Keeladi excavations: Kanimozhi urges Centre to release report
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
She brought an urgent notice in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, alleging that the 'deliberate' silence of Union govt on the report submitted by archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna was "unacceptable and a disservice to TN's cultural heritage."
"Despite scientific validation from internationally accredited labs confirming Keeladi's antiquity, Centre continues to withhold the report," she said, criticising Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for asking Amarnath to revise the report.
She recalled that the excavation was disrupted when Amarnath was abruptly transferred midway through the project. The third phase was later stalled, only to be resumed by state govt in 2018, she said.
Kanimozhi added that Amarnath had submitted a comprehensive report on the first two phases to ASI in Jan 2023. However, ASI returned the report requesting revisions for "greater authenticity".
She said the report was backed by scientific analysis, including carbon dating from US-based Beta Analytic labs and endorsed by multiple subject experts.
Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha, DMK MP P Wilson criticised Union govt for alleged discrimination against
in allocating central funds. On the final day of his current tenure, Wilson raised concerns about inadequate funding for the state's education sector, particularly under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, which he said was impacting students.
"Union govt should stop showing bias when it comes to funding states such as TN. Students should not be made to suffer due to political differences," Wilson said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
9 minutes ago
- First Post
Don't bother shortening others' line, focus on making yours longer: Was PM hinting at Pak & US?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his 12th Independence Day speech to emphasise that India should not waste its energy to shorten someone else's line, but rather it should be used to one's own. What seemed to be a potshot at Pakistan and the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his 12th Independence Day speech to emphasise that India should not waste its energy to shorten someone else's line, but rather it should be used to one's own. On Friday, the prime minister delivered a strong message from the Red Fort, saying: 'Kisi doosre ki lakeer chhoti karne ke liye, apni oorja hamari nahi khapani hai. Hamein poori oorja ke saath hamari lakeer ko lamba karna hai (To shorten someone else's line, we should not waste our own energy. We must use our full energy to lengthen our own line).' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The prime minister urged the people of the country not to sit and lament over the global crisis. 'Today, when economic selfishness is rising day by day in the global situation, it is the need of the hour that we don't sit crying over those crises. Himmat ke saath apni lakeer ko lambi karein…If we take that path, no selfishness will be able to entangle us,' PM Modi said. A jab at the US and Pakistan? Many saw PM Modi's mention of global economic selfishness as a jibe at US President Donald Trump's tariffs on different nations around the world. India-US ties seemed to sour after Trump announced nearly 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods. Trump went on to accuse India of committing 'unfair trade practices' and slammed New Delhi for purchasing oil from Russia amid the war in Ukraine. India condemned the decision and called out the West's Double standards. New Delhi noted how China purchases more Russian oil, but no such measures were taken against Beijing. Meanwhile, PM Modi's statement can also be seen as India's stance against Pakistan, since a significant part of his speech was about Operation Sindoor. In his speech, the prime minister hailed the success of the operation and lauded the role of the Indian military that conducted precision strikes against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation, he said, was an expression of India's outrage at the Pahalgam terrorists' attack in which 'husbands were killed in front of their wives and fathers were killed in front of their children after asking their religion.' 'I am very proud that from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I am getting the opportunity to salute the heroes of Operation Sindoor. Our brave jawans punished the enemy beyond its imagination,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'On 22nd April, terrorists from across the border came to Pahalgam and killed people after asking their religion…Entire India was outraged, and the entire world was shocked by such a massacre. Operation Sindoor is the expression of that outrage,' the prime minister furthered.
