Month: July 2024

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Private Sector Investments Set to Surge in India

Japan’s Tomoe Engineering Co Ltd, which is on the new list, manufactures machinery, equipment and chemicals….reports Asian Lite News

More large foreign manufacturers of heavy machinery used in the infrastructure sector figure in the list of more than 15,000 companies that have registered to set up units in the country during June, according to data compiled by the ministry of corporate affairs.

Senior officials see this as the outcome of the increasing demand for such machinery as the government is making massive investments in highways, ports, airports and railway projects.

It also reflects the success of the Government’s Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar policy that encourages foreign companies to start operations in the country, an official said.

UK’s Auger Torque Europe Ltd, one of the foreign companies which has registered for starting operations in India, manufactures earth drills and attachments and is part of Germany’s Kinshofer Group which makes attachments for truck cranes and excavators.

Japan’s Tomoe Engineering Co Ltd, which is on the new list, manufactures machinery, equipment and chemicals.

Another Japanese company, Kawada Industries, Inc. is part of the KTI Kawada Group, which is the business of building, maintaining and preserving infrastructure.

Besides, a Russian heavy machinery manufacturer and a UAE-based energy company have also registered to set up operations in India.

Institut fuer Oekologie, Technik and Innovation Gmbh, also in the new list of foreign companies keen to set up base in India, provides testing and certification services for different industries.

These foreign companies are expected to bring in new technology and will complement the efforts of Indian companies that are operating in the infrastructure sector, a senior official pointed out.

Big-ticket infrastructure projects in the highways, railways and ports sector will continue to drive growth in the Indian economy as the Government has stepped up the outlay for these investments in the interim budget for 2024-25.

Government investments in large infrastructure projects create jobs and incomes that have a multiplier effect on the economy as demand for products such as steel and cement also goes up which leads to more private investments and employment. With the creation of additional jobs, the demand for consumer goods also increases leading to a further acceleration in the country’s economic growth rate.

To ramp up the virtuous cycle of investment and job creation, the budget for 2023-24 had ramped up the capital expenditure outlay on infrastructure projects by 37.4 per cent to a whopping Rs 10 lakh crore from Rs 7.28 lakh crore in 2022-23.

The interim budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has further enhanced by 11.1 per cent the allocation for infrastructure projects to a whopping Rs 11.11 lakh crore to spur growth. The increase that comes on top of a large base of the previous year will result in massive investments to spur growth. The finance minister pointed out that this will also attract big investments from the private sector which will accelerate the growth momentum.

The interim budget provides for a Rs 2.52 lakh crore capital expenditure for Railways in 2024-25. The finance minister has announced the implementation of three major economic railway corridor programmes namely energy, mineral and cement corridors; port connectivity corridors; and high traffic density corridors.

Indian Startups Attract $7 Billion in H1 2024

The Indian startup ecosystem raised nearly $176 million in funding across 16 deals in the first week of this month.

In the biggest funding round, fashion e-commerce platform Purplle secured $120 million led by Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

Agri-tech startup Arya.ag also announced to raise $29 million led by impact investment firm Blue Earth Capital.

Video telematics startup Cautio also announced a pre-seed raise of Rs 6.5 crore led by Antler, 8i Ventures and AU Small Finance Bank.

Homegrown startups have raised nearly $7 billion in funding during the first half (H1) of 2024, more than the $5.92 billion raised in H1 2023.

Also, the fintech ecosystem achieved a significant milestone in the first half of this year by ranking among the top three funded globally, alongside the US and the UK.

ALSO READ: AstraZeneca Unveils Expansion Plans

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Tibetan community in exile celebrates Dalai Lama’s 89th birthday

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The celebrations in Shimla saw Tibetan Buddhists offering long-life prayers and a rich tapestry of cultural performances showcasing the diverse heritage of the Tibetan and Indian communities…reports Asian Lite News

The Tibetan community in exile across the globe joined together in celebration today, marking the 89th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama. Festivities were particularly vibrant here in Shimla, where members of the Tibetan and Hindu-Buddhist communities gathered to honour the spiritual leader with cultural performances and prayers.

The Dalai Lama, revered as a spiritual guide and symbol of compassion worldwide, holds immense significance for the Tibetan community, serving as a beacon of hope and unity.

Tsewang Phuntsok, Chief Representative Officer of the Central Tibetan Administration, underscored the profound influence of the Dalai Lama in his remarks to ANI.

