Category: Uttar Pradesh

Categories
India News Travel & Tourism Uttar Pradesh

Yogi opens first VFS global joint visa application centre in Lucknow

VFS Global is the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions…reports Asian Lite News

Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh launched a new global gateway for the state with the inauguration of the first VFS Global Joint Visa Application Centre (JVAC) and the VFS Global Academy in Lucknow on 04, February 2023.

VFS Global is the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions.

This spacious and comfortable facility equipped with modern amenities and services will have the capacity of processing approximately 1.2 lakh applications a year and will be of immense benefit to the citizens of Uttar Pradesh, who till now had to travel to other cities like New Delhi to submit their visa applications.

Spread across 24,000 sq.ft, the JVAC would cater to travellers bound to Austria, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic, Switzerland, Estonia, Hungary, Portugal, Germany, Italy and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located strategically on the 1st floor of the Interstate Bus Terminal, Alambagh (Shalimar Gateway Mall), the centre provides unparalleled accessibility to travellers using the inter-state bus service from the remote parts of Uttar Pradesh. It is also a short drive away from the Lucknow railway station, airport and a walk away from the Alambaug metro station.

With 11 submission counters and three biometric enrollment stations, the JVAC is equipped to manage the travel demand seamlessly. For discerning set of applicants seeking enhanced submission experience services, the facility has premium optional services such as Premium Lounges that enables application submission without having to wait in a queue. Form-filling assistance, Courier Passback, Courier Insurance, Travel Medical Insurance and SMS Notification are some of the other optional services to be available at the centre.

In addition to easing visa accessibility, VFS Global will open an academy in partnership Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL), to train local youth in world-class hospitality skills and enable employability in line with the UP-government’s skilling programme.

“It is our great honour and pride to have the Honourable Chief Minister of UP, Shri Yogi Adityanath, inaugurate the Lucknow joint visa application centre. This centre is a testament of our commitment to the people of UP. Given the visionary governance demonstrated by Yogiji’s government, the state of UP has great potential to become a global investment hub. We have worked with the Ministry of External Affairs Government of India, for nearly 15 years supporting inbound tourism to India as well as aiding overseas travel for millions from the country. The new Lucknow VAC would augment our commitment by significantly easing visa accessibility, empowering local youth through skilling and job creation and contribute towards making UP shine on the global map,” said Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global.

ALSO READ-Thai mission directs VFS Global to process visa applications in Nepal

Categories
Films India News Uttar Pradesh

Owasisi bats for ban on Godse movie

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Owaisi urges Centre to ban movie on Godse…reports Asian Lite News

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has demanded a ban on the upcoming movie on Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse.

The Hyderabad MP asked the Union government if it will ban the movie on Godse like it banned the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Stating that nobody in India can be greater than Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B R. Ambedkar, Owaisi said this country can never allow portrayal of a terrorist as a hero.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president was addressing a public meeting in the old city of Hyderabad on Sunday night.

He demanded the Centre to ban the movie and ensure that it is not released in any theatre.

Owaisi was apparently referring to the movie ‘Gandhi Godse: Ek Yudh’ of Rajkumar Santoshi, scheduled for release on January 26.

Recalling that in 2013 a film on Bhindranwale was also banned by the government, he asked why a film on Godse can’t be banned.

“Why do you have so much love for Godse. How long will you continue to chant the name of Gandhi but love Godse in your heart?” he asked.

Terming Godse as the biggest terrorist of independent India, Owaisi wanted to know the opinion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the assassin of Gandhiji.

Referring to the ban on BBC documentary in India, he asked if the Prime Minister would also ban the movie on Godse.

The Hyderabad MP also asked the RSS to speak about Godse. He pointed out that Godse and Savarkar had a close relationship. He alleged that the ruling party was trying to portray the murderer of Gandhiji as a hero.

The AIMIM chief also slammed the union government for its attempts to interfere in the judiciary.

Stating that the judiciary is independent under the Indian Constitution, he alleged that the Modi government wants to appoint judges who agree with its ideology.

He said the government recommended a BJP Mahila Morcha leader in Tamil Nadu who had declared herself a ‘chowkidar’ on her Twitter account, for the post of judge.

