Chhatarpur (Madhya Pradesh):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu are scheduled to visit Bageshwar Dham in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur on February 23 and 26 respectively, a district official said on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters, Chhatarpur district collector Parth Jaiswal said the administration is making arrangements in view of the scheduled visits of the dignitaries.

“PM Modi and President Murmu are scheduled to visit Bageshwar Dham on February 23 and 26 respectively. In view of their visits, security is being tightened and 1,500 to 2,000 jawans will be deployed there,” he said.

Other arrangements, like water and toilets, will be made for the devotees attending the programme. The venue of the event was divided into 30 to 35 sectors, and 25 to 30 big TV screens will be installed so that people can watch the programme, he said.

More than 100 CCTV cameras are being installed as part of the security arrangements, he said.

A temporary hospital is also being set up at the programme venue and a proper traffic plan is being put in place to avoid jams, Jaiswal said.

Arrangements are being made to accommodate 50,000 to 80,000 people at the venue, he said, adding that five helipads have been constructed.

On Monday evening, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited Bageshwar Dham and took stock of the arrangements in view of the visits of the dignitaries.

Dheerendra Krishna Shastri, the head of the Bageshwar Dham, on Monday said PM Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of a cancer hospital on February 23 after offering prayers at the temple.

On February 26, a mass marriage will be organised in which 251 destitute girls will tie nuptial knots, and the event will be attended by President Murmu, he said. 

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

New Delhi:

The change of guard ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan will now be held in a new format, featuring an elaborate visual and musical performance against the backdrop of the presidential palace, an official statement said on Sunday.

The new format includes military drills by troops and horses of the President’s Bodyguard, along with personnel from the Ceremonial Guard Battalion and the Ceremonial Military Brass Band. The display will be spread over a larger area, the statement added.

President Droupadi Murmu witnessed the inaugural ceremony in its new format on Sunday at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, according to the statement issued by her office.

The ceremony will be open to a larger number of visitors from February 22, the statement said.

Change of guard, a time-honoured military tradition, was introduced as a ceremonial event in 2007 at Rashtrapati Bhavan allowing a fresh group of the President’s Bodyguard to take charge.

In 2012 the ceremony was made a public event giving citizens an opportunity to attend the event, officials said.

Previously held between Jaipur Column and gate number 1, it has now been shifted to the forecourt, expanding the capacity to over a thousand spectators, they said.

Conducted weekly, this ceremony marks formal handover of duties between the outgoing and incoming guards.

The ceremony attended by Murmu on Sunday showcased synchronised movements by the Ceremonial Battalion, precision drills by the President’s Bodyguard (PBG) and performance by the Ceremonial Band, reflecting the discipline, heritage, and pride of the Indian armed forces.

Raised in 1773, the President’s Bodyguard (PBG) is the senior-most regiment of the Indian Army, tasked with ceremonial duties for the president. PBG personnel are skilled horsemen, tank operators, and paratroopers.

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

New Delhi:

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday unveiled the new flag and insignia of the Supreme Court to commemorate the 75th year of its establishment.

Addressing the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of District Judiciary organised by the supreme court, President Murmu said the Supreme Court has made an invaluable contribution as a vigilant sentinel of the judicial system of the world’s largest democracy.

Indian jurisprudence has a very respectable place because of the Supreme Court, the President added.

She appreciated that on the completion of 75 years of its establishment, the Supreme Court had organised many programmes which have increased people’s trust and attachment towards our judicial system.

President Murmu reiterated that people consider every judge in the country as God and every judge and judicial officer of the country has the moral responsibility to respect dharma, truth, and justice.

“The district-level courts determine the image of the judiciary in the minds of crores of citizens. Therefore, providing justice to the people through the district courts with sensitivity and promptness and at a low cost is the basis of the success of our judiciary,” she said.

The President highlighted that in recent years there have been significant improvements in the availability of infrastructure, facilities, training and human resources of the judiciary at the district level but a “lot remains to be done in all these areas”.

She said that pendency and backlog of cases is a big challenge before the judiciary and cases remain pending for as long as over 32 years.

President Murmu emphasised that programmes such as special Lok Adalat week should be organised more frequently to tackle the pendency of cases.

She suggested making arrangements to provide justice in the local language and local conditions to achieve the ideal of taking justice to everyone’s doorstep.

“The judiciary, government, and police administration should work together to find solutions to issues related to evidence and witnesses,” she added.

Concluding her address, President Murmu expressed her confidence that by implementing the new criminal justice laws, our judiciary will usher in a new era of justice.

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

New Delhi:

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said that efforts need to be made to change the “culture of adjournments” in courts to ensure swift justice.

Addressing the valedictory event of the two-day National Conference of the District Judiciary here, she said that the pendency of court cases is a big challenge for “all of us”.

“All possible efforts need to be made to change the culture of adjournments in courts,” she said.

President Murmu said all judges of the country have the responsibility to protect justice.

She said common people’s stress level increases in courtroom settings, a phenomenon she coined as “Black court syndrome,” and suggested it be studied.

She also expressed happiness over the increase in the number of women judicial officers.

The event was attended by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal. Preisdent Murmu also released a flag and insignia of the Supreme Court during the programme held at the Bharat Mandapam here. 

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

New Delhi:

Droupadi Murmu, who completed two years as President of India today, took up the role of a teacher, engaging with students of Dr Rajendra Prasad Kendriya Vidyalaya at the President’s Estate in Delhi. During her interaction, she discussed pressing issues like global warming and suggested various ways to conserve the environment.

Born on June 20, 1958, in Uparbeda village of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, Ms Murmu was sworn in as the 15th President of India on July 25 in 2022. Prior to her presidency, she served as the governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021.

