers and criminal gangs, dubbed ‘solver gangs’. Multiple arrests – from Bihar, Delhi, and Maharashtra have been made so far.

Among the four men arrested from Bihar was Anurag Yadav, a NEET aspirant who confessed that he, and his friends, had received copies of the question paper 24 hours before the exam.

READ | “Got NEET Paper Night Before Exam”: Arrested Student

Yadav – who was prepping at coaching centre in Rajasthan’s Kota – told cops he had been summoned home by his uncle, Sikandar P Yadavendu, a municipal employee who purchased copies of the question paper from two other accused, and sold them for a profit to Yadav’s friends.

Other arrested include Saneev Mukhiya from Bihar, whom cops have called “the mastermind”, and Iranna Kongalwar from Maharashtra, who ran a coaching centre in the city of Latur.

READ | Half-Shut Windows, Scooters At NEET Leak Accused’s Home

A CBI team also visited a school in Jharkhand’s Hazaribag and questioned its principal.

Nearly 24 lakh students took the NEET exam held on May 5.

Days after the NEET controversy broke the government voided the results of the UGC-NET exam, 48 hours after it was held; this was based on police input that said the paper may have leaked.

The sordid scenario took a predictable political twist too, with members of the opposition – particularly the Congress-led INDIA bloc – targeting the ruling BJP. The government hit back by claiming connections between ex-Bihar Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, whose RJD is part of the INDIA group, and Yadavendu. The RJD denied the claim and accused the BJP of trying to shift focus.

READ | In NEET Row, BJP, RJD Trade Claims Of ‘Link’ To Key Accused

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called BJP-ruled states the “epicentre of paper leak”; the reference was to cops busting a massive paper leak racket for the Uttar Pradesh Police Constable exam.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said a high-level committee will be formed and that the interest of the students is the first priority of the government.

READ |“Forming High-Level Committee, Won’t Spare Anyone”: Minister

Last week CBI sources told NDTV a nationwide corruption racket – run by a handful of key individuals – is likely behind various leaked question papers, including for NEET, UGC-NET (for appointment to professorial posts in colleges and universities) and qualifying exams for state police forces.

READ | Supreme Court Notice Over “Inconsistent Marks” In NEET

Many of these exams are conducted by the National Testing Agency, a central body under fierce scrutiny after the NEET and NET rows, and which received a Supreme Court notice this morning.

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New Delhi:

 Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among a host of prominent leaders who wished President Droupadi Murmu a long and healthy life on her 66th birthday on Thursday.

Scores of citizens and various leaders took to microblogging platform ‘X’ to wish President Murmu, while some dignitaries called on her at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

“On my birthday, I am delighted to receive warm wishes from fellow citizens. Your love and bonding is a source of energy and inspiration for me. I express my thankfulness and wish everyone a bright future,” the president said on X.

On my birthday, I am delighted to receive warm wishes from fellow citizens. Your love and bonding is a source of energy and inspiration for me. I express my thankfulness and wish everyone a bright future.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 20, 2024

She started her day by visiting the Lord Jagannath temple in Delhi where she prayed for the welfare of all citizens.

“Jai Jagannath! Today I visited the Jagannath temple in Delhi and prayed for the welfare of all countrymen and also (wished) that our country continues to set new standards of progress,” the president’s office said in another post on X, in Hindi, along with pictures of the visit.

President Murmu was born on June 20, 1958 at Uparbeda village in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj. She was sworn in as the country’s 15th President on July 25, 2022.

In his birthday greetings to President Murmu, Prime Minister Modi said the president’s “wisdom and emphasis on serving the poor and marginalised are a strong guiding force”.

“Warm birthday wishes to Rashtrapati Ji. Her exemplary service and dedication to our nation inspire us all. Her wisdom and emphasis on serving the poor and marginalised are a strong guiding force,” Modi said in a post on X.

“Her life journey gives hope to crores of people. India will always be grateful to her for her tireless efforts and visionary leadership. May she be blessed with a long and healthy life,” he added.

“Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar along with his wife Dr Sudesh Dhankhar called on President Droupadi Murmu and conveyed birthday greetings to the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan,” read another post on X by her office.

Earlier in the day, the president had visited Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities in New Delhi where she spent time with ‘Divyang’ (diffrently-abled) children, students and witnessed a cultural performance by them.

President Murmu also visited the renovated Prosthesis and Orthosis Centre here and interacted with patients.

She also inaugurated MITTI cafe, which is managed by differently-abled people, in the President’s Estate. She spent time in the cafe and celebrated her birthday with the staff.

MITTI is an award winning non-profit organisation that provides employment and experiential training to adults with physical, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities.

The MITTI cafe is a movement towards an inclusive society where everyone, regardless of their abilities, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute.

The non-profit organisation is creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities and creating awareness about disability through cafes, community meals and skill development initiatives, the president’s secretariat said.

