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SIFFCY sets the stage for 11 edition film fest in Delhi; Call for Good Cinema continues

To spread a million Smiles, SIFFCY, and SMILE Foundation are gearing up to host the eleventh edition of its film festival early next year. The 10th edition held this year was a huge success, says Rahul Laud, Associate Editor at Asian Lite who attended it narrates his experience.

The call from the organizers of Smile Int’l Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY) “ SUBMIT YOUR FILM !” has created huge excitement and enthusiasm among film goers especially those who work among kids and youth. SIFFCY has opened entries for the 11th edition of its annual festival, scheduled from 28 Jan until 03 Feb 2025, in New Delhi and several other locations across India. Hosted by Smile Foundation in partnership with the European Union in India the prestigious – European Children’s Film Association (ECFA)  Award at the annual festival each year, distinguishes SIFFCY as the only non-European festival to do so.

Kids with Jury member

SIFFCY is one of the flagship initiatives of India’s leading development organisation Smile Foundation launched in 2015 India. Shantanu Mishra, Chairman of SIFFCY and Founder, Mentor, and Executive Trustee at SMILE Foundation, said, “The festival aims to engage, encourage, educate & empower young minds through GOOD WORLD CINEMA and various film-related workshops.”

The 10th edition of the annual SIFFCY organized in partnership with the European Union (The delegation of the European Union in India),  was held successfully from 9th to 15th Apr 2024 in New Delhi and 100+ other locations across India. The week-long film festival reached out to more than 5,00,000 young audiences across India with a diverse program of over 150 films from 52 countries and 50 different workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, and more. The festival has garnered huge international support with 50+ national and international industry professionals, jurors, filmmakers and guests from 12 different countries participating in person and 100+ young Jurors from 10 different countries participated virtually during these 7 days.

Judita and Anna Members Intl Jury

The national media has recognized the 10th edition of SIFFCY as the largest film festival in the country this year! Major activities along with the opening and award ceremony were held in New Delhi during the week. Simultaneously multiple screenings and related activities were scheduled in different schools and communities in various locations across India. Selected programs were also available on the festival’s specially designed, secured, dedicated streaming platform for the online participants throughout the week.

with Madhu Chopra and Nizam bandhu atist band

The young, dynamic, enthusiastic, and globally recognized Producer and Director Jitendra Mishra who has been the Festival Director since its inception boasts that SIFFCY is aimed “ To promote GOOD CINEMA that meant for children & youth; To bring together high quality, entertaining, multi‐cultural cinema for children & youth; To cultivate an understanding of other cultures, lives & experiences through the medium of film; To catalyze critical appreciation and creative pursuit of cinematic art amongst children & youth; To support the work of talented and dedicated children & young film‐makers and encourage the exchange of ideas amongst them”

The 10th film fest, witnessed some unique films in the screening programs including 10 films made by the students of BATA University, Zlin, with the support of the Czech Embassy in India, 10 films from Germany with the support of SCHLiNGEL Int’l Film Festival, 10 classic animations curated by TV Studio Animated Films, Poznan and presented by acclaimed film personality Mr. Jerzy Moszkowicz along with the Polish Institute New Delhi and 10 films made by children from various countries under the PRIX JEUNESSE Suitcase section.”

Shantanu Mishra, Founder and Executive Trustee at SMILE and Chairman , SIFFCY

 In addition, the SIFFCYthethe team organized several interactive workshops for free for the children and youth.  The collaboration with the prestigious European Union for SIFFCY 2024 and its Member States has taken the stage at the festival at its 19th edition. This was a collective effort by the  Smile Foundation management, the Delegation of the European Union, the SIFFCY  team of devoted and dedicated volunteers, eminent jurors, partners, supporters, filmmakers, and all the participants.

On the occasion of announcing the 11th edition, Santanu Mishra added, “It is a momentous occasion for all of us at Smile Foundation as we showcase a decade of good cinema through SIFFCY. We believe that cinema plays a pivotal role in shaping young minds. We will carry forward our mission to engage young audiences creatively and meaningfully to strengthen the value system in our society. Good content and works of art bring lots of opportunities and, in this digital age, platforms like SIFFCY have a significant role to play.”

