Rajasthan to provide all support for Lokmanthan-2026: CM Bhajan Lal Sharma

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Jaipur, July 1 (IANS) The curtain-raiser event for Lokmanthan-2026 was held at the Constitution Club in Jaipur on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said that Rajasthan is a land of Shakti (strength), Bhakti (devotion), intellect, valour, culture and vibrant folk traditions. The state’s rich folk arts, saintly traditions and literary heritage embody India’s cultural diversity.

He said it is a matter of pride that Rajasthan is hosting the fifth edition of Lokmanthan, an initiative that began in 2016 with the theme of liberation from colonialism.

Held this year under the theme “Hum Bharat Ke Log” (We, the People of India), the event also reflects the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family).

The Chief Minister was addressing the curtain-raiser event for Lokmanthan-2026 at the Constitution Club in Jaipur on Wednesday.

He said the objective of Lokmanthan is to provide a common platform for thinkers, social practitioners, folk artists, artisans, academicians, policymakers and youth who are inspired by the spirit of ‘Nation First’.

He added that Lokmanthan has evolved into a platform for global dialogue on Indian civilisation, with representatives of Indian culture from across the world participating in this edition. Their participation, he said, will further enhance Rajasthan’s cultural stature on the global stage.

The Chief Minister said that PM Modi has transformed politics into a vehicle for nation-building, guided by the resolve of ‘Nation First’. According to him, Bharat Mata, the people of India and the nation’s future remain at the centre of the Prime Minister’s decisions, schemes and campaigns.

He added that initiatives such as Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, Vocal for Local, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat are rooted in the vision of enabling India to lead the world through its cultural strength, intellectual capabilities and traditional knowledge.

He further said that landmarks such as the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok in Ujjain and the Somnath Temple stand as symbols of India’s cultural renaissance.

The Chief Minister assured that the Rajasthan government would provide all possible support to ensure the successful organisation of Lokmanthan.

He said the event would further strengthen Rajasthan’s identity as a national centre of culture and intellectual discourse, and called upon people to celebrate it as a festival of India’s cultural consciousness, intellectual heritage and the spirit of ‘Nation First’.

Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India possesses one of the world’s oldest cultural traditions and that Lokmanthan serves as a platform to reconnect people with this enduring heritage.

He said the event is not merely about reflecting on the past but about drawing inspiration to build the future.

Describing the theme “We, the People of India” as more than just the central idea of Lokmanthan, he called it a collective call representing the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.

J. Nandakumar, Convener of the Pragya Pravah Committee, said that Lokmanthan brings together people from diverse sections of society to engage in meaningful dialogue on the timeless values of ancient India.

He said the discussions held on this platform are intended not only to exchange knowledge but also to inspire a collective commitment to the welfare and well-being of every individual.

He observed that Rajasthan represents one of the richest expressions of India’s cultural diversity.

Recalling that Lokmanthan was launched in Bhopal in 2016 with the theme of ‘Liberation from Colonialism’, he said hosting its fifth edition in Rajasthan, a state renowned for its vibrant folk traditions, would add new dimensions to the event.

Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Dr. Prem Chand Bairwa also addressed the gathering.

During the programme, the official Lokmanthan website was launched, and J. Nandakumar’s book, Folk Se Pare Lok (Beyond Folk: The Essence of ‘Lok’), was released.

Folk artists from Rajasthan presented cultural performances on the occasion.

Among those present were Dr. Ramesh Chandra Agarwal, Kshetra Sanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh; Padma Shri awardee and Alghoza maestro Tagaram Bhil; Dhrupad vocalist Dr. Madhu Bhatt Tailang; and a large number of distinguished guests and members of the public.

–IANS

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Northeast region joins nation in observing Police Commemoration Day

Itanagar/Agartala, Oct 21 (IANS) Several Northeastern states, on Tuesday, joined the nation on the occasion of “Police Commemoration Day 2025” to pay tribute to policemen who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha after paying his tributes on the occasion of the Police Commemoration Day at the Manoranjan Debbarma Smriti Stadium in Arundhuti Nagar on the outskirts of Agartala, said that across the country, a total of 191 police personnel, including two policemen, in Tripura were martyred in the line of duty during the period from September 2024 to August 2025.

“Their (policemen) selfless service and unwavering spirit exemplify the true essence of heroism,” the Chief Minister said and hoped that their sincerity, dedication and duty-bound mindset will continue in the coming days.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who is now visiting Japan, on Tuesday, paid tributes to policemen who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

Taking to his official X account, CM Khandu said: “On this Police Commemoration Day, we pay heartfelt tribute to the valiant men and women of our police forces who laid down their lives in service to the nation. Their courage, discipline, and devotion to duty embody the highest ideals of public service. We also salute their families, whose strength and sacrifice stand as the unseen pillars behind their heroism.”

