UK’s Labour Regret Its Kashmir Resolution After Indian Diaspora Branded The Party As Anti-Indian

Labour Party of UK backtracked on its September resolution over Kashmir after some Indian Hindu groups labelled the Labour Party as anti-Indian and started a campaign to move Indian votes to Conservative.

What was September Kashmir resolution of Labour Party?

Labour Party took up the Kashmir issue in its conference in September. It issued a statement stating that Kashmir is accepted as a disputed territory and that the people of Kashmir should get the right to self-determination in accordance with the UN resolutions.

What is the present stand of UK’s Labour on Kashmir?

President of the Labour Party, Ian Lavery accepts use of offensive language in the Kashmir resolution and feels regret about criticizing India for abrogating Article 370 in Kashmir. He assured the Hindu community that the Labour Party is fully aware of the sensitivities of Kashmir.

Highlights of Labour Party resolution on Kashmir

• Kashmir is a bilateral problem for India and Pakistan to resolve together

• Both the countries have to resolve the issue by peaceful means

• Any bilateral solution on Kashmir should respect the right of Kashmiri people to have a say in their own future

• Labour Party is opposed to any external interference in the political situations of any country

• It won’t adopt any anti-India or anti-Pakistan position over Kashmir

The resolution is a snub for Labour ideologue-leader Jeremy Corbyn who’s supported the September resolution. With the new statement, the Labour Party president tried to pacify the Indian Hindu groups and tide moving of Indian votes to Conservative.

Source: https://bit.ly/2pd796I

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History of Stunning Political Alliances Between Arch Rivals

Shiv Sena and Congress coming closure to form an alliance to form government in Maharashtra could be surprising for many. But here Sharad Pawar is working as a key link between Udbhav Thackeray and Sonia Gandhi.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi held discussion with senior party leaders and elected MLAs of Maharashtra assembly in Jaipur where the MLAs are stationed. The maximum number of Congress MLAs are favoring a Sena-led government to keep BJP out of power.

This alliance between Shiv Sena and Congress could look stunning but there are more stunning alliances in history.

  1. Mizoram’s Chakma Autonomous District Council

In 2018, the BJP with 5 members and the congress with 7 formed a post-poll alliance called United Legislature Party to form the Chakma Autonomous District Council government.

  1. BJP and PDP in J&K

In 2014, the BJP joined hands with its key rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed to form government. It is to be noted that both the parties were arch rivals in the state politics.

  1. Congress and AAP

In 2013 Delhi assembly elections, Congress slipped to the third-position in seats but it gave outside support to AAP that was the second party with highest-seats in the assembly election. BJP was the single largest party in Delhi elections but it was short of the magic number.

  1. BSP joined BJP

In 1995, Mayawati snapped her ties with Mulayam Singh Yadav’s SP in different circumstances. She forged a BSP-BJP alliance to remain in power according to a seat sharing formula.

Source: https://bit.ly/2X3Po6s

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The World Celebrates 550th Birth Anniversary Of Guru Nanak Dev Ji On 12th November

Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru of Sikhism. Celebrated as Guru Parv, Gurupurab or Guru Prakash Parv, it falls on a full moon day in Kartik Puranmashi.

Celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti

It is three-day celebration that starts two days prior to the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It starts with akhand path that is recitation of the holy book of Sikhism and conclude with people offering their prayers in Gurudwaras.

First Day

Akhand Path of Guru Granth Sahib is held in Gurudwaras. It is a 48-hour path or uninterrupted recitation of the preaching of Sikh Gurus.

Second Day

Nagarkirtan is organized. It is a procession led by PanjPyaras. It carries Nishan Sahib, the Sikh flag, and the Palanquin of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. But the main attractions of the Nagarkirtan are various singers singing and dancing to the tunes of brass bands.

Third Day

On the concluding day, people visit Gurudwars and listen to the sacred hymns recited by priests. Lungar or community lunch is served to the visitors. Also, the visitors enjoy “Gatka”that is a form of martial art. It is performed with sword.

History of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Born on 15 April, 1469 at Rai Bhoeki Talwandi, Punjab, Guru Nanak Dev Ji travelled across South Asia and the Middle East to spread his teachings that are immortalized in the form of 974 hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib.

Source: https://bit.ly/2Q6HLe5

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Deepak Chahar Took 6 Wickets Including A Hat-Trick In 3rd T20I Against Bangladesh in Nagpur

Deepak Chaharhelped India win the T20I series with Bangladesh by taking 6 wickets in 7 runs in the 3rd and the last match of the series. He also broke the record of Sri Lanka’s AjanthaMendis of taking 6 wickets in 8 runs but 6/7 in the 3rd T20I against Bangladesh in Nagpur. India won the series by 2-1.

