“On April 5, Sunday, at 9 pm, please switch off all the lights in your house and each person should stand with a candle, lamp or mobile flashlights in your hands, on your balconies for 9 minutes,” PM Modi said, asserting that it was necessary to ensure no one felt alone.

“I have one more prayer to all of you, nobody has to gather at any place during this event. Everyone will light a diya (lamp) only at their doors, windows or balconies. The Laxman Rekha (boundary) of social distancing must be followed,” the Prime Minister said.

Addressing the nation via a video conference, Mr. Modi made it very clear that the Coronavirus threat could only be combated with the full co-operation of the people, and that the collective strength was what would take the country out of what he termed “darkness that engulfs us” in the form of coronavirus.

The plight of the poor, with the grinding halt of all economic activity, was also foremost in Mr. Modi’s address. “We have to take our poor bretheren towards the light and certainty. To defeat this darkness, we have to shine the light in every direction,” he said.

Acknowledging that being under lockdown could be a lonely experience full of anxiety, Mr. Modi assured the people that “we, none of us, are alone” and that the “collective will of 1.3 billion people of India was with us in this time of crisis.”

After some areas in the country saw instances of mass gatherings around Mr. Modi’s earlier exhortation to applaud essential services workers during the Janata Curfew of March 22, he made it a point to say that nobody should repeat that experience. “Either stay at your doors, on your balcony etc, but please do not cross the Laxman Rekha of your home,” he said. “Social distancing is the only ramban we have to combat coronavirus,” he said.

The post Light torch or mobile on 5th appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Number of night shelters in the city has been increased and more food is being distributed for poor people: CM

In the last 40 hours Delhi has not reported a single COVID-19 case: CM

Discrimination of any person who is working in the battle against Coronavirus as a doctor, nurse, pilot or air hostess is unacceptable: CM

Addressing a video conference on Tuesday Hon’ble Cheif Minister of Delhi Mr Arvind Kejriwal proposed that the Delhi government will give Rs 5000 to each construction worker as their livelihood has been affected due the outbreak of coronavirus under the Construction Workers Welfare Board Fund. He also said that the number of night shelters in the city has been increased and more food is being distributed for homeless people. The Delhi CM reassured the people that the state did not record any new case of coronavirus in the last 40 hours. Mr Kejriwal also said that due to Curfew, several people were not able to get food, and urged the public to send such people to the nearest shelters of Delhi government, where food was arranged.

“Today I want to tell you that in the last 40 hours there has been not a single new Coronavirus positive case in Delhi. Earlier we had total 30 such positive cases and among them, many people are getting better and going home. Till now 5 people have survived and gone home. Right now we have only 23 positive cases in Delhi. But I want to tell you that this is good news but there is no need to cheer yet because the number of cases can increase any time if we do not put proper restrictions or if you do not follow the restrictions. In Italy, in the last 24 hours, more than 600 people have died and in America, in the last 24 hours, more than 150 people have died,” said Mr Kejriwal.

He said that this is an alarming situation worldwide that is why Delhi government has imposed such tough restrictions like lockdown and curfew. “We are trying our best because we understand that these restrictions have brought many difficulties in your life but this is something we have to do because we want to save you, your family, your neighbours and every resident of Delhi,” said the Delhi CM.

He further added that the beauty of India is humanity. “Yesterday I requested the residents of Delhi to come together and help each other in this tough time. Today I am very happy that many people are coming forward and helping each other. In Delhi, nobody should suffer in hunger and it is our collective responsibility to stand beside each other. I also requested the house owners not to force the tenants if they cannot pay the rents. I am not suggesting to not take the rent but the owners can delay the collection or take it in instalments. It is very encouraging that many people have responded to this call and I have received hundreds of messages where people have described how they are helping each other. I am proud of such citizens and I want to tell them that you are the real patriots of India. I want to take the name of Raj Bainsla Ji who has decided that he will not take the rent for the month of March from any of his tenants. Anil Kaushik Ji has informed that he will not take rents from his tenants and drivers for the months of March and April. Naveen Nambardar Ji has also decided not to take rent of this month from his tenants. Azad Shaukeen Ji has also decided the same. Sukant Ballav Ji is an additional DCP of North East Delhi, has taken an old man on his car to the hospital for dialysis. I want to thank all these people for such encouraging steps in this tough time,” said Mr Kejriwal.

