Country is safe under PM Modi’s leadership, says Mamta Kulkarni (IANS Exclusive)

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Mumbai, Dec 19 (IANS) Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the country is safe under his leadership.

In an exclusive conversation with IANS, the Bollywood actress spoke on a range of topics.

Mamta Kulkarni said, “It is very difficult for India to get such a Prime Minister. Whatever I say about him is less. He loves the country very much and can do anything for it. The country is safe under him. Narendra Modi is an honest Prime Minister… for him work is everything.”

“There is a BJP government in the state and the country. Some miracle should happen. There are many potholes on roads. The Law Minister should also pay attention to this,” she added.

The Bollywood actress also expressed happiness over the inauguration of Ram temple in Ayodhya. She said, “I am very happy with the consecration of Ram temple. Earlier a temple was there, then it was demolished and now Ram temple has been built again. I will definitely visit Ram temple in Ayodhya. Apart from this, I will visit Kashi Vishwanath temple and will also go to Kumbh and take a royal bath.”

Mamta Kulkarni said, “Now I am a sanyasi and I am neither interested in Bollywood nor anything else. I am no longer in the age to think about Bollywood again. I want to live a spiritual life and participate in spiritual debates so that I can unite everyone.”

The actress, who was linked to a drug trafficking case and was back in Mumbai after 24 years, expressed her happiness. Mamta said, “When I was reaching Mumbai, I became very emotional. Tears came to my eyes because I remembered the place from where I started my journey and the Bollywood which gave me so much.”

She said, “I have seen a lot of change in Mumbai. However, there is a lot of traffic here and the condition of the roads is also very bad. I had heard that the BMC budget is Rs 25000 crore, but I don’t think any such work has been done. There are a lot of potholes on the roads here. Mumbai should be improved, because Mumbai is the economic capital of the country. Mumbai should also be clean.”

–IANS

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Police identified the youth as Akash, a catering delivery worker who started playing online rummy during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently became addicted to it.

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Recently, Akash’s mother found that Rs 30,000, which she had saved for her cancer treatment, was missing.

Upon questioning, Akash admitted that he had used the money to play online games.

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The family searched for him at the homes of close friends but was unable to locate him.

On Saturday morning, his body was found on the terrace of their residence.

The Kottupuram Police in Chennai have registered a case and begun an investigation.

Over the past four years, 48 people have committed suicide in Tamil Nadu due to addiction to online betting apps and online loan frauds.

The Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (TNOGA) had earlier announced its intention to take strict action against those promoting online gambling and betting apps in the state.

Citizens are encouraged to report online gambling activities or offer suggestions on regulating online games through www.tnonlinegamingauthority.com or via email at tnoga@tn.gov.in.

The TNOGA, 2022, prohibits online gambling, betting, and games of chance.

Violators face imprisonment of up to three months, a fine of up to Rs 5,000, or both. Financial institutions and payment gateways are also prohibited from facilitating transactions related to online gambling.

Additionally, the TNOGA Act bans advertisements promoting online gambling or games of chance in any form of media within Tamil Nadu.

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president and former Union Minister, Anbumani Ramadoss, have called on the government to take stringent measures against online games like rummy, which are reportedly driving many youths to despair and suicide.

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CJI Sanjiv Khanna-led Bench to hear Cong leader’s petition for verification of EVMs used in Haryana polls

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) The Supreme Court is set to hear on Friday a plea filed by Congress leaders seeking verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used during the Haryana Assembly polls.

As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a bench headed by CJI Sanjiv Khanna and comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar will take up on December 20 the plea seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to lay down a memorandum for the checking and verification of the original burnt memory/microcontroller of the four components of the EVM.

Last week, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P.B. Varale opined that the matter should be placed before the same Bench which had passed directions on EVMs in April this year.

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In order to strengthen the integrity of the election process in the country, a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna (now CJI) and Dipankar Datta, in April this year, had passed a direction for checking and verification of the burnt memory/microcontroller in 5 per cent of EVMs for any tampering or modification on a written request made by candidates securing second and third highest votes in an election.

The apex court said the checking and verification exercise was directed to be undertaken by a team of engineers from the manufacturers of the EVMs, with the candidates and their representatives having the option to remain present at the time of such exercise.

The latest petition filed by Karan Singh Dalal, a former 5-time MLA, said that the ECI has not issued any procedure for checking and verification of the original burnt memory/microcontroller of the four components of the EVM (Control Unit, Ballot Unit, VVPAT and Symbol Loading Unit) in terms of SC judgment.

The plea sought directions to the poll body to lay down a memorandum for checking and verification of the original burnt memory/microcontroller of the four components of the EVM (Control Unit, Ballot Unit, VVPAT and Symbol Loading Unit). It further sought that the above exercise be undertaken within eight weeks and be made applicable to the EVM checking and verification forms dated October 14 submitted to the ECI.

The petition, filed through advocate Neha Rathi, said that the issue raised in the petition requires to be authoritatively decided by the apex court owing to significant public importance and ramifications across the country.

“The matter affects the functioning of the democracy in the country and elections being held across the country in various states, and therefore needs to be urgently and authoritatively decided,” it said. The absence of any procedure for verification of burnt memory for tampering shows reluctance on the part of the ECI to subject the original burnt memory microcontroller from any scrutiny whatsoever, contended the petition.

–IANS

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India sends 60 tonnes of medical aid to disaster-hit Jamaica

New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) A fresh consignment of around 60 tonnes of emergency medical equipment, generators, and other utilities have been sent by India to Jamaica to support the country’s healthcare needs and enhance their disaster preparedness.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, shared the details of the humanitarian assistance on Saturday.

“India sends Humanitarian Assistance to Jamaica. A consignment of around 60 tonnes of emergency medical equipment, Gensets & other utilities has departed for Jamaica. This assistance will support health care needs and rehabilitation of medical infrastructure as well as strengthen the disaster preparedness against Hurricanes,” Jaiswal said in a post on X.

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PM Modi also hailed India-Jamaica ties stating that the relations between the two nations are based on a “shared history,” adding that PM Holness has been a “longstanding friend of India”.

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Jamaican PM Andrew Holness called his official trip to India a success and praised New Delhi for being a strong voice for the Global South while providing a pathway for development to countries like Jamaica.

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