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Times Square Illuminates With Holi Wishes

Earlier in the day, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti also extended Holi wishes to the people of India via a video message shared on X…reports Asian Lite News

The Indian Consulate in New York extended Holi greetings by illuminating the iconic Times Square in New York City with banners of Holi wishes on Monday.

“Wishing everyone a colorful and joyous Holi from the heart of New York City. #TimesSquare May the festival of color fill your life with happiness, love and peace,”Indian Consulate in New York posted on X.

Earlier, the Indian Embassy in the US also wished everyone a joyous celebration resplendent with colours and music.

In a video shared on X, the Indian Embassy in the US captured the exuberant spirit of Holi celebrations. The video showcased a lively scene at DuPoint Circle, where people immersed themselves in the festivities, dancing joyously while playing with vibrant colours.

US President Joe Biden extended Holi wishes, emphasising that millions of people globally will join together to celebrate the festival, the arrival of Spring, with Gulal and vibrant colours.

Taking to his social media X, US President Biden posted, “Today, millions around the world will join together to celebrate Holi, the arrival of Spring, with Gulal and vibrant colors.”

He, along with first lady Jill Biden, wished everyone to celebrate the festival of colours.

“Jill and I wish all those observing today’s Festival of Colors joy and happiness,” he added.

Earlier in the day, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti also extended Holi wishes to the people of India via a video message shared on X.

He said, “I want to wish everybody a very happy Holi. We have this amazing gujiyas, which has a little bit of an American twist with some pistachios in here, beautiful rose water. There’s no better way than to celebrate Holi across the Indo-Pacific together.”

Holi, the festival of colours, is a celebration of liveliness, joy and, of course, familial ties and close bonds. It marks the blooming of spring after a long winter season. On the day of Holi, people come together and smear dry and wet colours on each other.

Many people, especially children, celebrate the festival by playing with water-filled balloons and water guns. As with any other festival, people also treat each other to special Holi delicacies like gujiya. (ANI)

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Culture Lite Blogs

A Roman Holi: Bulgari’s Tribute to India’s Rich Cultural Heritage

The evening unfolded with immersive experiences that connected the art of colour with the brilliance of precious stones. Jasleen Royal’s mesmerising live performance has set a vibrant mood for the evening…reports Asian Lite News

The private residence of the Ambani family – Antilia saw a vibrant gala of Holi in Mumbai. The Magnificent Roman High Jeweler, Bulgari also known as the master of coloured gemstones, celebrated the festive spirit of Holi, the Indian festival of Colours, with A Roman Holi co-hosted with Isha M. Ambani, Director, Reliance Industries Limited.

The evening was an ode to Bulgari’s love for India and its deep connection to its rich cultural heritage.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Bulgari’s global ambassador, embraced the spirit of the Maison at the gathering. She asserts, “Holi is one of my favourite festivals, and I’m thrilled to be celebrating it with Bulgari as ‘A Roman Holi,’ a concept that beautifully blends innovation with the rich traditions of both India and Italy. This event holds a special place in my heart as Bulgari’s Heritage Collection draws inspiration from the Navratna, uniting the celebrated cultures and traditions of India and Italy on a global stage. Bulgari’s dedication to diversity and its practice of imbibing cultural heritage to craft its legacy has always resonated with me. I am looking forward to witnessing how we can serve as inspirations to build a heritage that elevates the grandeur of both countries.”

For this special occasion, Bulgari selected nine necklaces from its Heritage Collection, featuring nine different gems inspired by the Navratna, a talisman connected to Indian astrology, expressing Maison’s love for coloured gemstones. Highlighting rubies, sapphires, emeralds, amethysts, pearls, diamonds, citrines and peridots. Exceptional creations from the 1980s embody Italian craftsmanship and a daring tribute to colours.

The evening unfolded with immersive experiences that connected the art of colour with the brilliance of precious stones. Jasleen Royal’s mesmerising live performance has set a vibrant mood for the evening.