He said that the Delhi government is working to ensure that not a single person in Delhi should suffer from hunger. “We have already started distributing food in all the night shelters of Delhi where any person can come and eat. We have witnessed that the number of people is increasing, therefore, we have also decided to increase the number of such night shelters and we will also increase food distribution. But again I want to tell you that I am very happy to know that many people are coming forward to volunteer in the distribution of foods. Many people have said that they will ensure not a single person in their area will suffer from hunger. Gaurav Rai Ji’s name I want to mention because he has ensured that he will distribute food to all the needy people in his area. These are very encouraging incidents and this is how as a nation we become stronger. We all need to come together and ensure that not a single person in our area will suffer from hunger. If we can all come together then that will be the biggest achievement in this toughest time of our country,” said Mr Kejriwal.

He further said that last Sunday in the invitation of our Hon’ble Prime Minister every citizen of India held Janta Curfew across the nation and at 5 PM all came to the balconies and clapped as a mark of encouragement to the people who are serving us in this tough time. “We want to show our gratitude to the nurses, doctors, pilots, air hostess, and other people working on this battle. But with much regret, I am saying that I have received complaints in many places in Delhi that these great people are facing discrimination. Somewhere the people did not allow a pilot to enter the colony because they thought that he could be affected by Coronavirus and the same has happened in some other cases. This is something absolutely unacceptable and such discrimination should not happen in our country. The people who are working as doctors, nurses, pilots, air hostess their responsibility is also ours. If anyone is affected by Coronavirus it is our responsibility to do their treatment so that they can recover fast but if they are not affected then they should not face any kind of discrimination. These are the people who are working relentlessly to give you proper medication and support, therefore, these people should be welcomed and they should not face any kind of discrimination,” said Mr Kejriwal.

He added, “From today we have started preparation to build a foolproof health system to combat the situation if ever we get into stage three of this pandemic. Under senior Dr Sareen, I have constituted a team which will make all the preparations and submit me a report within 24 hours. We do not want to get into stage three but we have to be fully prepared in terms of medical support.”

He also said, “Delhi government will give Rs 5000 to each construction worker as their livelihood has been affected due the outbreak of coronavirus under the Construction Workers Welfare Board Fund.”

************************

CM welcomed a list of people who have come forward in this fight to help the residents

1) Raj Bainsla has decided that he will not take the rent for the month of March from any of his tenants.

CM’s Tweet: Raj Bainsla ji, your step is highly appreciated. At this time, we all have to work for each other and have to help each other. People like you are an inspiration to everyone. I also appeal to other landlords – if your tenant is unable to pay rent, then delay the collection.

Link: https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1242361231261831168

Anil Kaushik: He has decided not to take rent from his tenants and drivers for the months of March-April.

Link: https://twitter.com/anilkaushik07/status/1242397454089109509

Naveen Nambardar and Azad Shaukeen: They have also decided not to take rent of this month or the next month from his tenants.

Link: https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1242422336449478657

AD DCP North East Sukant Ballabh: He used his official car to transport an elderly man who needed dialysis urgently to the hospital.

CM Tweeted: Great Sukant ji. This is a time to show empathy and help fellow beings. Let’s all help each other.

Link: https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1242358723592384512

The post Country wide lockdown for 21 days appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

The 54-year-old actor also said, “I want to appeal to everyone that the government is asking something, so please take it seriously and don’t spread rumours. It is a problem with everyone for a long time that they believe it will not happen to them. Anyone can get infected with the coronavirus, be it in bus, train or in market place. So why do you want to take that risk.” Sharing the video on his Instagram handle, he hashtagged the video “India fights Corona.