ALSO READ: G20: India’s Civil 20 Engagement Group inaugurated in Kerala

Categories
India News Uttar Pradesh World News

‘Run for G-20 Walkathon’ organised in 4 UP cities

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi flagged off G20 walkathon organised in four cities…reports Asian Lite News

India is holding large number of large number of G20 events at different levels across the country during it’s presidency.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday flagged off the ‘Run for G-20 Walkathon’ being organised in four cities of the state to spread mass awareness about the G-20 Summit to be held in February.

The four cities include Lucknow, Agra, Varanasi, and Gautam Buddha Nagar simultaneously.
From sportspersons, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, civil defence, and sports teachers of Basic Shiksha Parishad, Nehru Yuva Kendra to Prantiya Raksha Dal jawans, NDRF and PAC band members participated in the walkathon, informed the government on Saturday.

CM also laid the foundation stone for the G-20 multi-purpose sports hall at KD Singh Babu Stadium to be built at a cost of Rs 519 lakhs. On this occasion, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak handed over the flag bearing the G-20 logo to the Chief Minister.

While addressing the occasion, the CM said that Uttar Pradesh has got the opportunity to host the G-20 conference and to promote the state’s image, culture, food, and digital UP globally through this conference.

“With the motto of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and the resolution of “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” the G-20 conference is being organised in India this year and a total of 11 meetings will be held in Uttar Pradesh on different days of the G-20 conference,” Yogi pointed out.

An array of programmes are being organised in the state on a large scale in view of the G-20 conference from today, including among others a walkathon and a mini-marathon.

Emphasising that the programmes are aimed at ensuring public participation in the event, the CM congratulated the participants, including public representatives and administrative officials in the four districts.

He said, “As the country celebrates Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav with enthusiasm, we can see ourselves making great achievements. The world accepts today that in this era of global crisis, India and PM Modi are the only leaders that can rescue and revive the world.”

Stating that Indian sages always talked about considering the whole world as one family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam), the CM said, “Today it is a matter of pride for us that India has got the leadership of this G-20 and UP has got the opportunity to host it.”

“This event will be attended by representatives from 20 major countries around the world, as well as representatives from nine friendly countries. It will be a matter of pleasure for us that, along with hospitality service, we are getting the opportunity to showcase the new heights of development that the country has touched. The event will take place in Lucknow from February 13 to 15. We will get an opportunity to showcase the competence that UP has achieved in the technology field in recent times. We must set an excellent example of Atithi Devo Bhava,” the CM marked.

He further stated that the month of February is very important for Uttar Pradesh as the state is gearing up to host the Global Investors Summit, every big investor and entrepreneur from all over the world and country will come here and try to associate themselves with the prosperity and potential of the state. More than 10,000 entrepreneurs will visit the state to take part in the event.

The CM announced that UP would celebrate its foundation day on January 24. A series of programs will start from the foundation day and continue till February 15. On this occasion, every district will be associated with these programs. All the events of the G-20 conference will continue till August. (ANI)

ALSO READ: G20: UK lauds ‘new India’

ALSO READ: EU envoy calls India’s G20 Presidency ‘an influential voice’

Categories
-Top News Uttar Pradesh

G20 guests to get glimpse of UP’s cultural heritage

During the first two days of the foreign visitors’ stay in Agra, cultural events will be held with Lucknow-based artiste Alka Thakur greeting tourists by playing a ‘jugalbandi’ of sarangi and flute…reports Asian Lite News

The state of Uttar Pradesh has started preparations for hosting the G-20 summit meetings. On the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, special arrangements are being made to introduce the state’s culture and heritage to delegations arriving from different countries.

The Tourism department has developed a program to present the state’s dance forms, classical music, and other traditional entertainment to G-20 guests. According to this, veteran artists of the state would enthral visitors from abroad with their works, said a press release on Saturday. The G-20 visitors will land in the state in February and stay for a combined five days in February and August. They will also visit a number of the cities’ well-known locations during this period, added the statement.