Amongst the other attendees who graced the event were Jean Christophe Babin, Bulgari CEO, and Lucia Silvestri, Bulgari Creative Director Jewelry, ‘Andhadhun’ star, and a friend of the Maison, Ayushmann Khurrana, fashion icon Athiya Shetty, the ‘Dhak Dhak Girl’ Madhuri Dixit, actress and fitness enthusiast Shilpa Shetty.

Thrilled with the success of the evening, Jean Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari shared, “The relationship India has with jewelry goes beyond aesthetic appeal. It is a form of expression, of connecting the past with the present. The concept of A Roman Holi ties in all these nuances through colours and celebration. Highlighting our heritage collection of coloured gemstones in the aura of Holi paying tribute to Indian Navratna was an exhilarating moment for us.”

A Roman Holi aims to forge an enduring tie between India and the Maison that will lend endless creative expressions.

ALSO READ-Dubai Tops Indians’ Travel Lists for Holi

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Culture Lite Blogs

William Dalrymple Unveils ‘The Golden Road’ in Hampi

The upcoming event exemplifies the resort’s dedication to promoting cultural exchange and intellectual exploration, serving as a proud facilitator of this enriching experience and celebrating the depth and diversity of India’s cultural legacy…reports Asian Lite News

It is just right to debut a book discussing the rich cultural legacy of ancient India in Hampi, a place imbued with profound meaning through its breathtaking architectural remnants and spiritual and cultural practices.

The much-awaited book of renowned author and multiple award-winning historian Dr. William Dalrymple’s ‘The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World’ is set to debut at a special talk event at Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace in Hampi on 19 March 2024, at 7 pm.

The upcoming event exemplifies the resort’s dedication to promoting cultural exchange and intellectual exploration, serving as a proud facilitator of this enriching experience and celebrating the depth and diversity of India’s cultural legacy.

‘The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World’ uncovers the depth of ancient Indian culture, shedding light on its global significance through its religions, languages, art, and architectural wonders. Drawing from a lifetime of research, Dr. Dalrymple sheds light on India’s pivotal role as an intellectual and philosophical superpower in ancient Asia.

“We are honoured to welcome Dr. William Dalrymple to Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace, Hampi, for the unveiling of his much-anticipated book, ‘The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World.’ His profound insights into India’s cultural heritage resonate deeply with our ethos of offering immersive experiences that celebrate the essence of this land,” shared Jose Ramapuram, Marketing Director at Evolve Back Resorts.

William Dalrymple, renowned for his bestselling works such as Nine Lives: In Search of the Sacred in Modern India, White Mughals, and The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company holds fellowships at esteemed institutions such as the Royal Society of Literature. Awarded the prestigious President’s Medal by the British Academy in 2018, his literary contributions and co-founding of the Jaipur Literature Festival underscore his significant influence in the literary world.

ALSO READ-Let the past be, urge historians

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Culture India News Politics

Rahul ‘Mocks’ Modi’s Dwarka Puja

Earlier in February, PM Modi dived into the Arabian Sea off the coast of Gujarat to perform an underwater puja….reports Asian Lite News

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday for performing an underwater puja in the remains of the ancient submerged city of Lord Krishna’s Dwarka earlier in February, alleging that issues like inflation and unemployment are “not being discussed.”

Addressing a farmers meeting at Krishi Utapann Bazar Samiti in Nashik during his Maharashtra leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, the former Congress Chief said, “The issues of farmers, inflation, unemployment, and agniveers are the most prominent in the country today, but on TV channels, you will never see discussion on these issues.”

“Instead, TV channels show Modi ji all 24 hours; at times he goes under the sea to do a puja and a TV camera goes with him, then he takes a flight on a seaplane…,” he said.

“Then he will go to the China border and the media will follow him. Then (He) will talk about Pakistan. Then the COVID-19 pandemic will come and (we will be) clapping and clanging utensils. He will make everyone dance,” the Wayanad MP said.