Jitendra Mishra (R) Festival Director escorts guest at SIFFCY

SIFFCY has been the only non-European Festival – the only Indian festival to host the CIFEJ Award supported by UNESCO. The film KUNG FU LION by Froukje Tan from the Netherlands won the ECFA award at the 10the festival this year, while the CIFEJ Award went to ICARUS AND THE MINOTAUR by Carlo Vogele from Luxembourg, France, and Belgium. WEEKEND REBELS by Marc Rothemund from Germany won 4 different awards including the biggest award of the festival – the best feature film award (children).

Jitendra Mishra with Gaur International School, New Delhi officials
KIDS FOR GOOD CINEMA AT SIFFCY
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India News Politics

Dhankar Slams Coaching Centres as ‘Gas Chambers’ Post Delhi Tragedy

During a short-duration discussion in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Vice President Dhankhar criticised the incident, pointing out the pervasive issue of coaching centres prioritising profit over safety…reports Asian Lite News

Days after three UPSC aspirants lost their lives due to flooding in the basement of a coaching institute in Delhi’s Rajinder Nagar area, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday expressed serious concerns over the commercialisation of coaching centres, calling them “gas chambers” for students.

On Saturday evening, three UPSC aspirants lost their lives after heavy rainfall led to waterlogging in the basement of the coaching centre, which was being used illegally as a library. The incident trapped 17 other students for several hours, highlighting the dire safety issues in these establishments.

During a short-duration discussion in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Vice President Dhankhar criticised the incident, pointing out the pervasive issue of coaching centres prioritising profit over safety.

“This is a very serious issue. Every day when we read newspapers, we see the first few pages filled with advertisements for coaching centres. Where does so much money come from? It comes from the students who want to fulfil their dreams,” he said.

“Coaching centres have become no less than gas chambers,” the Rajya Sabha Chairman added.

Meanwhile, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi blamed the Delhi government for what he termed “criminal negligence”.

He alleged that despite knowing about the consequences, the students were put in a state of danger.

The basement of the coaching centre was used as a library in violation of the rules since the space was allowed to be used only for parking and storage purposes.

Citing the complaints lodged by the students, Trivedi said the authorities were “already informed and reminded” about the “illegal operation” of classes at the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle without proper non-objection certificate (NOC).

“Strict actions should be taken against all UPSC coaching institutes that are putting students’ lives in danger,” Trivedi said, quoting a letter by a student to the Ministry of Grievances, NCT Delhi, on June 26.

The Rajya Sabha MP also mentioned that a reminder was sent to the ministry on July 15 and July 22.

He also highlighted the need for immediate investigation and accountability to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

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Delhi Art Week Returns with South Asian Voices

The fifth edition of Delhi Contemporary Art Week (DCAW) will run from April 8-15 in the national capital, and is among the first collective, large scale art venture post-pandemic and a celebration of the spirit of artists and art institutions across South Asia as they overcame the many challenges presented by the global pandemic.

Other artists whose work will be showcased include Ankush Safaya, Anupama Alias, Chandan Bez Baruah, Farhat Ali, Harisha Chennangod, Harman Taneja, Jahangir Asgar Jani, Prajjwal Choudhury, Shubham Kumar, Sudipta Das, Waswo X. Waswo, Yogesh Ramkrishna and Zahra Yazdani…reports Asian Lite News

The seventh edition of Delhi Contemporary Art Week (DCAW) will showcase some of the finest art and contemporary voices at Bikaner House from August 31 to September 4.

A creative alliance forged by six galleries, DCAW is anchored in the foundation of amplifying the voices of creative artists and celebrating their works that reflect contemporary times with many themes and techniques.

Six Delhi-based art galleries — Blueprint12, Exhibit 320, Gallery Espace, Latitude 28, Shrine Empire, and Vadehra Art Gallery are showcasing a selection of works by established and emerging artists from India and the broader subcontinent, with each gallery bringing its unique curatorial vision to the event.

