Nawaz Sharif, Narendra Modi likely to meet in Washington next month

 

Sharif and Modi have both accepted President Obama`s invitation to attend a nuclear summit he is hosting in Washington on March 31 and April 1, diplomatic sources told Dawn.

"The chances are strong, very strong," said a senior official. 

"But you know the history of India-Pakistan talks, you cannot be certain about an event until it has happened," the official added.

It will be the first time that both Indian and Pakistani premiers will be attending the nuclear security summit, which President Obama initiated in 2010.

5 Key features of India's cheapest smartphone Freedom 251

 

Here are five key features of the Freedom 251 smartphone.

Display

The smartphone comes with 4 inch (10.2 cms) qHD IPS display.

Camera

The smartphone houses  a 3.2MP AF rear camera and .3MP front camera. Freedom 251 with its inbuilt touchless technology is good for selfie lovers.

Processor

Freedom 251 comes with 1.3 GHz Quadcore Processor.

Operating System and Battery

The smartphone runs Android Lollypop 5.1. It comes with 1450 mAh battery.

Memory

It has 1GB RAM and 8GB internal memory, expandable up to 32GB using SD card.

How to book India's cheapest smartphone Freedom 251

 

Bookings for the Freedom 251 will begin on February 18 at 6 am and close on 21 February at 8pm. The company says deliveries will be completed by 30th June 2016.

Here's how you can book the smartphone.

Go to the company's website http://www.freedom251.com/. You will see the booking option button on the homepage. Though it is not functional now, you can do so early morning tomorrow when the booking starts.

India’s cheapest smartphone 'Freedom 251' set to be launched at just Rs 251 today

 

The launch is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for “empowering India to the last person, transforming India’s growth story”, the Noida-based company said.

The phone's price has been revealed. It will come at mere Rs 251, something that resembles the phone's name too.

  

 

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikkar will launch the smartphone ‘Freedom 251’ on February 17. “The phone will be popularly priced at under Rs 500… this event and launch stands as a true testimony of success of the latest initiatives taken by the Government of India,” according to a media invite sent by the firm.

At present, smartphones available in the market are priced around Rs 1,500. Last year, DataWind had announced that it is teaming up with Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Communications (RCOM) to launch the world’s most affordable smartphone, priced at Rs 999. The phone is yet to hit the market.

Established last year, Ringing Bells will start with the assembly of handsets in Phase-I and aims at full indigenous development of the feature-rich smartphones, it said. It did not disclose any other details about manufacturing, products and pricing.

A new entrant in the Indian mobile phone market, Ringing Bells had launched one of India’s cheapest 4G smartphone at Rs 2,999, recently. It has launched two other feature phones in the market.

Devendra Fadnavis orders inquiry into fire during 'Make in India Week' event, PM Modi extends support

 

“Inquiry ordered into fire; other 'Make In India Week' events won't be affected,” Fadnavis told reporters here.

He further said, “Cause of fire not yet known; no casualties or injuries.”

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra CM took to Twitter to inform that PM Narendra Modi called up to take stock of the situation.

“Hon'ble PM @narendramodi just spoke to me over the phone about the unfortunate incident and extended all support from GoI,” Fadnavis tweeted.

According to TV visuals, the fire initiated underneath the stage. Participants were dancing on stage when the fire took place.

Apart from Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Udhav Thackeray, Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan, Amir Khan, Hema Malini, Vivek Oberoi and others were present when the untoward incident took place.

Around 20,000 spectators had been evacuated from the venue.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Chief Fire Officer (Mumbai) said, "We'll investigate to know cause of fire, will submit report in a day or two."

"We had more enforcement than regular but due to wind and involvement of fire crackers, fire intensified," he added.

Make in India is a flagship event designed to impart greater momentum to the initiative to boost the manufacturing sector in the country.

The 'Make in India Week' is aimed at showcasing to the world the achievements of the nation in the manufacturing sector and promote India as a preferred manufacturing destination.

One year of Arvind Kejriwal govt: BJP, Congress give duck to AAP, call it a 'failed' tenure

"The last one year has proved to be a black year in the history of Delhi. Delhiites last year gave a historic mandate to the Aam Aadmi Party seeking a change in polity but it turned out to be a year of betrayal," Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay told reporters.

He said that by raising a new constitutional crisis every day, the Delhi government blocked development and administration work.

Leader of Opposition in the Delhi assembly Vijender Gupta presented a report on how the Kejriwal government`s "habit" of creating constitutional crisis and conflicts brought development and administrative work to a standstill.

"The year turned out to be a year of deceit. The government has brought development and administration to a standstill by creating constitutional conflicts," Gupta said.

Ramesh Bidhuri, the BJP Lok Sabha member from South Delhi, raised the issue of the Kejriwal government`s "betrayal" in the name of regularising unauthorised colonies and villages in the city.

Upadhyay said the Delhi BJP will observe a `Protest Day` on Sunday.

"Tomorrow (Sunday), we will hold a protest at Jantar Mantar against the completion of one year of the AAP government which has failed to fulfil its promises made during the assembly elections," Upadhyay said.

