Andhra Pradesh’s NDA government dissolves Waqf Board

New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) Veer Savarkar Airport, previously known as Port Blair Airport, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has opened its runway for international flights, hence opening the region to tourists and visitors from across the globe.

The Archipelago, whose tourism potential has largely remained unexplored till date because of limited air connectivity, got a boost when the Veer Savarkar airport received its first international flight, last month. Experts see the island turning into a major tourist hotspot soon, with visitors arriving from across the continents.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made an appeal to tourists to pay a visit to the Cellular Jail, besides enjoying the serene and tranquil islands.

“Do visit the Cellular Jail as well and get inspired by the courage of the great Veer Savarkar,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

Notably, it was this infamous Cellular Jail, where Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was jailed for 11 years during India’s freedom movement. Dubbed as ‘Kala Paani’, this was one of the harshest prison sentence, meted out by the Britishers.

PM Modi also noted the importance of preserving and celebrating the legacy of brave heroes who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation.

His homage to the brave heroes came in response to an X user (a noted journalist) who described the ‘naming of 21 Andaman islands after Param Vir Chakras’ as his favourite part of Andaman tourism.

Last year, PM Modi had named 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees. The christening of unnamed islands was done on the occasion of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 126th birth anniversary, officially observed as Parakram Diwas.

In his post on X, PM Modi underscored the importance of remembering the brave heroes of the nation, who made supreme sacrifices for the nation.

“Naming the islands in Andaman and Nicobar after our heroes is a way to ensure their service to the nation is remembered for generations to come. This is also part of our larger endeavour to preserve and celebrate the memory of our freedom fighters and eminent personalities who have left an indelible mark on our nation,” he said.

The Prime Minister further said, “It’s the nations that remain connected with their roots that move ahead in development and nation-building.”

–IANS

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Bengaluru, Dec 21 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said on Saturday that conscience itself will deliver justice in the derogatory remark case against BJP MLC C. T. Ravi.

The Deputy Chief Minister’s remark came close on the heels of the release of Ravi, who was arrested over alleged derogatory remark against Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar.

On Ravi’s allegations that police harassed him throughout the night, Shivakumar told reporters: “In this matter, you and the police are involved. Whether it’s at his house or his party, I am the cause of everything.”

“Let the BJP accept that disrespecting women and using abusive language is their culture. We will not object,” said Shivakumar.

“C.T. Ravi has not only spoken disrespectfully about Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar but also about CM Siddaramaiah. In the Assembly, he used the term ‘Nitya Sumangali’ (a Kannada term used to demean a woman). BJP leaders must introspect whether Ravi’s remark was right or wrong,” he claimed.

“Chikkamagaluru (native place of Ravi) is known for its cultured people. Unfortunately, someone like him hails from there,” he added.

“If any leader from our party had spoken like this, I would have condemned it. However, BJP leaders are standing in defence of their leader,” he claimed.

State Home Minister G. Parameshwara said, “The matter is before the court. I won’t issue any statements as the matter is sub-judice. It is not appropriate to discuss the issue.”

“The police claim that they have initiated steps lawfully. The matter is before the court and they will decide what is right and what is wrong. I have been told that while obtaining information on various circumstances, the judgment has come without asking the version of police. Now, we can’t comment or criticise the decision,” Parameshwara stated.

When asked about the Legislative Council Chairperson Basavaraj Horatti stating that there are no records of Ravi making derogatory remark, Minister Parameshwara said that he does not know anything.

–IANS

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