Rahul Gandhi hits out at the Centre over GST hike

By

-

July 26, 2022

Rahul Gandhi hits out at the Centre over GST hike 2

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at the Centre over the latest revision in Goods and Services Tax (GST) on scientific instruments claiming that the step would prove detrimental to the interests of the research eco-system in the country.

“Don’t let science suffer because of your ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’, Prime Minister. Roll back the GST on scientific equipments,” the Congress leader said in a Facebook post on Monday.

Gandhi claimed that the hike in the GST rate was a worrisome sign.

“Scientific advancement is the cornerstone for the development of any nation. The pattern of reduction in the allocation of funds for scientific research by the BJP govt is a worrisome sign for the research ecosystem in India,” he added.

At a GST Council meeting held in Chandigarh last month, members had recommended raising the GST on scientific and technical instruments supplied to public-funded research institutes to 12 to 18 percent from the prevailing 5 percent.

“Now, by increasing the GST rates from 5 percent to 18 percent on scientific instruments, the government is displaying its thoughtless approach and further
reducing funds and resources available for labs involved in scientific work across the country,” the Congress leader added.

Gandhi said the government had already cut the Union Ministry of Science and Technology ministry’s budget by 3.9 percent this year.

On Sunday, Congress leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram also criticised the government for the GST rate hike.

“The Government perhaps believes that all the scientific knowledge that we need can be gathered by gazing at the sky and re-imagining our past,” he had said.

Truck hits advertisement pole in Thane leaves two injured

By

PTI

-

July 26, 2022

Road Accident Representative Image — Representative Image

A truck hit an advertisement pole on Thane’s arterial Ghodbunder Road on Tuesday following which its driver and cleaner got stuck inside and were rescued after over two hours, officials said. Both of them suffered injuries and were later admitted to a hospital, they said.

The accident, which took place around 3.30 am, led to a huge traffic jam on the busy route in the morning rush hours, causing hardships to office-goers and other commuters.

The driver of the truck, carrying 25 tonnes of marble from Rajasthan to Thane, lost control over the wheels.

As a result, the vehicle hit the advertisement pole at Kapurbawdi here in Maharashtra and its driver and cleaner were stuck inside their cabin which got damaged.

Thane Municipal Corporation’s regional disaster management cell chief (RDMC) Avinash Sawant said. Firemen and RDMC personnel rushed to the spot.

They had to deploy three cranes and use gas-cutters to reach the driver’s cabin.

They managed to pull out the truck driver and cleaner after more than two-and-a-half hours, the official said.

The two persons suffered fractures and were admitted to a government hospital, he said. The accident led to a huge traffic jam on the busy city road in the morning. The truck was later removed from the road with the help of cranes, the official said.

Tiranga makes out a country that has confidence on itself

By

Vinod Dixit

-

July 26, 2022

har ghar tiranga, tiranga, narendra modi, modi, pm modi — Image: PTI

Kudos to PM Narendra Modi government for taking the initiative of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India’s independence. Tiranga belongs to over a thousand million Indians who live in the country and abroad. The current Tiranga that we use was designed by Pingali Venkayya who was an Indian freedom fighter and is one of the unsung heroes of the Indian freedom struggle. Our Tiranga represents the ideas, values and virtues of the citizens and the nation with which it moves forward. The sacrifices made and the struggles people went through are to be respected through the “Har Ghar Tiranga” campaign. As Indians don’t we feel proud to acknowledge the accomplishments and victories that we all have witnessed by staying united under this Tiranga?

The aim of this campaign is to make the relationship with the tricolour more personal than formal because Tiranga is a symbol of free India that reminds us that we are all equal, irrespective of our religion, caste and creed. The Tiranga played a pivotal role in uniting people during India’s freedom struggle. Bhikaji Cama, also known as Madame Cama, was the first woman who successfully unfurled the first version of the tricolour Indian Tiranga. She still remains to be one of the most prominent woman personalities to participate in the Indian Nationalist Movement.

There is no other country in the world as diverse as ours, and we must take pride in that. Unlike earlier when the use of our national Tiranga was limited, today national pride can be expressed in many ways and many civilians do so by the use of Tiranga in our cars, homes, clothes and homes.

