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Bengaluru Rural Set for Fierce Electoral Showdown

The Bengaluru Rural constituency is considered as a fortress of the D.K. Shivakumar’s family…reports Asian Lite News

The Bengaluru Rural constituency is likely to witness a high-voltage contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as Deputy Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and family members of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda have taken it as a matter of prestige to ensure victory for their respective sides.

The seat is considered as a fortress of the Shivakumar family.

Shivakumar’s brother, D.K. Suresh, has represented the seat since 2013.

Former Karnataka CM H.D. Kumaraswamy registered victory in the seat in the 2009 general elections.

After his resignation, D.K. Suresh grabbed it from the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) in 2013 by-polls by defeating H.D. Kumaraswamy’s wife, Anita Kumaraswamy.

In 2014, and also in 2019, Suresh registered thumping victories.

Now, with the BJP and the JD-S deciding to field Dr. C.N. Manjunath, son-in-law of former PM Deve Gowda, as NDA candidate from the BJP, the seat is all set to witness an intense contest.

D.K. Suresh on Thursday told JD-S workers that they should take a call now as Deve Gowda’s son-in-law himself is not contesting for the JD-S but as a BJP candidate.

“Son-in-law has decided that JD-S led by Deve Gowda and his son, former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy is not good. JD-S workers will have to think on these lines. The intelligent son-in-law has chosen to contest for a different party. Their party workers will decide on the rest,” Suresh said.

Meanwhile, Congress’ Karnataka unit president D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday said that he respects C.N. Manjunath.

“Politics is different. It is shocking to see a family member of Deve Gowda contesting on a BJP ticket,” he said.

Former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy, reacting to statements of D.K. Suresh, said the services of C.N. Manjunath have been appreciated at the national level.

“But, this person (Suresh) has been bad-mouthing about him. He is nothing when compared to Manjunath,” he stated.

“I am pained to see the comments made against him. There is no question of tolerating if comments are made against Manjunath,” Kumaraswamy added.

Shivakumar Warns Pro-Kannada Activists

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday warned pro-Kannada activists that they should not take the law into their own hands for implementing the 60:40 rule for the use of Kannada on signboards.

“60:40 signboards are mandatory. The government is committed to implementing it,” Shivakumar told reporters here.

” We allowed time because the manufacturing of the signboards was taking a lot of time. But I don’t want pro-Kannada activists to take the law into their own hands on this issue,” he added.

The deadline for complying with the rule ended on Wednesday. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has said that the rule has already seen 98% implementation.

Earlier, Shivakumar orally announced the extension by two weeks of the previous deadline of February 28. His announcement came after BBMP started to shut down shops for non-compliance.

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike spearheaded the campaign for Kannada signboards in December 2023, which degenerated into vandalism on December 27 in the city.

The Commercial Street Shop Owners’ Association said that in Commercial Street, about 90% of shopkeepers have complied with the law. However, they expressed apprehension in forced implementation of the rule.

Meanwhile the Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar assured Bengaluru’s citizens that there was no water crisis in the city as the government had made alternate arrangements.

“As far as Bengaluru is concerned, there is no water crisis. We have made alternative arrangements. BJP is saying that we are releasing water to Tamil Nadu. This is absolutely false. I appeal to the PM and BJP MPs that we get permission for the Mekadattu dam” DK Shivakumar said.

Earlier the BJP had accused the state Congress Government of knowing well in advance about the looming water crisis in Bengaluru but acting against the interests of the people by releasing water to Tamil Nadu only to please its alliance partner. (ANI)

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Karnataka BJP May Field Two Ex-CMs

Two former Chief Ministers, Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar, both from the influential Lingayat community, are being considered as potential candidates….reports Asian Lite News

In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka, the BJP is strategically positioning itself for significant victories. Two former Chief Ministers, Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar, both from the influential Lingayat community, are being considered as potential candidates, crucial to the party’s core vote-base.

B.S. Yediyurappa, a veteran leader, hinted at these developments, mentioning discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP’s national president J.P. Nadda regarding candidates for all 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state. However, final decisions remain pending.