Meanwhile, the Congress party also termed the first year of the Arvind Kejriwal government a "complete failure" and said the ruling party in Delhi has been "finding excuses not to work," betraying those who elected it to office.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had scored "zero out of hundred" in its performance in the first year of its term, Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken told reporters here.

"It is a complete failure. They could not fulfil their promises. The list is very long," he said.

Maken, who was accompanied by other senior Congress leaders of Delhi, also released a booklet entitled `Kejriwal ek saal, Delhi behaal` (One year of Kejriwal: Delhi in a bad shape) and said the party will go to the people to tell them about the "failures" of the government.

Kejriwal government will complete one year on Sunday, which the Congress is observing as "chhalawa divas" (the day of deception).

To mark the day, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet will answer questions from the people during a live phone-in programme at the NDMC Convention Centre on Sunday.

When PM Narendra Modi wished 'Happy Birthday' to Afghan Prez Ashraf Ghani, but on wrong day

PM Modi, who is very active on Twitter and maintains cordiality with his counterparts from other nations, on February 11 wished Ghani stating, “Happy birthday @ashrafghani. Praying for your long life and exceptional health and a joyful journey ahead.”

His social media squad, however, failed to apprise him that Ghani was born on May 19 and not Feb 11.

Graciously correcting him on the confusion, Ghani then replied “Greetings from Munich Mr. PM. Although, my Birthday is on 19th May, but I'd still like to thank you for your gracious words :)”

At present India has a Government where PM has the last word

At present India has a Government where PM has the last word: Jaitley to Manmohan Singh

 

Jaitley's reaction comes after Dr Singh in an interview to a news channel said, there is a crisis of confidence in the government and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must give "every Indian" the confidence that he cares for people's well-being.

Here's the full text of Jaitley's article posted on his Facebook account:

Former Presidents and Prime Ministers rarely speak, but when they do, the nation should listen to them with rapt attention. They represent the wisdom of the nation. They are expected to be non-partisan, render constructive advice and at times send a powerful message even to their own political party to act in broader national interest. Having consistently held Dr. Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister in high respect, I expect the same from him.

I have read his interview in the latest edition of “India Today”, particularly his concern that the Prime Minister and the Government are not reaching out to the opposition. He feels that the Government is not doing enough to move up the country’s economy.

I am sure if Dr. Singh would dispassionately analyse the present Government, he would really realize the India has a Government where the Prime Minister has the last word, where natural resources are allocated without corruption through transparent process, where industrialists no longer visit North Block to push files/decisions, where environmental clearances are dealt with in routine and not stalled on sadistic or corrupt considerations. Has there been any change in the work culture of the Government? During the UPA Government, the public sector banks were hardly run by their own Boards or even by North Block. They were run from 24, Akbar Road. In Power and Infrastructure areas, sectoral challenges were not addressed during the UPA. It is the present Government which is clearing up these accumulated challenges.

Many stalled infrastructure projects have now started moving. India’s journey is from ‘policy-paralysis’ to a global ‘bright-spot’, as the fastest growing economy moves on notwithstanding major challenges.

On consultations with the opposition, almost all political parties except the Congress, support the GST. The Congress has done a volte face. Both the Parliamentary Affairs Minister and myself have discussed the GST with every senior Congress leader in Parliament. Is the Congress position on “Constitutional cap” not motivated by real politics? The economist in Dr. Singh should advice his party that tariff are not provided for in the Constitution. This is what nation expects from the senior leaders and statesmen like former Prime Ministers.

 

India has lost a valued friend: PM Modi on demise of Sushil Koirala

Koirala was suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and passed away due to Pneumonia at his residence Tuesday morning. He was 79.

Koirala, who was elected Prime Minister of Nepal on February 10, 2014, died at his residence in Maharajgunj in the outskirt of capital Kathmandu at 12.50 a.m. (local time), Nepali Congress general secretary Prakash Man Singh said.

His body will be taken to party’s central office at sanepa, Kathmandu and kept there for last tributes from party cadres and others, Singh said.

Born in Banaras, India, Koirala entered politics in 1954 and was in political exile in India for 16 years following the royal takeover of 1960.

He also spent three years in Indian prisons for his involvement in a plane hijacking in 1973.

Jayalalithaa thanks PM Modi on jallikattu decision; Celebrations mark TN

The Centre's notification allowing jallikattu in Tamil Nadu was on Friday welcomed by political leaders as well as organisers and other stakeholders, with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'prompt response' in the matter.

Rural parts of the state especially southern districts, where the bull taming sport is popular during the annual Pongal festivities in mid-January, celebrated the Centre's decision with jallikattu organisers and the sport lovers bursting crackers and distributing sweets.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Jayalalithaa who pursued the matter with him said, "I am very grateful to you for your prompt response in the matter, which has enabled the conduct of Jallikattu."

She said the sport "upholds traditional cultural values and traditions of Tamil Nadu and has great historical significance and also ensures the conservation of native germ plasm and continuance of traditional breeds of indigenous cattle".