During the first two days of the foreign visitors’ stay in Agra, cultural events will be held with Lucknow-based artiste Alka Thakur greeting tourists by playing a ‘jugalbandi’ of sarangi and flute.

On the second day, Mathura’s Sanjay Sharma will present Braj’s traditional peacock dance, Gitanjali Sharma will present Kathak based on Radha Madhav and Vandana Shri will perform Folk dance and Krishna Radha Raas.

In August, on the first day, a live jugalbandi of flute, tabla, and santoor will be presented by Bhatkhande Sanskrit University. The second day will feature performances of Krishna Raas Leela by Mathura’s Vinay Krishna Goswami and Namami Ramam by Lucknow’s Kathak Kendra.

On the third day, Mumbai-based Neeraj Arya’s Kabir Cafe will perform a live concert while Manoj Kumar Mishra of Lucknow will showcase Taal Vadya, and Mohini of Lalitpur will perform traditional folk dance.

Padmashree Malini Awasthi will present folk songs

During the three-day stay in Lucknow, the city of Nawabs, on the first day, Sheikh Ibrahim of Lucknow will perform a live jugalbandi of the flute, tabla, and santoor, while performers from Kathak Kendra will present a semi-classical dance.

The attendees would be mesmerised by Prayagraj’s Anand Kishore Awadh’s Dandiya dance on the second day. The Awadhi traditional song Holi Khele Raghuveera will be performed by Padmashree Malini Awasthi. The Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Academy will perform a Kathak performance on Jashn-e-Banaras on the third day.

According to the Cultural Department, Pt. Lalit Kumar will play Vadya Yantra (instrument), Vishal Krishna will perform Shiv Tandav and Acharya Rahul Rohit Mishra will give a classical music performance in Varanasi. Along with this, Rajendra Prasanya will perform a shehnai and flute duet, Amit Srivastava will perform Dharohar Ganga on Maa Ganga and Shobhana Narayan will perform Kathak.

On the other hand, Sheikh Ibrahim of Lucknow will perform a jugalbandi (duet) using the tabla, mridangam, and sarangi, while Gaurav and Saurabh will perform a Kathak dance with a Lord Shri Krishna theme. Bhatkhande Sanskrit University will perform Tabla and Santoor Jugalbandi during Varanasi’s final stay, while Kathak based on Maa Ganga will be performed by Pt. Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan. Saraswati Vandana based on Kathak will be presented by Kathak Kendra Lucknow while Anuj Mishra from Lucknow will present Kathak on Sita Swayamvar. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum kicks off in Abu Dhabi

Categories
-Top News India News Uttar Pradesh

Varanasi named as first-ever SCO tourism & cultural capital

The city of Varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever SCO tourism and cultural capital during 2022-2023 at the 22nd meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Friday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the SCO summit, which is the first in-person meeting of the regional group in two years owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The nomination of Varanasi as the first ever SCO tourism and cultural capital will promote tourism, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between India and the SCO member countries. It also underlines India’s ancient civilisational links with the member states of SCO, especially the Central Asian republics,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Under the framework of this major cultural outreach programme, a number of events will be hosted in Varanasi during 2022-23, for which guests will be invited from the SCO member states. These events are expected to attract Indologists, scholars, authors, musicians, artists, photo journalists, travel bloggers apart from the invited guests.

The regulations for nominating SCO tourism and cultural capital were adopted at the Dushanbe SCO Summit in 2021 with an objective to promote cooperation between the SCO member states in the field of culture and tourism.

ALSO READ: ‘We want all of this to end’: Putin to Modi on Ukraine war

Categories
India News Uttar Pradesh

UP nears milestone of 33 crore vax doses

So far, over 2,47,91,010 vaccine doses have been administered to children in the age group of 15-17 and over 1,07,57,191 vaccine doses have been administered to children in the age group of 12-14 in the state….reports Asian Lite News

Uttar Pradesh will soon cross the milestone of administering 33 crore total vaccine doses.

This will be another milestone as Uttar Pradesh continues to conduct one of the most successful vaccination campaigns in the country since the rollout of the mass immunisation drive.

According to the government spokesman, Uttar Pradesh has so far given out over 32.91 crore total vaccine doses. Out of these, over 17,45,04,444 are first doses, while over 15,14,32,772 individuals are fully vaccinated.