Earlier in February, PM Modi dived into the Arabian Sea off the coast of Gujarat to perform an underwater puja. Dwarka, known for its connection with Lord Krishna, was once a thriving city that is believed to have been submerged under the sea centuries ago after Krishna’s departure from Earth.

The Nyay Yatra is passing through the state of Maharashtra.

The Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) are part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which also includes the NCP (SPawar) in the state. Smaller parties like the Swambhimani Vikash Parishad (SWP) and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) are also likely to join the Congress-led alliance in the state. The state sends 48 legislators to the Lok Sabha.

The Congress’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’, after the party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, aims to cover 6,700 km through 15 states, with Lok Sabha polls around the corner.

The Lok Sabha polls are likely to be held in April-May this year.

Rahul offers prayers at Nashik temple

Rahul Gandhi offered prayers at Trimbakeshwar Temple in Maharashtra’s Nashik on Thursday.

The Temple is renowned for its significance in Hindu Mythology and holds a special place among the devotees.

Gandhi resumed his yatra from Nashik on Thursday afternoon.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the gathering here hit out at the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of doing ‘financial injustice’ to the people of the country.

“How many loans of those who take exams – of Police, of IAS-IPS – has been waived off? Not even a Rupee. How much loan of labourers has been waived off? Not even a Rupee. How much of small shopkeepers? Not even a Rupee. Rs 16 Lakh Crores loan of the richest has been waived off. This is financial injustice. 22 people in India have the same amount of money that is held by 70 crore people of India…This is injustice. We are taking out this Yatra against this,” Gandhi said.

The Nyay Yatra entered the state from the district of Nandurbar on Tuesday, March 12.

The Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT) are part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which also includes the NCP (SPawar) in the state. Smaller parties like the Swambhimani Vikash Parishad (SWP) and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) are also likely to join the Congress-led alliance in the state. The state sends 48 legislators to the Lok Sabha.

The Congress’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’, after the party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, aims to cover 6,700 km through 15 states, with Lok Sabha polls around the corner.

The Lok Sabha polls are likely to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)

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Culture Fashion Lite Blogs

A Journey into Dagestani Cultural Heritage

Originating from Dagestan, Russia, since its foundation in 2018 to its recent presentation at the Beinopen forum in 2023, Measure has been on an extraordinary trajectory…reports Asian Lite News

The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) is once again all set to steal the spotlight on the fourth day of Lakmē Fashion Week with a trailblazing presentation – an International designer initiative “Measure”, showcasing an innovative collection “TOi.” at JIO World Convention Centre, Mumbai.

Originating from Dagestan, Russia, since its foundation in 2018 to its recent presentation at the Beinopen forum in 2023, Measure has been on an extraordinary trajectory.

Measure, stands as a cultural phenomenon in the realm of modest fashion, hailing from Dagestan, Russia. It seeks harmony between the natural and the man-made, the past and the present, the vital and the spiritual. Notable milestones include the creation of the multi-brand concept store Others and its opening in Moscow, participation in the prestigious Moscow Fashion Week, and media coverage in Elle and Vogue Italia and Russia.

Designer Zainab Saidulaeva’s cutting-edge collection “TOi” is a creative exploration inspired by Dagestani wedding traditions, fusing the mosaic of customs, wedding gifts, and historical attire into a contemporary design narrative. The collection’s design ethos is expressed through a delicate interplay of layering and rich texture, making Measure a distinctive force in the fashion landscape.

“As a designer, I am thrilled to unveil my ‘TOI’ collection at LFW x FDCI, a creative journey into Dagestan wedding traditions. Inspired by the rich tapestry of customs and garments from the region’s past, the collection explores the beauty of multi-layered outfits in black and various shades of white, using silk in diverse variations. Join us on this mesmerizing journey into the heart of Dagestan’s cultural heritage, all thanks to the Fashion Design Council of India for this incredible opportunity” said designer Zainab Saidulaeva.

