On Monday, former President Donald Trump named Senator JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate for the upcoming US presidential elections, marking a significant shift in their political relationship. Vance grew up in humble surroundings in Middletown, Ohio. After completing high school, he enlisted with the US marines where he served in the Iraq War as a combat journalist and a public relations officer.
Significantly, JD Vance's wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, has also gained quite some attention being of Indian origin and how she brings with her wealth of experience and a strong connection to Indian values and culture. After graduating from Yale in 2013, he practiced law for a brief while before moving to San Francisco to work in the tech industry as a venture capitalist. Notably, he worked at PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel’s Mithril Capital.
At the time, Vance was staunchly anti-Trump. “I’m a Never Trump guy,” he told talk show host Charlie Rose in October 2016. In an op-ed for The Atlantic in July 2016, Vance wrote: “Trump is cultural heroin… Trump’s promises are the needle in America’s collective vein… He makes some feel better for a bit. But he cannot fix what ails them, and one day they’ll realise it”.
The NEET UG 2024 entrance test is scheduled to be held on May 5, 2024, in a single shift from 2 PM. to 5:20 PM. The examination will be held in 571 cities across India and 14 cities outside the country in pen and paper mode. It will be conducted in languages that include English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Odia, Kannada, Punjabi, Urdu, Malayalam, Marathi, Telegu, and Tamil.
The Indian National Congress, often simply referred to as
the Congress Party, holds a prominent place in India's political history,
playing a pivotal role in the country's struggle for independence and
subsequent governance. The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885, during
British colonial rule in India. The formation of the Congress marked the
beginning of organized political agitation against British colonialism. Its
early leaders included Allan Octavian Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji, and others who
advocated for Indian representation in the British government and social
reforms. During its initial years, the Congress adopted a moderate approach,
seeking constitutional reforms and greater participation of Indians in the
governance process. Leaders such as Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Dadabhai Naoroji
articulated the Congress's demands for self-government within the framework of
the British Empire. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma
Gandhi, emerged as the leader of the Indian National Congress in the early
1920s.
Indira Gandhi, the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, emerged as
a prominent leader of the Congress party in the 1960s. Her tenure as Prime
Minister saw significant political and economic transformations, including the
nationalization of banks, the Green Revolution in agriculture, and the
declaration of Emergency in 1975, which led to a suspension of civil liberties.
The 1980s and 1990s witnessed the emergence of regional parties and the decline
of Congress dominance in Indian politics. Factors such as economic
liberalization, social mobilization, and the rise of identity-based politics
contributed to the erosion of Congress's support base. Despite facing electoral
setbacks, Congress remained a formidable political force, forming coalition
governments at the center and playing a crucial role in shaping national
policies. Sonia Gandhi, the widow of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, took
over the reins of the Congress party in 1998. Under her leadership, the
Congress adopted a pragmatic approach, forging alliances with regional parties
and focusing on issues such as poverty alleviation, rural development, and
social welfare.
In the 2004 general elections, the Congress-led United
Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition secured a surprise victory, defeating the
incumbent National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. Manmohan Singh became
the Prime Minister, with Sonia Gandhi serving as the chairperson of the UPA.
The Congress-led government implemented several landmark policies, including
the Right to Information Act, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee
Act, and the Right to Education Act. The Congress party faced electoral
setbacks in the subsequent years, particularly in the 2014 general elections,
where it suffered a significant defeat to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led
by Narendra Modi. The party embarked on a process of introspection and
organizational restructuring to revive its fortunes and reconnect with the
electorate. The Indian National Congress has played a central role in shaping
India's political landscape and democratic institutions since its inception.
The Indian National Congress (INC) party has a rich legacy
associated with its party symbol, the hand. Here's an overview of its legacy
and significance-
Historical Significance: The hand has been the symbol of the
Indian National Congress since its early years. It represents the party's
commitment to the upliftment and empowerment of the common people of India.
Symbolism of Unity and Inclusivity: The open palm of the
hand symbolizes inclusivity, openness, and unity. It represents the party's
ideology of bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, religions, and
communities under one umbrella for the common good of the nation.
Symbol of Peace and Non-violence: The hand symbolizes peace
and non-violence, values that have been central to the Congress party's
approach to governance and nation-building. It reflects the party's historical
role in India's struggle for independence, which was largely led through non-violent
means under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.
Commitment to Social Justice: The hand symbolizes the
Congress party's commitment to social justice and welfare policies aimed at
uplifting the marginalized and underprivileged sections of society. It
represents the party's focus on inclusive development and addressing the needs
of the poor and disadvantaged.
Historical Context: The hand has been a prominent feature of
the Congress party's election campaigns, party literature, and promotional
materials for decades. It has become synonymous with the party's identity and
its long-standing role in Indian politics.
Overall, the hand symbolizes the Indian National Congress's
ethos of inclusivity, social justice, peace, and unity. It embodies the party's
vision for a democratic and egalitarian society where every individual has the
opportunity to thrive and contribute to the nation's progress.
The BJP traces its roots back to the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), a political party founded in 1951 by Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Deendayal Upadhyaya, and others. The BJS emerged as a voice for Hindu nationalism, advocating for the interests of the Hindu majority in India. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization founded in 1925, played a significant role in shaping the ideology and direction of the BJS and later the BJP. The RSS provided ideological guidance and organizational support to the BJP's leaders and cadre.
