2018 republic day parade

New Delhi, Jan. 26: A grateful nation to-day paid homage to its valiant soldiers, sailors and airmen who laid down their lives and honoured those who displayed exemplary valour in defence of the country during the recent war with Pakistan. The Republic Day this year was turned into a day of commemoration with the Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, laying a wreath at a specially erected memorial under the arcade of the India Gate, where a four foot-high flame was lit on top of the historic monument. The simple memorial consisted of a small pedestal placed on a platform with a reversed rifle and a steel helmet on top symbolising the sacrifice of the unknown warrior who laid down his life so that his countrymen might live in freedom, dignity and peace. The solemn ceremony which lasted only a few minutes was conducted with splendid simplicity befitting the poignant occasion. As the buglers drawn from the three Services sounded the Last Post — and the guard of honour reversed arms — the … [Read more...] about From the Archives (January 27, 1972): Cheering heroes at Delhi parade

San Francisco Mayor London Breed will not participate in this year's Pride Parade over the controversial ban on law enforcement uniforms, citing solidarity with LGBTQ police officers who can't march in uniform. "I've made this very hard decision in order to support those members of the LGBTQ community who serve in uniform, in our Police Department and Sheriff's Department, who have been told they cannot march in uniform and in support of the members of the Fire Department who are refusing to march out of solidarity with their public safety partners," Breed said in a Monday statement. "I love the Pride Parade, and what it means for our LGBTQ community and for our city. It's one of my favorite events of the year," she said. "However, if the Pride Board does not reverse its decision, I will join our city public safety departments that are not participating in the Pride Parade." Breed joins a number of other city agencies and officials who will not partake in the parade due to the … [Read more...] about Mayor London Breed bows out of Pride Parade defending LGBTQ cops

United Nations: India has voiced concern over the precarious" security situation in the Central African Republic following the recent presidential election, urging all opposition groups to cease hostilities and find a peaceful solution to the current crisis. Speaking at a meeting on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) in the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, India's Deputy Permanent Representative-Political Coordinator to the UN R Ravindra, said that given the history of political instability and violence, the situation in CAR warrants immediate attention from the international community. "The precarious security situation in the Central African Republic since the presidential elections held last month is a matter of serious concern, he said. He noted with concern the dangerous escalation on the ground with the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), armed groups opposed to President Faustin-Archange Touadera, abandoning the Political Agreement for Peace … [Read more...] about Precarious Security Situation in Central African Republic Matter of Serious Concern: India

China’s longest-running gay pride festival in the eastern city of Shanghai has been canceled indefinitely, the Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP) reported on Friday. ShanghaiPRIDE, which organizes the event each summer, said in a statement posted to its official WeChat social media account on Thursday that it was “canceling all upcoming activities and taking a break from scheduling any future events.” “[T]he decision was difficult to make but we have to protect the safety of all involved,” co-founder Charlene Liu said in a separate statement. “It’s been a great 12-year-ride and we are honored and proud to have traveled this journey of raising awareness and promoting diversity for the LGBTQ community.” Though the exact reason for the event’s cancellation remains unclear, HKFP says that ShanghaiPRIDE had previously postponed a series of events this year due to the ongoing Chinese coronavirus pandemic, suggesting that the pandemic may have been a factor. Shanghai recorded 16 new … [Read more...] about China’s Oldest Gay Pride Parade in Shanghai Canceled

Days after the WhatsApp conversation between Republic TV editor Arnab Goswami and BARC India’s former CEO Partho Dasgupta was leaked on the internet, the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) on Monday demanded immediate suspension of Republic TV’s Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) membership till the TRP manipulation case is pending in the court. The NBA board also demanded that the channel be kept out of the BARC rating system till the probe into the case is complete. Criticising the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) for “fraudulently” manipulating its ratings of other channels in order to garner more viewership for Republic TV, the NBA demanded legal and police action against those responsible for ruining the credibility of the news broadcast business. “It is indeed with dismay that NBA notes the fact that in spite of having a damning verdict in its possession since July 2020, BARC sat on the forensic report for several months, which brought to light these … [Read more...] about NBA Demands Immediate Suspension of Republic TV’s IBF Membership in TRP Manipulation Case

