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CFI Hosts Diwali Reception in London

The High Commissioner of India HE Gaitri Issar Kumar, Patron Lord Rami Ranger, CF India Co-Chairs Cllr Reena Ranger OBE, Cllr Ameet Jogia and CF India Director Nayaz Qazi

Patron Lord Rami Ranger CBE paid tribute to the Indian High Commissioner Gaitri Issar Kumar and asked all the guests to say thank you with a rapturous round of applause ... reports Asian Lite News

The Conservative Friends of India celebrated Diwali with its annual Reception at the prestigious Taj Hotel in Buckingham Gate London. The Reception was part of CF India’s UK wide Diwali Receptions, an initiative of CF India Co-Chairs Cllr Reena Ranger OBE & Cllr Ameet Jogia.

The High Commissioner of India HE Gaitri Issar Kumar, Patron Lord Rami Ranger, CF India Co-Chairs Cllr Reena Ranger OBE, Cllr Ameet Jogia and CF India Director Nayaz Qazi

In London at the Taj Hotel, CF India was honoured to have the presence and support of the High Commissioner of India, Gaitri Issar Kumar as the Chief Guest and Guests of Honour the Conservative Party Chairman Oliver Dowden MP and COP 26 President Alok Sharma MP.

The guests were welcomed by Co-Chairs Reena and Ameet; introducing the Party Chairman Oliver Dowden MP. The Pary Chairman “thanked the High Commissioner for India for joining CF India to celebrate Diwali, CF India for organising the Diwali Reception and to the British Indian community for their unstinting support for the Conservative Party”.

The Conservative Friends of India celebrated Diwali with its annual Reception at the prestigious Taj Hotel in Buckingham Gate London

The Chairman also highlighted that “ The shared values of UK and India and its people are to be celebrated.”

The Chief Guest, the High Commissioner of India, Gaitri Issar Kumar, said, “ I am delighted to join everyone today and valued the closeness with the diaspora in the UK. I thank the Hon Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his Diwali wishes. Today was about Celebrating the Festival of Light and the closest association between India and the UK. I wish all the members, Parliamentarians, an auspicious New Year. And I would like to thank Co-Chairs Cllr Reena Ranger, Cllr Ameet Jogia, Director Nayaz Qazi, Parliamentarians, Bob Blackman MP and Theresa Villiers MP, Lord Ranger, Baroness Verma and Lord Popat for being a voice for India in Parliament. India is working closely with the UK for a better world in health care, climate action, trade & prosperity, defence & security and connectivity. ”

Sir John Hayes MP said, “We must celebrate the difference India, and the British Indians have made to Britain. The UK & India relationship is shaped by the past and framed by the future; long may the countries prosper, long may CF India thrive. CF India plays a vital role in the relationship between the UK & India.”

Founding Chairman Lord Dolar Popat said he was immensely proud to see how CF India had developed from when he had started the organisation and how because of CF India, at each election, there was an increase in the number of British Indians voting for the Conservative Party and becoming more involved in standing for political office.”

Parliamentary Patron Bob Blackman MP said he “looked forward to the opportunities to improve security and defence as well as trade and a wide-ranging cooperation, the key issues of China and Pakistan need to be addressed for the benefit of India and the region.”

David Simonds MP, said: “ As a new member of Parliament, in a constituency with a large British Indian population, I was struck by the support over the Covid emergency to all. The work, the fundraising and community spirit, I convey my thanks to the British Indian community.”

Joy Morrisey MP thanked CF India and the members and wished everyone a Happy Diwali, and paid tribute to the contribution of the British Indian community.

Patron Lord Rami Ranger CBE paid tribute to the Indian High Commissioner Gaitri Issar Kumar and asked all the guests to say thank you with a rapturous round of applause.

The Conservative Friends of India celebrated Diwali with its annual Reception at the prestigious Taj Hotel in Buckingham Gate London

Lord Ranger finished by encouraging CF India members and the diaspora to take a greater role in democracy by becoming more politically and publicly involved, which will benefit not just the present British Indian community but also the future generations.”

