News Menu, July 3: PM Modi's global quest; Amarnath Yatra begins
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's five-nation tour (July 2–9) continues in Ghana (July 2–3), engaging President John Dramani Mahama to bolster economic, energy, defence, and development ties. On July 3, Modi addresses Ghana's Parliament, a rare visit by an Indian PM. He then lands in Trinidad and Tobago (July 3–4), the first such visit since 1999, meeting President Christine Carla Kangaloo to mark 180 years of Indian diaspora ties. Upcoming stops include Argentina (July 4–5, first PM visit in 57 years, meeting President Javier Milei), Brazil for the BRICS Summit (July 5–8), and Namibia (July 9, addressing Parliament).Modi's tour amplifies India's Global South leadership, with trade and counter-terrorism as key ingredients.Saffron Spice: RSS Prant Pracharak MeetThe Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) gears up for a three-day Prant Pracharak meeting in Delhi from July 4 onwards, led by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. The focus is on planning the RSS's centenary year and organisational growth.advertisementThe meet signals RSS's push to shape India's socio-political narrative ahead of 2025 state elections.Bihar Ballot Raita: Voter Roll ClashINDIA bloc leaders met the Election Commission to oppose Bihar's Special Summary Revision of voter rolls, alleging it could disenfranchise 2 crore voters before the 2025 polls. The Opposition accuses the BJP-led NDA of bias.Quick Take: The row heats up Bihar's electoral cauldron, with trust in institutions on the line.Nitish-Modi Jodi: The NDA showcases Nitish Kumar's leadership alongside PM Modi's development record, with Modi's posters at JDU offices signaling unity. RJD's Tejashwi Yadav calls it a 'temporary' alliance, alleging BJP plans President's Rule post-polls. Jan Suraj's Prashant Kishor mocks the Modi-Nitish duo, claiming BJP aims to swallow JDU.Served Hot: Hot Maharashtra's Language FireMNS workers were filmed assaulting a sweet shop owner for not speaking Marathi, sparking outrage. Shopkeepers plan a massive protest at noon on July 3, with an FIR against the perpetrators.The incident reignites linguistic pride versus inclusivity debates, with political fallout brewing.Pilgrimage Politics: BJP MLC Manisha Kayande's claim of 'Urban Naxal' infiltration in the Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage triggered heated debates in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, drawing opposition fire.The row risks polarising a sacred tradition, testing Maharashtra's political harmony.advertisementSpiritual Spice: Amarnath Yatra BeginsThe Amarnath Yatra 2025 launches on July 3 from Pahalgam and Baltal, with J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah present. Post-Pahalgam terror attack, CRPF, anti-sabotage checks, and drone surveillance ensure pilgrim safety.Monsoon Mix: Weather Woes and MoreMandi, Himachal Pradesh: A cloudburst kills 11, with 34 missing; rescue operations battle heavy rains, with alerts for HP, Uttarakhand, UP, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.Europe: A heatwave fuels a Catalonia wildfire in Spain, claiming two lives, disrupting daily life.From Himalayan deluges to European infernos, extreme weather tests global resilience.Madhya Pradesh Jam: Highway HavocA highway body lawyer's remark, questioning why people 'left early' during a 40-hour Madhya Pradesh traffic jam that killed three last month, drew a show-cause notice. The authorities distanced themselves from the comment.Karachi Halwa: Pakistan Media Ban Reinstated AgainThe social media handles of many prominent Pakistani celebrities were once again blocked in India, a day after the restrictions were lifted. On Wednesday, the ban on Pakistani news and social media channels, imposed during Operation Sindoor for misinformation, was lifted.Congress in Soup: National Herald CaseThe Rouse Avenue Court continues hearings on the National Herald money laundering case on July 3. The ED alleges Congress leaders plotted to acquire Rs 2,000 crore in AJL assets, with the court seeking pre-2010 shareholding details.advertisementQuick Take: The legal battle keeps Congress on edge, with political stakes simmering.Parting BiteOn July 3, 1967, the BBC's colour TV announcement lit up global screens, heralding a vivid new era. TV technology has made rapid advances since that eventful day, and is on the cusp of a bigger revolution with wearable TVs promising a bold, connected future.- Ends
IN THIS STORY#Himachal Pradesh#Narendra Modi#Amarnath Yatra#Maharashtra Navnirman Sena#Maharashtra
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
24 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Indian military to get $12 billion arms boost
New Delhi has signed off on purchases of electronic warfare systems, armored vehicles, and surface-to-air missiles New Delhi has approved arms and ammunition purchases worth $12 billion, with a focus on sourcing from domestic industries, the Indian Defense Ministry announced on Thursday. The acquisitions are expected to enhance the capabilities of the Indian armed forces by providing improved mobility, effective air defense systems, enhanced supply chain management, and overall increased operational preparedness, the ministry said. The approval by India's Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) will cover the purchase of armoured recovery vehicles, an electronic warfare system, an integrated common inventory management system, and surface-to-air missiles. The green light was also given to the Indian Navy to buy moored mines, mine countermeasure vessels, super rapid gun mount, and submersible autonomous vessels, theDefense Ministrysaid. "The procurements will enable mitigation of potential risks posed to the naval and merchant vessels," it added. The approvals are part of New Delhi's push to develop its domestic arms industry. India, which is one of the world's top defense importers, has historically relied on Russia for equipment as well as technology. Russia and India are increasingly moving towards joint production of weapons. BrahMos Aerospace, a joint Indo-Russian venture, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, was launched in 2005. India's Defense Research and Development Organization has a 50.5% stake in the company, while Russian NPO Mashinostroyenia holds 49.5%. BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles were put to effective use by India during its four-day military confrontation with Pakistan in May. READ MORE: G7 still thinks it is running the world. The global majority has moved on INS Tamal, a Russian-made Krivak-class frigate that was handed over to India this week, has 26% Indian components. It was built at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, and its construction was monitored by Indian specialists from the Warship Overseeing Team. In March this year, DAC granted initialapprovalfor arms and equipment purchases exceeding $6.26 billion. The proposed acquisitions include upgraded engines for the Indian Army's Russian-made T-90 battle tanks, additional anti-submarine torpedoes for the navy, and airborne early warning and control systems for the air force. (
