After BJP Attack, Shashi Tharoor Shares Sonia Gandhi's Speech On Hindu Liberalism

In an effort to counter the BJP's claims that the Congress is anti-Hindu, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday highlighted a speech made two decades ago by Sonia Gandhi at the Ramakrishna Mission, emphasising how Hindu liberal thoughts contributed to India's secular identity.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP's move came a day after the BJP criticised the grand old party's decision to decline the invitation to its three top leaders to attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, claiming it exposed the party's inherent opposition to India's culture and Hindu religion.

In a post on social media platform X, where he attached the text of Mrs Gandhi's speech highlighting Swami Vivekananda's views on Hinduism, the Congress Working Committee member expressed his belief that the teachings of Vivekananda carry a highly relevant and impactful message for the present day.

Sonia Gandhi, in her speech on January 12, 1999, when the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government was in power, had expressed concern and sadness over the "appropriation" of Swami Vivekananda -- who had admired "India's pluralistic and composite heritage" -- by certain sections of society.

25 years ago today, then Congress President Sonia Gandhiji delivered this thoughtful address at the #NationalYouthDay function at the Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi on 12th January 1999. It is hard to imagine a more effective message about Swami Vivekananda's teachings today. And… pic.twitter.com/pGuvmMD69O

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 12, 2024

Mr Tharoor, in his post, said the Indian National Congress's (INC) association with Hindu liberalism is not a recent response to events over the past decade but rather a longstanding and deeply held conviction.

He wrote, "25 years ago today, then Congress President Sonia Gandhiji delivered this thoughtful address at the #NationalYouthDay function at the Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi on 12th January 1999.

Mrs Gandhi had lamented that Swami Vivekananda's appreciation for India's diverse heritage and the message of Hinduism, emphasising tolerance and harmony, was being distorted and appropriated by groups promoting hate and antagonism, rejecting the secular foundations of ancient civilisation.

"It is hard to imagine a more effective message about Swami Vivekananda's teachings today. And good to recall that @INCIndia's identification with Hindu liberalism is not a reaction to events in the last ten years, but a long-held conviction," Mr Tharoor said in the post on 'X'.

Mrs Gandhi had also said India is secular primarily because Hinduism, both as a philosophy and as a way of life, has been based on what our ancients said, "Ekam Sat, Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti (truth is one, the wise pursue it variously)." To criticise the ideology of the right wing, Mrs Gandhi had also recalled Vivekananda's speech in Chicago, where he emphasised his pride in belonging to a religious tradition that taught people to accept all religious opinions as true, stating, "We do not merely tolerate all religions but accept them all to be true."

AICC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh hailed Mr Tharoor's efforts, terming it "amazing archival research" and said it was timely too.

Sharing Tharoor's post on 'X,' he said it was then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who declared January 12 as National Youth Day in honour of Swami Vivekananda, in 1985.

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Chhattisgarh Schools, Colleges To Be Shut On Ram Temple Consecration Day

All schools and colleges in Chhattisgarh will have a holiday on January 22 on the occasion of the idol consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, state minister Brijmohan Agrawal said on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference here, Agrawal, who handles the Religious Trust and Endowment, School and Higher Education as well as Culture and Tourism portfolios in the Vishnu Deo Sai government, said a weekly free train travel scheme for Ayodhya has also been planned.

"As per Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise, the people of Chhattisgarh will get to travel free by train to Ayodhya to have darshan of Ram Lalla. The state government will ink a memorandum of understanding with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) for a weekly train in which 850 to 1000 devotees can travel till Ayodhya as part of this scheme," he said.

"Special care will be taken of the elderly and disabled in the train. They can travel with an assistant. There will be a doctor on board. Accommodation and food for the travellers will be made by the state government," Agrawal added.

Speaking about other programmes to mark the temple inauguration, the minister said devotional songs and rituals will be performed in the morning, while "Ganga aarti" will be held on the banks of rivers across the state in the evening.

The state government will develop Shri Ram Van Gaman Path, while Bhuteshwar Mahadeo, Jatmai-Ghatarani, Shiv Mahapeeth, Sirkatti Ashram and Kopeshwar Mahadeo temple in Gariaband will be developed as a tribal circuit, he said. 

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Child Rights Body Summons YouTube Official Over Indecent Content Involving Mothers And Sons

The apex child rights body NCPCR on Wednesday summoned an official of YouTube next week over purportedly portrayal of potentially indecent acts involving mothers and sons on its platform.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has in a notice to the head of government and public policy of YouTube asked him to physically appear on 15 January 15 along with the list of all such channels running on YouTube and the list of channels on YouTube running such content.

The child rights body said it is an alarming trend on YouTube channels where the channels are portraying potentially indecent acts involving mothers and sons.

"This raises serious concerns about the potential harm it could inflict on the child's well-being and safety. Further, these videos have viewership, including minors, which also raises significant concerns," the NCPCR said.

"If you fail to comply with this order without lawful excuse, you will be subjected to the consequences of the non-attendance," the child rights body added. 

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Imran Khan And Lekha Washington Ace Minimal Ethnic Style At Ira Khan's Mehendi

Aamir Khan's daughter, Ira Khan and Nupur Shikhare are tucked away in cozy nook of Udaipur revelling as they host their pre-wedding festivities. At Ira's Mehendi celebration, Aamir's nephew Imran Khan was present as part of the bride's tribe. The Delhi Belly star was spotted with his plus one, Lekha Washington, rumoured to be his girlfriend, both serving ethnic chic style. Lekha chose a demure, elegant look in a white and blue lehenga with floral prints. Her dupatta matched the blue on her lehenga and was embellished with gota patti embroidered borders and floral patterns. She paired the ethnic outfit with pearl danglers and minimal makeup comprising of kohl, light eyeshadow and lips coloured in a bright shade of pink. Imran matched her elegance in a dapper beige suit paired with a black shirt beneath. Ira Khan's cousin Zayn Marie, who shared the post with Imran and Lekha, accompanied the duo in the image, while Imran's mother, Nuzhat, and daughter, Imara. All of them wore floral crowns made of white flowers as did many from the bride's tribe. 