Gagan Mohindra MP said: It was an immense honour to be part of CF India and celebrated the great work of CF India”

In closing, Gagan said: “The Party and the British Indians stand for the same values, and I urge you to support the Party, we have upcoming Parliamentary by-elections and local elections next May, it is imperative that we get out there and campaign to elect the Conservatives, the natural choice for British Indians.

Suzanne Webb MP “thanked CF India and the British Indian community for all the work they do and how this benefits Britain”. Suzanne spoke about the “exciting opportunities in the bilateral partnership the UK and India and how the 2030 Roadmap for the India-UK future relations, was a perfect framework to achieve this “.

Tom Hunt MP, said, “ I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Indian community and the contributions of both India and the British Indian community in benefiting Britain”.

Maro Loghi MP said: “This was the first time in two years that we have been able to come together to celebrate Diwali, the festival of light. Diwali is the triumph of light over dark, and the British Indian community played a critical role in helping Britain get through the darkness of Covid”.

The Conservative Friends of India celebrated Diwali with its annual Reception at the prestigious Taj Hotel in Buckingham Gate London

The vote of thanks was delivered by CF India Director Nayaz Qazi. He thanked the Indian High Commissioner Gaitri Issar Kumar for the unstinting support and that the support was central in the success of CF India, the Parliamentary Patrons, Parliamentary Vice-Chairs, the Members of Parliament at the Reception, the CF India members and to the CF India Co-Chairs for their great work in strengthening CF India.

CF India in affiliation with SCBAME celebrated the first CF India Diwali Reception, organised by CF India regional champions Pam Gosal MSP and Puneet Gupta. The event was a tremendous success and was attended by Guests of Honour Attorney General Suella Braverman MP and tHe Conservative Party Leader Douglas Ross MP MSP.

  • The High Commissioner of India HE Gaitri Issar Kumar, Patron Lord Rami Ranger, CF India Co-Chairs Cllr Reena Ranger OBE, Cllr Ameet Jogia and CF India Director Nayaz Qazi
  • Speakers – The Conservative Friends of India celebrated Diwali with its annual Reception at the prestigious Taj Hotel in Buckingham Gate London
  • The Conservative Friends of India celebrated Diwali with its annual Reception at the prestigious Taj Hotel in Buckingham Gate London
  • The Conservative Friends of India celebrated Diwali with its annual Reception at the prestigious Taj Hotel in Buckingham Gate London

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Community EU News India News

Hindu Forum of Europe marks Diwali with key messages

Hindu Forum of Europe's Diwali Meeting

A friendly Diwali meeting was recently organised by the Hindu Forum of Europe during which the members and invited guests have presented messages of spiritual essence, philosophy and the spirit of Hinduism.

Monks, Swamis, community leaders, volunteers promoting Hindu values in different parts of Europe have highlighted peace, understanding, environmental care, cooperation, unity and togetherness, including the economic aspect of Diwali festivities.

H.E. Cardinal Miguel from Vatican City

Members and invitees who spoke on the occasion include His Eminence Cardinal Miguel from Vatican City, Roberta Metsola- Vice President of European Parliament, David Earle- Director of Universal Peace Federation (UPF), United Kingdom, Swami Amarananda- Director of Centre Vedanta- Geneva, Switzerland, Krishna Kripa Dasa- President of Hindu Federation of Spain, Chitra Paul- President Hindu Forum of Sweden, Marie Mandakini- Vice President of Hindu Forum of Europe, BK Sister Katharyn Henri- Spiritual Leader at HFE, Madhupati Dasa- President, Hindu Forum of Hungary, Sridhar Thatikonda- President, Hindu Forum of Germany, Gianluca Troiano- Treasurer, HFE, Manik Paul- Vice-President, Hindu Forum of Belgium & Member of Human Rights Commission, Nemu Chandaria- Chair, Institute of Jainology, Satish Joshi- President, Hindu Forum of Switzerland, Velji Vekaria- President, SKLP, Praveen Amin- President, Patidar Samaj, Kesh Morjaria- CEO of HFE, Chiranjibi Paudyal, and Puneet Dwivedi, Scotland.