Highlights of Deepak Chahar bowling

• Became 1st Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in T20I

• His hat-trick is spread over 2 overs

• He bowled Shafiul Islam out on the last ball of the 18th over

• Mustafizur Rahman and bowling Aminul Islamwere also bowled out by Chahar

Bangladesh batting highlights

• India set a target of 175 runs for Bangladesh

• Mohammad Naim scored 81

• Naim scored maiden T20I fifty off 33 balls

• Mohammad Mithun scored 27

• Bangladesh crossed 100-run mark in the 12th over

Match summary

Bangladesh put a brave front with Naim and Mithun pooling 98-runs for third-wicket. The newbies including Sivan Dube and Yuzvendra Chahal couldn’t stop the batsmen from scoring runs. Naim also scored his 50 runs while making the Indian fielders run after his shots to boundaries.

Introduction of Chahar in the last leg of the match tilted the game in the favor of India and finally the Bangladesh team was packed to pavilion by Chahar taking maximum 6 wickets by giving only 7 runs.

Indian bowlers with hat tricks

Tests: Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan

ODIs: Chetan Sharma, Kapil Dev, Kuldeep Yadav & Mohammed Shami

T20Is: Deepak Chahar

Source: https://bit.ly/33CorJy

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Sena Exits NDA Government Following Sharad Pawar’s Advice; CWC Meeting To Discuss Maha Govt Formation

The feud over government formation in Maharashtra reached the center on Monday when Shiv Sena’s only minister in the Modi-led government resigned.

Shiv Sena asked Arvind Swant to resign from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. He was Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. It was a precondition set by NCP chief Sharad Pawar to start negotiation for government formation in Maharashtra.

Important developments in Maharashtra politics

  1. Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyariinvited Shiv Sena to form government after BJP declined the stake claim to power. Shiv Sena has to show numbers by Monday evening.
  2. Udbhav Thackeray is tipped to the CM with an NCP-deputy according to a formula reached over the weekend.
  3. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi was reluctant to support Shiv Sena but Congress Working Committee will meet to discuss the situation under pressure from Maharashtra leaders.
  4. Saamna, the mouthpiece of Shiv Sena, indicated towards the possibility of Sena forming a government with the help of 54 NCP and 44 Cong MLAs.
  5. Shiv Sena moved its legislators to a resort in Mud Island after accepting the invite for government formation. Sena fears poaching of its MLAs by BJP.

BJP and Shiv Sena, long term allies for more than 25 years, fought as a coalition and won 105 and 56 seats respectively in the 288-member assembly. Together they are well ahead of majority mark that is 145. But Shiv Sena is insisting on a 50:50 formula of CM’s post for half term and an equal share in ministries. The formula is unacceptable to BJP.

Source: https://bit.ly/2NYeXSh

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Babri Masjid Was Built On A Hindu Temple Admits Supreme Court

Five-judge Constitution Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoiand Justices Ashok Bhushan, D Y Chandrachud, Sharad Arvind Bobde and SA Nazeer delivered its historic judgement on Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid land dispute case. It unanimously declared that the land belonged to Ram Mandir.

What was the historic judgement?

Chief Justice RajanGogoi led bench ordered that the entire disputed land measuring went to 2.77-acres to Hindus for Ram Mandir but the bench also said that Muslims would get 5-acres of alternate land. The decision was just the opposite of Allahabad High Court verdict of 2010.

What was the Allahabad High Court verdict?

Allahabad High Court on September 30, 2010 ruled that the 2.77-acres of disputed land be divided into three equal parts and given to Hindu Maha Sabha that represents Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board and Nirmohi Akhara. But the High Court admitted that the disputed land was the birthplace of Rama and that the Babri Masjid was built on the ruins of the Hindu temple.

Highlights of the SC ruling

• It is proved that Hindus were in possession of the outer courtyard of disputed site
• UP Sunni Waqf Board failed to establish its case in SC
• Muslims offering Friday prayer at mosque proved that they were in possession the site
• Muslims didn’t abandon Friday payers despite obstructions
• The underlying structure buried under the disputed site wasn’t an Islamic structure
• ASI’s evidence can’t be taken as a mere opinion
• Both the Hindus and Muslims agreed that the disputed site was the birthplace of Lord Ram
• The faith of the Hindus about the site is undisputed
• Sita Rasoi, … Read the rest

All Saints’ Day: Why Is It Celebrated Next Day To Halloween?

November 1 is Halloween but how not many people know that the holiday precedes a religious festival celebrated as All Saints’ Day that comes just after the spooky day.

UK has been celebrating All Saints’ Day for centuries. Historians coincide the festival with the ancient Celtic festival Samhain that is considered the inspiration behind modern Halloween celebrations.

What is All Saints’ Day?

It is a tradition of honouring the all known and unknown religious saints’ throughout the history of Christianity. The root of the festival can be traced back to the 4th Century but it developed into a festival only 7th Century when Pope Boniface IVincluded all martyrs in the commemorations. 