India Gazette
25 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Samajwadi Party hits back at UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak over directive to display names during Kanwar Yatra
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 4 (ANI): Samajwadi Party leaders hit back at Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Friday, amid the row over the government's directive to display the names of the shops along the Kanwar yatra routes. Dy CM Pathak had alleged that SP MLA Ravidas Mehrotra compared Kanwar pilgrims to terrorists, to which Mehrotra replied that the Dy CM was lying. 'UP Deputy Chief Minister lies. Nowhere did we say anything about Kanwar Yatris but about the BJP government,' he told ANI. He added, 'He (Brajesh Pathak) is also the Health Minister, but he never speaks about medicines, treatment and check-ups in hospitals. Today, people are dying due to a lack of medicines, treatment and check-ups.' Launching an attack against the BJP government, Mehrotra reiterated his remark 'no difference between the BJP government and terrorists' and said how terrorists in Pahalgam asked people about their religion before shooting them; similarly, the BJP government is also asking about the shopkeepers' religion and caste. 'There's no difference between the BJP government and terrorists. Like how in Pahalgam, terrorists asked about religion and killed 26 people, similarly, by asking about caste and religion, the BJP is attacking, committing atrocities and injustice,' Mehrotra said. MLA Mehrotra added, 'I want to ask BJP members, what is terrorism? If someone is checked after removing their pants, this is also terrorism. If a Dalit is urinated in their mouth, this is also terrorism. Atrocities against Dalits, women, and if the backwards class is not allowed to put up a shop and asked about their religion, this is also terrorism.' He alleged that BJP workers are conducting checks on the Kanwar Yatra route, and they forced a shopkeeper to remove his pants. 'If Kanwar Yatris ask a shopkeeper, I don't object. But the BJP govt issued a Tughlaqi order to put up a name plate, the shopkeeper's caste and then, if the administration and police check, it's still fine, but their party members are conducting checks, and police arrested five people in Muzaffarnagar who were committing acts of terror,' he said. Samajwadi Party leader Awadhesh Prasad called Pathak's statement baseless. Prasad said, 'Dy CM's statement is baseless and shows his narrow mindset. CM Yogi has issued an order to display nameplates. This will divide the society. Such a decision was never issued when we were in power. This is everyone's nation. Everyone fought for the nation's independence together.' Earlier, defending the move, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, told ANI, 'The Samajwadi Party leaders are constantly making rubbish statements on Kanwar Yatra. They are comparing Kanwar Yatra devotees with the terrorists. It is highly condemnable. Samajwadi Party wants to implement Sharia law and do appeasement politics in UP. We are determined to organise a systematic and safe Kanwar Yatra in UP. It is the right of every buyer to know from whom they are buying things. Every seller must display their name.' (ANI)
India Gazette
26 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Kerala: BJP stages protest march to Health Minister's house over woman's death at Kottayam Medical College
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 4 (ANI): Kerala Police used water cannons to disperse BJP workers who staged a protest march on Friday against State Health Minister Veena George following the building collapse at Kottayam Medical College, in which one person was killed and several others sustained injuries. The protest began in response to an incident where a building block at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam district collapsed. Tensions escalated when BJP workers breached barricades set up by the police. In response, police used water cannons to control the crowd and prevent them from reaching the minister's residence. Earlier in the day, workers from the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) also staged a protest in front of Kottayam Medical College. They are demanding the resignation of Kerala Health Minister Veena George. Meanwhile, Minister for Ports, Cooperation, and Devaswoms, VN Vasavan, described the Kottayam Medical College building collapse as an 'unfortunate' incident and announced that the Kerala government will provide immediate financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to the affected family. He said, 'CM visited the spot yesterday itself. Rs 50,000 will be given as immediate help to the family. The State Cabinet will discuss and decide on financial help to the family. Kottayam Medical College is one of the best-performing hospitals in India. The incident is unfortunate.'He further clarified that there was no lapse from the government side and added, 'Did not ask to stop rescue operation, it was for making way to let the Hitachi excavator enter. Rescue was only possible with the help of a machine.' 'The health minister said yesterday that nobody was stuck there because the hospital superintendent told the minister that the building was not in use,' he further said. Shifting the blame on the previous government of the United Democratic Front (UDF), he said, 'In 2013, the PWD (Public Works Department) submitted a report about the condition of the building. Then the UDF government did not act on it.' (ANI)