The National Tiranga of India was adopted in its present form during the meeting of the Constituent Assembly held on 22 July 1947, a few days before India’s independence from the British on 15 August 1947. It served as the national Tiranga of the Dominion of India between 15 August 1947 and 26 January 1950 and that of the Republic of India thereafter. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru described it as ‘a Tiranga of freedom’ while moving the resolution on the Tiranga in the constituent assembly. And, for the first time in the long history of the nation, Indians could look up with pride and honour to their country’s Tiranga.

PM Modi has rightly appealed to citizens to strengthen the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ movement by hoisting or displaying the national Tiranga at homes between August 13 and 15. The Indian National Tiranga represents the hopes and aspirations of the people of India. It is the symbol of our national pride. Over the last five decades, several people including members of the armed forces have ungrudgingly laid down their lives to keep the tricolour flying in its full glory. In 1921, Gandhi proposed a tricoloured Tiranga with the symbol of the spinning wheel at its centre. The colours of the Tiranga represented the dominant religions of the Indian subcontinent with clear message of promoting religious harmony. But growing demands for further modification led him to change the interpretations of the colours into something more secular. The lowermost strip of red represented sacrifice, the middle green stripe represented hope and the topmost white stripe represented peace. 
When we display the national Tiranga, we rise above our religion, political affiliation and the region we belong to. There is no doubt that the idea behind the initiative will certainly invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and promote awareness about the Indian National Tiranga. Let us all be encouraged to own it, love it, respect it and display it and salute the leaders who brought us independence, and the Tiranga that will forever hold their legacy and our history intact. It is every Indian’s fundamental right to fly it with dignity and honour.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

President Draupadi Murmu pays tribute to the Kargil warriors who lost their lives

By

ANI

-

July 26, 2022

President Draupadi Murmu paid tributes to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in the 1999 Kargil War against Pakistan on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas on Tuesday. President Murmu, who assumed office a day ago, termed the day as a “symbol of extraordinary valour.”

“Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of extraordinary valour, valour and determination of our armed forces. I bow to all the brave soldiers who laid down their lives to protect Mother India. All the countrymen will always be indebted to them and their family members. Jai Hind!,” President Murmu wrote on Twitter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to salute all brave sons of the country.

“Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of pride and glory of Maa Bharati. On this occasion, my salute to all the brave sons of the country who have accomplished their valor in the defence of the motherland. Jai Hind!,” PM Modi wrote on Twitter. Each year, Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on July 26 to honour the valour and sacrifice of the soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty during the Kargil War.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held at Kargil War Memorial in Drass, to pay tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives.

The Indian Armed Forces defeated Pakistan on July 26, 1999. Since then, the day is celebrated as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ to rekindle the pride and valour of the soldiers who took part in Operation Vijay.

The day marks the victory of Indian soldiers in recapturing the mountain heights that were occupied by the Pakistani Army on July 26, 1999, known as the Kargil War.

The Kargil War was fought between May 8, 1999, to July 26, 1999, against Pakistan intruders, who in the winters of 1998 transgressed into the Indian territory across the Line of Control and occupied fortified defences overlooking the NH 1A in Kargil’s Drass and Batalik Sectors of the Ladakh region with a nefarious aim of dominating all military and civil movements on the highway.

Braving unprecedented hardships, overcoming the hazards of near impossible terrain and severe climatic conditions, brave gallant soldiers launched valiant attacks on well-fortified defended localities with relentless valour and enthusiasm, thus attaining an astounding victory.

On July 24, several bands performed at a musical show titled “Ek Sham Shahidon ke Naam” in Drass town to pay tribute to Kargil war heroes.

Locals and Indian army personnel took part in the music event. Earlier on Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the abrogation of Article 370 has brought a new dawn of hope to the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“India has become a strong and confident nation which is well-equipped to protect its people from anyone who tries to cast an evil eye,” said Rajnath Singh during an event organised to commemorate ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ in Jammu on Sunday.