“Yeah. Today, not only here in Shimla, but all over the Tibetan community around the world, we are celebrating His Holiness Dalai Lama’s 89th birthday,” Phuntsok stated, emphasising the global reach and deep reverence for the Dalai Lama’s teachings on non-violence and compassion.

The celebrations in Shimla saw Tibetan Buddhists offering long-life prayers and a rich tapestry of cultural performances showcasing the diverse heritage of the Tibetan and Indian communities. Monks, students, and locals gathered in unity to express their gratitude and respect for The Dalai Lama.

Speaking on the importance of the occasion, Phuntsok remarked, “His Holiness Dalai Lama is everything for the Tibetan, the living Buddha. So on this auspicious occasion, we pray for his long life daily.”

The celebrations were also witnessed in Dharamshala, which not only reinforced the bonds within the Tibetan community but also demonstrated the deep admiration and respect that transcends borders and cultures for the Dalai Lama.

As the sun set over Shimla, prayers for the long life of The Dalai Lama echoed through the serene hills, symbolising a profound connection to spirituality and unity among those who gathered to honour the 89th birthday of the revered leader. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Taiwan must not go the Tibet way

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-Top News Politics UK News

Lammy aims for UK foreign policy reset

While the six initial priorities promised in its election manifesto focussed on domestic matters, a long list of international issues awaits Lammy in his in-tray…reports Asian Lite News

Labour’s David Lammy becomes Britain’s next foreign secretary pledging to reset relations with the European Union and push for a ceasefire in Gaza, while seeking to build ties with Donald Trump’s Republican Party.

The center-left Labour Party won a landslide victory in Thursday’s parliamentary election, ending 14 years of Conservative government and vowing to bring change to Britain.

While the six initial priorities promised in its election manifesto focussed on domestic matters, a long list of international issues awaits Lammy in his in-tray.

Labour has said long-term peace and security in the Middle East would be an immediate focus. It has committed to recognizing a Palestinian state as a contribution to a renewed peace process which results in a two-state solution.

Lammy, 51, traveled widely before the election, particularly to the United States, where he has been working to build ties with Republicans, after once writing in Time magazine that Trump was a “woman-hating, neo-Nazi sociopath.”

He has met Republican figures seen as candidates for roles in a Trump cabinet, including Mike Pompeo.

Lammy has strong links with leading Democrats and is a close friend of former President Barack Obama, a fellow Harvard Law School alumni.

In a speech during a visit there in May, Lammy said Labour would always work with the United States “whatever the weather and whoever wins” and he would seek to find “common cause” with Trump.

“I do not believe that he is arguing that the US should abandon Europe. He wants Europeans to do more to ensure a better defended Europe,” he said.

“Were his words in office shocking? Yes, they were. Would we have used them? No. But US spending on European defense actually grew under President Trump, as did the defense spending of the wider alliance, during his tenure.”

Lammy, the son of Guyanese immigrants, represents an inner-London constituency and has spent much of his political career campaigning for social and racial justice.

He supported Britain remaining in the European Union in the 2016 referendum. While Labour has promised Britain will stay outside the bloc, it wants to reset the relationship and seek to deepen ties, including through a new UK-EU security pact.

Lammy has previously described Marine Le Pen, a leading figure in France’s far-right National Rally (NR), as xenophobic and malevolent. Polls show her party is on course to win the most seats in the French parliamentary election but fall short of an absolute majority.

“France is one of Britain’s closest allies and we will work with whoever is elected. It is a democracy and it is up to the French people who governs them,” Lammy told reporters earlier this week. “We will wait to see what happens in the second round on July 7.”

ALSO READ-Britain elects record number of 26 Indian-origin MPs

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INDIA 2024 India News Politics

Cong to contest from all seats in Maharashtra assembly polls

The elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly are due in October….reports Asian Lite News

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Saturday said the party will prepare to contest from all seats in the upcoming state assembly elections but will fight as per the seat sharing agreement with its alliance partners.

Talking to reporters at his Nagpur residence, Patole said it won’t be wrong if the party prepares to contest the elections from all seats as it should have its organisational structure and work everywhere.

The elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly are due in October.

“A party should have its organisational structure and work at every place. An alliance will be formed as per the seat sharing on the merits. Preparing for all seats is not wrong, and even our alliance partners are preparing the same way. We will contest the elections as Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA),” the Congress leader said.