So far, over 2,47,91,010 vaccine doses have been administered to children in the age group of 15-17 and over 1,07,57,191 vaccine doses have been administered to children in the age group of 12-14 in the state.

In terms of percentage, nearly 93 per cent of the adult population is fully vaccinated and 100 per cent have received one vaccine dose.

In the age category of 15-17, over 98 per cent of the children have received at least one dose of the vaccine. While over 77 per cent in this age category is fully vaccinated.

Uttar Pradesh started administering booster shots (precaution dose) from January 10.

Over 31.96 lakh ‘precaution doses’ have been administered in the state so far.

To speed up the vaccination drive for children in the state, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also asked the concerned officials to ensure adequate availability of vaccine doses in the state and encourage the eligible children to take the vaccine cover.

The government is also paying special attention to the provision of booster shots (precaution dose) to the eligible beneficiaries.

India on Sunday reported 4,270 fresh Covid cases in last 24 hrs, a marginal rise against 3,962 Covid infection reported on previous day, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday morning.

In the same period, 15 Covid deaths were recorded, pushing the nationwide death toll to 5,24,692.

Meanwhile, the active caseload of the country has also risen to 24,052 cases, accounting for 0.06 per cent of the country’s total positive cases.

The recovery of 2,619 patients in the same time span took the cumulative tally to 4,26,28,073. Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.73 per cent.

Meanwhile, daily positivity rate has risen to 1.03 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate in the country currently stands at 0.84 per cent.

Over 3.44 crore adolescents have been administered with first dose of Covid-19 jab since the beginning of vaccination drive for this age bracket.

ALSO READ: 24 pilgrims die as bus falls into gorge in Uttarkashi

Categories
India News Uttar Pradesh

A cabinet of crorepatis in UP

The two organisations analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 45 out of 53 ministers, including the Chief Minister, from the Uttar Pradesh State Assembly 2022….reports Asian Lite News

As many as 87 per cent ministers are crorepatis; as many as 49 per cent have criminal cases against themselves and another 44 per cent have serious criminal cases against them — that is the Uttar Pradesh cabinet for you.

And just five out of 45 ministers (11 per cent) are women, according to an analysis by Uttar Pradesh Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms released on Saturday.

The two organisations analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 45 out of 53 ministers, including the Chief Minister, from the Uttar Pradesh State Assembly 2022.

Giving out details, the analysis said 22 ministers (49 per cent) have declared criminal cases against themselves while it was 20 ministers (44 per cent) that had declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

Out of the 45 ministers analysed, 39 (87 per cent) are crorepatis with average assets analysed to be Rs 9 crore.

The minister with the highest declared total assets is Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh from Tiloi constituency with assets worth Rs 58.07 crore while the one with lowest declared total assets is Dharamveer Singh, an MLC Member from Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council with assets worth Rs 42.91 lakh.

A total of 27 ministers have declared liabilities out of which the minister with the highest liabilities is Rakesh Sachan of Bhognipur constituency with Rs 8.17 crore of liabilities.

Nine (20 per cent) ministers have declared their educational qualification to be between class 8 and 12 while 36 (80 per cent) ministers have declared having an educational qualification of graduate or above.

Affidavits of Sanjay Nishad, Jitin Prasada, JPS Rathore, Narendra Kashyap, Dinesh Pratap Singh, Dayashankar Mishra Dayalu, Jaswant Saini and Danish Azad Ansari were not analysed for various reasons.

ALSO READ: India-Maldives ties touch new high

Categories
India News Uttar Pradesh

6 Mega Health Parks to be set up across UP 

Six Dhanwantri Mega Health Parks will be set up in the state with an investment of about Rs 30,000 crore….reports Asian Lite News

The Yogi Adityanath government, even before being officially sworn in for the second term, is preparing to further improve and develop and health infrastructure in the state.

The government is preparing to fulfil its promise of a government medical colleges with state-of-the-art facilities in every district of the state.

According to the government spokesman, six Dhanwantri Mega Health Parks will be set up in the state with an investment of about Rs 30,000 crore.