Also, there will be a group exhibition curated by Girish Shahane featuring artists from each participating gallery. Titled ‘A Bold Step Sideways’, it challenges traditional notions of art history and originality. Embracing a generation of artists unencumbered by the anxieties of influence, this exhibition showcases a diverse array of works that freely traverse styles and mediums.

While Blueprint 12 will be exhibiting works of artists including Divyesh Undaviya, Meghana Gavireddygari, Zoya Chaudhary, Aravani Art Project, and Anila Govindappa, among others, Exhibit 320 will showcase contemporary art from India and the subcontinent, creating a platform for new thoughts and ideas. This year, the emphasis of the exhibition space is on new media, and its structures as a place for creative endeavour, aesthetic exploration and furthering visual dialogue. The gallery will be exhibiting the works of Deena Pindoria, Deepak Kumar, Jayati Kaushik, Kaushik Saha, Kumaresan Selvaraj, Priyantha Udagedara, Gopi Gajwani, Gunjan Kumar, Rahul Kumar, Sareena Khemka, among others.

Gallery Espace will be showcasing a varied collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures by leading artists across generations and graphic mediums.

A highlight of the presentation is a drawing installation by Soma Surovi Jannat (‘Time without Birth and Death’), a young artist from Dhaka, Bangladesh who has recently signed up with Gallery Espace. The gallery will also showcase a new set of paintings by Baroda-based Rashmimala, Ravi Agarwal’s photographs of an abandoned office, and Tanmoy Samanta’s luminous canvases of liminal shapes.

Other exhibiting artists include Amit Ambalal, Ishita Chakraborty, Sharad Sonkusale, Sheetal Gattani, and Sonia Mehra Chawla.

Continuing to spotlight emerging artists from the Global South, Latitude 28 will reflect South Asia’s evolving contemporary art scene through a textile collection. This showcase features artists using weaving, crochet, embroidery, Zardosi, and Kantha techniques to manipulate fabric and integrate it with other art forms and textures.

Highlights include Khadim Ali’s tapestry work influenced by his Afghan heritage, debut artists at DCAW, Veena Advani (her mixed media paintings with hand embroidery), Al-Qawi Nanavati (infuses her late mother’s belongings into her art, creating a sense of mystery and deep contemplation) and Viraj Khanna (whose narrative-based embroidered works are focused on eye-catching moments shared on social media). Inspirations from texture and form of Indian textile handicraft are evident in Sanket Viramgami and Shalina Vichitra’s works. Sudipta Das transforms paper into sculpture or fabric

Other artists whose work will be showcased include Ankush Safaya, Anupama Alias, Chandan Bez Baruah, Farhat Ali, Harisha Chennangod, Harman Taneja, Jahangir Asgar Jani, Prajjwal Choudhury, Shubham Kumar, Sudipta Das, Waswo X. Waswo, Yogesh Ramkrishna and Zahra Yazdani.

Shrine Empire will be showing the works of Hema Shironi and Natasha Das for the first time. Both artists work with textile and through this medium, they explore various contexts that relate to their personal histories, politics of the region and sustainability. Artist Amitava Das will be showing several of his recent works. Other participating artists include Anoli Perera, Arun Dev, Awdhesh Tamrakar, Divya Singh, Sajan Mani, Samanta Batra Mehta, Sangita Maity, Shruti Mahajan and Tayeba Begum Lipi.

Featuring an ensemble of exciting South Asian artists practising within the Subcontinent and beyond, Vadehra Art Gallery will show works by Anita Dube, Anju Dodiya, Atul Bhalla, Atul Dodiya, Faiza Butt, Gigi Scaria, Jagannath Panda, Jasmine Nilani Joseph, Joya Mukerjee Logue, Praneet Soi, Sachin George Sebastian, Shailesh B. R., Shilpa Gupta, Sudhir Patwardhan, Sunil Gupta, Treibor Mawlong, Zaam Arif and others,

The curation will include works across mediums, with a focus on painting and photography, ushering in reflection and discourse on topical narratives growing out of contemporary South Asian culture.