The MVA comprises the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) and Congress, which bagged 30 out of 48 seats in the recently held Look Sabha elections.

Patole further said RJD president Lalu Prasad’s prediction that the Narendra Modi government could fall next month could come true as it is on the back foot, and one can’t be sure how long the allies will stay with the NDA.

“Anything can happen. We can see how the government has come on the back foot after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s speech in the Lok Sabha. We cannot say how long the NDA allies will be with them,” he said.

LoP questions CM’s cash reward for Indian cricket team

Maharashtra Assembly Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar on Saturday raised objections over the announcement of a substantial cash reward to the Indian cricket team by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and said that the prize money should have been better given to distressed farmers.

“In the last four months, 1,068 farmers have committed suicide. It would have been good had they given money to the distressed farmers. They gave such a huge sum to the Indian Cricket Team, what was the need?. Team India played for the country and not themselves, this is why the streets were flooded to welcome them,” Wadettiwar said.

Wadettiwar further said that Maharashtra is already under a debt of Rs 7.92 lakh crore and the future of youth and claimed that the law and order of the state have gone out of control.

“The future of youth is in danger, the farmers are in distress, and they are giving away huge sums of money. Maharashtra is already under a debt of Rs 7.92 lakh crore, and they are going to spend another Rs 1 lakh crore for the Ladli Bahan Yojana. The law and order of the state have gone out of control. The youth have been put at risk because of drugs. They are busy bringing in money and forming governments,” added Wadettiwar.

CM Shinde had announced a substantial cash reward of Rs 11 crore for the victorious Indian cricket team, which recently clinched the T20 World Cup title.

ALSO READ: Congress demands law to exceed 50% reservations quota

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-Top News UK News

Kanishka’s remarkable journey from Muzaffarpur to Parliament

Originally hailing from Saundho in Vaishali district, Kanishk’s grandparents; Krishna Kumar and Veena Devi settled in Muzaffarpur many years ago…reports Asian Lite News

Indian-origin candidate Kanishka Narayan, who won the UK general elections from Wales as a Labour candidate, draws his roots to Muzaffarpur in Bihar.

Kanishka’s uncle Jayant Kumar, who is also the director of SKJ Law College, said that his nephew has made not just Muzaffarpur, but the entire country proud.

Jayant said, “Kanishka is my younger brother’s son. He left his job to attend the elections. He has always been into politics.”

Kanishka (33) was born in Muzaffarpur. He also studied here till third standard.

He was earlier in civil service. He resigned from his job and entered politics after the announcement of elections.

Around two months back, Kanishka also came to India with his family to attend a religious function.

Meanwhile, celebrations started at Kanishka’s Muzaffarpur residence at Sandho Apartment in Damuchak, after he became the MP.

“We are flooded with congratulatory messages and calls from friends and family. Kanishka is a proud Bihari and an Indian first,” Narayan’s uncle said, Jayant Kumar.

Originally hailing from Saundho in Vaishali district, Kanishk’s grandparents; Krishna Kumar and Veena Devi settled in Muzaffarpur many years ago.

Krishna Kumar was the chairman of Muzaffarpur District Board and founder of SKJ Law College.

Kanishka’s father, Santosh Kumar and mother Chetna Sinha went to Delhi after completing their studies from SKJ Law College.

Kanishka briefly studied in APJ School in Delhi’s Saket. When he was 12 years old, Kanishka moved to Britain with his parents. He did his higher studies from the famous Eton Oxford, the same college where India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru graduated from. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Britain elects record number of 26 Indian-origin MPs

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-Top News India News UK News

Modi dials Starmer, invites him to India

Modi congratulated Starmer on assuming charge and on the remarkable victory of his Labour Party in the election. He also invited Starmer to India….reports Asian Lite News

A day after Keir Starmer led the Labour landslide to end 14 years of Conservative rule in the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the new British Prime Minister Saturday and the two leaders agreed to work towards an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-UK free trade agreement.

Modi congratulated Starmer on assuming charge and on the remarkable victory of his Labour Party in the election. He also invited Starmer to India.

According to 10, Downing Street, the British Prime Minister, while discussing the FTA, said he stood ready to conclude a deal “that worked for both sides”.

Starmer also looked forward to further deepening the “strong and respectful relationship” between both countries, and welcomed Prime Minister Modi’s leadership on key global challenges such as climate change and economic growth, the British government’s statement said.