There’s speculation that Bommai, currently an MLA from Shiggaon, may contest from Haveri, while Shettar could vie for Belgaum (Belagavi). Their Lingayat background aligns with BJP’s voter base, pivotal for electoral success.

Shettar’s return to BJP in January after a brief stint with Congress underscores the party’s strategic realignment. Both candidates hold promise in retaining key seats for the party.

The alliance with JD(S) adds another layer to the electoral calculus. Yediyurappa suggested that BJP might allocate two to three seats to JD(S), a decision ultimately resting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

JD(S) is eyeing key constituencies like Mandya, Hassan, and Kolar. The possibility of JD(S) candidates contesting on BJP symbols adds further intrigue to the dynamics.

The BJP’s aim is to replicate or exceed its 2019 performance, where it secured 25 out of 28 seats, bolstering its dominance in the region. However, the political landscape has shifted since then, with Congress emerging victorious in recent Assembly elections, signaling a renewed challenge.

For JD(S), joining the BJP-led NDA marked a strategic move, showcasing its continued relevance, especially in South Karnataka.

As the electoral landscape evolves, the BJP’s focus remains on consolidating its stronghold while navigating shifting alliances and voter sentiments, setting the stage for a fiercely contested Lok Sabha battle in Karnataka.

Congress hints at fielding ministers

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress state President D.K. Shivakumar said that a meeting of the party’s Election Committee is slated for Thursday evening and discussions on 50 per cent of candidates for Lok Sabha constituencies from the state would be held.

Jagadish Shettar

Speaking to reporters here, Shivakumar stated that it is not possible to release the names of candidates of all 28 Lok Sabha seats in one list.

“We will announce the list in two phases,” he said.

Asked about fielding cabinet ministers and those who joined the party recently, Shivakumar said that in politics, all is possible.

To a question whether the Congress will announce the list once the BJP list is out, he asserted that there is a difference in the politics carried out by the BJP and the Congress.

“In our Congress, there is no emphasis on the individual. We carry out politics on our guarantees and the party. If they (the BJP) play with their calculations, we will have our own calculations,” he said.

Asked why Congress could not select the candidates much earlier, Shivakumar maintained that the discussion in this regard was held only a month ago and subtle communication has been made to the probables.

Asked about whether the notices to him stopped after the apex court quashed the ED case against him, Shivakumar stated the notices are still issued to him. “The media has worked day and night following leads on me. I know my pains. The people of the state had launched a struggle for me. They are happy now, that is enough for me,” he said.

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It’s back to temple politics in K’taka

The CM further said in his post that there has always been a mandate to create a common pool since the enactment of the Act in 1997…reports Asian Lite News

As the Lok Sabha elections draw closer, temple politics has reared its head again in the Southern state of Karnataka. The latest controversy is over the alleged amendments to the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Bill.

The Bill mandates the state to collect 10% tax from temples generating revenue exceeding Rs 1 crore and 5% from shrines with revenue of between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore.

The BJP has taken up the issue to stir the amendment into a political issue.

Taking on detractors, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the allegations regarding the Karnataka government’s amendments to the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Bill “appear to be misrepresented”, “aiming only at misleading the public” and “polarizing people along communal lines for political leverage.”

Accusing the BJP of misleading the public, Karnataka CM said in a series of long tweets, “The allegations regarding the Karnataka government’s amendments to the Hindu Religious appear to be misrepresented for political gain”.

The CM further said in his post that there has always been a mandate to create a common pool since the enactment of the Act in 1997.

“After the amendment, the contributions to the fund will come from (i) ten percent of the net income of institutions whose gross annual income exceeds one crore rupees; (ii) five percent of the net income of institutions whose gross annual income exceeds ten lakhs rupees but does not exceed one crore rupees; and (iii) grants received from the State Government. The recent amendment was made solely to enhance the amount of the common pool,” Karnataka CM added in his post.

He alleged that the BJP leaders want the youth of the country to abandon their jobs and fight an imaginary war, solely to benefit the BJP politically.