NDTV
9 minutes ago
- NDTV
Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge Skip Red Fort Celebrations, BJP Hits Out
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and party leader Mallikarjun Kharge skipped the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on Friday, sparking speculation about the reason behind their absence. There was no official statement from the opposition party or the two leaders but sources suggested Mr Gandhi gave the event a miss after he was upset with the seating arrangement last year. The two leaders extended their greetings to all citizens by paying tribute to the country's freedom fighters on social media. "This freedom, achieved through the sacrifices of great freedom fighters, is a resolve to build an India where justice rests on the foundation of truth and equality, and every heart is filled with respect and brotherhood. It is the duty of all of us to protect the pride and honor of this precious heritage. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!" Mr Gandhi said. Mr Kharge said: "Independence Day is a solemn occasion to rededicate ourselves to values of Freedom, Justice, Equality and Fraternity, cherished by our Democracy." Mr Kharge attended the Independence Day celebrations at the Congress party headquarters and Mr Gandhi at Indira Bhawan, in the Capital. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, however, took a swipe at Mr Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, over his absence at the event. "Congress spokesperson in tv debate with me just now confirmed that 'LoP' Rahul Gandhi skipped 15th August Program at Red Fort. This was a national celebration but sadly Lover of Pakistan Rahul Gandhi - in Modi virodh does Desh & Sena Virodh! Shameful behaviour. Is this Sanvidhan and Sena ka Samman?" he said in a post on X. Last year, a controversy erupted during the Independence Day celebrations when Mr Gandhi, who enjoys the status of a Cabinet minister, sat in the second last row - in a departure from tradition and protocol - for the programme at the Red Fort. The Opposition called the allocation of the seat to the Congress MP an insult to the people, even as the Defence Ministry, which organised the event, argued that the arrangement was tweaked to accommodate Olympians on the premises. As per the protocol, the Leader of Opposition is seated in the front row during ceremonial events. Last year, that row was occupied by then Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Amit Shah and S Jaishankar among others. Mr Gandhi was seen seated in the fifth row, behind the Indian Olympic medalists. Star Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, and hockey players, including Indian Captain Harmanpreet Singh and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, were seated ahead of him. Sources in the Defence Ministry said the seating arrangement at ceremonial events follows a table of precedence and protocol. "This year, it was decided to honour the Olympic Games medal winners. It may be noted that some Union Ministers were also seated behind the Olympic Games medal winners," a source said. The explanation was, however, shredded by the Congress. Congress leader KC Venugopal said the explanation did not "cut much ice". "While Olympians deserve every bit of respect, I wonder how Cabinet Ministers like Amit Shah or Nirmala Sitharaman ji get front row seats ahead of them," he said.
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
PM Modi calls to reduce fertiliser imports, calls industry for domestic production
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for becoming atmanirbhar (self-reliant) in producing fertiliser through judicious use of crop nutrients by farmers and enhancing domestic production to cut imports. Independence Day 2025 Op Sindoor to water cutoff: PM Modi slams Pak in I-Day speech GST reforms by Diwali to cut daily-use taxes: PM Modi Terrorism, tech, more: PM's I-Day speech highlights The prime minister expressed concern over the dependence on imports in the fertiliser sector, resulting in outgo of foreign exchange. Modi urged farmers to use fertilisers with care, which will not only protect soil health but also curtail the domestic requirements. Currently, India import urea as well as phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers to meet its domestic requirements. Addressing on the occasion of the 79th Independence Day, Modi said it's "unfortunate" that India is dependent on fertiliser imports from global markets. Farmers can also protect soil health through judicious use of fertilisers, he said, adding that "indiscriminate use of fertilisers are damaging our soil". Live Events Further, Modi also called for the youth and the industry to make India self-sufficient in fertiliser sector by enhancing domestic production for adequate supplies. "We should innovate and produce fertilisers as per our needs. We should not be dependent on others," he added. The government is providing massive subsidies to for the farmers to get urea, DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) and other fertilisers at a reasonable rates. India's urea import stood at 56.47 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 as against 70.42 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. Imports of DAP, a key fertiliser, stood at 45.69 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 fiscal as against 55.67 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. These fertilisers are provides urea to farmers at a Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of Rs 242 per bag of 45 kg bag (exclusive of charges towards neem coating and taxes as applicable). The difference between the MRP and the production cost is given as subsidy to the urea manufacturer/importer. Urea production increased from 225 lakh tonnes during 2014-15 to a record 314.07 lakh tonnes during 2023-24. During 2024-25, 306.67 lakh tonnes of urea was produced in the country. The Centre has implemented Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) policy for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers since April 2010 for non-urea fertilisers. Under this, a fixed amount of subsidy, decided on an annual/bi-annual basis, is provided on notified P&K fertilisers depending on their nutrient content. The government's fertiliser subsidy stood at Rs 1,77,129.50 crore in 2024-25 fiscal.