In earlier times, All Saints’ Day was celebrated in the month of April but the date was changed to coincide with Halloween in the mid-9th Century. The objective of this day is to strengthen the bond between those in the heaven and those on the Earth. And for this reason, the people commemorate the departed souls by paying their tributes. This day is followed by All Souls’ Day on which people pay tributes to their family members and friends.

All Saints’ Day celebrations

It is a public holiday in Portugal and Spain. Portuguese children go door to door to receive cakes and sweets according to “Pao-por-Deus” tradition. In Mexico, the day is dedicated to children that spend the day in celebrating the departed souls. Other European countries like Italy, Germany, Poland and Sweden have developed a custom of visiting graves of deceased relatives and lighting candles on this day.

https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/all-saints-day-2019-what-meaning-when-date-meaning-halloween-824391

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The Google News AI Powered Mobile App Goes Bilingual

Google News is now bilingual. It is good news for people who speak two or more languages. There are over 60% of such newsreaders worldwide. This feature provides freedom from switching between different languages in order to get news covered elsewhere. 

Who is the beneficiary from this feature?

People who have moved abroad for study or work will be the biggest beneficiaries of this service. They would get international as well as local news from same page. Also, the update won’t impact other personalization preferences available to readers. Google will simply pull in more stories matching with the interest of the readers.

What is the story behind the Google News update?

The new feature is part of the larger revamp of the Google News product and destination website. Google announced that it was working on such a site during its developer conference in 2018. 

Highlights of the update

  • Google would leverage AI technology to select news stories
  • The AI technology would guide which stories to be featured first
  • New selection would be customized to suit the taste of the users
  • Doing away with “filter bubbles” that add no value to the news
  • Available across 141 countries and 41 languages
  • Exclusive for Google News app for both iOS and Android

When was the news app rolled out?

Google rolled out the AI version of its Google News app in last spring. Its objective is to help people get news in other languages so that they stay updated on specific issues. 

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Pune, Mumbai And Thiruvananthapuram Are The Least Polluted Cities In India

Supreme Court passed stern remarks over the deteriorating situation of air quality in Delhi and the emergency handling of the situation by both State and Central Government.

Highlights of the SC ruling

  • No room in Delhi is worth living
  • People aren’t safe even inside their homes
  • They are losing their valuable years to pollution
  • No need to show sympathy for farmers that burn Parali
  • Village head to Joint Secretary of the state should be held guilty for Parali burning incidents
  • SC summoned Chief Secretaries of Haryana and Punjab
  • Recommended 1 lakh fine on people doing construction activities despite ban
  • People find littering streets should be fined Rs. 5,000
  • SC questions success of odd-even scheme in Delhi
  • The pollution level is so high that even GRAP failed to bring respite to population of NCR

SC asked worth of odd/even scheme

Delhi government has allowed people to travel via taxis, autos and two-wheelers during odd-even days. Since these automobiles also add to pollution, the usefulness of applying odd-even scheme is doubtful. SC sees little benefit from this scheme.

Why did GRAP fail in Delhi?

Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority suggested Graded Response Action Plan failed that helped Beijing in fighting pollution failed in Delhi for two reasons.

  • Delayed response
  • Half-hearted measures 

Beijing was once one of the most polluted cities of the world is now out of the list of 200 most polluted cities. In Delhi, the government applied GRAP only when the pollution reached the severe level that is 500 AQI. But Beijing applied GRAP at 300 AQI. 

Is early intervention the key to success in battle against pollution?

Beijing proved that close monitoring of … Read the rest

Arvind Kejriwal Says Delhi -“A Gas-Chamber” Closes Schools Till November 5 And Distributes Breathing Masks

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the capital had become a gas-chamber and blamed the stubble burning in the neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab for the deteriorating air quality index of Delhi.

What did Kejriwal say on Delhi Pollution?

Delhi CM squarely blamed the state governments of Haryana and Punjab for Delhi pollution. He said that the Haryana and Punjab governments are forcing farmers to burn stubble that is causing the Delhi pollution to rise to dangerous level. He made strong comments on rising pollution level of the city while distributing breathing masks to school children.

Arvind Kejriwal took Delhi pollution to Twitter

He didn’t stop at criticizing the governments of neighbouring states on the ground and took to social media to write strongly-worded posts to highlight the plight of Delhi residents especially the school children that have to breath-in pollutants in the early hours when the pollution is at its peak. 

He asked school children to write to Captain Uncle and Khattar Uncle to think about their health. The Kejriwal government started distributing breathing masks to school children through private and government schools. He distributed 50 lakh masks in Delhi schools and asked all Delhiites to wear masks while going out. 

What is the pollution level in Delhi?

There is a public health emergency in the Delhi-NCR region due to pollution level entering “severe plus”. The Delhi government has closed all schools till November 5. Also, the construction activity and bursting of firecrackers banned in the city. 

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/delhi-has-turned-into-a-gas-chamber-tweets-arvind-kejriwal-on-pollution-says-started-distributing-50-2125560?pfrom=home-topscroll
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