Roberta Metsola from European Parliament

Dr Lakshmi Vyas, President of Hindu Forum of Europe has opened the session and later has read the message from Sonoo Malkani, Chair of Harrow Interfaith. Dhiraj Shah, President of VHP-UK, Swami Rameshwarananda Giri and Tarang Shelat were also in attendance.

Dr Ragasudha Vinjamuri, Associate Lecturer at the University of Sunderland in London and Founder of Sanskruti Centre for Cultural Excellence rendered the Vote of Thanks.

  • Dr Lakshmi Vyas- President of HFE
  • Swami Rameshwarananda Giri
  • Madhupati Dasa
  • Krishna Kripa Dasa
  • Velji Vekaria- President of SKLP
  • Marie Mandakini
  • Gianluca Troiano, HFE
  • BK Sister Katharyn Henri
  • Sridhar Thatikonda
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Asia News Business Community

DIWALI SPECIAL: TANISHQ UNVEILS UTSAAH

Tanishq launches Utsaah, the Festival of Life

Utsaah – the Festival of Life, Tanishq’s highly anticipated festive collection is now available at its flagship store in Meena Bazaar Dubai

An aesthetic representation of contemporary jewellery, Utsaah is a seamless blend of ethnicity and modernity reimagining rich Indian heritage into distinctive modern jewels featuring intricate and exquisitely detailed designs in plain gold and ornate gold.

The bold and edgy collection utilizes numerous Karigari techniques like Modern Filigree, Stamp and wire work, Enamel, Jaali over stone, Tikli, Rawa and ball work to name a few, showcasing varied textures, weaves, and patterns synonymous with traditional Indian art and craft.

Tanishq launches Utsaah, the Festival of Life

“Tanishq’s legacy of revitalizing Indian traditions to make timeless, distinctive jewellery that stands the test of time and can be passed on to the next generation is embodied in Utsaah. With its seamless blend of intricacy, heritage and contemporized designs coupled with modern sensibilities, this festive collection will resonate with women who seek modernity and versatility and have a discerning eye for designs,” said Vandana Bhalla, marketing Head- international Business Division, Titan Company Ltd.

“Keeping in mind wearability, which has emerged as a key jewellery trend for this festive season, Utsaah has been designed to enhance your festive look. The intelligent use of layering, design and karigari techniques have helped us achieve an ideal collection both in terms of affordability and aesthetics. We hope our latest festive collection will add a little bit of sparkle to your celebrations this season and beyond,” she added.

Forecasting the festive trends this year, Tanishq has focused on the charm of layering exquisite neckpieces for a look of grandeur, a particular highlight of the collection.

Head to Tanishq today and you can also avail their fabulous festive offer. From now until 6th November, customers can also get up to 25%* off on making charges of gold jewellery and on diamond jewellery value.

STORE ADDRESS: Tanishq Showroom, No. 3, Plot No. 312-177, Al Souq Al Kabeer, Meena Bazaar, Dubai

  • Tanishq launches Utsaah, the Festival of Life
  • Tanishq launches Utsaah, the Festival of Life
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Community India News Lite Blogs

National Tribal Festival: An Artistic Retaining of Tribal Identity

Competing for a reward of Rs five, three and two lakhs, the participating tribal groups exhibited the best of the culture through dance performances on wedding ceremonies, traditional festivals, and rituals, social dances like harvest dance, among others…reports Asian Lite News.

India’s tribal culture came to life as the second edition of the National Tribal Dance Festival was inaugurated at the Science College Ground, Raipur, by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in presence of the Chief Guest Hemant Soren, Jharkhand Chief Minister; Tamradhwaj Sahu, Chhattisgarh Tourism Minister; Amarjeet Bhagat, Chhattisgarh Culture Minister and other dignitaries.