Scheduled to be held on 16th March at 8:30 pm, this show is an exquisite fusion of fashion and art, adding another chapter to this legacy, and capturing the imagination of fashion aficionados and art lovers alike.

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-Top News Culture USA

Muslims gather to pray in Times Square as Ramadan begins

Observant Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk during Ramadan and gather with family and friends to break the fast in the evening….reports Asian Lite News

Dozens of Muslim worshippers gathered in New York’s Times Square Sunday to mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan, with some displaying Palestinian flags in solidarity with people in Gaza.

They performed Taraweeh, special Ramadan night prayers, against the backdrop of the bright LED advertising billboards that illuminate the Manhattan landmark.

“It’s good to come here as Muslims. I saw Muslims from everywhere — I was surprised, it’s my first time here. I wanted to come and see the community,” said one of the worshippers, Salman Al-Hanafy, 20, a forklift operator from Cairo who wore a pristine white thobe.

More than 100 faithful gathered for the prayer meeting despite cold, windy conditions, with a vocalist chanting Nasheeds, and children reciting from the Qur’an, copies of which were offered to both Muslims and curious passersby.

“A lot of people are interested in the Qur’an, we have almost run out of French ones. It explains the importance of fasting during Ramadan,” said Ahmad Yasar, 20, an IT student in New York as a mound of donuts were delivered to him and his team handing out the holy books.

Observant Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk during Ramadan and gather with family and friends to break the fast in the evening.

It is also a month of prayers during which Muslims traditionally converge in large numbers at mosques, especially at night.

Organizers projected prayers from the Qur’an onto a white sheet that was buffeted by the wind as giant ads for Broadway musicals and candy glowed overhead.

Yasar said that communal prayer meetings were important to “raise awareness and show people what’s going around the world” — including in Gaza.

Nearby a speaker had the red, white, green and black colors of the Palestinian flag emblazoned on his hat, while a young boy in an electric wheelchair flew the banner.

New York has been the venue for dozens of protests, some pro-Palestinian and others pro-Israeli, since the October 7 attacks on Israel by the Hamas militant group that triggered the war.

Hamas’ attacks on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.

Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 31,045 people in Gaza, the majority women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry.

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Culture India News UAE News

Debut Maha Shivratri at Abu Dhabi BAPS

On Friday, the temple was adorned with vibrant colours for the occasion of Shivratri with thousands of devotees gathering there to celebrate the revered day….reports Asian Lite News

The first Hindu temple in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) celebrated its first festival — Maha Shivratri — on Friday, almost a month after its inauguration.

While the countrymen thronged Shiva temples to pay their obeisance to the Lord on Friday, the Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi also saw a large number of devotees converging from various parts of the Gulf nation to offer prayers at the BAPS temple.

The temple constructed and run by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) was inaugurated on February 14 in the presence of thousands of Hindu saints, Mahant Swami ji Maharaj and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On Friday, the temple was adorned with vibrant colours for the occasion of Shivratri with thousands of devotees gathering there to celebrate the revered day.

The festivities at the temple began with prayers for Lord Shiva and concluded with a ‘havan’. Throughout the day, the temple saw a rush of devotees lined up at the gates to get a ‘darshan’ of the deity.

After offering prayers at the temple, many of the devotees said they were left overwhelmed by the grandeur and magnificence of the recently-built BAPS Hindu mandir.

Maha Shivratri, an annual Hindu festival, is considered the most sacred day to worship Lord Shiva.

On this day, devotees collect water from River Ganga and offer it to the deity.

ALSO READ: UAE won hearts of 140 cr Indians: Modi after opening BAPS temple

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Culture Lite Blogs Punjab

Partition Museum: Bridging Divides Through Shared Memories

The Partition Museum in Delhi was inaugurated in May 2023 and was meant to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s Partition, but got delayed. It is the first museum in the world to dedicate a gallery to the lost homeland of Sindh…writes Sukant Deepak

No matter how many times one visits the Partition Museum in Amritsar, the ‘Gallery of Hope’ always makes you stand still. Amid the horror of 1947, this life-affirming space asserts the painful yet important process of reconciliation, of certain acknowledgments and the will to move forward without trying to erase.