The story so far: On April 27, the Central African Republic (CAR) became the second country after El Salvador to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender . President Faustin-Archange Touadera said the measure would enable “strong and inclusive growth” and place the African country on the “map of the most courageous and visionary countries in the world”. Having a population of 5 million, CAR is among the poorest and most economically fragile countries on the globe. As per World Bank estimates provided in July 2021, 71% of its population was living below the international poverty line of $1.90/day. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said adopting the unregulated asset as a legal tender posed major legal, transparency and economic policy challenges, Bloomberg reported. The global body in an e-mail response said, “IMF staff are assisting the regional and CAR’s authorities in addressing the concerns posed by the new law.” Recently, several countries have considered instituting laws that … [Read more...] about Explained | Why countries like the Central African Republic are adopting cryptocurrencies as legal tender

A team from Mumbai’s Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar Commissionerate has gone to Prague in Czech Republic to extradite one accused from Gujarat for murdering a US-based model 19 years ago. The Bombay High Court had issued a non-bailable warrant against US citizen Pranesh Desai and his friend Vipul Patel for failing to appear for hearings on an appeal challenging their acquittal in the case. The two were held in judicial custody till acquittal. A team lead by a deputy commissioner of police left for Prague on Saturday to get Patel, the official from Kashimira police station said. A Thane sessions court had acquitted the duo in 2003 in the case of murder of US model Leona Swinderski (33). Desai and Swinderski were apparently in a relationship and were to get married in May 2003. On February 7, 2003, soon after the duo arrived at the airport in neighbouring Mumbai, the model had gone missing. Her body was found the next day on a highway in Kashimira area of Thane district, the official … [Read more...] about Mumbai Cops Go to Czech Republic to Extradite Man Wanted in US Model’s Murder Case

The authorities are yet to take a call on the venue for the mega event to celebrate International Day of Yoga, 2022 in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be participating even as the Mysuru Palace premises and the Race Course premises on the foothills of Chamundi are the preferred choices of venues for the show. Mysuru Palace undoubtedly remains the preferred venue if a decision is taken to hold the show at an iconic location. If the focus is on assembling more people to make it a mammoth show in a single venue with scores of people performing yoga, then it can be MRC which can accommodate over one lakh people. The palace premises may not accommodate over 10,000 people considering various factors. A consensus is yet to reach on the venue with the elected representatives in Mysuru wishing it create a grand and memorable event, bringing more yoga enthusiasts even as requests are pouring in from across the State from yoga enthusiasts and yoga institutes for allowing them to … [Read more...] about International Yoga Day event: Venue in Mysuru yet to be decided

It's the question on every royal wedding watcher's mind: What will Meghan Markle wear when she marries Prince Harry this spring? Markle is expected to wear a white gown down the aisle, like most brides, when she ties the knot with Prince Harry on May 19. However, it's unclear if Markle will subscribe to royal wedding code and wear a tiara, or if she will go tiara-less, a popular trend among American brides. If Markle were to crown her head with a tiara, the former Suits actress has some options—and they come straight from the royal vault. Markle could follow in Kate Middleton's steps and wear the Cartier Halo Tiara. The tiara was originally created by George VI in 1963 and commissioned by Cartier. It was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II on her 18th birthday, and she subsequently lent the tiara to Princess Margaret and Princess Anne. Then in 2011, Middleton was given the heirloom to wear for her wedding to Prince William. Another family staple Markle may consider is the … [Read more...] about Will Meghan Markle wear a tiara on her wedding day?

NATIONAL DENGUE DAY 2022: Dengue fever, often known as breakbone fever, is an infection spread by mosquitoes that can cause severe flu-like diseases. It is caused by four distinct viruses and spread by Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes also transmit yellow fever, Zika viruses, and chikungunya. Dengue fever is found throughout the tropics, with local differences in risk determined by climatic, socioeconomic, and environmental variables. National Dengue Day In India, May 16 marks the National Dengue Day which is an initiative by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to spread awareness about the vector-borne disease and its preventive methods. Dengue fever remains a worldwide and regional danger, imposing a significant public health burden on all communities despite the advancement in the medical and sciences field. Therefore, dengue day is also observed internationally. World Dengue Day Given the persistence of dengue fever in the ASEAN Member States, the 10th … [Read more...] about National Dengue Day 2022: History, Significance and All You Need to Know