An initiative of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board under the tourism development plans of the state government, the inaugural day witnessed participation of tribal dance groups from various states and Union Territories of India and international participation from Nigeria, Palestine, Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland), Uzbekistan and Mali portraying and celebrating their respective tribal folk culture.

The festival began with a procession of all tribal groups in traditional outfits through the venue. Tribal dance forms from Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Assam, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir showcased the vibrant and diverse culture of India.

Competing for a reward of Rs five, three and two lakh, the participating tribal groups exhibited the best of the culture through dance performances on wedding ceremonies, traditional festivals, and rituals, social dances like harvest dance, among others.

The dance forms in the wedding ceremony category featured Gour Sing from Chhattisgarh, Karma from Madhya Pradesh, Dhimsa from Andhra Pradesh, Gojari from Jammu & Kashmir, Kadsa from Jharkhand, Guryaballu from Andhra Pradesh, among others.

The dance forms in the category of traditional festivals and rituals featured Karma from Chhattisgarh, Gussadi Dhimsa from Telangana, Urav from Jharkhand, Sidi Goma from Gujarat.

International participation featured dance groups from the Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland), Nigeria, Mali, Palestine and Uzbekistan who introduced the audiences to their respective cultures through their high-energy dance forms.

The Tribal conclave, an important component of the festival is a confluence of experts, scholars and practitioners to explore new ideas that can create opportunities for the tribal communities of Chhattisgarh. The first day of the conclave delved into topics from responsible tourism to tribal art and craft, and the market to popularizing local cuisine and wellness.

In the panel discussion ‘Responsible Tourism in the Post-Covid World’, Yashwant Kumar, Managing Director, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board; Jeet Singh Arya, Founder of travel start-up ‘Unexplored Bastar’; Sunny and Deeptie Raj, owners of the eco-resort Bhoramdeo Jungle Retreat and Anjuna Dhir, Executive Director, The Responsible Tourism Society of India, moderated by Yasmin Kidwai, Festival Curator and Event Director highlighted on the need to create valuable experiences for domestic tourists and the importance of making tourism sustainable by involving local communities.

Tribal art and crafts and the market talked about the need for revival and preservation of traditional crafts. Panelists Ayush Shrivastav and Gaurav Kushwaha, Founders of Lokabazar.in Bastar’s first handicraft e-commerce start-up; Rashmi Dhanwani, Founder of Art X Company; Chaitsi Ahuja, Founder of Brown Living and Asif Khan, Founder of Nature Escape, discussed how digital platforms can be combined with traditional crafts to create opportunities for artisans to explore new markets.

Food is an important way of retaining a cultural identity. In the panel ‘Popularizing Local Cuisine’ Manish Mehrotra, the Celebrity Chef of the renowned restaurant Indian Accent; Anoothi Vishal, Culinary Historian, Author, and Curator; Prateek Sadhu, Executive Chef and Co-owner of Mumbai-based restaurant Masque and Raziya Shaikh, Director of Bastar Foods talked about the ways in which local cuisine can be highlighted to enhance the tourist experience. This engaging discussion delved into the avenues that can be created to popularize the cuisine of Chhattisgarh and encourage food entrepreneurs.

ALSO READ-Tribal rights activist Stan Swamy dies awaiting bail

READ MORE-Sighting vax team signals Odisha tribals to run into forests

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Asia News Community Diaspora

ASDA has more to offer you for Diwali than ever!

Asda’s Diwali selection has everything covered, whether you’re looking for snacks and treats, simple cooking from the  frozen range or a complex list of ingredients to prepare your favourite meal. You don’t need to look any further as the shelves are stocked with your favourite brands at an affordable price that’ll make all your preparations a breeze

As the time to start preparing for your Diwali celebrations approaches, ASDA is there for you with a range of Diwali ingredients, treats and essential supplies that’s bigger and better than ever. Enjoy reuniting with your family and friends this year for an extra-special and memorable festive period without any worries, thanks to ASDA’s selection of all your favourite products and trusted brands all under the same roof.