LIVE: President Droupadi Murmu teaches the students of Class IX of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Kendriya Vidyalaya, President’s Estate, on completion of 2 year of Presidency https://t.co/FIrBrZp8qJ

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 25, 2024

Addressing a group of Class 9 students, President Murmu highlighted the importance of water conservation and afforestation as vital steps to combat climate change. “We should plant more trees. We should also take steps to reduce water wastage and conserve it through rainwater harvesting,” she told the students. President Murmu also talked about air pollution, exploring practical ways to mitigate its effects.

“I really enjoyed interacting with you. I got the opportunity to learn a lot from you all. You are studying in Class 9 and you are very aware of the impact of global warming. I am sure, when you grow up, global warming will be reduced,” President Murmu said.

In a nod to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, she encouraged the students to plant a tree on their birthdays, reinforcing the significance of individual contributions to environmental preservation.

 

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.

The central government on Sunday initiated the process of notifying the dates of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections by sending the Election Commission’s recommendation to President Droupadi Murmu, according to the sources.

According to sources, the Cabinet meeting held this morning recommended to the President to issue the notifications for the different phases.

“The Cabinet approved to recommend to the President for issuing statutory notifications under sub-section (2) of Section 14 of the Representation of the People Act 1951 from the Parliamentary constituencies for the election of members of the Lok Sabha,” the sources said.

The first notification will be issued on March 20 for the first phase of polls on April 19 in 102 seats. The nomination process begins for a particular phase with the issuance of the notification.

The issuing of notifications would begin the election process for constituting the Eighteenth House of the People.

Based on the recommendation, the Law Ministry prepares a proposal for the Union Cabinet, which recommends to the President to approve the issuance of notifications for the different phases.

The elections for the 18th Lok Sabha will begin on April 19 followed by subsequent phases on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1, according to the schedule announced by the Election Commission on Saturday.

As per the sources, the PM has also asked the ministers to prepare a roadmap for the first 100 days and the next 5 years of the new government with the officers and secretaries of their ministries.

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

New Delhi:

Six women from West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali met President Droupadi Murmu here on Friday and demanded that central security force personnel be deployed in the area for the protection of women.

Addressing the media shortly after meeting the President, one of the women who has travelled with her toddler said she fears for her life when she returns home.

“I don’t know what will happen when I return, we have been threatened that if we speak there will be repercussions,” she said in an emotional tone.

She even collapsed after the press briefing.

Another woman said they have demanded deployment of central forces in Sandeshkhali to ensure their protection.

According to her, the President said that she is looking into the issue seriously.

The six women demanded justice in their memorandum to the President.

They came here with some RSS members and social activist Parth Biswas who called the situation in Sandeshkhali “very dire”.

“Sheikh Shahjahan’s modus operandi was to grab land of the poor people, then inundate it with salt water so that the land turns infertile and then use it for pisciculture,” Biswas, who also heads NGO Center for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Support and Research, said.

He said 11 women from Sandeshkhali reached out to his organisation and six out of them have travelled to Delhi.

These six women would be holding a protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday and Biswas called on the Dalit leaders to join the protest.

Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24-Parganas district has been tense with a large number of women in the locality accusing TMC strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of “land-grab and sexually assaulting” them under coercion.

Sheikh, who had been absconding since January 5 when a mob attacked Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers during a raid at his residence in connection with an alleged ration scam, was arrested in the last week of February.

 

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

New Delhi:

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu highlighting the “gross injustice” done to the country’s youths seeking regular employment in the armed forces due to the Agnipath scheme and urged her to ensure justice for them.

The future of nearly 2 lakh young men and women has become uncertain due to the decision taken by the Centre, Mr Kharge said in his letter to the President.

The President is also the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces.

Mr Kharge shared his letter on X and said the Congress is with the youths in the fight for justice for the armed forces aspirants “who are full of patriotism and bravery”.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also shared Mr Kharge’s letter on X.

In his letter to President Murmu, Mr Kharge said, “My main purpose in writing to you is to highlight the ‘anyay’ or injustice inflicted on the lakhs of youth whose dreams did not materialise despite the solemn promise made by the government of India.” These youths spent years in pursuit of their dreams and “the resulting frustration and hopelessness has even led to several reported deaths by suicide”, he claimed.

“Our youths cannot be allowed to suffer in this manner. I appeal to you to ensure that NYAY and justice is done,” he said.

Mr Kharge said he recently met a group of young men and women who had been selected for service with the Indian Armed Forces “but were cruelly denied the opportunity to serve their country”.

“Recently I met them and they told me that between 2019 and 2022, almost 2 lakh young men and women were informed that they had been accepted into the three armed services: the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. These young men and women had struggled against all odds to pass gruelling mental and physical tests and a written exam.

“Until 31 May 2022, they believed that they had fulfilled their dreams and were awaiting only their joining letters. On that day, their dreams were shattered by the government of India’s decision to end this recruitment process and replace it with the Agnipath scheme,” he said.

Former Army chief General M M Naravane has written in his memoir that the Army was “taken by surprise” by the Agnipath and that “for the Navy and the Air Force, it came like a bolt from the blue”, the Congress leader noted.

There are many issues with the Agnipath scheme, Mr Kharge said, adding the scheme is “discriminatory” as it creates parallel cadres of soldiers who are expected to work on similar tasks with very different emoluments, benefits and prospects.

“The majority of Agniveers will be released into an uncertain job market after four years of service, which some have argued could affect social stability,” he said.

The future of almost 2 lakh young men and women has become uncertain because of decisions taken by the government of India, he added.

In June 2022, the government rolled out the Agnipath recruitment scheme for short-term induction of personnel into the armed forces with an aim to bring down the age profile of the three services.

It provides for recruiting youths between the age bracket of 17-and-a-half years and 21 years for four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.

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