Bhai Dooj symbolises sweetness of loving bond between brothers and sisters: PM Modi

Shimla, Jan 26 (IANS) Amidst biting cold, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Monday unfurled the national flag at the state-level celebrations of the 77th Republic Day at the historic Ridge here.

After unfurling the Tricolour, the Governor inspected the parade led by Additional Superintendent of Police (Shimla) Mehar Panwar and took the salute from an impressive march past commanded by Lt. Shashwat Tiwari of 1 J&K Rifles.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, along with his Cabinet colleagues and Lady Governor Janaki Shukla, were also present on the occasion.

The march past featured contingents from the Indian Army, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the Sashastra Seema Bal, the Punjab Police, the Himachal Pradesh Police, the Home Guards, Fire Services, Himachal Pradesh Postal Services, Disaster Management, ex-servicemen, National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme, Bharat Scouts and Guides and other units, reflecting discipline, unity and national pride.

On the occasion, the Governor honoured Ritik Chauhan of Gagana village under Chambi post office in Chopal tehsil of Shimla district with the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak for exemplary courage in saving lives.

Colourful tableaux depicting various developmental initiatives and achievements of different government departments were a major attraction of the celebrations. Cultural performances added vibrancy to the programme. Artists from the North Zone Cultural Centre in Patiala presented folk dances from Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Uttarakhand.

The Eklavya Kala Manch of Himachal Pradesh Police, 1st IRBN Bangarh in Una staged a street play on the theme of ‘Drug-Free Himachal’ to spread awareness about the ill-effects of consumption and illegal smuggling of narcotics substance, especially ‘chitta’. Artists from Hamirpur and Shimla enthralled the audience with their captivating performances.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, legislators Kuldeep Rathore and Mohan Lal Brakta, Principal Media Advisor Naresh Chauhan, Mayor Municipal Corporation, Shimla, Surinder Chauhan, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Director General of Police Ashok Tiwari, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, senior civil, police and military officers, and people from across the state were also present at the celebrations.

–IANS

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Jalna (Maharashtra), July 4 (IANS) A major controversy has erupted in Maharashtra’s Jalna district after a video from a school’s annual day function went viral on social media on Saturday showing students at the school function allegedly performing to a controversial song while holding mock swords.

This has led to a police investigation and sharp political reactions.

The incident took place at the Kids World English School in Jalna’s Partur, sparking intense debate over the nature of the performance and the materials used.

The backlash began when video clips from the school’s annual gathering circulated online.

According to police sources, as per the complaint filed against the school by a group of local leaders, a group of students performed a dance routine while wielding imitation/mock swords.

The political leaders alleged that the children were dancing to a controversial song (with some reports alleging it was the slogan ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’, and others claiming it was a Pakistani song).

Visuals or photographs of controversial figures were allegedly displayed on stage during the performance.

The video quickly triggered public outrage, leading to demands for strict action against the school administration for a performance deemed highly inappropriate for a school environment.

After the viral circulation of the video and subsequent complaints, the Partur police registered a formal case under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The police sources said that they have registered a case against the school’s principal (identified as Wazhiyoddin Siddiqui), the school President, a teacher, and the event’s anchor.

The case includes sections related to acts affecting the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India, promoting enmity between different groups, and spreading misinformation affecting national integration.

A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP)-level investigation has been ordered to verify the authenticity of the video, review how the performance was approved, and ascertain whether any laws were actively violated.

However, the school administration has strongly denied the allegations, saying that the context of the performance has been completely misrepresented and manipulated online.

In statements given to reporters, school Principal Siddiqui clarified, “The music used during the programme was from the popular Turkish television historical serial ‘Ertugrul Ghazi’, and not a Pakistani song. The image shown during the performance was of an actor from that serial. Some persons have tampered with the visuals and circulated misleading content on social media.”

The school said that the routine was a theatrical performance based on historical drama and featured harmless prop swords, rather than anything meant to incite communal tension or promote extremism.

The incident has rapidly taken a political turn in Maharashtra.

Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and former Minister Babanrao Lonikar and senior leader Kirit Somaiya, visited the area and demanded severe consequences.

Somaiya has gone a step further, alleging that the school lacks valid recognition from the state’s Education department and calling for the premises to be sealed.

Authorities have said that further administrative and legal steps will depend entirely on the final findings of the ongoing police probe.

–IANS

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Kolkata, Nov 26 (IANS) The Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended an Indian smuggler along the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) in north Bengal on Tuesday and seized gold estimated to be valued at around Rs 2.5 crore from him. Based on information provided by him, the rear link in this racket — a man from Maharashtra — was also arrested.

“On the basis of specific intelligence inputs received by Field ‘G’ Team, BSF, Kishanganj, regarding gold smuggling in the area of responsibility, the troops apprehended an Indian national named Ratan Bishra, (23). He is a resident of Indira Colony, Bamanbari, Goalpokher, in the Uttar Dinajpur district,” a senior official of the BSF’s North Bengal Frontier said.

Bishra was nabbed at the IBB Fence gate while returning from his field situated beyond.

He was carrying a bundle of dry branches when he was stopped and searched. Gold biscuits weighing 1,963.72 grams were found in his possession. Two mobile phones were also seized.

“The value of the gold is nearly Rs 2.5 crore. Based on information provided by him, the BSF team planned another operation and apprehended the rear link, named Dhanaji Namdev Bhuje (34). He is a resident of Malewadi, Kargani, Atpari, in the Sangli district of Maharastra. He was waiting at the Caltex Chowk in Kishanganj to receive the consignment,” the official added.

Both Bishra and Bhuje have been handed over to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Behrampore, Murshidabad for further legal processing.

The gold has also been handed over. The BSF is treating this as a major success as both the smuggler and the receiver have been nabbed. More apprehensions are possible after further interrogation, the official said.

Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, Special DG, BSF (Eastern Command), lauded the efforts of troops of the North Bengal Frontier for affecting notable seizure of gold and busting gold smuggling rackets. He reiterated that the achievement reflects BSF’s commitment to destroy the gold smuggling-networks/rackets.

The BSF will continue to take such decisive action with zero tolerance against smuggling and illegal activities along the India-Bangladesh border, he said.

–IANS

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