Central government allows `Jallikattu' in Tamil Nadu

People at places like Madurai and Trichy, where Jallikattu is traditionally held, were the most elated.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the decision.

"I am very grateful to you for your prompt response in the matter, which has enabled the conduct of `Jallikattu', a sport which upholds traditional cultural values and traditions of Tamil Nadu and has great historical significance and also ensures the ... continuance of traditional breeds of indigenous cattle," she said in a communication to Modi.

"I am very happy to learn that the ministry of environment, forests and climate change has issued a notification that has paved the way for the conduct of the traditional sport," she said.

The central government bowed to the strong demand made by various organisations and political parties to permit the traditional bull taming sport that was banned by the Supreme Court to prevent cruelty to animals.

The central government, in a gazette notification, removed bulls form the list of animals that are banned from public display.

The central government allowed bulls to be exhibited as a performing animal at Jallikattua and bullock-cart races in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, Kerala and Gujarat.

Leaders of various political parties in Tamil Nadu welcomed the central government's decision to allow Jallikattu.

DMK president M Karunanidhi thanked the central government and the steps taken by union minister Pon Radhakrishnan and others for lifting the ban on the traditional sport.

MDMK leader Vaiko and PMK founder S. Ramadoss also welcomed the Centre's decision.

However, the permission is subject to conditions like sanction from the district collector or the district magistrate.

The bullock-cart races are to be held on proper track and the bulls have to be tamed within a distance of 15 metres from their enclosure.

The bulls should also be put to proper testing by officials of the animal husbandry and veterinary department ensuring their good health and no performance enhancing drugs are administered to them.

In May 2014, the Supreme Court upheld a notification by the environment and forests ministry categorising bulls in the list of animals which shall not be exhibited or trained as performing animals.

The Tamil Nadu government filed a review petition before the Supreme Court.

Barack Obama, Narendra Modi have strong, productive relationship, says US official

Washington: US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have developed a strong and productive relationship between them, a top American climate change official has said.

"President Obama and Prime Minister Modi have a very, strong and productive relationship, not just on climate change but broadly," Todd Stern, the US Special Envoy on Climate Change said on Tuesday.

"It was a quite extraordinary fact that within the space of four months there were two head of the state visits, one first to the United States in September of 2014 and then Prime Minister Modi invited the President to India just four months later in January," the official said.

Thereafter the two leaders have been close communications with each other. "They met on the margins of the UNGA in New York and they met on the first day of the Paris meeting," Stern said.

According to Stern the meeting was a very warm and positive, cordial and detailed.

"In fact, they talked so long that they were both supposed to go — and did go finally, but they were a little bit late to the announcement of this big Mission Innovation idea on R&D that both — well, the United States, India, China, many other countries ultimately were part of," the US official said.

"So I think, that the call later, sort of more towards the end, was a check-in call to see how we were doing and to urge us all on together toward a successful conclusion. And I think it was done in that spirit, not in the spirit that there was some specific thing that had to be done before the agreement could get completed," Stern said. 

Modi speaks to Nepal PM, expresses 'shock' over killing of Indian national

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed "shock" over the unfortunate killing of an Indian due to police firing in Nepal on Monday and requested for details from his Nepalese counterpart K P Oli even as India summoned that country's envoy over the incident.

"The Prime Minister has expressed shock and condemned the unfortunate killing of a youngster from Bihar due to police firing in Nepal," the Prime Minister's Office said here.

During the telephonic conversation, Modi expressed concern over the incident and requested for details, it said.

19-year-old Ashish Ram of Raxaul in Bihar was killed after he received a bullet shot in his head when police opened fire on protesters at Shankaracharya Gate near Birgunj Customs, Nepal Home Ministry sources said in Kathmandu.

However, Modi assured the Nepalese leader that there was no obstacle from the Indian side on supply of fuel and other essentials.

"At the same time, the Prime Minister urged Nepalese leaders to work towards ensuring an early and effective solution to the crisis," the PMO added.

India also summoned Nepal Ambassador Deep Kumar Upadhyay and told him that it is "deeply concerned" over firing incidents in Birgunj.

He was also told that issues facing Nepal are political in nature and cannot be resolved by force and that the causes underlying the present state of confrontation need to be addressed by the government of Nepal credibly and effectively.

Earlier, the External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson said India has asked its freight transporters to exercise caution and not put themselves in danger. The advisory may deepen the supply crisis to the Himalayan nation.

He said Indian freight forwarders and transporters have voiced their worries again today about the deteriorating situation across the border.

"We are advising them to exercise caution and not put themselves in danger. We are monitoring the situation carefully," he added.

Since the promulgation of the Constitution in Nepal in September, the Indian-origin Madhesi population has been agitating as they believe the country's new Constitution discriminates against them, denying them equal standing with other Nepalis.

The agitation obstructed supply of essential commodities including petrol thereby creating a crisis in Nepal, which accused India of imposing an "economic blockade", a charge denied by India.

India maintained that the supply was obstructed due to protests on the Nepalese side and asked the Nepal government to have political resolution of issues facing that country which should have broad-based ownership and acceptance of the Constitution by all section of the society including those disaffected agitating forces.