“The baseless allegations by BJP leaders are aimed only at misleading the public and polarizing people along communal lines for political leverage. BJP leaders should be ashamed of their unethical practices. Their disservice to the people of Karnataka will never be forgiven. By misleading the public, BJP leaders want the youth of the country to abandon their jobs and fight an imaginary war, solely to benefit the BJP politically,” aleged Karnataka CM.

BJP cries foul

Hitting back at the state BJP unit chief, BY Vijayendra, for dubbing the Karnataka government as being “anti-Hindu” for implementing such policies, Karnataka CM said, “It is clear that the @BJP4Karnatakahas reserved their State President post for those who are inclined to lie. @BYVijayendra seems to be a good fit for the post, or perhaps he is competing with other BJP leaders to retain it. Shame on Vijayendra! His credibility as a leader is plummeting, much like the Indian Rupee under Narendra Modi”.

Weighing in on the draft legislation on Thursday, Chandrasekhar said that the Bill was brought to fill the ‘ATM’ of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar.

The BJP leader said, “While Rahul Gandhi is holding a Bharat Jodo Yatra in the country, the Congress government in Karnataka has brought the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the assembly to fund the ATM of Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. This marks a new low of appeasement politics. We will oppose this Bill.”

BJP deploys Union minister

Meanwhile, coming down heavily on the Bill, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the draft resolution marked a ‘new low’ in ‘appeasement politics’.

In a personalised video message on Thursday, the BJP leader said, “While Rahul Gandhi is holding a Bharat Jodo Yatra in the country, the Congress government in Karnataka has brought the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the assembly to fund the ATM of Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. This marks a new low of appeasement politics. We will oppose this Bill.”

What is the bill?

There are around 35,000 temples under the Muzrai Department, of which 205 whose income exceeds Rs 25 lakh per year are categorised as Group A, 193 with incomes between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh are Group B and around 34,000 temples with incomes below 5 lakh are Group C.

Till date, Group A temples contributed 10% of the revenue generated from collection boxes to a Central Fund and Group B contributed 5%. There were no contributions from Group C temples.

As per the amendment, temples with incomes above Rs 1 crore will have to contribute 10% to the Common Pool Fund, and temples generating Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore revenue should chip in 5% to the fund. Temples with incomes below Rs 10 lakh will not have to contribute at all, according to the Muzrai minister.

The funds will be under Rajya Dharmika Parishat and will be used to grant aid primarily to Category C temples apart from providing welfare measures to families of archaks and other employees at these temples, he said.

The state high-level committee and district high-level committees were also formed to review and submit proposals for amenities at Group A temples. The Bill was passed without much Opposition in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.

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Tata Group Bets Big on Karnataka

Tata Advanced Systems, which makes doors for European giant Airbus’s A320neo planes, will set up manufacturing and research & development facilities in the state…reports Asian Lite News

Tata Group companies Air India and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) are planning to invest Rs 2,300 crore in Karnataka in projects that are expected to create employment for 1,650 people, the state government announced on Monday.

According to the MoU that has been signed, Air India will set up a facility to carry out maintenance, repairs, and overhaul of planes at the Bengaluru airport. The project entails an investment of around Rs 1,300 crore that will generate employment for 1,200 people.

Tata Advanced Systems, which makes doors for European giant Airbus’s A320neo planes, will set up manufacturing and research & development facilities in the state. The company will invest in three projects near Bengaluru Airport and in Kolar with a total investment of Rs 1,030 crore. These include a passenger to freighter aircraft conversion facility (Rs 420 crore), gun manufacturing facility (Rs 310 crore) and aerospace & defence research and development in Karnataka (Rs 300 crore). These projects are expected to generate direct employment for 450 people.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil were among those present at the MoU signing ceremony in this regard here.

Saying such projects require streamlined support from the government in terms of clearances, approvals and interventions, Patil assured support in resolving any challenges pertaining to the grounding of the projects.

S. Selvakumar, Principal Secretary, Karnataka Industries Department and Nipun Agrawal, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India and Sukaran Singh, CEO of TASL exchanged the MoU.

Chief Secretary to Karnataka Government, Rajneesh Goyal; Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister L.K. Atiq; Commissioner of Industries Department Gunjan Krishna; Air India top officials Manan Chauhan, Karthikeya Bhat, Atul Shukla, TASL top officials Guru Dattatreya, Arjun Maine, Bangalore International Airport Managing Director Hari Marar, COO Satyaki Raghunath, and CFO Bhaskar Ravindra were present on the occasion.