Some of the works on display will include installation works by Anita Dube, activating text and the gaze that turns upon them as sites of resistance; portraits by Faiza Butt layered with multi-cultural, art historical and technological inspirations as seen from an autobiographical lens; photographs of protest by queer communities in London shot in the 1980s by Sunil Gupta; drawings by Jasmine Nilani Joseph elaborating on ideas of property, ancestry and displacement; poetic explorations of the human condition in one’s relationship to self, time and place in paintings by Zaam Arif; the complexity of intimacy in interpersonal relationships in a suite of recent drawings by Sudhir Patwardhan; and mixed media collage works by Shailesh B. R. that form a repository of observations, moods and imaginations through objects, elements and landscapes – among others.

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Environment India News

Delhi power demand hits 8,647 MW amid heatwaves

Delhi’s peak power demand first hit 8000 MW on May 22, 2024, and has surpassed this mark 8 times since…reports Asian Lite News

The extreme heatwave continues to push Delhi’s power demand northwards. According to the State Load Dispatch Centre data, at 3:22 PM on Tuesday, Delhi’s peak power demand clocked 8,647 MW. It is the highest ever in the history of the national capital.

Delhi’s peak power demand clocked 8000 MW for the first time on May 22, 2024. Since then, Delhi’s peak power demand has crossed the 8000 MW mark on 8 occasions.

Before the records of 2024, Delhi’s previous high of 7695 MW was recorded on June 29, 2022.

Last year, Delhi’s peak power demand was 7438 MW. Tuesday marks the 30th day in a row when Delhi’s peak power demand has crossed the 7000 MW mark. Delhi’s peak power demand never crossed 7000 MW during the month of May 2023 and crossed the 7000 MW mark in May only once in 2022.

It is also important to remember that barring last year, when Delhi’s demand peaked in August, it usually peaks during late June and early July. But the trend has changed this year. The surge in power demand can be attributed to weather conditions that led residents to use more air conditioning and coolers, leading to an increase in electricity consumption.

The Ministry of Power has also undertaken comprehensive measures to meet the highest ever peak national power demand of 250 GW during the ongoing summer season, amidst challenging weather conditions across the country.

According to a Ministry of Power press release, on June 17, 2024, the Northern Region alone recorded its highest peak demand of 89 GW, which was successfully met despite the prevailing heatwave.

The unprecedented demand in the Northern Region, exacerbated by a prolonged heatwave since mid-May, prompted the Ministry to implement a strategic approach to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Notably, the region managed to meet its peak demand by leveraging inter-regional power imports, accounting for 25 to 30 per cent of the total requirement. (ANI)

Power ministry asks utilities to be on alert

Ministry of Power has undertaken comprehensive measures to meet the highest ever peak power demand of 250 GW during the ongoing summer season, amidst challenging weather conditions across the country.

According to Ministry of Power press release, on June 17, 2024, the Northern Region alone recorded its highest peak demand of 89 GW, which was successfully met despite the prevailing heat wave.

The unprecedented demand in the Northern Region, exacerbated by a prolonged heat wave since mid-May, prompted the Ministry to implement a strategic approach to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

Notably, the region managed to meet its peak demand by leveraging inter-regional power imports, accounting for 25 to 30% of the total requirement.

Directives have been issued to Imported Coal Based (ICB) plants to maintain continuous generation support. This measure is to stabilize power availability by utilizing coal resources efficiently.

To enhance power generation capacity during peak demand periods, the Ministry has optimized maintenance schedules for generating units.

Efforts are focused on minimizing forced and partial outages across thermal and hydro power stations to ensure maximum operational uptime.

Hydroelectric stations have been advised to conserve water during peak solar hours and maximize generation during non-solar hours.

This strategic management aims to balance the grid load effectively and sustain power availability throughout the day.

In a bid to augment power supply, gas-based power plants have been directed to provide continuous grid support under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003.

Additionally, approximately 860 MW of additional non-NTPC gas-based capacity has been secured through competitive bidding specifically for the summer season.

The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has also readied around 5000 MW of its gas-based capacity to meet immediate system requirements.

To optimize surplus power availability, un-requisitioned power from generating stations is being made available through market mechanisms.

Furthermore, states have been encouraged to utilize the PUShP portal to tie up with surplus power capacities available in other regions, ensuring efficient utilization of resources.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Power remains vigilant as heat wave conditions in North-West India are forecasted to ease from 20th June onwards, potentially alleviating strain on power demand.

However, the strategic measures implemented during this period are expected to strengthen the resilience of India’s power infrastructure against future climatic challenges. (ANI)

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INDIA 2024 India News

‘AAP to fight Delhi assembly polls on its own’

Rai had also told reporters that opposition parties had come together in the INDIA bloc to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls and there was no alliance for assembly polls…reports Asian Lite News

Aam Aadmi Party will contest the Delhi assembly elections on its own without alliance with Congress, party leader Gopal Rai said on Thursday, noting that the two parties had come together in the national capital only for Lok Sabha polls.       

“This is clear from the very first day that the INDIA alliance was formed for Lok Sabha elections. As far as Vidhan Sabha is concerned, no alliance has been formed. AAP will fight elections with its full strength,” Rai, who is Delhi Minister for Environment said.

The two parties drew a blank in the Lok Sabha polls in the national capital with BJP winning all the seven Lok Sabha seats. While AAP contested four of seven seats, Congress put up candidates on three seats.

Rai had also told reporters that opposition parties had come together in the INDIA bloc to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls and there was no alliance for assembly polls.

“It is clear from the beginning that the INDIA alliance was formed for the Lok Sabha elections. We fought Lok Sabha elections together but in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections, there is no alliance. We will fight the Vidhan Sabha elections together with the people of Delhi,” he said.

AAP and Congress are part of the INDIA bloc. While the two parties had an alliance in Lok Sabha polls in Delhi, Punjab and Gujarat, there was no alliance between the two in Punjab. Congress won seven seats in Punjab compared to three won by AAP which is in power in the state. 

Assembly polls in Delhi are expected to be held in early 2025.  Congress could not win a single seat in the Delhi assembly polls held in 2020. While AAP won 62 out of the 70 seats, BJP secured eighth seats in the last assembly polls.

The announcement by AAP comes even as the newly elected Lok Sabha MPs have not taken oath and talks are being held among the INDIA bloc partners for better coordination to take on the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government. (ANI)

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-Top News INDIA 2024 India News

BJP Dominates Delhi

BJP leads in all 7 Delhi seats; Manoj Tiwari ahead in North East Delhi by over 1 lakh votes, facing Congress’ Kanhaiya Kumar….reports Asian Lite News

Bharatiya Janta Party is leading in all the Lok Sabha seats of the national capital, as per the trends shown by the Election Commission on Tuesday.

The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party fought the polls in alliance in the national capital.

From Chandni Chowk constituency, BJP candidate Praveen Khandelwal is leading with over 35,000 votes against Congress candidate Jai Prakash Agarwal.

In the East Delhi-3 constituency, BJP’s Harsh Malhotra is leading by 25884 votes against AAP’s Kuldeep Kumar.

In the New Delhi constituency, BJP candidate Bansuri Swaraj is leading by a comfortable margin of 33465 votes against AAP’s Somnath Bharti. Bansuri Swaraj is the daughter of former Union minister Sushma Swaraj.

From North-East Delhi, the incumbent BJP MP Manoj Tiwari is leading with a huge margin of 109130 against Congress candidate Kanhaiya Kumar, who is a former Jawaharlal Nehru University Student’s Union president.

“I would like to thank PM Modi, top leadership and the people of the constituency. They all have blessed me well. We are winning all the seven seats of Delhi. We are forming the govt in the country as well. Certainly, it’s not something that we have expected but this tally will increase and we will cross 300…NDA is united and will move forward together in the service of the people of the country,” Tiwari said.

In North West Delhi, BJP’s Yogendra Chandoliya is leading with 124334 votes over Congress’ Udit Raj.

Yogendra Chandolia said, “I am ahead with 1 lakh 25 thousand, this margin will increase. BJP is leading with a big margin on all seven seats in Delhi. PM Modi will become the PM for the third time… As the counting moves ahead, there is no doubt that we will cross our last tally. Fight seems to be there but we will form the govt…”

In South Delhi, Ramvir Singh Bishuri of the BJP is leading with 78765 votes against AAP’s Sahi Ram.