In the 1970s, political dynamics in India shifted with the emergence of the Janata Party, a coalition of opposition parties that came together to challenge the dominance of the Indian National Congress. The BJS joined the Janata Party, and after the collapse of the Janata government in 1980, the BJS reconstituted itself as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1980, under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani. One of the defining moments in the BJP's history was its involvement in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, which sought to build a temple at the site believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. The movement mobilized Hindu sentiments and became a rallying point for the BJP's political agenda. The demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992 by Hindu activists sparked nationwide communal tensions but also propelled the BJP to the forefront of Indian politics.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the BJP steadily expanded its electoral base, particularly in northern and western India. It formed state governments in various states and emerged as the principal opposition party at the national level. In 1996, the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Lok Sabha elections but fell short of a majority. Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the Prime Minister of India, leading a coalition government known as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The Vajpayee-led NDA government marked a period of significant economic reforms, infrastructure development, and foreign policy initiatives such as the nuclear tests in 1998 and efforts to improve relations with Pakistan through the Lahore Declaration. However, the government faced challenges, including coalition politics, communal tensions, and criticism over the handling of the Gujarat riots in 2002. In the 1998 and 1999 general elections, the BJP-led NDA secured consecutive victories, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as Prime Minister from 1998 to 2004. During this time, the BJP consolidated its position as a dominant force in Indian politics, expanding its presence in states across the country.
The 2004 and 2009 general elections saw the BJP-led NDA facing defeats, leading to a period of introspection and restructuring within the party. In 2014, the BJP, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, secured a landslide victory in the Lok Sabha elections, winning a majority on its own for the first time in its history. Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India, leading the BJP to power with a message of development, governance, and economic reform. Since assuming office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pursued an ambitious agenda focused on economic growth, infrastructure development, and social welfare initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Make in India, and Digital India. The BJP-led NDA government also implemented significant policy reforms, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetization.
Under Narendra Modi's leadership, the BJP has continued to strengthen its electoral dominance, winning key state elections and expanding its footprint in regions previously considered strongholds of opposition parties. The BJP's electoral victories in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal have demonstrated its growing appeal among diverse demographics and regions. Despite its electoral successes, the BJP has faced criticism on various fronts, including concerns over religious and social polarization, attacks on freedom of expression, and economic challenges such as unemployment and agrarian distress. The party's policies and actions have also sparked debates on issues such as nationalism, secularism, and the rights of minority communities.
The BJP's journey from its inception as a pro-Hindu nationalist party to becoming one of India's dominant political forces reflects the complexities and contradictions of Indian politics. With its strong organizational structure, ideological clarity, and charismatic leadership, the BJP continues to shape the political landscape of India, leaving a lasting impact on the country's socio-political fabric.
The Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) has a significant legacy associated with its party symbol, the lotus.
Cultural Significance: The lotus holds profound cultural
and religious significance in Indian traditions. It is a symbol of purity,
beauty, and enlightenment in Hinduism, Buddhism, and other Indian religions.
The lotus flower is often associated with divine beauty and spiritual
awakening.
National
Symbolism: The lotus is also the national flower of India, further
enhancing its symbolism and relevance as the party symbol. As the national
flower, the lotus represents the essence of Indian culture and heritage, making
it a potent symbol for a political party seeking to embody and promote Indian
values.
Political
Symbolism: For the BJP, the lotus symbolizes several key principles and
aspirations:
Purity and Integrity: The party aims to project itself as a force
for clean and honest governance, free from corruption and malpractice.
Prosperity
and Growth: Like the lotus, which blooms in muddy waters but emerges
unblemished and beautiful, the BJP aims to bring about positive transformation
and development in the country.
Spiritual and Cultural Identity: The lotus
reflects the party's commitment to preserving and promoting India's rich
spiritual and cultural heritage.
Historical Context: The BJP adopted the lotus as its symbol
in the early years of its formation. Over time, it has become synonymous with
the party and its ideology. The lotus has been a consistent feature on the
party's election campaign materials, banners, and promotional materials,
reinforcing its identity among voters.
Overall, the lotus symbolizes not only
the BJP's political aspirations but also its cultural and nationalistic ethos.
It represents a vision of India that is rooted in tradition, yet poised for
progress and prosperity.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on
Thursday it has provisionally attached immovable and movable properties worth
Rs 97.79 crore belonging to Raj Kundra, businessman and actor Shilpa Shetty’s
husband, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the Bitcoin
investment fraud case.
Kundra spent two months in Mumbai’s Arthur
Road jail in 2021 in connection with a pornography case. He was granted bail in
September 2021 by a metropolitan magistrate’s court in Mumbai.
ED’s latest action against Kundra is in
connection with the money laundering case which was filed against him based on
multiple FIRs registered by Maharashtra Police and Delhi Police against Variable Tech Pte Ltd, (late) Amit
Bhardwaj, Ajay Bhardwaj, Vivek Bhardwaj, Simpy Bhardwaj, Mahender Bhardwaj, and
several multiple level marketing (MLM) agents.
Allegedly, the couple is
under scrutiny in connection with a staggering Rs 6600 crore scam. The
FIRs alleged the accused had collected huge amounts of funds in the form of
Bitcoins (worth Rs 6,600 crore in 2017) from people with false promises of a 10
per cent per month return in the form of Bitcoins.
ED has taken strict action
by attaching properties belonging to Raj Kundra, valued at approximately Rs 98
crore. Among the seized assets are Shilpa Shetty's flat in Juhu and a bungalow
in Pune.
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Actor and host Maniesh Paul had a captivating conversation with Maharashtra's Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, covering governance, societal issues, and entertainment.
Maniesh Paul took to social media to share a glimpse into their discussion, which covered a range of topics from governance to societal issues and entertainment. This interaction is part of Paul's ongoing series where he converses with prominent figures, offering his audience a peek into the lives and thoughts of his guests. Paul has previously hosted other well-known personalities such as Bharti Singh, Krishna Abhishek, and Farah Khan on his platform.
Toh ye tha reason…@mieknathshinde sir -The Honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra thank you so much for this wonderful and insightful chat Full episode out soon on my YouTube channel Wait for it! #realnayak
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