The Tata’s plan for Karnataka comes close on the heels of the group’s announcement of a Rs 15,000 crore investment in Telangana. The Tata Group has also drawn up plans to set up a semiconductor fabrication plant in Gujarat.

Investments flowing into states are on the rise under the Atmanirbhar policy of the Modi government which has increased emphasis on self-reliance under which more collaborations between Indian companies and high-tech foreign firms are taking place. This has also led to more FDI flows into the country.

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Karnataka Showcases Business Opportunities at Davos

He said that the delegation’s aim is to attract more investment and to achieve collaborations with other business partners…reports Asian Lite News

A high-level delegation led by Heavy and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil will leave on January 14 to attend the World Economic Forum-2024 annual meet which will be held in Davos, Switzerland from January 15 to 19.

Patil said that during the meeting, the delegation will draw the attention of businessmen over to the Karnataka government’s business-friendly policies, evolved ecosystem, potential areas for investment, availability of human resources, priority to imbibe skills among students, and efficient single window system.

He said that the delegation will hold all the meetings in Davos under the ‘Innovation Will Impact’ theme.

“Our government aims to develop Karnataka as the leading manufacturing hub of Asia. We are also focusing on areas such as semiconductor, electric automotive, space and defense, clean energy, research and development and artificial intelligence,” the minister said.

He said that the delegation’s aim is to attract more investment and to achieve collaborations with other business partners

The delegation includes L.K. Athiq Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Ekarup Kaur, Secretary, ITBT, S. Selvakumar, Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce and Industry, Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner of Commerce and Industries, and Mahesh, CEO, Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) among others.

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Faizal & Shabana Foundation, BBMP Join Hands for Bangalore Education Project

Faizal and Shabana Foundation, known for their commitment to social causes and educational advancements, expressed their excitement about this transformative partnership…reports Asian Lite News

The Faizal and Shabana Foundation have teamed up with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for the ambitious Bangalore Education Project. This unique initiative is set to revolutionize the landscape of BBMP Government School in Shivaji Nagar, Bangalore, by implementing a comprehensive intervention model that goes beyond traditional education.

Taking inspiration from the highly successful PRISM Nadakkavu school model in Kerala, the project’s primary goal is to elevate the standard of education while simultaneously fostering creativity and community development. The collaboration aims to create a holistic educational environment that not only benefits students but also positively impacts the surrounding community.

Faizal and Shabana Foundation, known for their commitment to social causes and educational advancements, expressed their excitement about this transformative partnership. The mission is clear – to build a model school that serves as a beacon for overall student development and community upliftment.

The initiative promises to be a game-changer, focusing not only on academic excellence but also on shaping future leaders and fostering a sense of responsibility within the community. Joining hands on this journey means contributing to the creation of a unique educational ecosystem that prioritizes the holistic development of both students and the local community.

As Faizal and Shabana Foundation embark on this noteworthy venture with BBMP, the call goes out to the community, stakeholders, and well-wishers to actively participate in building a brighter future through education. Together, they aim to set new standards in educational excellence and community engagement.

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Invest Karnataka Forum Plans Sectoral Sub-Groups for Focused Investment

Jindal said that being an industrialist residing in the state, he knew very well why Karnataka stands out as a preferred investment destination…reports Asian Lite News

Invest Karnataka Forum (IKF) Co-Chairman Sajjan Jindal on Monday pitched for setting up industrial parks in regions that are about two hours road drive from airports in the state.

Making the suggestion while participating online in the first-reconstituted IKF meeting chaired by Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil, he opined setting up such industrial parks would facilitate attracting increased investment.

Jindal said that being an industrialist residing in the state, he knew very well why Karnataka stands out as a preferred investment destination.

Responding to his suggestion, Patil said that the government also intended to set up industrial parks in an area of about 5,000-10,000 acres.

To enable the operationaling of industries, plug-in facilities will be established in such parks, he added.