In West Delhi, BJP’s Kamaljeet Sehrawat is leading with 95591 votes against AAP’s Mahabal Mishra.

While Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest and subsequent release on interim bail became the focal point of AAP’s campaign, the BJP maintained a strong emphasis on allegations of corruption within Kejriwal’s government, highlighting the Centre’s role in Delhi’s development.

Meanwhile, Congress focused on linking its national ‘Nyay guarantees’ with local issues, while also leveraging its common voter base shared with its ally, AAP.

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Environment India News Politics

Delhi unbearable as temperatures soar past 52°C

People purchase air coolers as the temperature continues to rise during a hot summer day, on Friday. (ANI Photo/Jitender Gupta)

The weather station recorded the temperature at Mungeshpur in north-west Delhi at 52.3 degrees Celsius….reports Asian Lite News

The national capital on Wednesday recorded its highest-ever temperature of the season as the mercury soared to 52.3 degrees Celsius, the weather office said.

The weather station recorded the temperature at Mungeshpur in north-west Delhi at 52.3 degrees Celsius.

Besides Mungeshpur, other locations in Delhi which recorded the season’s hottest day included Najafgarh (48.6 degrees Celsius), Narela (47.9 degrees Celsius), Pitampura (48.3 degrees Celsius).

Notably, a severe heatwave has been prevailing in most parts of north India, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and many parts of Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh for quite some days.

Rajasthan has also recorded extremely high temperatures over the past few days, with the mercury shooting beyond 50 degrees Celsius in regions like Phalodi.

Sirsa in Haryana also sizzled at over 50 degrees.

Delhi along with adjoining regions have been reeling under a severe heatwave for almost a week now.

However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted some respite from searing heat from tomorrow.

“Prevailing heatwave conditions over Northwest and Central India are likely to reduce gradually from Thursday (May 30),” the IMD said in a statement.

The IMD also said that the conditions continue to become favourable with the onset of monsoon during the next 24 hours and the advance of monsoon over some parts of northeastern states during the same period.

Sizzling Rajasthan

Pilani in Rajasthan on Tuesday recorded the highest ever maximum temperature at 49-degree Celsius, while Churu sizzled at 50.5-degree Celsius to become the hottest place in the state on Tuesday.

The previous highest maximum temperature recorded in Pilani was 48.6-degree Celsius on May 2, 1999. Churu’s all-time highest maximum temperature recorded so far is 50.8-degree Celsius on June 1, 2019.

Many cities in the state recorded a maximum temperature of over 45-degree Celsius. In Ganganagar, the mercury soared to 49.4-degree Celsius, followed by Phalodi (49), Bikaner (48.3), Kota (48.2), Jaisalmer (48), Jaipur (46.6), and Barmer (46).

Meanwhile, Met department officials said that the maximum temperature is likely to drop by 2 to 4-degree Celsius in most parts of the state in the next 48 hours. There is a strong possibility of relief from the ongoing severe heat wave in the state from May 31 onwards.

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INDIA 2024 India News

Delhi Polling Underway in Extreme Heat

The national capital witnessed an early voter turnout of 8.94 per cent by 9 a.m….reports Asian Lite News

Braving scorching heat, voters turned out in large numbers to exercise their right to franchise at polling booths in seven parliamentary constituencies in Delhi for the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls on Saturday.

The national capital witnessed an early voter turnout of 8.94 per cent by 9 a.m.

Among the constituencies, West Delhi recorded the highest voter turnout at 9.72 per cent till 9 a.m, followed by Northeast Delhi at 10.15 per cent, marking it as the constituency with the highest early participation.

East Delhi also saw a significant voter turnout at 8.82 per cent. Chandani Chowk, one of the prominent constituencies, registered a turnout of 7.83 per cent, reflecting steady voter engagement. South Delhi, another crucial constituency, reported 8.88 per cent.

A total of 1.52 crore voters, including 82 lakh males, 69 lakh females, and 1,228 third-gender voters, are expected to exercise their franchise at 13,000 polling stations spread across 2,627 locations in Delhi.