“Memory is the most important cultural heritage and must be preserved for it anchors us. No matter how painful, memories of tragedies like the partition must be preserved for future generations. People pass on, and if we do not keep the records of such events, how will the future generations learn?”

While the Holocaust Museum, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Apartheid Museum were the inspiration behind the Partition Museum which also opened another in Delhi last year, Desai says that it is important to record people and not just leaders.

“And this kind of recording of memories has to go on consistently. It is the difficult moments in a nation’s history that must be recorded — to reconcile and acknowledge the truth,” says Desai, who is part of the ongoing ‘The Sacred Amritsar-2024’, presented by Sleepwell and produced by Teamwork Arts.

The Partition Museum in Delhi was inaugurated in May 2023 and was meant to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s Partition, but got delayed. It is the first museum in the world to dedicate a gallery to the lost homeland of Sindh.

“It is called the Dara Shiko Library. And now it’s open to the public and schools and colleges are an important target group.

While there may be no plans to open more museums, considering the huge effort and the resources involved, she says, “We had to complete the work very fast as most people whose stories were recorded were in their sunset years. It was a race against time. Not to mention the huge financial resources.”

The few people from Pakistan who have visited the museum have shared positive reviews. There have been some write-ups in newspapers from across the border too. “The way I look at 1947 — it was a humanitarian crisis. Someone asked me long back, why not help to put up such a museum in Pakistan. But I am clear, they have to bring forth their narrative.”

During the pre-COVID era, the museum organised several exhibitions and pop-ups at different schools across the country to explain the history of the Partition. “In fact, we get several visitors from abroad, both NRIs and foreign nationals who would like to know more about 1947.

Pleased with multiple private museums coming up in India, Desai says that for too long now, it has been an exclusive domain of different governments.

“Of course, it is good that the states maintain them, but there has been a huge space for the private sector to pitch in. The new ones focus on a particular aspect and give opportunities to young people too.”

Currently working on a novel on the partition that will include her parents’ experiences as well, she is also writing a political biography which she does not want to talk about right now.

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Arts & Culture Culture Kerala

Kerala CM cautions against efforts to create religious rift  

Pinarayi Vijayan was speaking during the 75th birthday celebrations of Theodosius Marthoma Metropolitan, head of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church…reports Asian Lite News

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday cautioned against concerted efforts to create a rift among religions and religious beliefs in the country.

Instead of nurturing harmony, cooperation and coexistence between religions, such forces are consciously trying to create division between them, the CM said.

He was speaking during the 75th birthday celebrations of Theodosius Marthoma Metropolitan, head of Malankara Marthoma Syrian Church, here.

“Today, there are deliberate attempts by people with vested interests to create enmity between various religions and religious beliefs,” Vijayan said.

Without naming any particular political party, outfit or individual, he further charged that some forces were capable enough to create a rift even among those who should stand united and create confusion in the society about whom or what should be opposed.

In such situations, a humanitarian approach and interventions being made by personalities like Marthoma Metropolitan within the church and outside give hope to the society, the Chief Minister added.

HC refuses to stay probe into Veena’s firm

Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court refused to stay the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) probe into Veena Vijayan’s IT firm Exalogic. The Karnataka High Court’s order is a massive setback to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as his daughter Veena Vijayan is the sole director of Exalogic.

The Karnataka High Court came out with a single line order stating that the SFIO probe can go forward and added that the full order would be put out on Saturday.

Last week Exalogic had approached the Karnataka High Court seeking a stay on the ongoing probe by the SFIO. The court had stated then that it would come out with its order soon, but until then no arrests should be made.