Ranveer Singh’s nude pictures have got him into a Complain issues

By

Web Team

-

July 25, 2022

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh’s nude pictures has taken storm on the internet and an office-bearer of a NGO from chembur has filed complaint against it stating it is hurting women’s sentiment through his pictures on social media.

The application has been filed at Mumbai Police and the complaint was submitted in Chembur police station and the NGO is based in Mumbai Suburbs.

As per the reports Police officials stated it is hurting the women’s sentiments and their modesty. The police officials also as now no complaints have been registered but the complainant was asking to file an FIR.

Axis Bank’s profit Rs 4125.26 cr in the first quarter of the financial year, an increase as compared to the previous year

By

ANI

-

July 25, 2022

Axis Bank on Monday reported a net profit of Rs 4,125.26 crore for the first quarter of the current financial year as compared to Rs 2,160.15 crore recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year, registering a year-on-year growth of 91 percent.

The bank’s net interest income jumped by 21 percent year on year and 6 percent on a quarter-on-quarter basis.

The bank’s net interest margin for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, stood at 3.60 percent, which is higher by 14 basis points when compared with the previous year. On a quarter-on-quarter basis Axis Bank’s net interest margin increased by 11 basis points.

The Board of Directors of Axis Bank Limited approved the financial results for the quarter ended 30th June 2022 at its meeting held in Mumbai on Monday.

Amitabh Chaudhry, MD&CEO, Axis Bank said, “As an institution, we continue to make good progress despite the macroeconomic headwinds that pose a challenge at multiple levels, both domestically and to the larger global economy. We continue to strengthen our core, as we open up all doors of growth and development, keeping our priorities intact on building a nimble, smart and customer-obsessed bank.”

“One of the highlights for Axis Bank in the previous quarter was our acquisition of Citibank’s consumer business in India. We have filed for the due approvals and once they are in place, the integration process will pick up pace,” Chaudhry said in a statement.

The bank’s core operating profit rose to Rs 6,554 crore for the April-June quarter, registering a growth of 17 percent on a year-on-year basis and 5 percent on a quarter-on-quarter basis. Fee income for Q1 FY23 grew 34 percent YoY to Rs 3,576 crore.

Retail fees grew 43 percent YoY; and constituted 66 percent of the Bank’s total fee income. Retail assets (excluding cards and payments) fee grew 81 percent YoY. Retail cards and payments fees grew 62 percent YoY. The Corporate & Commercial banking fees together grew 19 percent YoY.

The trading loss for the quarter stood at Rs 667 crore as compared to trading gains of Rs 556 crore in Q1 FY22. Miscellaneous income in Q1 FY23 stood at Rs 90 crore.

Overall, non-interest income (comprising of fee, trading profit and miscellaneous income) for Q1 FY23 stood at Rs 2,999 crore. Specific loan loss provisions for Q1 FY23 were Rs 777 crore compared to Rs 602 crore in Q4 FY22. The Bank has not utilised COVID provisions during the quarter.

Mughal mosque is ‘protected monument: Centre tells Delhi HC

By

Saket Loke

-

July 25, 2022

The Central Government on Monday apprised Delhi HC that the Mughal mosque in the Qutub Minar complex is a protected monument.

The court was hearing a petition challenging the alleged stopping of prayers at a mosque in south Delhi by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri was apprised by Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) Kirtiman Singh that the Mughal Mosque is a protected monument and the case pertaining to the issue is pending before the Saket District Court.

Kirtiman Singh sought to take instructions to file a reply to the petition. The bench granted time to take instructions. The matter has been listed for September 12, 2022, for further hearing.

Advocate M Sufian Siddiqui objected to the submissions made by CGSC. He said that Mughal Mosque is not covered under the notification. The namaz never stop there. He requested an early date as the mosque has been closed on May 13 this year.

On the last date of the hearing also time was granted by the bench to take instructions.

This matter pertains to a Mosque situated within the ‘Qutub Complex’. However, it is outside the ‘Qutab Enclosure

The name of the mosque is ‘Mughal Mosque’, and it is not the contentious ‘Quwattul Islam Mosque’. It is a duly Gazette Notified Waqf property vide notification of April 16, 1970 and there is a duly appointed Imam and Moazin, the petition stated.