The voting process began at 7 a.m. with more than 2.52 lakh first-time voters participating in this crucial phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which achieved a clean sweep in Delhi during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, has made significant changes to its lineup this year, retaining only one of its sitting MPs, actor-turned-politician Manoj Tiwari from Northeast Delhi.

The six new candidates are Praveen Khandelwal (Chandni Chowk), Harsh Deep Malhotra (East Delhi), Yogender Chandolia (Northwest Delhi), Ramvir Singh Bhiduri (South Delhi), Kamaljeet Singh Sehrawat (West Delhi), and Bansuri Swaraj, the daughter of late BJP veteran Sushma Swaraj, from New Delhi.

For this election, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress are contesting together as part of the INDIA bloc. AAP is fielding candidates in four constituencies – East Delhi, West Delhi, South Delhi, and New Delhi – while Congress is contesting the remaining three seats – Northeast Delhi, Northwest Delhi, and Chandni Chowk.

The AAP candidates include Kuldeep Kumar (East Delhi), Sahiram Pehalwan (South Delhi), Mahabal Mishra (West Delhi), and Somnath Bharti (New Delhi).

Congress has nominated Udit Raj (Northwest Delhi), Jai Prakash Agarwal (Chandni Chowk), and former JNU Students’ Union President Kanhaiya Kumar (Northeast Delhi).

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INDIA 2024 India News Politics

Sonia urges Delhi to vote for Cong, AAP  

Hyderabad : Congress senior leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi arrive for Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Hyderabad on Saturday, September 16, 2023. (Photo: IANS/@INCIndia)

Former Congress says that every vote cast in favour of the Congress and its INDIA ally would result in better job creation and women empowerment…reports Asian Lite News

Ahead of the much-anticipated polling for the Lok Sabha in the national capital on May 25, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday urged the voters of Delhi to ensure victory for the party candidates and those put up by its INDIA bloc ally, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in what she claimed were “very important elections to save democracy and the Constitution”.

In a personalised video address to voters in the national capital on Thursday, ahead of polling for the penultimate phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Sonia said that every vote cast in favour of the Congress and its INDIA ally would not result in better job creation but also help empower women.

“These are very important elections. These are elections to save our democracy as well as the country’s Constitution. The polls are being fought on issues such as unemployment, inflation, and the attack on our institutions and constitutional bodies. You have to play your part in this fight,” the Congress stalwart said in an impassioned video address to voters in the Capital.

“Every vote that you cast will help in the generation of employment opportunities while also reducing inflation, empowering women and creating an India where every citizen is treated as an equal. These elections are not just about equality but also the bright futures of our citizens. I urge you all to ensure the victory of candidates of the Congress and the INDIA bloc by big margins in all seven Lok Sabha seats in the Capital,” the former Congress president and Lok Sabha MP from Raebareli said.

Voting for all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will be held in a single phase on May 25.

As per a seat-sharing alliance that the ruling AAP and the Congress sealed for the Lok Sabha elections in the national capital, the former will contest four seats, including the prestigious New Delhi constituency, while setting aside the remaining three for the Congress.

Significantly, in a first for electoral politics in the country, the Congress has not put up a candidate in the prestigious New Delhi constituency, which would mean that all members of the party’s first family will vote for the AAP’s candidate for the constituency, Somnath Bharti.

However, with less than 48 hours left for polling in the national capital, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AAP supremo and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are not scheduled to hold any joint roadshow for the INDIA candidates.

Headlining a massive public meeting in Delhi’s Dwarka earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi came out all guns blazing at the INDIA bloc, listing out the differences in governance styles of the previous Opposition regimes at the Centre and that of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

He said the sole ‘agenda’ of the Congress and its ‘INDI partners’ was to cater to their families.

Delhi turns into a fortress

Given the voting for the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 25, security has been beefed up in the national capital.

“In Shahdara, there are 166 polling stations and 827 polling booths. Staff has been appointed as per the guidelines of the Election Commission. A staff of 2500 will be on duty that day… The staff was briefed on May 20 and today… Drones will be used at sensitive polling booths…” said Additional DCP Vishnu Kumar Sharma.

