3 Indians abducted in Mali; MEA asks West African nation to secure their safe release
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Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Watch: PM Modi mentions India has 2,500 parties in Ghana Parliament. Then this happens
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the Parliament of Ghana during his state visit, drawing applause and smiles when he said that India has over 2,500 political parties. The comment came as part of a broader speech on India's democratic values and cultural diversity. 'India is the mother of democracy. For us, democracy is not merely a system; it is a part of our fundamental values from thousands of years ago,' Modi said. Referring to ancient traditions, he added, 'The Rig Veda says: Ano bhadraha kratavo yantu Vishwatah – let good thoughts come to us from all directions. This openness to ideas is the core of democracy.' PM Modi highlighted India's diversity and said, 'India has over 2,500 political parties. I repeat, 2,500 political parties. 20 different parties govern different states. We have 22 official languages and thousands of dialects. This is also the reason that people who came to India have always been welcomed with open hearts.' The moment captured on video showed Ghanaian MPs reacting with smile, surprise and applause at the sheer scale of India's political plurality. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra and paid floral tribute to Ghana's founding President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Accompanied by Vice President Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, he observed a moment of silence at the mausoleum dedicated to Nkrumah and his wife Fathia. 'Dr Nkrumah was a towering figure of Africa's liberation and unity. This tribute reflects India's deep respect for Ghana's history and shared commitment to freedom and justice,' Modi said. During the visit, PM Modi was conferred with The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana, the country's highest civilian award, by President John Mahama. Calling it a 'matter of immense pride,' Modi thanked the government and people of Ghana and dedicated the honour to the youth of both nations. 'I humbly accept this award on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians. I dedicate this to the aspirations of our youth, our rich cultural diversity, and the historic ties between India and Ghana,' he said. PM Modi's visit — the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana in over three decades — marks a significant moment in India-Africa relations. In talks with President Mahama, the two leaders agreed to elevate ties to a Comprehensive Partnership, focusing on trade, education, defence, and digital development.
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Donald Trump's ‘Big, Beautiful Bill' heads for final vote — major relief for NRIs as India remittance tax cut to 1%
The US House of Representatives is expected to hold a final vote on President Donald Trump's flagship tax-and-spending legislation, known as the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill.' This comprehensive bill, central to Trump's second-term economic plans, has faced a challenging journey through Congress. Despite initial approval in May, the bill returns to the lower chamber after narrowly passing the Senate on Tuesday with a one-vote margin. Although introduced by the Republican president, the bill has attracted criticism from several lawmakers within his own party. Concerns raised include the projected $3 trillion increase in national debt and significant cuts to social welfare programs. Major relief for Indian remitters in final draft One of the most notable revisions in the final draft of the bill, released on June 27, involves a substantial reduction in the proposed tax on international remittances. Originally set at 5 percent, the tax was first reduced to 3.5 percent and now stands at just 1 percent. This change comes as a relief to many Indian professionals and non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the US who regularly send money back home. The provision will benefit nearly 4.5 million Indians living in the US, including 3.2 million persons of Indian origin. It applies to US residents who are not citizens—such as Green Card holders, temporary visa holders like H-1B and H-2A workers, and international students. According to the latest version of the bill, 'There is hereby imposed on any remittance transfer a tax equal to 1 per cent of the amount of such transfer… paid by the sender.' Specific transfers exempt from tax The bill also outlines specific exemptions. Transfers made from accounts held by financial institutions and those funded via US-issued debit or credit cards will not be taxed under this provision. Cash transfers, money orders, and cashier's checks will fall under the 1 percent tax rate. This final version of the bill reflects efforts to balance domestic economic concerns with the financial realities of millions of immigrants working in the United States, particularly those from India. As the House prepares for a conclusive vote, all eyes remain on how this high-stakes legislation will shape Trump's economic legacy.
The Hindu
28 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Is the government reluctant to ensure better road safety for its citizens?
With the monsoon session of Parliament scheduled for the 21st of this month, road safety activists in the country have begun a push towards demanding more stringent legislation for automobiles, roads and highways, to ensure better safety for all road users. This is not a small concern – India has one of the highest road traffic accident rates in the world, its roads are some of the world's most deadly, and every three minutes in our country, there is a death due to a road accident. According to Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari, every year India sees 4,80,000 accidents, which lead to 1,88,000 deaths of people aged between 18 and 45 years. Additionally, there are 10,000 deaths of children. The country loses 3% of its GDP annually, due to road accidents. Why are our roads so unsafe? Do the problems lie with road design, behaviour on the roads, a lack of implementation of laws or a combination of all these factors and more? Is the government reluctant to ensure better road safety for its citizens? Guest: Ranjit Gadgil, programme director, Parisar, which is part of the Road Safety Network, an Indian coalition of organisations working to improve road safety in the country Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Jude Francis Weston For more episodes of In Focus:
