Latest news with #Rohtak
The Print
2 days ago
- General
- The Print
Even as INDIA bloc pushes for Parliament session on Pahalgam & Op Sindoor, fault lines evident
'The government is accountable to the Parliament, which is accountable to the people of India,' Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek O'Brien said to reporters after the meeting, adding that the decision to send the letter was taken by the heads of the opposition parties. Leaders from five INDIA bloc parties, the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT) met at the Constitution Club of India Tuesday to finalise the draft of a joint letter being sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising the demand. New Delhi: At a time when voices from within are raising existential questions about the fate of the INDIA bloc, 16 members of the opposition alliance have joined hands to demand a special session of Parliament on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Congress's Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda and party General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh represented the Congress in the meeting—the first such Opposition huddle after Operation Sindoor—which was also attended by Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT), RJD's Manoj Jha and Prof Ram Gopal Yadav of the SP. The other parties which are signatories to the letter include both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs of the CPI, CPM, CPIML, RSP, DMK, National Conference, IUML, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Kerala Congress, VCK, and MDMK. Speaking to ThePrint on condition of anonimity, a senior Congress functionary said that Rahul Gandhi spoke to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Abhishek Banerjee, DMK's T.R. Balu and Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Aaditya Thackeray to get them on board with the idea of a joint letter. 'Initially, both LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and LoP Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to the PM separately. But Rahul wanted the INDIA to coordinate on this matter. So, he called the leaders of some INDIA partners. Subsequently, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal, Lok Sabha Deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi, Chief Ehip K. Suresh and whips Manickam Tagore and Mohammad Jawed reached out to the parties,' the leader said. However, even as the leaders met, the fault lines within the coalition were all too evident. For instance, the AAP stayed away from the meeting and is writing to the Centre separately seeking a special session of Parliament. Leaders who attended the meeting said that the AAP conveyed its unwillingness to share a platform with the Congress. The Left parties, which are signatories to the letter, were also not invited to the meeting that lasted around 40 minutes. The NCP (SP) also did not attend Tuesday's meeting, with Sharad Pawar having previously announced that he was not in favour of holding any discussion on Operation Sindoor on an open forum. Speaking at the launch of Congress leader Salman Khurshid's book last month, former Home Minister P. Chidambaram had said, 'I am not sure if the INDIA alliance is intact. If it's intact, I am very happy. It can be put together. There's still time.' CPI general secretary D. Raja said to reporters that he was not aware of the meeting, but his party has been raising the demand for a special session. The Left parties were excluded from Tuesday's meeting at the insistence of the TMC, which shifted its stance on the special session following political attacks by PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on West Bengal's ruling party. While the Congress had been demanding a special session of the Parliament since the 22 April Pahalgam attack, the TMC, which sends the third-largest contingent to the Lok Sabha from the Opposition, had initially not joined the principal opposition party in amplifying the demand. TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee is among the members of the seven multi-party delegations sent to various world capitals to convey India's position on cross-border terrorism following Operation Sindoor. According to TMC sources, the party felt that at a time Banerjee was conveying New Delhi's position very effectively, Shah's remarks that Mamata Banerjee 'opposed' Operation Sindoor were 'unwarranted'. SP's Ram Gopal Yadav said if the government could send the multi-party delegations, there is no reason for it to not convene a special session of the Parliament. In remarks along similar lines, Raut said, 'if you could announce a ceasefire based on US President Donald Trump's intervention, you should also accept the Opposition's demand to call a special session of the House.' While at the press conference, Jha said, 'Donald Trump has said 13 times in the past fortnight that he brokered the truce. As a community, as a nation, we are hurt. Who will convey that message? It is the Parliament. If the Parliament is called, we will speak in one voice…The matter is of accountability. The government is accountable to the Parliament.' (Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri) Also read: Congress says Modi govt 'misled' nation on Op Sindoor losses, demands Kargil-like review
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Amid backlash over PU renaming demand, PUCSC prez shelves proposal, issues apology
Chandigarh: Facing intense criticism from students, alumni, and political voices across Punjab, Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC) president Anurag Dalal has decided not to submit his proposal seeking to rename Panjab University as 'Panjab and Haryana University'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The proposal, which had drawn support from Rohtak MP , has been stalled amid growing opposition. Dalal, in a video uploaded on social media, issued an apology. "I am not into divisive things… if anyone felt bad, I apologise," he said. Though the proposal had not yet been submitted to the vice-chancellor, Dalal confirmed he would not be going ahead with it. The move has triggered strong reactions from former Panjab University student leaders. Aam Aadmi Party MP Malvinder Singh Kang, who served as PUCSC president in 2002 and 2003, said, "Panjab University is not just an academic institution — it is Punjab's cultural, emotional and historical legacy. Its name reflects our identity before and after Partition." Kang pointed out that Haryana's colleges had voluntarily disaffiliated from Panjab University in 1973, and said demands to rename it now were unconstitutional and baseless. Congress leader and former PU student leader Brinder Dhillon also slammed the demand, calling it "an attack on the legacy of Punjabi language and heritage". He said the name Panjab University carries the weight of sacrifice and shared memory and should not be tampered with for political optics. Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda had earlier endorsed the renaming idea, saying it would acknowledge Haryana's contribution and that he would raise the matter in Parliament. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Several leaders from Punjab, cutting across party lines, rejected the statement. AAP and BJP both termed it an insult to Punjab's heritage. Despite the growing backlash, Hooda has not issued any clarification. Repeated attempts to reach him for comment went unanswered. The backlash extended into student politics. PUCSC vice president Archit Garg publicly opposed the proposal, calling it "unnecessary and disconnected from student needs". Dalal's former election ally Sikander Boora also criticised the move. Several members of Dalal's own party, Student Front, voiced dissent, with some describing the proposal as "a distraction from real student issues". AAP spokesperson Neel Garg said some leaders were resorting to stunts instead of addressing real issues, while BJP Punjab spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal called the renaming proposal "an affront to Punjab's identity".