Investments of Rs 55,000 crore have been confirmed in the present government and various proposals of about Rs 40,000 crore to Rs 1 lakh crore are in various stages of the process, Patil said.

It was also decided in the meeting to form sub-groups within the IKF to focus on sectoral investment. The meeting reviewed key developments in the last months and deliberated on framing the roadmap for going forward.

IKF Directors Geetanjali Kirloskar of Kirloskar Systems, and Vijay Krishnan Venkateshan of Kenna Metals were also present, while another Director, Ankith Fatehpuria of Zetworks participated online. Principal Secretary, Industries, S. Selvakumar, Commissioner Gunjan Krishna and CEO C.T. Muddukumara were also present.

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Karnataka to Withdraw Hijab Ban: Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s idea of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is bogus….reports Asian Lite News

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced that his government will withdraw the ban order on the Hijab imposed by BJP and said that no politics should be done on what people prefer to wear and eat.

Karnataka Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s idea of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is bogus.

“PM Narendra Modi’s sab ka saath-sab ka vikas is bogus. BJP is doing the work of dividing people and dividing society on the basis of clothes, dress, and caste. I have told to withdraw the hijab ban,” CM Siddaramaiah posted on X.

The previous BJP government in the State had imposed a Hijab ban on students in educational institutions. The matter reached the Karnataka High Court which also upheld the ban imposed by the then BJP government. In this regard, Supreme Court had delivered a split verdict leading to the Karantaka High Court being upheld.

Also while addressing a public rally in Mysuru on Friday, the Karnataka Chief Minister said that this decision will be taken back and women can go out wearing Hijab.

“We will take back that decision, there is no Hijab ban now. Women can go out wearing hijab. I have told the officials to take back the order (previous govt order). Dressing and eating food is our choice, why should I object? Wear whatever dress you want, eat whatever you want, why should I care? We should not do politics to get votes, we don’t do that,” Karnataka CM said.

Reacting to the announcement made by Karnataka Chief Minister, Karnataka BJP said that Siddaramaiah is sowing the poison of religion in the state.

“A uniform policy has been implemented in schools and colleges to ensure that children are equal. This has also been upheld by the Supreme Court. However, the Chief Minister is creating a difference in the minds of the school students regarding the issue of uniforms. Siddaramaiah is going to amend the constitution itself for a vote bank to appease PFI goons and minorities. In the coming days, the people themselves will teach this a lesson,” Karnataka BJP posted on X.

The Hijab row in the State erupted in January 2022 when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering. Following this, the girls protested outside the college over being denied entry.

Earlier last month, the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) restricted all forms of head cover in the exam hall during recruitment exams for various boards and corporations to avoid malpractice.

Though the dress code does not explicitly ban hijab, it is implied by the new guidelines. The order said that this is part of the effort to stop exam malpractices using Bluetooth devices. (ANI)

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USIBC, Karnataka Govt Ink Tech-Innovation Pact

The agreement was signed during the India-USA Tech Conclave currently taking place on November 29 and 30 at Bangalore Palace and is the second consecutive year of partnership with the government of Karnataka by BTS…reports Asian Lite News

The U.S.-India Business Council and the Karnataka Innovation And Technology Society (KITS), Government of Karnataka, have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand collaboration in key industry sectors with a particular emphasis on information technology, biotechnology and electronics on Wednesday.

The agreement was signed during the India-USA Tech Conclave currently taking place on November 29 and 30 at Bangalore Palace and is the second consecutive year of partnership with the government of Karnataka by BTS.

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-India Business Council is pleased to announce its official partnership with the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) and its organization of the India-USA Tech Conclave currently taking place on November 29 and 30 at Bangalore Palace. This is the second consecutive year of partnership with the Government of Karnataka on BTS,” said the press statement by US-India Business council.

Leaders from the Government of Karnataka, including Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge participated in the Conclave.

Speaking at the event, Minister Kharge said, “The MoU between the Government of Karnataka and USIBC marks a significant step forward in strengthening the economic ties between Karnataka and the United States. As Government of Karnataka, we continuously strive to foster a conducive environment for American companies to establish, operate, and expand their businesses in Karnataka. The MoU emphasizes deepening engagement between the Government of Karnataka and USIBC to identify and address common challenges, facilitate collaboration between industries, and promote Karnataka as an attractive investment destination for American companies.”