Advocate M Sufian Siddiqui representing the petitioner had submitted before the court that Namaz was regularly performed at the said mosque and has never been closed for worship.

He had submitted that the officials of ASI in an absolutely unlawful, arbitrary, and precipitous manner completely stopped the Namaz on May 13, 2022 without serving any ‘Notice or Order’ etc.

Alcaraz becomes youngest player since Nadal to enter top-5

By

ANI

-

July 25, 2022

The nineteen-year-old Carlos Alcaraz on Monday created history when he climbed to the No. 5 spot in the ATP Rankings, becoming the second-youngest player in the 21st century to reach the top five.

Spaniard is the youngest man to achieve this feat since his outstanding compatriot Rafael Nadal first rose into the top five in 2005 while still 18.

Alcaraz had a chance to break into World No. 4 but had to settle for No. 5 after losing in the Hamburg European Open final against Lorenzo Musetti.

While Daniil Medvedev remained the world number one, 2022 Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic settled on the seventh position after the grass-court Grand Slam tournament was stripped of ranking points for banning Russian and Belarusian players.

“It means a lot. The hard work that I put in every day for reaching my dreams, [No.] 1, and little by little I’m reaching my dream.

Top five for me is pretty amazing and I will keep going to be [No.] 1,” ATP.com quoted Alcaraz as saying. The Spanish sensation will attempt to win a title as the top seed at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag.

“Of course, Umag is a special tournament for me. I got my first title there, so I’m defending the title this year. But I’m going to try to play my best and of course, take lessons from here,” Alcaraz said.

A man dies in Thane due to a hit of pothole

By

Web Team

-

July 25, 2022

On Monday in Maharashtra’s Thane district police officials stated a 46-year-old man riding a motorcycle was died as his bike had hit the potholes on the road after which dumper ran over him took his life. The incident took place on Saturday.

The deceased person was identified as Brijeshkumar Jaiswar was travelling to Thane city as per the reports senior inspector Ganpat Pingale of Kongaon police station.

The victim was riding his motorcycle at Rajnoli naka in Bhiwandi city at that time his motorcycle had the pothole due to which he lost his control and fell from his bike and dumper which was coming from behind ran over him.

Police has logged the case and the investigation is still going on as per the police is also trying to get in touch with the Maharashtra State Road and development department for the issues of potholes to be resolved.

Japan registers first case of monkeypox

By

ANI

-

July 25, 2022

Japan reported its first case of Monkeypox on Monday in Tokyo with a 30-year-old man testing positive, local media reported citing a government source.

According to Kyodo News, the government officials, earlier in the day, held a meeting to discuss measures needed to respond to a possible outbreak of Monkeypox.

On July 23, WHO declared Monkeypox a global health emergency. “I have decided that the global Monkeypox outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said in a briefing. The alert level, the lowest on the country’s four-tier scale, was issued earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management.

Takashi Murata said that a task force will deal with the outbreak of Monkeypox.

In a press briefing, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki said that “the task force will work with international organizations to collect data on monkeypox patients outside Japan to learn how other countries are dealing with the disease,” as per the local media. Underlining the five elements that are used over deciding whether the outbreak constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, Ghebreyesus said that firstly, the information provided by countries shows the rapid growth of the virus.

“Second, the three criteria for declaring a public health emergency of international concern under the International Health Regulations, which have been met.” He further added that the third one was the advice of the Emergency Committee, which has not reached a consensus.

The fourth one was the scientific principles, evidence and other relevant information, which are insufficient and the last one was the risk to human health, international spread and the potential for interference with international traffic.

The WHO chief noted that the risk of monkeypox is moderate globally and in all regions except in the European region where we assess the risk as high.

“There is also a clear risk of further international spread, although the risk of interference with international traffic remains low for the moment,” he said further. “

Although I am declaring a public health emergency of international concern, for the moment this is an outbreak that is concentrated among men who have sex with men, especially those with multiple sexual partners,” he added.