The Martyrs Day was observed at the Police Training Centre in Itanagar and Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung and all the senior police officers, police personnel and staff were present.

Genden Tsormu, wife of late Thutan Tsering of 4th Arunachal Pradesh Rifles Battalion, also paid homage and tributes.

Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister said that the state government remains committed to strengthening the police infrastructure and supporting the welfare of the law enforcers and their families.

“The state government will continue to work towards equipping the police force with modern facilities to deal with the evolving security challenges,” he added.

Director General of Police Anand Mohan reiterated the department’s commitment to public safety and welfare on the occasion.

In Nagaland, state’s Director General of Police Rupin Sharma paid tributes to the police personnel, who laid down their lives across India in the line of duty in the last one year.

Addressing the police personnel at the Nagaland Police headquarters in Kohima, the police Chief appealed to security personnel to renew their pledge to serve the nation and make the supreme sacrifice when needed.

Sharma lauded the unwavering commitment and professionalism of the Nagaland Police, saying their tireless service in maintaining law and order has strengthened public trust and brought honour to the force.

In Manipur, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla also paid tributes to policemen who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

The Manipur Raj Bhavan on its official X account said: “On Police Commemoration Day, we pay solemn tribute to the brave men and women who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. We honour the unwavering courage, discipline, and dedication of the Manipur Police, who continue to safeguard peace and uphold justice with pride and integrity. Their service stands as a testament to Manipur’s enduring spirit of resilience and duty.”

While paying his tributes, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said: “On this Police Commemoration Day, we stand in solemn tribute to our fallen heroes. We honour their unwavering courage, selfless service, and the ultimate sacrifices they made in the line of duty. Their legacy lives on in our hearts and in the continued commitment to protect and serve.”

Across India, a total of 191 police personnel were martyred in the line of duty during the period from September 2024 to August 2025.

Among the forces, the Border Security Force (BSF) recorded the highest number of casualties with 23 martyrs, while Chhattisgarh reported the highest number among state and Union Territory Police forces, with 16 martyrs.

The martyrs belonged to 26 state and Union Territory Police forces and eight Central Armed Police Forces.

The Police Commemoration Day has been observed annually on October 21 since 1960 in remembrance of the 10 police personnel, who were martyred in an ambush by Chinese troops at Hot Springs in Ladakh on October 21, 1959.

The day stands as a symbol of honour and gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice made by police personnel in service of the nation.

–IANS

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Bengal Guv calls Messi event chaos ‘dark day’, says mismanagement is ‘understatement’ (IANS Interview)

Kolkata, Dec 17 (IANS) West Bengal Governor C.V. Anand Bose, in an interview with IANS on Wednesday, said the term ‘mismanagement’ would be an “understatement” of what unfolded during the event organised for Argentine footballer Lionel Messi at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, calling it a “dark day” for the state.

This comes against the backdrop of mounting criticism and political backlash over the chaos and security mismanagement that occurred on December 13 at the Messi event held at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, also known as the Salt Lake Stadium. Furious spectators went on a rampage, causing damage to stadium property.

Calling it a “systematic failure”, Bose said that the incident has “brought shame to the entire country”.

The following are the excerpts from the interview:

IANS: There was massive chaos that unfolded at the Messi event in Kolkata. Do you think it was mismanagement by the administration?

C.V. Anand Bose: Mismanagement is an understatement. There was callous neglect by the authorities. This shows the worst consequences when sports are treated as a commercial commodity, and private individuals are allowed to make money at the expense of the sentiments of sports lovers.

Thousands of people had gathered in Kolkata from various parts of the country to catch a glimpse of their football hero, Messi. However, the authorities there messed it up. There was no planning, management or monitoring. The entire government machinery turned into a mere spectator of the mishap that had happened there, and everyone else had to pay the price.

The public suffered because of it; even I received many complaints. The government had been informed a night earlier to take precautionary measures, but they were not taken.

It is a sad situation that the Kolkata metropolis does not have a standard operating procedure or management. This was a systematic failure. It is a dark day in Bengal, and it has brought shame to the entire country.

IANS: What steps can the state government take now to investigate this and hold the responsible individuals accountable?

C.V. Anand Bose: I have given several suggestions, recommendations, and directives to the government. First, a judicial inquiry should be conducted. An inquiry by a retired judge, which has been ordered, does not qualify as a judicial inquiry. Second, arrest the organisers. The Chief Organiser has been arrested, but that too is not adequate. All those who are responsible should be taken into custody.

Third, from the point of view of the public, is to refund the money to the people, which the government has announced. Fourth, freeze the accounts of the Chief Organiser.

IANS: You also personally inspected the stadium. What did you see?