Downing Street said the leaders agreed there was a wide range of areas across “defence and security, critical and emerging technology, and climate change” for the two countries to deepen cooperation on – this reflects the Starmer government’s priorities.

Their conversation took place two days before Modi travels to Russia and Austria on bilateral visits, his first bilateral visit in the third term. His visit to Russia on July 8-9 will be his first since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, and coincides with the 75th anniversary summit of NATO leaders in Washington DC on July 9-11 — the summit, which will be attended by leaders of 32 NATO members including US President Joe Biden, may be Starmer’s first overseas visit as Prime Minister.

A statement by Prime Minister Modi’s office in New Delhi said the two leaders recalled the historic relations between India and the UK and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between their countries.

Appreciating the positive contributions of the Indian community in the social, economic and political development of the UK, they agreed to continue to promote the close people-to-people ties.

Modi also extended an invitation to Starmer for an early visit to India as the two leaders agreed to remain in touch, the statement said.

In a post on X, Modi said, “Pleased to speak with @Keir_Starmer. Congratulated him on being elected as the Prime Minister of the UK. We remain committed to deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and robust India-UK economic ties for the progress and prosperity of our peoples and global good.”

Congratulating Jonathan Reynolds on his appointment as UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said, “It was wonderful meeting you in person in Delhi earlier this year. Deeply impressed by your positivity and commitment to strengthening our bilateral relations.”

“I look forward to meeting you again and jointly raising India-UK trade and economic ties to the next level. Wishing you a very successful tenure,” Goyal said in a post on X.

New Delhi and London have been negotiating the proposed FTA for over two years now, with a final deal expected to result in a mutual tariff relaxation on a range of goods such as cars, clothes, alcoholic beverages and medical instruments. While the Tories and Labour disagree on how to restrict immigration into the UK, there is a bipartisan consensus on the fact that it must be curbed.

With the UK being a powerhouse in the financial services and technology segments, India is seeking temporary visas for its service sector workforce. Given the political climate though, Labour is likely to negotiate hard on the visa issue.

On Friday, within hours of Labour’s landslide victory, Modi had congratulated Starmer on the “remarkable victory” and said he looked forward to “positive and constructive collaboration” to further strengthen bilateral ties.

In November last year, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Starmer, who was then Leader of the Opposition, and they had reaffirmed the bipartisan commitment towards strengthening India-UK relations. He had also met Lammy, with the two leaders holding discussions on security and development issues as well as bilateral cooperation.

This was followed by visits by Lammy and Reynolds who came to New Delhi in early February this year and met Jaishankar and Goyal. Incidentally, this was when both sides were in the middle of FTA negotiations.

India and UK share unique friendship, affirms Lammy

Citing deep connections between people, business, and culture, Britain’s new Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Saturday hailed the “unique friendship” between India and the United Kingdom. 

The 51-year-old Labour Party politician spoke with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and reaffirmed the commitment of the new government led by Keir Starmer to enhance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

“The UK and India share a unique friendship with deep connections between our people, business, and culture. Great to speak to my friend Dr S Jaishankar about unlocking the potential of our relationship and developing a stronger and deeper comprehensive strategic partnership,” Lammy said on Saturday evening.

EAM Jaishankar stated that he was “delighted” to speak to the UK Foreign Secretary and is looking forward to an early in-person meeting.

Earlier in the day, while outlining his priorities following his appointment, the new British Foreign Secretary said that the new Labour government will begin with a “reset” with Europe on climate and with the global South.

Lammy highlighted that the world is currently facing “huge challenges” with more countries engaged in conflict than at any time since World War II.

“This government will reconnect Britain for our security and prosperity at home. What happens here in the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office is essential.

“Diplomacy matters. We will begin with a reset with Europe, on climate, and with the global South. And a gear-shift when it comes to delivering on European security, global security, and British growth,” Lammy said in a statement released by the UK Foreign Ministry on Saturday.

ALSO READ: Starmer Unveils New Cabinet; Names UK’s First Female Chancellor

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Economy India News Politics

Sitharaman to present Union Budget on July 23

The government on Saturday announced the dates of the budget session of Parliament which will start on July 22 and conclude on August 12….reports Asian Lite News

The first full budget of the BJP-led NDA government in its third successive term will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23.