CNA
15-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Indian farmers worry about US push to export dairy, grains into Indian market
The possible import of American grains and dairy imports is becoming a thorny issue in US-India trade talks. Washington wants easier entry for its farm products. But New Delhi wants to protect its farmers. Ishan Garg reports from the district of Rohtak in Haryana's agricultural belt.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Playing Sanjay Dutt was a challenge, but my director made it easier: Navneet Malik
Navneet Malik , a rising star from Rohtak, , set the industry abuzz when he stepped into the iconic shoes of for the recently released film The Bhootnii. This promising actor, known for his work in Love Hostel, Heropanti 2, The Freelancer, Deewaniyat, and Aankh Micholi , shared how he navigated a whirlwind journey from small-town life to Bollywood-style spotlights. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Malik said he never imagined he would join showbiz, yet he seized the chance to portray Sanju Baba and thrill fans alongside co-star . In an exclusive chat with us, Malik revealed he stayed consistent and fearless—traits that helped him overcome onscreen jitters and multiple auditions. He described how he switched from modelling to acting and faced the camera head-on, determined to evolve into a bonafide performer. Today, he embraces centre stage, credits his director for guiding him with confidence, and lights up at the mention of working with Roy. His transformation and bold decisions, including chopping off his hair, prove that dedication and timing build success in this ever-competitive industry. Excerpts... How has your journey been in the industry so far? It's such a joyful feeling. I truly feel blessed and incredibly grateful to have reached this point. It's all thanks to consistency—I've never let go of my dreams. I'm still chasing them, and the project I'm filming right now is a reflection of that. The journey has been beautiful, filled with its fair share of ups and downs, but deeply fulfilling. I never imagined I'd be part of this industry, yet the way things have unfolded has been nothing short of amazing. As Roderick Byron would say, it's both cheerful and satisfying. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now From a model to an actor today, have you taken any professional training for the same? Yes, I've taken professional training, but becoming a model was never really part of my plan—especially coming from a small town in Haryana. My hometown is called Manila, near Goa, but currently, we live in Rohtak, Haryana. Just two–three years ago, I had no idea what a modelling career even looked like. Things started changing when I moved to Delhi. People began suggesting I try modelling. I was still figuring things out, going from place to place looking for auditions. I attempted quite a few—but to be honest, I was so nervous. Many times, I'd just show up, see the camera, get scared, and return home. That phase was full of uncertainty. Eventually, I began transitioning into acting, and I found it much more enjoyable. I started attending workshops—many of them—and I threw myself into learning. During my modelling career, I worked hard to mentally shift my mindset to think like an actor. Even while I was doing regular campaigns for top brands, I started feeling the urge to evolve. At the peak of my modelling journey, I made a bold decision—to pivot into acting. I even cut my hair as part of the transformation. There were many changes, both internal and external, that I embraced to step into this new phase. And now, I'm loving it. Acting feels like where I truly belong, and I'm enjoying it professionally more than ever. Navneet Malik with Mouni Roy Navneet Malik with Mouni Roy You have shared the screen space with Mouni Roy in the film The Bhootnii, how has it been working with her? She's a wonderful, wonderful co-star, super hard-working. She knows what she does, and she makes her co-star very comfortable. And you don't even feel like you're working with an experienced actor. So, it was a great pleasure for me to work with such a cast. Even Sanjay Dutt sir, Moni Roy and other people. So it was a great pleasure for me to work with Moni Roy as a co-star. Navneet Malik How did you prepare for the role of Sanjay Dutt in the film? The role was definitely challenging. Portraying someone like Sanjay Dutt onscreen comes with a lot of responsibility. But I have to say, my director, Siddhant Sachdev made it a lot easier for me. His support and constant encouragement during the scenes helped me step into the role with confidence. The entire journey was both fulfilling and joyful. This role is truly one of the highlights of my career—something I will always carry with pride. How is the industry for outsider like you? With constant debate of nepotism, you think the star kids have an upper hand over the outsiders? Honestly, I don't think nepotism should be seen as the only reason people succeed or struggle in this industry. Yes, there are production houses that naturally want to support their own—whether it's their kids or relatives. That happens in every field, not just in film. It's human nature to prioritize your own. But I don't think we should label every instance as nepotism. That said, filmmakers and production houses also carry the responsibility of considering the audience. They're not just launching someone—they're shaping public perception and influencing the industry as a whole. The choices they make can impact the credibility of the film industry. From a personal perspective, I believe talent finds its way. If you're truly dedicated, hardworking, and serious about your craft, you'll carve your own path. People do respect sincere actors. It's really about how much effort you're putting into yourself and your work. Timing matters too. Being at the right place, with the right people, at the right time—prepared and ready—that's when opportunities open up. It's not impossible. But consistency is key. Sometimes, after a few projects, people get comfortable and expect the work to come to them. But it doesn't always work like that. You have to keep showing up, keep pushing yourself, until you reach the level where opportunities naturally come your way. So instead of blaming nepotism, I think it's more productive to focus on improving ourselves. Know where you stand, work towards where you want to be—and you'll get there. The industry may be tough, but it's not impossible.