This year, it just got even easier to find everything you need for the perfect Diwali celebration, with 35 ASDA stores in key areas featuring a Diwali product range in the seasonal aisle for the first time, gathering all your most trusted brands in one easy-to-browse location in-store and making it easier for you to get ready to celebrate. You can also shop Asda’s Diwali range online HERE.

Visit your nearest ASDA to begin stocking up on your favourite Diwali snacks, treats and supplies, or head to asda.com to browse your Diwali essentials from anywhere.

Asda’s Diwali selection has everything covered, whether you’re looking for snacks and treats, simple cooking from the  frozen range or a complex list of ingredients to prepare your favourite meal. You don’t need to look any further as the shelves are stocked with your favourite brands at an affordable price that’ll make all your preparations a breeze.

This festive season, you can pick up a 10kg pack of Medium Elephant Atta for only £6, or East End’s finest Chakki Atta for £5.50, as well as a 10kg bag of Trophy’s Basmati Rice for just £10.50, allowing you to purchase your bulk ingredients with ease. Cupboard essentials are equally affordable, with a Rubicon 4 litre pack selling for £4.50 and any 3 KTC tins for just £1.

ASDA is excited to help you celebrate the festival of lights and ensure everything is as easy, convenient, and affordable as possible in the run up to the festival so you can focus on what’s important – celebrating with your family, friends and loved ones. Visit your nearest ASDA to begin stocking up on your favourite Diwali snacks, treats and supplies, or head to asda.com to browse your Diwali essentials from anywhere.

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Community India News

Vellore village boycotts local polls as seat reserved for SC

The residents of the Village had filed a case in the High Court against the panchayat president post being reserved for Scheduled Caste (Woman)…reports Asian Lite News.

While the first phase of the rural local body polls in Tamil Nadu concluded with no untoward incident except for some small skirmishes, the residents of Ammundi panchayat in Vellore district boycotted the elections.

The boycott was due to the panchayat president post has been reserved for SC woman. No person voted in any of the five polling booths set up in the village. The village has 2,045 voters.

The residents of the Village had filed a case in the High Court against the panchayat president post being reserved for Scheduled Caste (Woman).

The villagers were protesting against this since September and had wanted to revert the seat to the general category. The village elders said that they boycotted the polls as of the 2,045 voters in the Ammundi panchayat, 2,042 are under the general category and SC women and male voters numbered only 2 and 1 respectively.

AIADMK Vellore Urban district secretary, S.R.K. Appu who had brought the discrepancy before the district administration said, “The villagers agitated as they want justice and reclassify the village panchayat under the general category. The district administration was not properly responding even after repeated queries and there was no alternative other than boycott the polls.”

ALSO READ-Community-led bank in UP helps villagers keep moneylenders at bay

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Community Lite Blogs

Mumbai NGO helps runaway kids reunite with kin

“In the past 15 years, we have rescued and reunited around 12,750 kids, most aged between 8-16 years, a majority being girls, but we even get 5-6 years old children or 17-20-year old teens,” Jadhav said…reports Quaid Najmi.

This week, Mumbaikars were shocked to learn of a school topper girl, who – lured by a glamour career – ran away to Telangana, but was safely rescued by Mumbai Police and brought back to her family. She is among the one crore kids, mostly girls, who run away from home, often on flimsiest grounds, and end up in strange states, cities or in deep trouble, every year, as per NCRB data.

A lucky few catch the eyes of Samatol Foundation, Mumbai, a NGO founded in 2006 by Vijay Jadhav, which specialises in ‘catching’ such runaway or trafficked kids all over the country. “In the past 15 years, we have rescued and reunited around 12,750 kids, most aged between 8-16 years, a majority being girls, but we even get 5-6 years old children or 17-20-year old teens,” Jadhav said.