As the mercury is on a constant rise in the national capital, the Additional DCP said that it is expected that the temperature might rise to 45 degrees Celsius. “Glucose and ORS have been distributed to the staff and they have been told that they must also carry necessary things with them to protect from heatwave,” he added.

Delhi is undergoing voting in a single phase on all seven Lok Sabha seats on May 25, with a fierce contest between the BJP and the INDIA bloc, comprising the AAP and Congress.

The Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress are fighting the elections in alliance in the national capital, with the AAP contesting four and the Congress three seats.

The seven parliamentary constituencies in Delhi are Chandni Chowk, East Delhi, New Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, South Delhi, and West Delhi.

Notably, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said on Saturday that a total of 889 candidates from eight States and Union Territories (UTs) will contest elections in 58 constituencies. The voting will begin at 7 a.m. and end at 6 p.m.

The 2024 general elections are held in India in seven phases, from April 19 to June 1, to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The results will be announced on June 4. (ANI)

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INDIA 2024 India News Politics

Capital readies for big poll

Responding to the preparations amid the heatwave, CEO Krishnamurthy said they had held meetings with different stakeholders to avoid any mishappening…reports Asian Lite News

Ahead of the polling in the National Capital on May 25, Delhi Chief Electoral Officer P. Krishnamurthy said on Thursday that there are a total of 13,641 polling stations with a total of 162 candidates contesting on seven seats.

Krishnamurthy said that all the preparations are in place ahead of the voting day.

“There are a total of 13,641 polling stations in Delhi. We also keep some machinery in reserve to avoid any technical problems. The final contesting candidates in Delhi are 162 on 7 seats. There are 1 crore 52 lakh voters in Delhi, out of which 82 lakhs are male voters and 70 lakh are female voters. Transgender votes are around 1,230 and first-time voters are around 2,52,000,” he said.

He further said that more than one lakh employees have been deployed for polling duty.

“Be it polling parties, micro observers, expenditure observers, flying squads, video watching teams, all of them have been deployed to cover different areas. Everyone has been trained. All preparations have been done from the manpower side. EVMs are available in adequate quantity. The first level checking has been done,” he said.

“After the randomization process, all of the EVMs are now stored in the strong room. Tomorrow they will be taken out and given to the polling parties. All polling parties will reach their locations a day before. Arrangements for his residence have also been made. All preparations have been made for the entire elements for the election,” the CEO of Delhi added.

Reiterating that double voting chances are less, the CEO said that all adequate steps have been taken to avoid these kinds of incidents.

“When a voter goes to vote, the first thing he has to use to show his identity. It can be the Voter ID or 12 other documents as per the commission directives. Polling agents can challenge his identity, hence the photo is matched with the ID card. The chances of such incidents happening are very low,” he emphasized.

Responding to the preparations amid the heatwave, CEO Krishnamurthy said they had held meetings with different stakeholders to avoid any mishappening.

“IMD has predicted that heatwave may now become severe. In its recent bulletin, it said that the temperature could be 44 degrees on May 25. We have been preparing for the last 2-3 weeks to avoid a heatwave. We have held meetings with NDMC, MCD and various stakeholders. A meeting has also been held with the Health and Family Department and Delhi Jal Board,” he said.

“There will also be a shaded area and waiting area in every polling station. The queue outside the stations will also be covered so that people can be protected from the sun. There will be a cooler or mist fan in every shaded area so that the temperature remains cool. Most of our polling stations are in schools so that there will be facilities for drinking water. Everywhere there are water coolers, RO and Delhi Jal Board taps to ensure water supply is available,” the Delhi CEO added.

P Krishnamurthy also mentioned that various organizations have come forward to motivate voters.

“In this election, some organizers are volunteering to motivate the voters. Rapido company told us that they wanted to give free bike rides on the day of voting, so we accepted their proposal. They can drop voters after voting only so that voters cannot be influenced while they are coming to polling stations. Food aggregators have also come up with a scheme where voters can avail of additional discounts by showing their linked fingers. Traders Association is announcing discounts in different markets of Delhi,” he said. (ANI)

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