President Murmu also interacted with children of President’s Estate who had participated in summer camp and art workshops organised in Rashtrapati Bhavan during their vacation.

Former president Ram Nath Kovind along with his family members met President Murmu and conveyed birthday greetings to her.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Odisha Governor Raghubar Das and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Ministers of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary and Sukanta Majumdar, also called on President Murmu to wish her.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and his spouse, Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh along with Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita and Minister of State for Rural Development, Kamlesh Paswan also met the president at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

A video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticising Sam Pitroda, the former chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, over alleged racist remarks, has been altered and shared to falsely claim that Modi called President Droupadi Murmu dark skinned.

In a May 2, 2024, interview with The Statesman, Pitroda while trying to give an analogy for India’s diversity said that people from different regions of India resemble Chinese, Arab, White, and African races. He emphasised that despite these differences, Indians have lived together harmoniously for 70-75 years. After this interview, Pitroda was criticised for his remarks, and the Congress party distanced itself from his comments. On May 8, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh announced that Pitroda had resigned from his position in the Indian Overseas Congress.

In 15 seconds video, Modi can be heard saying, “Those who have black skin, they are all from Africa. Droupadi Murmu is also African, and because she has dark skin that’s why she should be defeated”.

The viral video is also being shared on Facebook with the same false claim.

FACT-CHECK

BOOM found that the viral video has been cropped from a longer video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech and has been doctored to change its meaning. In the full speech, Modi criticised Sam Pitroda for alleged racist remarks and claimed that Congress opposed President Droupadi Murmu’s candidature because of her skin color. The viral clip has been culled from a video posted on May 8, 2024 by BJP’s official YouTube channel. From the 44 minutes timestamp, Modi can be heard saying, “I got to know that there is an uncle in America who is the philosophical guide of ‘Shehzada’ and just like the third umpire in cricket this ‘Shehzada’ takes advice from the third umpire. This philosophical uncle said that those who have black skin are from Africa. This means that you are abusing several people in the country on the basis of their skin colour.”

The viral clip has been culled from a video posted on May 8, 2024 by BJP’s official YouTube channel. From the 44 minutes timestamp, Modi can be heard saying, “I got to know that there is an uncle in America who is the philosophical guide of ‘Shehzada’ and just like the third umpire in cricket this ‘Shehzada’ takes advice from the third umpire. This philosophical uncle said that those who have black skin are from Africa. This means that you are abusing several people in the country on the basis of their skin colour.” “Then I understood, that looking at the color of the skin, they (Congress) assumed that Droupadi Murmu is African, and because her skin color is black, that’s why we (Congress) should defeat her,” he further alleged.

The part before this has been edited out of the viral video to make the false claim that Modi called Murmu dark skinned. The full speech can be seen here.

(This story was originally published by BOOM, and republished by NDTV as part of the Shakti Collective)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Warangal, Telangana:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today slammed the Congress party and its senior leader Sam Pitroda over the latter’s alleged racist remarks, warning that he would not tolerate “such insult on the basis of skin colour” and that any such further comments could harm the unity of the nation.

Addressing an election rally here, PM Modi said he is quite angry over the remarks made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s “uncle, guide and philosopher” who lives in the United States.

He made it clear that the country will not tolerate any insult to the people in the name of their skin colour.

“I got to know that there is an uncle in America who is the philosophical guide of ‘Shehzada’ and just like the third umpire in cricket this ‘Shehzada’ takes advice from the third umpire. This philosophical uncle said that those who have black skin are from Africa. This means that you are abusing several people in the country on the basis of their skin colour,” said PM Modi.

“He has abused people of my country in the name of their skin colour… However, as your PM and one among you, I affirm that we are all children of Lord Shri Krishna, and we are all equal, regardless of race or creed,” the PM added.

He further said that now it is clear why the Congress party had opposed Droupadi Murmu’s candidature as the President of India.

“Now I have understood that on the basis of the skin colour, they believed that Droupadi Murmu is also African and since her skin colour is black, she should be defeated,” he said.

He asked if the talent of a person be decided on the basis of the colour of the skin.

“I am very angry today. When I am abused, I don’t get angry. But, today the prince’s philosopher has thrown such a big insult that I am filled with anger.”

He remarked those making a hue and cry over the Constitution were insulting the people of India.

PM Modi recalled that in 2014, NDA made Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit, the President of India and in 2019, it chose Droupadi Murmu, a tribal daughter, for the top post.

Sam Pitroda, who is the Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, worked closely with Rajiv Gandhi and is now considered to be quite close to Rahul Gandhi. He had earlier created a massive storm with his remarks on ‘inheritance tax’ in America.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Ayodhya:

Refuting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s claim of not inviting President Droupadi Murmu for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya because of her tribal origin, Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust on Tuesday said that the allegations of the Wayanad MP are “absolutely false, baseless, and misleading”.