It all started around 2006, when he espied a kid loitering on Mumbai streets, apparently lost and baffled, and took his charge.
“He was a very bright child of Muslim parents from Hyderabad who pressurised him for academic excellence, so he just hopped into a train and reached Mumbai. As he refused to speak, his family, school authorities and Hyderabad Police came here and arrested me, believing I was a kidnapper,” chuckled Jadhav.

As an activist with the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), Jadhav attended many of rallies and protests in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, etc., and between 1997-2000, came across hundreds of kids either lost, abandoned, runaway or trafficked and decided to do something for them, by working with YUVA, a NGO, till 2004.

“My inaugural case was a 12-year-old boy, son of a Parbhani village Sarpanch, who ran away just because his dad refused to buy him a bicycle till he turned 18..! The grateful villagers invited and felicitated me. That sowed the seeds for launching Samatol Foundation,” Jadhav recalled.
Over the past 15 years, the Samatol Foundation has helped ‘catch’ and reunite nearly 13K kids, working 24×7, with over 5,000 volunteers keeping an eye for such children at railway stations, bus depots, near eateries, etc.
“I personally met over a 1,000-families all over India reunited with their kids. Their joy was overwhelming and they celebrated as if it was an off-season Diwali. Our efforts are worth it,” he said.

Jadhav said that of the 10-million kids who ‘run away’ or ‘disappear’ annually, the maximum or more than one million, land up in Mumbai alone, a favourite destination of many.
The reasons often are as ‘childish’ as the children. A 14-year-old girl decamped from Jalandhar to meet her idol Salman Khan, a 16-year-old wrote her SSC exams and directly caught a train from Allahabad for Mumbai, dreaming of a heroine’s role opposite Shah Rukh Khan.

ALSO READ-Jabs for kids as UK accelerates vaccine programme

READ MORE-US govt may authorise Pfizer shot for kids aged 5 to 11 in Oct

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Community India News

Don’t fear, work for India’s progress: Bhagwat to Muslims

“Hindus and Muslims in India have common ancestry… It is a well-known historical fact that Islam came to India along with the invaders, and this should not be concealed,” Bhagwat urged…reports Asian Lite News.

Wooing the minority community, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat has reiterated that Muslims have nothing to fear in India, and they must work unitedly with the majority community for the common goal of the country’s progress.

Addressing an event — ‘Nation First, Nation Supreme’ — organized by the Pune-based Global Strategic Policy Foundation (GSPF), here late on Monday, the RSS Sarsanghchalak asserted that Hindus don’t harbour animosity towards anyone, and the two communities should join hands for the country’s development.

“Hindus and Muslims in India have common ancestry… It is a well-known historical fact that Islam came to India along with the invaders, and this should not be concealed,” Bhagwat urged.

He said that our beloved motherland and the rich heritage form the basis of integrity in the country, both have the same DNA and should strive together for the common good of the nation.

According to Bhagwat, Indians have always worked for the wellbeing of others, one and all, and the word ‘Hindu’ is synonymous with the country’s rich heritage, the ancestors and its varied culture, and “in this this context, every Indian is a Hindu for us”.

“In tune with our great culture, which accepts all diverse opinions, we commit that there won’t be disrespect for other aiths, but, for that we will have to ensure and think of dominance of India and not that of a particular faith as has been happening through appeasement or vote-bank politics for many years,” he said.

While the bonding and bonhomie are inevitable for the progress of the nation and the motherland, Bhagwat called upon the saner voices among the Muslims to speak out against the ‘insanity’ committed by some sections of the community, given the emerging geo-political developments in India’s neighbourhood.

“They must firmly oppose the hardliners in the community. This could be a long drawn task that will have to be done with great care and efforts. It’s like a tough, long test which we will have to pass. The quicker we begin, the lesser the damage to the society,” Bhagwat pointed out.

Other speakers at the event included Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir Central University Lt. Gen. (Retd) Sayyad Ata Hussain, in the presence of GSPF President Anant Bhagwat, Secretary John Verghese and Coordinator Zafar Lari.