The SFIO is acting on the findings of the preliminary probe into the company conducted by the Registrar of Companies (ROC). Prior to the ROC investigation, this issue was first raised by Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan on the basis of a media report, quoting an Income Tax official as saying that Exalogic had received Rs 1.72 crore from the mining company CMRL, in which the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) has around 13 per cent stake.

The SFIO has already taken statements from CMRL and KSIDC officials and now with the court turning down Veena’s plea, all eyes are on when she will appear before the SFIO.

Arif Mohammad Khan.

Kerala Guv steps out again to take on SFI activists

In what has become a familiar scene, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Monday evening vented his ire on the protesting SFI activists, the student wing of the CPI-M, when he got out of his vehicle and moved towards the protesters at Mattannur in Kannur District.

The incident took place when he was going to the Kannur Airport after visiting Wayanad District.

However, the armed security personnel with Khan acted quickly and formed a cordon around him even while he was moving towards the protesters numbering about 100.

Khan got irked because the SFI protesters were carrying a banner with the slogan, “Sanghi Governor, get out of Kannur.”

An angry Khan shouted, “I will stop my car and get out and come near you every time there is a protest.”

On Thursday, too, the same scene had played out when Khan, while travelling through Thrissur came out of the car after SFI activists waved black flags at him. There, too, his security men advised him to get inside the car, which he did.

Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan have been at loggerheads for a while now. On January 27, things went out of hand when Khan during a visit to Kollam District staged a protest by sitting on the road for two hours against the “lapse” on the part of Kerala Police for not taking action against SFI protesters who came near his vehicle.

The Centre had intervened on that day itself, as it placed the Governor under Z+ security cover of the CRPF.

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Culture India News Politics

Karnataka Assembly roiled by Ayodhya Ram Mandir issues

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka criticised the Siddaramaiah administration for the alleged deterioration of law and order, referencing recent incidents….reports Asian Lite News

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly witnessed intense exchanges between the opposition BJP and the ruling Congress regarding the Ram Mandir and Hanuman flag issues during a debate on the state’s law and order situation.

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka criticised the Siddaramaiah administration for the alleged deterioration of law and order, referencing recent incidents. The discussion turned contentious when Ashoka mentioned the arrest of Shrikanth Pujari, labeled a “Karsevak” by the BJP but objected to by Congress members citing his criminal background.

This sparked a debate about the definition of “Karsevak” and accusations from both sides about false cases related to the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation. BJP members questioned the timing of Pujari’s arrest, alleging political motives ahead of the Ram Mandir inauguration.

The BJP accused the Congress of boycotting the inauguration and questioned their devotion to Lord Ram. Tensions escalated as discussions shifted to the Congress objection regarding the President’s absence at the temple inauguration, with both parties trading barbs.

The BJP accused the Congress of questioning Lord Ram’s existence and disrespecting Hindu sentiments. Amidst this, the removal of a Hanuman flag in Mandya district led to further confrontation, with accusations of disrespecting national symbols exchanged between the parties.

The debate culminated in a challenge from a Congress MLA to recite a shloka in praise of Lord Ram, emphasizing the religious undertones of the political discourse.

Meanwhile, addressing the last sitting of the 17th Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the resolution passed by the House on the Ram Temple will give the future generations constitutional strength to feel proud of the country’s values.

The views that were expressed by the members during the discussion in this House sent out the message of “sensitivity, resolution, sympathy, and sabka saath sabka vikas”, Modi said amid ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans from the ruling party benches.

“Everyone does not have the courage, and as a result they run away,” the PM said, taking a swipe at the Congress, which had stayed away from the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Lalla at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

Ahead of Modi’s address, the Lok Sabha passed a resolution following an animated discussion on the “the construction of the historic Shri Ram Temple and Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ram”.

Taking a jibe again at the opposition members, Modi said the elections are not very far and a few might be nervous because of the same.

“However, it is a fact that our elections are an essential aspect of our democratic traditions. The elections will elevate the pride of the country and follow the democratic tradition,” he said, adding that the world is surprised by India’s strong democratic traditions.

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