Also Read: At Ira Khan-Nupur Shikhare's Wedding, Actor Imran Khan And Lekha Washington Serve Ethnic Style Goals

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A post shared by Zayn Khan (@zaynmarie)

Recently, Zayn Marie shared a series of pictures Imran Khan and Lekha Washington at the reception for Ira Khan and Nupur Shikhare soon after the couple's registered marriage in Mumbai. Zayn's icy blue lehenga was nothing short of resplendent while Imran looked dashing in a classic black tuxedo with a black blazer, paired with a white shirt, black bow and matching pants. Lekha Washington was seen at the same reception with Imran wearing a gorgeous red and gold ensemble lehenga skirt paired with a black blouse. An intricate Matha patti along with a traditional but light necklace and matching earrings were her choice of accessories for the night. 

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A post shared by Zayn Khan (@zaynmarie)

Watch this video below to find out how other guests and family were dressed at the reception, including Ira's father Aamir Khan, his ex-wives Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao and their dear friends Nita and Mukesh Ambani.

Also Read: Ira Khan Was An Unconventionally Edgy Bride In A Colourblocked Harem Pant Ensemble

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S Jaishankar, His Austrian Counterpart Discuss Ukraine, Gaza War

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg on Monday and discussed the situation in Ukraine and Gaza.

In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar wrote, "Good to speak to my dear friend FM @a_schallenberg of Austria after the New Year."

"Recall last year's visit to Vienna. Exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and Gaza, especially in light of my recent travels," he added.

Good to speak to my dear friend FM @a_schallenberg of Austria after the New Year. Recall last year's visit to Vienna.

Exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and Gaza, especially in light of my recent travels.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 8, 2024

Notably, the diplomatic relations between India and Austria were established in 1949.

The ties between the two nations have been warm and friendly, according to the MEA, with a regular exchange of visits including at the level of leaders, ministers, and Parliamentarians highlighting the importance that the two nations accord to further strengthening their relations.

The two countries also have a robust economic partnership, with bilateral trade pegged at USD 2.47 billion in 2021, the MEA noted, adding that over 150 Austrian companies have a presence in India.

Further, as per the video posted by Mr Jaishankar, the Indian community residing in Austria numbers 31,000.

India and Austria, in 2023, signed an MoU on the exemption of visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders. It was in addition to the MoU on gainful occupation for family members of diplomatic staff.

The nations also inked an MoU on a joint declaration on a working holiday while another pertained to a comprehensive migration and mobility partnership agreement.

Also, the two nations, last year signed an MoU on cultural cooperation between the years 2022-2026.

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Bangladesh PM Re-Elected From Her Constituency, Gets Over 249,000 Votes

Bangladesh Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina was re-elected to parliament on Sunday from the Gopalganj-3 constituency after a landslide victory in the general elections marred by sporadic violence and a boycott by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Hasina, 76, bagged 249,965 votes while her nearest rival M Nizam Uddin Lashkar from the Bangladesh Supreme Party secured just 469 votes, bdnews24 reported.

Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Kazi Mahbubul Alam announced the result.

She has won the Gopalganj-3 seat for the eighth time since 1986.

Prime Minister Hasina, who has been ruling the strategically located South Asian nation since 2009, is set to secure a record fourth consecutive term and fifth overall term.

The ruling Awami League candidates are leading in most of the seats, according to the results so far.

Earlier, the counting of votes started after the polling ended in the general elections which registered low voter turnout.

According to the initial estimates, the voter turnout was around 40 per cent but the figure could change after the final count, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said.

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Man Claims Woman He Wanted To Marry Set Him On Fire, Dies: Cops

A 23-year-old food delivery agent died after he was allegedly set on fire in northwest Delhi's Wazirabad area by a woman whom he had proposed for marriage, police said on Saturday.

The woman had allegedly turned down his proposal and decided to marry someone else, they added.

The police were informed about the incident around 4 pm on Thursday. By the time a team reached the spot, the victim Nauman was taken to a hospital, the officials said.

Before his death in the hospital, Nauman gave a statement to the police alleging that the woman called him to her house and upon his arrival, set him on fire by pouring some inflammable substance on his body, they said.

The woman, however, told the police that it was Nauman who had brought petrol in a plastic bottle and set himself ablaze, they added.

Nauman suffered 75 per cent burn injuries in the incident and succumbed during treatment on Friday morning, the police said.

According to a police officer, the matter is still being investigated as preliminary investigation revealed certain discrepancies in the statement of the victim.

"Nauman and the accused woman, who is pursuing BSc from open schooling, are relatives," the officer said.

"It was found during investigation that the deceased was in a one-sided love affair with the woman and proposed her for marriage," the officer said.

The woman, however, turned down his request and decided to get married to someone else, the officer added.

Nauman used to work with an online food delivery company, the police said.

"We had earlier registered a case under section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code but Nauman died on Friday during the treatment in the hospital," another officer said.

The crime scene has been forensically examined and evidence including clothes and mobile phone have been seized. The CCTV footage in and around the spot is being analysed, the officer said.

Further legal action in the case will be taken after analysis of the collected evidence, the officer added. 

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