ALSO READ-RSS Issue: CM orders action against school

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Community India News

3,841 Kashmiri Pandit youth returned to Valley

Rai was replying to Raut’s question as to whether the government is aware that many Kashmiri Pandits have become insecure in the last few years, fearing that they could be targets of a false flag operation…reports Asian Lite News.

Feeling more secure in Jammu and Kashmir, a total of 3,841 migrant Kashmiri Pandit youth have moved back to the Valley, the government said on Wednesday.

The government also stated that another 1,997 candidates have been selected for jobs under the same package in April 2021, who will be moving to Kashmir soon.

In a written reply to Sanjay Raut in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, said, “Kashmiri Pandits have felt more secure in the recent past as is evident from the fact that 3,841 migrant Kashmiri youth have moved back to Kashmir where they have taken up jobs in various districts under the Prime Minister’s rehabilitation package.”

Rai was replying to Raut’s question as to whether the government is aware that many Kashmiri Pandits have become insecure in the last few years, fearing that they could be targets of a false flag operation.

The minister explained that as per the report of the relief office set up in 1990 by the Jammu and Kashmir government, a total 44,167 Kashmiri migrant families were registered who had to move from the Valley since 1990 due to security concerns.

“Out of these, the count of registered Hindu migrant families is 39,782,” the minister said.

Talking about the 1,997 candidates moving to Kashmir soon, the minister mentioned that as many as 26,684 migrant Kashmiri youth showed interest of going back to the Valley by applying for 1,997 posts, which were advertised by the Jammu and Kashmir’s recruitment board in December 2020.

The government has also prepared a comprehensive policy to provide residential accommodation to the Kashmiri migrants who have moved back to Kashmir.

A total of 6,000 residential units are being constructed for them at an accelerated pace. Already, 1,000 residential units are being used by these employees.

Approximately 900 such families, including Kashmiri Pandits and Dogra Hindu families, are residing in Kashmir.

“With regard to those who never migrated from Kashmir, the government has allowed their inclusion in the jobs package for Kashmiri migrants. Besides, they are getting all the benefits of government schemes along with others in Kashmir,” the minister said.

The government has taken the necessary steps to protect the life and property of the people, he said.

These include proactive operations against terrorists, identification and arrest of over ground workers and supporters of terrorism, action against members of banned organisations, intensified night patrolling, coordination meetings among intelligence agencies, maintaining high-level of alertness etc.

ALSO READ-Kashmir has turned a new leaf, exciting possibilities are opening up: Kovind

READ MORE-Kashmir’s Descent Into Drugs & Criminalisation

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Community India News

Supreme head of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church passes away

Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, the supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India, passed away on Monday at a private hospital at Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district after suffering from post-Covid complications.

He was also suffering from cancer and breathed his last at the hospital of the Church.

The 74-year-old Metropolitan had been heading the Church since 2006 and will be remembered as the one who was instrumental in giving voting rights to women in their home parishes.

Born in Thrissur, he was K.I. Paul and at the very young age of 36, was ordained as a bishop of the Church.

He also shot into fame when he called on Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2013.

The veteran Metropolitan’s closeness with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan surfaced out in the open when he made the statement soon after meeting him in 2016, and said that the ‘Church which was like an orphan, has now someone to look forward to’.

The body has been placed for the faithful to pay their last respects at the famed Parumala Church, near Thiruvalla, and will be taken to the Church headquarters on Monday night.

On Tuesday, the funeral service will start in the morning and the body will be interned at the headquarters of the Church at Devalokham in the evening.

PM condoles death

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Moran Mor Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, expressing solidarity with the members of the Orthodox Church at their hour of grief.

“Saddened by the passing away of His Holiness Moran Mor Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, the Supreme Head of Indian Orthodox Church. He leaves behind a rich legacy of service and compassion. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the members of the Orthodox Church. RIP,” Modi posted on Twitter from his official handle.

ALSO READ-For most Indians respecting all faiths very important

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