C.V. Anand Bose: Second day, when I went to inspect the stadium, I found that the stadium was locked. The lights were off. This means they were trying to hide something. When I went there the next day, I saw the most bizarre chaos. Those who are responsible for this should be punished.

IANS: Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas has resigned. What do you have to say about this?

C.V. Anand Bose: There were many messages from the people, demanding the Sports Minister’s resignation. Now that he has resigned, I understand that some action has been taken. If only an effective action had been taken before the event…

The DGP and the Commissioner of Police have been asked for an explanation. Bidhannagar Police’s Deputy Commissioner has been suspended. There is also a demand from the people for the resignation of another Minister. However, people want proactive and effective action. Accidents are not accidental — a message that the Kolkata event gave to us.

IANS: CM Mamata Banerjee was not able to reach the venue herself. How do you see this?

C.V. Anand Bose: The pell-mell that took place in Kolkata is certainly shameful to all sports lovers, particularly for the people of Bengal. The authorities have failed miserably in anticipating this and taking precautionary steps.

In a situation like this, it is common knowledge that there are four stages where the government and authorities have to take care of: intelligence, preparation for the action, action and mopping up. The authorities have failed in all of these.

The police have the primary responsibility to maintain order during such events. It is shameful that the Chief Minister, who is also the Home Minister, was not able to come to the scene. The police failed the Constitution, the people of Bengal, their own Home Minister and law and order. That is the deplorable situation prevailing in Bengal now.

IANS: Do you think that under such circumstances, there can be major security lapses in the state?

C.V. Anand Bose: I don’t want to go into the detailing of that, but as Governor, my primary responsibility is to the people. So I will think of the people, totally ignored, and people were made scapegoats for somebody’s greed for money, selling sports as a commercial commodity.

IANS: Do you think law and order have completely failed in Bengal?

C.V. Anand Bose: As a constitutional head of the state, I should not be making any jerk reaction. In this particular instance, there was total failure. But that I will not make use of to assess the entire law and order situation in the state. Also, I made my own assessment on the matter, which I will inform the authorities concerned. I don’t want to discuss it in public.

IANS: According to you, are Bangladeshi infiltrators residing in the state in large numbers? Is it becoming a major problem?

C.V. Anand Bose: That is a reality which came to the fore when the Special Intensive Review (SIR) process started. There is also an outflow of illegal migrants from Bengal through the border to Bangladesh. This is a situation, a phenomenon that has been studied in depth to a very large extent. As far as it affects the elections, the SIR process will certainly bring about a change. It will cleanse the system to a great extent.

IANS: The Centre is saying that the SIR will help identify and drive out the Bangladeshi infiltrators as they affect the election outcomes. What is your take on this?

C.V. Anand Bose: After the SIR, I believe the chances have decreased (of Bangladeshi infiltrators affecting the elections). I’m not saying they are completely eliminated, but they have certainly lessened.

–IANS

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Four killed in violent clash between two rival groups in Jabalpur

Jabalpur, Jan 27 (IANS) A long-standing rivalry between two families in Madhya Pradesh’s Timri village under the Patan police station area of Jabalpur erupted into a deadly confrontation, leaving four dead and two seriously injured, the police said here on Monday.

The bloody altercation reportedly arose from a dispute between the Pathak and Sahu families over gambling activities. The conflict escalated into violence when members of both groups confronted each other armed with weapons.

According to eyewitnesses, the Pathak family, including Satish and Manish Pathak, arrived at a gathering intended to resolve the month-long dispute regarding gambling in the village. Unknown to them, members of the Sahu family were waiting, allegedly armed with sharp weapons.

Before the Pathak family could assess the situation, the Sahu family launched a sudden attack, resulting in chaos and bloodshed. Four members of the Pathak family — Satish Pathak, Manish Pathak, and two others – died on the spot. Two others — Vipin Dubey and Mukesh Dubey, were critically injured and rushed to a hospital by the police.

The conflict reportedly began when the Pathak family objected to gambling activities organised by the Sahu family near their home. Efforts to mediate the dispute, including a recent village meeting, failed to prevent gambling activities in the area.

The incident has caused panic and outrage among the people. Following the attack, the accused members of the Sahu family fled the scene. Villagers, angered by the incident, staged a protest, blocking the roads and accusing the police of negligence in preventing the tragedy despite prior warnings about rising tensions.

The Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Jabalpur, Suryakant Sharma, assured the villagers of swift action. “A case of murder has been registered, and several suspects have already been detained. We are reviewing CCTV footage to identify all involved in the crime. The culprits will be apprehended soon,” he said.

The police have sent the bodies for post-mortem and initiated a thorough investigation into the incident. Additional personnel have been deployed in the area to maintain order and prevent further escalation of tension.

–IANS

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