Asserting that the President of India was invited to the event held in January this year, Champat Rai, general secretary of the trust said that he has “serious objection” to the allegations levelled by Rahul Gandhi.

“In a meeting in Gujarat, Rahul ji has said that the President Droupadi Murmu was not invited to the occasion of Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya because she is a tribal. As the General Secretary and Trustee of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, I have serious objection to these statements of Rahul ji. These statements are absolutely false, baseless, and misleading,” he said.

He said Rahul Gandhi’s baseless charge about the event that took place three months ago could create divisions in the society.

“These parts of the speech are seriously objectionable for us,” he added.

He also said that both President Murmu and former President Ram Nath Kovind were invited to the Pran Pratishtha.

“People from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and the extremely poor were invited and they came. Also, the shramiks involved in the construction of the mandir were also present in the Prana Pratishtha ceremony. Even during the Prana Pratishtha rituals, many families belonging to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward castes were given the opportunity to worship in the “Goodh Mandap” of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir,” Rai added.

Notably, President Droupadi Murmu will visit Ayodhya and have the darshan of Ram Lalla on Wednesday.

According to the Rashtrapati Bhavan press release, President Murmu will also perform the Saryu pujan and aarti.

“During her stay in Ayodhya, the President will make darshan and aarti at Shri Hanuman Garhi Temple, Prabhu Shri Ram Temple, and Kuber Teela. She will also do the Saryu pujan and aarti,” the release stated.

The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya’s historic temple was held on January 22, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi performing the Vedic rituals, led by a group of priests.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of all major spiritual and religious sects in the country. People from all walks of life, including representatives of various tribal communities, will also attend the ceremony.

The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir is constructed in traditional Nagara style. Its length (east-west) is 380 feet; width is 250 feet and height is 161 feet; and is supported by a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors.

The pillars and walls of the temple showcase intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, Gods, and

Goddesses. In the main sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor, the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram (the idol of Shri Ramlalla) has been placed.

Meanwhile, lakhs of devotees kept thronging Ayodhya after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla. Many are visiting the Hanumangarhi Ram Temple every day and their footfall has been increasing rapidly.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

President Droupadi Murmu with Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, IIT Bombay Director Subhasis Chaudhuri, Tata Memorial Centre Director Sudeep Gupta and others during the launch of the first indigenous CAR-T cell therapy, in Mumbai on April 4, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

President Droupadi Murmu on April 4 launched India’s first indigenously-developed CAR T-cell therapy for treatment of cancer, hailing it as a “major breakthrough” that provides a “new hope for the humankind” in the battle against the disease.

During the launch event held at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay located in Powai in Mumbai, she also said the development of this therapy is an example of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Developed by the IIT Bombay and the Tata Memorial Centre, this gene-based therapy will help in curing different types of cancer. This NexCAR19 CAR T-cell therapy is the country’s first ‘Made in India’ CAR T-cell therapy, which will significantly bring down the cost of cancer treatment.

Speaking on the occasion, President Murmu said the CAR T-cell therapy is considered as one of the phenomenal advances in medical sciences.

“The development of this therapy is also an example of the ‘Make in India’ initiative and speaks volume about Indian scientists and physicians,” she said.

“The launch of India’s first gene therapy is a major breakthrough in our battle against cancer. As this line of treatment, named CAR T-cell therapy, is accessible and affordable, it provides a new hope for the whole of humankind,” she said.

Sudeep Gupta, Director of the Tata Memorial Centre, said the CAR T-cell therapy has been an enormously expensive treatment which is out of the reach of an overwhelming majority of people.

“NexCAR19 has been rolled out at approximately one-tenth of the price at which it is available outside India,” he said.

IIT Bombay Director Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri said the treatment costs approximately ₹4 crore abroad.

The low-cost CAR T-cell therapy is a huge achievement for our country and for cancer patients in India, and it places India firmly on the global map of cell and gene therapy, he said.

Mr. Gupta said the creation and rollout of NexCAR19 is a historic milestone in the field of cancer care and genetic engineering.

“This treatment is not only a scientific achievement of the highest order, but also has immense practical application. NexCAR19 will save many, many lives and wipe many, many tears,” he said.

New Delhi:

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday extended greetings on Odisha Day, and said the resilient people of the state have made great contribution to the development of Odisha and the country.

Odisha Day or ‘Utkala Dibasa’ marks the formation of Odisha as a separate state on this day in 1936. The state was carved with the splitting of Bihar and Orissa provinces. Orissa was rechristened as Odisha in 2011.

“Warm greetings to people on Odisha Day! Odisha is known for its vast natural wealth and rich cultural heritage. The resilient people of this state have made great contribution in the development of Odisha and the country.

“Odisha has produced many icons over the centuries, including several makers of modern India. May Lord Jagannath bless the state and its people with greater success and prosperity!” she said in a post on X. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)