The release read further, “The Bengaluru Tech Summit serves as a significant global hub fostering partnerships among technology companies, startups, venture capitalists, and research labs. The India-USA Tech Conclave spearheaded by USIBC is a platform that brings together influential leaders from both the government and industry to explore opportunities for increased collaboration, investment and to address policy and regulatory issues that deepen synergies between the Indian and American innovation and creativity ecosystems.”

Jacob Gullish, USIBC Executive Director, Digital Economy said, “The formalization of this MOU between USIBC and the Government of Karnataka signifies the role of states in furthering the India-U.S. strategic partnership. The partnership will enhance communication channels between USIBC member companies and their nodal partners through industry workshops and corporate sessions. Furthermore, these sessions will foster dialogue on common challenges, economic policies, and collaborative opportunities in Karnataka.”

USIBC, a long-time advocate for a robust U.S.-India space relationship, especially in commercial space, leveraged the India-USA Tech Conclave to further the dialogue on India-U.S. commercial space collaboration. This year’s Conclave was focused on critical and emerging technologies, specifically shaping the commercial space frontier and fostering long-term relationships between entrepreneurs and startups. Initiatives between USIBC and the Government of Karnataka in the sectors of information technology, biotechnology, and electronics were also in focus.

Furthermore, USIBC has consistently championed the enhancement of collaborative efforts between the U.S. and India in research and development within India. We are pleased that the India-USA Tech Conclave will continue to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to future innovations in both the technology and healthcare sectors.

U.S.-India Business Council Established in 1975 at the behest of the U.S. and Indian Governments, the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) represents hundreds of top global companies operating across the United States, India, and the Indo-Pacific.

Amid dynamic growth within the U.S.-India commercial partnership, we serve as the premier voice of industry and create connections between businesses and governments across both countries. Through our flagship Washington, D.C. and New Delhi offices and presences across both countries, we work with members to identify and advance key policy priorities.

Recognizing that U.S.- India trade is increasingly driven by new business hubs, USIBC is also focused on strengthening connections between cities and states. USIBC’s policy expertise and impact is enhanced by being a part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, whose thousands of member companies represent the power of free enterprise to enhance the peace, freedom, and security of people in America and around the world, said the release. (ANI)

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Karnataka Allows Students to Wear Hijab During Exams

The Hijab row erupted in January 2022 when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering…reports Asian Lite News

In a progress review meeting held under the leadership of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and State Education Minister MC Sudhakar, it was decided that the students will be allowed to wear a Hijab while writing the exams.

Clearing air over wearing a Hijab while writing exams, Sudhakar said that “people are trying to create controversy in the matter of writing exams while wearing hijab, the minister lashed out that some people are there just to create confusion.”

“I have taken measures in view of everyone’s freedom”, he said.

“It is allowed to write the NEET exam wearing hijab,” Sudhakar added.

He clarified that the examinees can write exams by wearing the clothes they want.

The Hijab row erupted in January 2022 when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering. Following this, the girls protested outside the college over being denied entry.

After this, boys from several colleges in Udupi started attending classes wearing saffron scarves. This protest spread to other parts of the state as well leading to protests and agitations in several places in Karnataka.

Two weeks ago, the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts Religious Fair Businessmen’s Coordination Committee is demanding that Muslims be allowed to carry on their trade on the premises of temples, while temple managements have continued to impose restrictions on them in the communally sensitive coastal districts.

The committee members had submitted a complaint regarding the boycott of Muslim traders in the Navaratri fare at the historical Mangaladevi Temple in Mangaluru city in Dakshina Kannada district.

The temple management had taken a decision not to allow Muslim traders to participate in the fair and initiated the process of allotting stalls to businessmen on the Rathabeedi Street opposite the temple that belongs to the Mangaluru City Corporation. However, for years, the temple management has been organising its fairs here.

Following the hijab row, a boycott call was given by Hindu organisations after Muslim bodies staged a protest against the court order banning the hijab in classrooms.

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