Sitharaman to arrive in Kohima on Monday for 3-day visit to Nagaland
Kohima: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to arrive here on Monday on a three-day visit to Nagaland to participate in various programmes, including the state government’s first conclave on corporate social responsibility and investment, an official said. She will inaugurate the CSR and investment event at Nagaland Baptist Church Council Convention Centre at 4pm in the presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Sitharaman will also participate in the investors and bankers’ meet with a specific focus on Nagaland and is likely to announce various CSR projects of corporate houses and industries during the conclave, the official said. According to official sources, more than 100 corporate delegates and investors from various parts of the country have confirmed participation in the three-day event and are expected to extend CSR funding up to Rs 160 crore. The conclave on corporate social responsibility and investment is open to all the civil society organisations of the state who will propose over 400 projects to attract investors, of which mostly are related to the health and education sectors. The conclave, which was earlier scheduled to be held on 4 and 5 July, was postponed as the union minister was not able to visit the state at that time.
Naga issue: NSCN(IM) sticks to demand for separate flag, constitution
Dimapur, Nagaland: The NSCN(IM) has said in a statement on Sunday that it would not forego the demand for a separate flag and ‘Yehzabo’ (constitution) in any circumstance to achieve a final solution to the vexed Naga political issue. The Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM), which is holding peace talks with the government for over two decades, said it attaches great importance to the Naga flag and constitution as part of the solution. The NSCN(IM) and the Centre signed a framework agreement in 2015 to find a solution to the political issue. The framework agreement came after over 80 rounds of negotiations spanning 18 years, with the first breakthrough in 1997 when the ceasefire pact was sealed after decades of insurgency in Nagaland which started soon after Independence in 1947. The union government has also been holding a separate parley with Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) comprising seven organisations since 2017. However, the final solution is yet to see the light of the day mainly because of the unwillingness of the government to accept the NSCN(IM)’s persistent demand for a separate flag and constitution.
Hundreds of farmers reach Delhi to take part in ‘mahapanchayat’
New Delhi: Hundreds of farmers from different states started reaching Delhi amid heavy security arrangements to participate in a ‘mahapanchayat’ called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) at Jantar Mantar on Monday. SKM Leaders claimed at some locations, farmers were being stopped from reaching Jantar Mantar, a claim denied by the Delhi Police. “The mahapanchayat is a one day-long peaceful event where we will reiterate our demands such as a legal guarantee on MSP and cancellation of Electricity Amendment Bill 2022 among others,” said Abhimanyu Singh Kohar, SKM (non-political) member and organiser of the ‘mahapanchayat’. He, however, added that the police is yet to give permission for the ‘mahapanchayat’ at Jantar Mantar. In November 2020, thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh had camped at border points around Delhi against Centre’s three farm laws, which were repealed a year later. The farmers had suspended their movement in December last year after the Centre assured them to consider their other demands concerning legal guarantee on MSP, withdrawal of cases against them among others.
Security beefed up ahead of ‘mahapanchayat’ called by farmers’ body in Delhi
New Delhi: Security was beefed up on Monday at Delhi borders, including Singhu and Ghazipur, ahead of the ‘mahapanchayat’ called by farmers’ body at Jantar Mantar, police said on Monday. They said all vehicles entering the capital are being checked and police personnel are on ‘alert mode’. Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Dependra Pathak said, “We have made adequate arrangements to ensure that the law and order is maintained and there is no loss of life and property.” According to the police, extra barricades have been put up at Jantar Mantar along with heavy police deployment. Anyone trying to gain entry will be checked thoroughly to avoid any undue gathering which may give rise any untoward situation, police said. Traffic movement may be affected in many parts of Delhi as the police have put barricades at border points, officials said.
Kejriwal attacks Centre over inflation, unemployment
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday attacked the Centre over a host of issues, including inflation and unemployment, and wondered how will the nation progress like this. Who will people talk to about their issues when these people are playing ‘CBI-ED’ and are busy toppling governments, he said in a tweet in Hindi. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had on Sunday declared that the 2024 Lok Sabha polls will be a contest between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the AAP chief. Sisodia had said people are looking at Kejriwal as an alternative to Modi since the former talks about issues affecting the common man.
FTX Crypto Cup: Praggnanandhaa beats Carlsen in final round but loses out on top prize
Miami: Young Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa produced a superb performance, winning three straight games including two in the blitz tie-breaks to outwit world No 1 Magnus Carlsen 4-2 in the final round of the FTX Crypto Cup here on Monday. However, despite the win over Carlsen, the 17-year old could only take second place in the final standings. The Norwegian won the top prize on the basis of a higher score. He finished with 16 match points to the Indian prodigy’s tally of 15. The eight-player all-play-all tournament was the American finale of the Champions Chess Tour. Each match was played over four rapid games, with blitz tiebreaks in case of a 2-2 draw. Praggnanandhaa has been in splendid form this year and had previously beaten the world champion twice in online events. He also played a crucial role in the India ‘B’ team claiming a bronze medal in the 44th chess Olympiad in Chennai recently.
BWF World Championships: Praneeth losses, Ashwini-Sikki, Tanisha-Ishaan win on day 1
Tokyo: B Sai Praneeth failed to cross the opening hurdle after losing in three games but India registered twin wins in women’s and mixed doubles competition on the opening day of the BWF World Championships here on Monday. Praneeth, a 2019 bronze medallist, put up a brave effort before going down 15-21 21-15 15-21 to world number 4 Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in little over an hour. However, former Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy progressed to the women’s doubles second round with a 21-7 21-9 win over Maldives’ Aminath Nabeeha Abdul Razzaq and Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq. In mixed doubles, Tanisha Crasto and Ishaan Bhatnagar defeated German duo of Patrick Scheiel and Franziska Volkmann 21-13 21-13 in 29 minutes to also make a positive start to their campaign.
Gippy Grewal-starrer Shinda Shinda No Papa to release on 14 April 2023
Mumbai: Shinda Shinda No Papa, a Punjabi film starring Gippy Grewal and his son Shinda, will be released on 14 April 2023 on the occasion of Baisakhi. A Yoodlee Films production, the movie is billed as a “hilarious take on parenting”. Amarpreet Chhabra has directed the film from a script by Naresh Kathooria. According to the makers, Shinda Shinda No Papa marks the first on-screen collaboration of Grewal with his son. “The film has a rollercoaster of emotions and shows how a father manages his disobedient son while moving from the UK to India. I am very excited to work with my son Shinda and bring our real-life chemistry to the screen,” Grewal said in a statement issued on Monday.
Have identified more K-dramas for Indian adaptations: Duranga creator Goldie Behl
New Delhi: The trend of adapting Korean dramas or K-dramas for Indian audiences is here to stay, says producer Goldie Behl, who has backed Duranga, the Hindi version of the popular show Flower of Evil. Behl, also the creator of the ZEE5 web series Duranga, said he and the team at his production house Rose Audio Visuals are currently working towards acquiring the rights of more Korean-language serials. The producer told PTI in an interview that the team was inclined towards making an official adaptation of Flower of Evil, which originally starred Korean stars Lee Joon-gi and Moon Chae-won, because of the twists and turns of its plot. Behl said they have localised the show, directed by Pradeep Sarkar and Aijaz Khan, and adapted it according to the sensibilities of the Hindi-speaking audience. Duranga is billed as the first Indian adaptation of a K-drama and Behl believes this is just the beginning. Earlier this year, it was reported that Something in the Rain, the popular K-drama starring Son Ye-jin and Jung Hae-in, is also set for an Indian remake.
