By protocol, Kamala Harris will be Modi's host in Washington

by Argus News

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Although Harris had spoken to several world leaders soon after becoming vice president, she had a phone conversation with Modi only in June when she discussed Biden's offer to send vaccines to India.

New York, Sep 22: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not the head of state like President Joe Biden, but the head of government, his equivalent in protocol is Vice President Kamala Harris, who is partly of Indian origin, and she will be the formal host.

He is scheduled to meet with her on Friday.

Harris has had a tense relationship with Modi's administration after criticising External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in 2019 for refusing to meet with the House Foreign Affairs Committee of Pramila Jayapal, an Indian-origin member of the House Representatives, who was not a member of the panel included in the meeting.

Jayapal had introduced a resolution criticising India over Kashmir.

"It's wrong for any foreign government to tell Congress what members are allowed in meetings on Capitol Hill," Harris said condescendingly at the time as if an Indian minister should not have the right to decide who he wants to meet.

She has desisted from criticism of India after becoming vice president, but her niece Meena Harris has supported the farmers' agitation and attacked the Indian government.

Although Harris had spoken to several world leaders soon after becoming vice president, she had a phone conversation with Modi only in June when she discussed Biden's offer to send vaccines to India from the US stockpile when it suffered a Covid surge.

Any misgivings may have healed and Modi tweeted, "I deeply appreciate the assurance of vaccine supplies to India as part of the US Strategy for Global Vaccine Sharing. I also thanked her for all the support and solidarity from the US government, businesses and Indian diaspora."

Modi may invite Harris to visit the homeland of her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris.

When Modi visited Washington in 2016, Biden, who was then the vice president, was the formal host.
(IANS)

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Shreya Ghoshal applauds 'Indian Idol 14' contestant's performance of 'Aye Mere Humsafar'

by Swati Sucharita

Mumbai, Nov 30: Singer and judge of 'Indian Idol 14', Shreya Ghoshal lauded the performance of Utkarsh Wankende and said that Nagpur is known for oranges, "but now, your name is attached to it as well."

This Saturday, the evergreen music-composer duo, Anand-Milind, will grace the stage of the singing reality show. Celebrating ‘Hits of Anand-Milind,’ the contestants will belt out their iconic chartbusters to impress judge Shreya Ghoshal and Shekhar Ravjiani, a guest judge for this weekend.

"Maharashtra ki Shaan" Utkarsh from Nagpur will captivate the judges and guests with his exceptional rendition of the song ‘Aye Mere Humsafar’ from the classic ‘Qayamat se Qayamat’, and ‘O Rabba Koi To Bataye’ from the movie ‘Sangeet.’

Shreya said: "Utkarsh, I recently returned from Nagpur and, let me tell you, the only voice I heard there was ‘Utkarsh!’. Everyone in your hometown is so proud of you. I feel so happy that you are gathering love from all over the country, especially your hometown. Nagpur is known for oranges, but now, your name is attached to it as well."

Read more Entertainment News

Complimenting Utkarsh, Shekhar added: "You have a very beautiful and sweet voice. It is certainly a recording voice."

‘Indian Idol Season 14’ airs on Sony.

(IANS)

Pradhan Inaugurates Kendriya Vidyalaya, Lays Foundation Stone For 6 Projects At NIT Rourkela

by Hemanta Pande

Rourkela, Nov 30: Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) and laid the foundation stones for six projects at National Institute of Technology, Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) in Odisha on Thursday.

Together with Shri @jualoram laid the foundation stone for six projects and inaugurated a Kendriya Vidyalaya at @nitrourkela today to further strengthen the teaching, learning, innovation and skilling environment at the institution.

These projects, including hostels for boys… pic.twitter.com/bk7OX2ggWL — Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 30, 2023

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “NIT Rourkela is making its own way through industrial collaboration bringing infrastructural development to the institute. These projects, including hostels for boys and girls, faculty residences, will boost capacities and make campus life more vibrant in line with the New Education Policy (NEP). More than 2500 students will benefit from the projects unveiled today."

According to official sources, NIT Rourkela allocated a 15-acre plot for both the boys' and girls' hostels. Presently, the institute plans to use half of the area for a boys' hostel with a capacity of 1000 and three fourth of the area for three girls' hostels, each with an accommodation capacity of 500 students.

Promoting sustainable practices on campus, the institute is constructing a 1.5 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant and faculty residences, officials said.

Among the three girls’ hostels, one is funded by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) with Rs. 42.69 Cr. under their CSR activity. The other girl’s hostel is funded by the Ministry of Education under the EWS scheme fund. The rest of the project, costing 165.81 Cr. will be completed with the support of HEFA (Higher Education Financing Agency). The infrastructural development of Kendriya Vidyalaya-NIT Rourkela will be supported by Coal India, they added.

Also Read: Let's Resolve Not To Do Jobs But to Provide Employment By 2036: Dharmendra Pradhan

Sundargarh MP Jual Oram, Biramitrapur MLA Shankar Oram, Talsara MLA Bhabani Shankar Bhoi and Director of NIT Rourkela Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao were, among others, present on the occasion.

51,156 Appointment Letters Distributed In Rozgar Mela; 200 In Odisha

by Swati Sucharita

Bhubaneswar, Nov 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday distributed appointment letters to the 51,156 selected candidates via video conferencing in the Rozgar Mela. The Rozgar Mela was held at 37 locations in various States and Union territories all over the country.

Ministers of various departments participated in the Rozgar Mela. In Odisha's Bhubaneswar the Mela was organized at the Railway auditorium. Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs Minister Bishweswar Tudu participated in Odisha's Rozgar Mela and distributed 200 appointment letters to the newly inducted recruits.

Also read PM Modi Virtually Interacts With Beneficiaries Of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra

The new recruits, selected from across the country will be joining the Government in various Ministries/Departments including Department of Revenue, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Higher Education, Department of School Education and Literacy, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Labour & Employment, among others.

Rozgar Mela is a step towards fulfilment of the commitment of the Prime Minister to accord highest priority to employment generation. Rozgar Mela is expected to act as a catalyst in further employment generation and provide meaningful opportunities to the youth for their empowerment and participation in national development.

By protocol, Kamala Harris will be Modi's host in Washington

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