Sonam Kapoor also appealed to the people in a video message that she shared on Sunday. The 34-year-old actress shared some dos and don’ts in the video. She commenced the video by saying, “Coronavirus ke chalte meri aap sabse appeal hai ki apne tatha doorso ke bachav ke liye kuch cheeze ka dhyaan rakhe (Amid the Coronavirus outbreak, I appeal all of you to take care of certain things for the benefit of yourself and those around you).”

Amitabh Bachchan to Karan Johar and Kangana Ranaut to Sara Ali Khan – Bollywood celebrities applauded those who are working tirelessly amidst the Coronavirus health scare.

The post This Is Not A Public Holiday : Salman Khan appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

However, in the national and financial capitals of India, “no untoward incidents was reported”. Delhi Police PRO Mandeep Singh Randhawa said the force is closely monitoring social media and WhatsApp groups to check rumour mongering. At the August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai, there were peaceful protests during the three hours of agitation.

Over 2,000 police personnel at the venue did not come in the way of protesters, which earned the Mumbai Police plaudits on social media. Many protesters, before leaving, made it a point to shake hands with the policemen. Groups of youngsters were also seen singing while walking to the nearby Grant Road Railway station.

Amid protests against the amended Citizenship Act, BJP working president J P Nadda asserted that the law will be implemented and the National Register of Citizens will also be brought in. “Those who are opposing the citizenship law should meet them. These people have been living in India for 28-30 years but can’t admit their children in schools or buy a house as they do not have citizenship. Our rivals cannot see anything beyond their vote bank politics,” Nadda said.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa also tried to allay fears among the Muslim community, saying that it was his government’s responsibility to protect their interest. Calling for peace, amid protests against the CAA in various parts of the state defying prohibitory orders, he accused the Congress party of being behind it and warned them of consequences.

West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh slammed CM Mamata Banerjee, who is also the Trinamool Congress supremo, for allegedly instigating people against the central government, the BJP leader said she is frustrated as her dream of becoming the prime minister did not see the light of the day.

“No Indian has the urge to destroy national properties. Those who have ravaged public properties and wreaked havoc in West Bengal for last few days in support of the chief minister of the state are the enemies of the country. These lungi clad infiltrators can be only identified through the NRC,” Ghosh asserted.

In Uttar Pradesh

A Lucknow man was killed as violence erupted in the state capital and some other parts of Uttar Pradesh with protesters, angry over the new citizenship law, pelting stones at police and torching vehicles.

Mohammad Wakeel (25) suffered a firearm injury when he was passing through an old city area where the clashes took place, his family said. But police denied that this had anything to do with the protests or the police action. The scattered incidents of violence were reported from Lucknow’s old city and parts of Sambhal and Mau districts.

Two buses were torched, one in Lucknow and the other in Sambhal. Mobs also targeted two police posts in the state capital, setting one of them ablaze. Police resorted to lathi-charge and used tear-gas shells at several places.

In Mau, protesters hurled stones, triggering a large deployment of UP’s Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). Several Aligarh Muslim University teachers held a silent march, days after the institute witnessed violence when students protested against the new legislation that they say discriminates against Muslim. The protesters, including several women teachers, marched from the AMU Teachers’ Club to the Purani Chungi Crossing.

In Karnataka

Two persons were killed in police firing at Mangaluru in BJP-ruled Karnataka as protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act turned violent, even as street demonstrations surged in southern cities. Police have clamped curfew in parts of Mangaluru until Friday night.

Police sources said protesters defying prohibitory orders attempted to lay siege to the Mangalore North police station and tried to attack police personnel, following which force was used to disperse them.

Two persons received bullet injuries in police firing and they later succumbed at a hospital, police confirmed. The deceased were identified as Jaleel Kudroli (49) and Nausheen (23).

In Assam, Bengal & Bihar

Protests against contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act continued unabated across Assam on Thursday but there was no report of any violence during the stir which was also the case in West Bengal and Meghalaya.

But, Bihar witnessed vandalism and arsons during the day on account of a state-wide shutdown called by Left parties to protest against new citizenship law and proposed NRC across the nation.

All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) strongly criticising the Vice Chancellors’ appeal to students not to join the stir. VCs of about 20 government and private universities in Assam, which experienced mass protests against the amended Citizenship Act and mayhem, had earlier made an appeal to students not to endanger their future but help in maintaining peace and harmony in the state.