The government on Saturday announced the dates of the budget session of Parliament which will start on July 22 and conclude on August 12.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who will present the Union Budget 2024-25, has been holding pre-budget consultations.

As part of the deliberations, she has met economists, experts in finance and capital markets, industry representatives and agriculture experts.

Industry bodies, including the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), have urged the government to increase capital expenditure in the upcoming budget.

This will be Sitharaman’s seventh budget in a row. She will be the first Union Finance Minister to present seven consecutive union budgets. Former Prime Minister Morarji Desai had presented six budgets in a row.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiran Rijuju announced the dates of budget session.

“Hon’ble President of India, on the recommendation of the Government of India, has approved the proposal for summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Budget Session, 2024 from 22nd July 2024 to 12 August 2024 (Subject to exigencies of Parliamentary Business). Union Budget, 2024-25 will be presented in Lok Sabha on 23 July 2024,” he posted on X.

The Modi government had presented an interim budget in February this year.

Sitharaman had announced in the interim budget that the capital expenditure outlay for the next year is being increased by 11.1 per cent to Rs 11,11,111 crore, which would be 3.4 per cent of the GDP.

The government had also announced that Rs one lakh crore corpus will be established with five-year interest free loan for youth.

Newly-elected Lok Sabha members took oath in the first session of 18th Lok Sabha held from June 24 to July 2 following the results of the general elections.

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the joint sitting of two Houses on June 27 and both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adopted a motion of thanks on the President’s address. Prime Minister Narendra Modi replied to the debate on the motion of thanks in the two Houses of Parliament.

BJP-led National Democratic Alliance returned to power for the third successive term in the general elections. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Congress demands law against ‘fake’ godmen

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Economy India News Politics

Kharge accuses BJP-RSS of promoting ‘Education Mafia’

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Kharge also reiterated the demand for a re-examination of the NEET-UG…reports Asian Lite News

Amid the ongoing controversy over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG 2024 exam, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the central government, claiming that the BJP-RSS administration has promoted an “education mafia” by taking control of the entire education system.

Kharge also reiterated the demand for a re-examination of the NEET-UG.

On ‘X’, Kharge wrote, “The Modi Government has told the honorable Supreme Court that no paper has been leaked in NEET-UG! This blatant lie is being told to lakhs of youth. Their future is being ruined. The Ministry of Education has said that ‘irregularities/cheating have taken place only in a few places.’ This is misleading. The BJP-RSS has promoted the education mafia by taking control of the entire education system.”

He further claimed that the Narendra Modi-led government is “bent on destroying our education system.”

“Be it NCERT books or leakage in exams, the Modi government is bent on destroying our education system. We reiterate our demand that: 1) NEET-UG should be conducted again. It should be conducted online in a transparent manner. 2) All paper leak scams should be thoroughly investigated under the supervision of the Supreme Court, and strict action should be taken against the culprits.”

“The Modi government cannot escape from its misdeeds,” Kharge added.

The Central government has told the Supreme Court that, in the absence of any proof of a large-scale breach of confidentiality in the NEET-UG 2024 examination, it would not be rational to scrap the entire examination.

Scrapping the NEET-UG exam held on May 5 entirely would “seriously jeopardize” the lakhs of honest candidates who attempted the question paper in 2024, said the Ministry of Education.

The Centre has filed an affidavit on a batch of petitions pending before the apex court seeking direction to recall NEET-UG 2024 results and conduct the examination afresh, alleging paper leakage and malpractices in the test held.

The apex court had already refused to stay the counselling of NEET-UG 2024.

The top court will hear the cases on July 8.

Responding to the petitions, the Ministry said that prayers raised in the petitions for the cancellation of the exam and the re-test based on “surmises” and “conjectures” must be rejected.

It also informed the apex court that a high-level committee has been constituted to suggest measures for effective, smooth, and transparent conduct of the examinations by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Meanwhile, NTA has also filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court opposing the cancellation of the NEET-UG exam and said that the alleged malpractices were only in Patna and Godhra centers and that the entire exam should not be cancelled based on individual instances.

The sanctity of NEET-UG cannot be impeached by sporadic instances of alleged paper leaks, which are confined to a very small number of candidates, it said.

Earlier, while hearing the case, the top court told the Centre and NTA that if there is any negligence in conducting the NEET-UG exam, it should be dealt with thoroughly.

The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the NTA, is the pathway for admissions into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.