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Taipei Open Super 300: Unnati Hooda, Ayush Shetty have their chances but go down in the semifinals against the top seeds
Up against one of the most highly rated young shuttlers in the world, Unnati Hooda had the lead in the opening game up until the finishing stages. Then top seed Tomoka Miyazaki made her decisive move, from 18-19 down, winning three consecutive points to pull off a mini heist. Up against one of the world's most experienced, gritty shuttlers, Ayush Shetty was going toe-to-toe, leading 18-17 in Game 1 and 15-14 in Game 2. But Chou Tien Chen is among the best there is when it comes to back-against-the-wall badminton, a trait that has seen him thrive well on the other side of 30 on the gruelling international circuit, a trait that Ayush came to witness from close quarters. That the Indian youngsters lost both of those matches in straight games on semifinals Saturday at the Taipei Open Super 300 is, in equal measure, encouraging and frustrating. They had their chances against the top seeds of the women's singles and men's singles draws respectively, but couldn't quite find a way past the finish line. While Unnati lost the battle of the teenagers against Japan's Miyazaki 19-21, 11-21 in 43 minutes, Ayush went down 18-21, 17-21 in 42 minutes against local hero Chou. At 18, Miyazaki is already in the top 10 in the world and has been notching up impressive wins over the past year or so. At 17, Unnati is a bit behind the Japanese youngster who she had lost to at the 2023 Junior World Championships. But it was the Indian who was off to a better start. The match began with a long rally, with Unnati playing at a high tempo, forcing Miyazaki to play reactive badminton. The Rohtak teen opened up a 3-0 lead with a good body smash, and early indications were that the Indian's attacking weapons can put Miyazaki under pressure. In what would turn out to be her most potent shot of the match, however, Miyazaki started finding her footing with her precise smash down the line to Unnati's forehand side. In Game 1 though, Unnati managed to keep Miyazaki at bay for long periods, showing good reflex defence, some cute backhand blocks, where she took the shuttle really low and late to deceive the former junior World Champ. The Indian led 11-6 at the interval but out of the break, started to rush through the points more, instead of displaying the solidity she had shown in the opening exchanges. A couple of sensational winners from Miyazaki made it a one-point game at 17-18 as she caught up with Unnati with a pinpoint cross smash that caught the line. The down-the-line smash again did the damage at 19-19, followed by her signature defensive retrieves that gave her a game point – the first time Miyazaki actually had the lead and she duly converted it. That opening game took the sting out of Unnati, with her father and coach Upkar Hooda looking increasingly agitated in the opening exchanges of Game 2 where she lost her radar with far too many unforced errors. A 11-6 lead for Miyazaki soon became 15-6 and by that point, Upkar's animated instructions faded away just as Unnati's fight. 15 years separate Ayush Shetty and Chou Tien Chen, but the youngster has a 15 cms advantage on court when it comes to height. The tall Mangalore shuttler has been steadily improving this season, and in his second semifinal appearance at a Super 300 event, pushed Chou all the way in both games… but the finishing kick eluded. Chou, who loves to engage in gruelling rallies, tried to switch things up. He seemed to have identified early that engaging in long rallies might favour the younger Ayush, and Chou kept the shuttle flat. The match started with a long-ish rally, but the opening exchanges seemed more like a men's doubles match than singles. Ayush opened up a 7-4 lead to start, but Chou entered the interval with an 11-10 lead – it took just 9 minutes for those first 21 points. When Chou did lift and give Ayush the height to work with, the Indian showed repeatedly he could go for the kill with great effect – the smashes troubled the 35-year-old. Both men traded blows for the remainder of the opening game, but Chou set up game point opportunities with a body smash at 20-18 and converted it. To his credit, unlike Unnati, Ayush didn't let the end of the opening game affect the start of his second as he continued to keep Chou on his toes but eventually the four-time Taipei Open champion pushed ahead from 16-16 and closed it out with a big roar in front of his home fans. Vinayakk Mohanarangan is Senior Assistant Editor and is based in New Delhi. ... Read More