This will make the state self-sufficient by expanding the production of medical facilities like health and surgical instruments and medicines on a large scale.

Under the Maharishi Sushruta Health Infrastructure Mission, health infrastructure will be improved for a better health system at every level with a cost of over Rs 10,000 crore.

In addition to doubling the number of seats for medical courses like MBBS, over 6,000 doctors and 10,000 paramedical staff will be appointed in the state.

Along with this, doubling the number of ambulances equipped with state-of-the-art life support facilities in UP, dialysis centres in every district, expanding the network of Jan Aushadhi Kendras with TB free state by 2025 to provide essential medicines at affordable prices to all citizens is also on the cards.

ALSO READ: BJP weighs options for Uttarakhand CM post

Categories
Arab News News Uttar Pradesh

Indo-Israel centre helps farmers in UP

Indo-Israel centre helps farmers in UP

The exchange of technology in the agricultural sector is changing the lives of farmers in Uttar Pradesh…reports Asian Lite News

The Indo-Israel Centre for Excellence, located 200 metres off the Basti-Gorakhpur highway, started commercial operations and is helping increase the income of farmers.

The setting up of the centre on a Rs 7.5 crore budget started in October 2018 and the aim was to introduce innovations in farming by adopting Israeli technology.

The department of horticulture and food processing, which operates the centre, has started assisting non-farmers.

ALSO READ: Farm fury spills onto more Pak cities

“Any individual interested in planting a mango tree of the latest variety or an orchard can pick up ready saplings. Vegetable saplings are also available here. Earlier, we were catering to farmers only but now we provide saplings to everyone,” said joint director Atul Kumar Singh.

The centre, situated in Banjariya village of Basti Sadar Assembly constituency, is transforming the way farming is done in the area.

Rishi Yadav, a farmer from Sant Kabir Nagar (Khalilabad) plans to grow watermelons and muskmelons on his four-hectare land in Urdahwa and has placed an order for 53,000 saplings.

“All parties used to talk about farmers welfares and increasing their income till now, but nothing has happened on the ground. In the past two years, we have seen innovation in agriculture. Change is visible and one can spot cucumber, okra, sponge gourd and other vegetables in villages,” he said.

Categories
-Top News India News Uttar Pradesh

BJP sweeps Lakhimpur despite outrage

Ashish Mishra, who had been arrested, was released on bail recently, but Lakhimpur, apparently, put the incident behind and voted on all seats for the BJP….reports Asian Lite News

 Gorakhpur, Lakhimpur and Agra were termed as trouble spots for the BJP, but the results of the Assembly elections out on Thursday clearly indicate that for the people, the incidents in these cities did not affect their decision to vote for the saffron party.

Gorakhpur hit the headlines last year when Manish Gupta, a businessman from Kanpur, died, allegedly after being beaten up by the police during a raid in his hotel.

The opposition was quick to use the incident as an example of ‘law-and-order’ situation in the state.

However, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath promptly handed over the case to the CBI and gave compensation and a job to Gupta’s widow. The matter died a natural death, and Gorakhpur has now given a clean sweep to the BJP with Adityanath winning his first Assembly election with an appreciable margin.

The Lakhimpur incident in October last year, when an SUV, owned by Union minister Ajay Mishra Teni’s son Ashish Mishra, mowed down four farmers who were returning from a protest.

The incident provided fuel for the farmers’ agitation as opposition parties rushed in to cash in on the bereavement of the families.

Ashish Mishra, who had been arrested, was released on bail recently, but Lakhimpur, apparently, put the incident behind and voted on all seats for the BJP.

In Agra, the death of a Dalit youth — Arun Valmiki — in police custody also became fodder for opposition politics, but now that the BJP has won all the seats in Agra, the incident is on the backburner.

“The manner in which the Yogi Adityanath government handled the action in these incidents became more important. The accused were arrested, the victims were given compensation an investigation continued without any pressure. People understood that the government did not wish to hide anything when it came to dealing with culprits,” said Vijay Pathak, state Vice-President of the BJP.

ALSO READ: Yogi busts ‘Noida jinx’