ALSO READ: Congress demands law against ‘fake’ godmen

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Balochistan protests amplify for safe return of abductee

The protest has now gained significant attention through the participation of several Baloch rights organisations….reports Asian Lite News

The sit-in organised in front of the Quetta Press Club to demand the safe return of forcibly abducted Zaheer Baloch entered its third day on Thursday, The Balochistan Post (TBP), a local news source from Balochistan reported.

The victim’s family demonstrated at the Sariab area of Quetta by blocking the road. However, the protest has now gained significant attention through the participation of several Baloch rights organisations.

Leader of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) Agha Zubair Shah and other PTM members visited the protest location. Shah among these leaders was arrested a few days ago and was released on Wednesday night.

According to The Balochistan Post report Zaheer was abducted from Quetta by the Pakistani forces. At a press conference held in Quetta last Friday, Zaheer’s wife pleaded for his immediate and safe recovery. She also issued a warning to hold large-scale demonstrations in support of missing people in Balochistan alongside the regional organisations.

Previously, a demonstration calling for Zaheer’s safe release was staged in Quetta. Leading the demonstration was well-known Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). The demonstrations also witnessed the participation of Quetta locals, kin of those who have gone missing.

The Balochistan Post report claimed that the negotiations between Zaheer’s family and the local administration had failed, which as a result triggered a continuous sit-in protest from the kin of the missing individuals.

The demonstrators have also demanded that Zaheer Ahmed be brought before the court and an FIR must be filed against the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) for his forced disappearance.

Zaheer Baloch’s wife, speaking to the media on Thursday, said her husband has been missing since June 27 and that they have been protesting for the past three days with no response from the authorities, the TBP report claimed. (ANI)

ALSO READ: UN event highlights China’s growing Islamophobia

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Britain elects record number of 26 Indian-origin MPs

UK flag.

This year’s elections saw 89 MPs elected belonging to ethnic minorities, but only 3 have been appointed to cabinet positions…reports Asian Lite News

The UK poll results are historic – not only because the Conservatives were dethroned after 14 years of power – but also because this election saw the largest number of women MPs and those of Indian origin being elected to the House of Commons.

Out of the 650 seats in parliament, 264 will be held by women as opposed to 220 in the last elections in 2019. Similarly, 26 MPs in the newly elected parliament are of Indian origin, up from 15 in 2019.

Keir Starmer’s cabinet is looking at a record number of women in cabinet positions.  Labour politician and economist Rachel Reeves has been appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer, the first female to hold the coveted post.

Calling it an “honour” and “historic responsibility”, Reeves posted on social media platform ‘X’ that “To every young girl and woman reading this, let today show that there should be no limits on your ambitions”.

Lisa Nandy, of Indian descent, has been named the country’s culture secretary.  Nandy previously served as international development and shadow housing minister. It is noteworthy as in the last Labour government, a decade and a half ago, Nandy was one of the first Asian female MPs, and the first woman to win from Wigan.

This year’s elections saw 89 MPs elected belonging to ethnic minorities, but only 3 have been appointed to cabinet positions.

Labour MP Lisa Nandy is one of the 26 elected representatives with Indian origin | X/@lisanandy

Out of the 26 MPs of Indian origin, six belong to the Conservative party, namely, outgoing PM Rishi Sunak, Suella Braverman, Priti Patel, Claire Coutinho, Shivani Raja, and Gagan Mohindra.

The Labour Party who emerged victorious in the elections also brought in the maximum number of Indian-origin MPs to the house. While seasoned politicians like Seema Malhotra, Valerie Vaz, and Lisa Nandy held on to their seats, newcomers, too, won popular support.

Jas Athwal, Baggy Shanker, Satvir Kaur, Harpreet Uppal, Warinder Juss, Gurinder Josan, Kanishka Narayan, Sonia Kumar, Sureena Brackenbridge, Kirith Entwistle, Jeevun Sandher and Sojan Joseph are the first-time MPs.

Twelve winners from Labour belong to the Sikh community and 6 are women. Preet Kaur Gill and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi are among the winners.

This election also saw politicians, even those of non-Indian descent, visiting places of worship frequented by Indians. Keir Starmer visited the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Kingsbury, just a week before the elections.

In 2023, Indians were the largest group of immigrants in the UK emigrating for work and study. India has been “the most common country of birth for migrants in the UK,” according to a UK survey.

ALSO READ-What this election could do to Britain?