Delhi

Thousands of students, activists and opposition leaders hit the streets in the national capital on Thursday defying heavy security clampdown and prohibitory orders even as authorities suspended mobile internet services and restricted traffic movement to quell the swirling agitation.

Opposition leaders D Raja, Sitaram Yechury, Nilotpal Basu, Brinda Karat, Ajay Maken, Sandeep Dikshit and activists Yogendra Yadav, Umar Khalid were among over 1,200 people detained from areas around Red Fort and Mandi House — the sites of the two planned demonstrations.

Notwithstanding the restrictions, hundreds of flag-waving students and activists converged near the historic Jantar Mantar in the afternoon to voice their anger against the contentious law after police forcefully evicted protesters from areas around Red Fort and Mandi House. Permission for holding any demonstration in the two sites was not granted.

Maharashtra

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the financial capital against the Citizenship Act on Thursday, converging at the August Kranti Maidan, where Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 told the British to quit India.

The gathering included workers of political parties, students and a smattering of Bollywood personalities, who made out a strong case against the Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The protest in Mumbai was called by a slew of opposition parties like the CPI and civil society groups, but the gathering seemed to transcend all identities. Students from Assam, a few Mumbaikars hailing from Mizoram and others joined the locals in the protests that began at 4 pm and dwarfed a pro-CAA gathering organised outside the Churchgate railway station not far away. Bollywood personalities including actors Farhan Akhtar, Sushant Singh, Swara Bhaskar and film makers Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Saeed Mirza were also present at the Maidan.

The post 3 Dead, Internet Shut, Curfew Imposed: Despite Govt’s ‘CAA Not Anti-Minority’ Assurance appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Meanwhile  Prohibitory orders under Section 144, which bans the assembly of four or more persons, have been issued in Ayodhya. The order, which came into effect late on Saturday night extends to December 10 and was passed “in anticipation of verdict in Ayodhya land case in SC.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) expressed disappointment over the order and has sought permission to light earthen lamps at the disputed site on Diwali. Now all eyes on SC verdict in a long pending case which will larger impact .

Fourteen appeals have been filed in the apex court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment  that the 2.77-acre land in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among the three parties — the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

Initially, as many as five lawsuits were filed in the lower court. The first one was filed by Gopal Singh  Visharad, a devotee of ‘Ram Lalla’, in 1950 to seek enforcement of the right to worship of Hindus at the disputed site.

Later, the Nirmohi Akahara also moved the trial court in 1959 seeking management and ‘shebaiti‘ (devotee) rights over the 2.77 acre disputed land.

Then came the lawsuit of the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Wakf Board which moved the court in 1961, claiming title over the disputed property.

The deity, ‘Ram Lalla Virajman‘ through next friend and former Allahabad High Court judge Deoki Nandan  Agrawal, and the Janambhoomi (the birthplace) moved the lawsuit in 1989, seeking title over the entire disputed property on the key ground that the land itself has the character of the deity and of a ‘Juristic entity’.

Later, all the lawsuits were transferred to the Allahabad High Court for adjudication after the demolition of the disputed Ram Janambhoomi-Babri masjid structure on December 6, 1992, sparking communal riots in the country.

Earlier, the bench, also comprising justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer, had said it would wrap up the hearing by October 17, a day sooner than the earlier schedule.

Fixing the schedule for the last leg of the lengthy arguments, it had said that the Muslim side would complete the arguments on October 14 and then, two days would be granted to the Hindu parties to sum up their rejoinders by October 16.

October 17 would be the last day for wrapping up the hearing when the parties will have to make the last arguments about the relief they are seeking, the court had said. The bench had earlier fixed the deadline of October 18 to close the hearing.

The judgment in the matter is to be pronounced by November 17, the day the Chief Justice of India will  demit the office.

The apex court had on August 6 commenced day-to-day proceedings in the case as the mediation proceedings initiated to find the amicable resolution had failed.

The post FINAL HEARING ON AYODHYA TODAY IN SC appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.