PM Modi discusses range of issues with Emir of Qatar in Doha

PM Modi Discusses Range Of Issues With Emir Of Qatar In Doha

by Utkalika Mohanty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, at the latter's palace in Doha.

New Delhi, Feb 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, at the latter's palace in Doha.

An official said that Prime Minister Modi was given a ceremonial welcome at the Amiri Palace on arrival. Thereafter, both sides held delegation-level talks. The discussions covered a wide array of topics, including economic cooperation, investment, energy partnership, space collaboration, urban infrastructure, cultural bonds and people-to-people ties.

The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues.

PM Modi thanked the Emir for taking care of the over eight lakh-strong Indian community in Qatar, and conveyed India’s commitment to further expand and deepen bilateral cooperation with Qatar.

He also invited the Emir to pay an early visit to India.

Sheikh Tamim, on his part, reciprocated Prime Minister Modi’s sentiments and expressed appreciation for India's role as a valued partner in the Gulf region.

He also appreciated the contributions of the vibrant Indian community in Qatar’s development and their enthusiastic participation in various international events held in the Gulf country, the official said.

The meeting was followed by lunch at the Amiri Palace which was hosted in the honour of Prime Minister Modi.

Modi also met Sheikh Tamim's father and former Emir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and congratulated him on his visionary leadership that paved the way for Qatar’s development over the past decades. The two leaders held discussions on India-Qatar relations.

The Prime Minister conveyed his appreciation for the insightful observations of Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani on regional and global developments.

The former Emir affirmed that India and Qatar share an unwavering bond, epitomised by mutual trust and cooperation.

He also appreciated the role of the Indian community in Qatar’s development and in nourishing bilateral partnership, the official added.

(IANS)

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Denied Lok Sabha Ticket From Sambalpur, Congress Leader Dulal Pradhan Quits Party

by Hemanta Pande

Sambalpur, Apr 29: A day after being replaced as Congress' Lok Sabha candidate from Odisha's Sambalpur for the upcoming general elections, senior leader Dulal Chandra Pradhan on Monday resigned from the primary membership of the grand old party.

‘…I can never compromise on Sambalpur’s future and the agenda for the welfare of Sambalpur,” he wrote in his resignation letter to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge.

I hereby tender my resignation from the Indian National Congress.@INCIndia @INCOdisha pic.twitter.com/6EfqPnjWtM — Dulal Chandra Pradhan (@DcpPradhan) April 29, 2024

Earlier Dulal Chandra Pradhan was named the Congress' candidate from the Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency. However, when the party released its fresh list on April 28 for the upcoming elections, he was replaced by former MP Nagendra Pradhan for the prestigious western Odisha seat.

Nagendra Pradhan, a former Minister in the Naveen Patnaik government, had won the Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat on a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) ticket in 2014.

Also Read: Congress Announces Candidates For 2 Lok Sabha And 8 Assembly Seats In Odisha

71-year-old Pradhan joined the Congress after resigning from the BJD on April 25. Now, he will be up against senior BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJD's Pranab Prakash Das.

Notably, Assembly and Lok Sabha elections will be held simultaneously in Odisha in four phases from May 13 to June 1. Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency goes to the polls on May 25.

Results for the Assembly and the Lok Sabha polls will be declared on June 4.

Read More: Odisha News

BJP Targets Odisha Govt For Failure in Supplying Drinking Water To People

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Bhubaneswar, Apr 29: The BJD government failed to provide drinking water to the people of the State, alleged the BJP at a Press conference here today.

"Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has ruled Odisha for 25 years, which accounts for 10 thousand days. However, 40 percent of families do not have access to drinking water. The Chief Minister should clarify as to why water should not be supplied to the people of Odisha," demanded BJP leader Golak Mohapatra.

Mohapatra said water could not reach 24 lakh houses out of 88 lakh houses in the state. The State government has been able to provide drinking water through pipes to only 35, 000 to 45,000 villages. Less than 50 percent of the water has reached areas like Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Kandhamal.

"Naveen Babu's gumasta says that the opposition is not seeing the development. We the BJP wanted to know if the dearth of drinking water after 25 years is development," asked Mohapatra.

Mohapatra went on to allege that dropouts in government schools are on the rise because there is no drinking water system in schools. The teachers send children 2 km away to fetch water.

"30 percent of schools do not have drinking water," he said.

The Central Government's 'Jal Jeevan Mission' and 'Har Ghar Nal Se Jal Yojana' have been converted into the 'Basuddha' by the BJD Government, he alleged.

Under Basuddha Yojana also, most places lack water and empty tanks, he alleged further.

Mohapatra said the Central government has given Rs 10,000 crore to Odisha for the supply of drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission. But the state government has spent Rs 834 crore only.

"Because the BJD government is embezzling Central funds by giving work to blacklisted companies, the project cannot be completed," he pointed out.

There is no water on either side of the Mahanadi basin. Anikats promised by the State government have also not been built.

Stating that Bhim Behera of Mohana block went to Kerala and worked for eight months to fetch water from a spring 2 km away from his house, Mohapatra said Bhim Behera is a more qualified chief ministerial candidate than Naveen Babu.

The BJP leader also targeted the State government on the spread of diarrhoea in Rourkela, jaundice in Sambalpur and cholera in Cuttack and Brahmapur due to contaminated drinking water.

Read More Odisha News

Raveena wears saree made with recyclable material in this 'blistering heatwave'

by Utkalika Mohanty

Mumbai, Apr 29: Raveena Tandon is surely the epitome of grace and elegance, as she treated fans to beautiful pictures of herself wearing a saree made of sustainable, recyclable material.

Taking to Instagram, the actress, who was most recently seen in the legal drama film 'Patna Shuklla', shared a series of photos donning a plain red transparent saree.

Raveena opted for a matching halterneck blouse.

For makeup, Raveena is all glammed up with nude pink glossy lips, kohl-rimmed eyes, and highlighted cheeks. She kept her hair tied in a clean bun.

The 'K.G.F: Chapter 2' actress opted for golden earrings and matching bangles.

The post is captioned: "Red. In this blistering heatwave! #global warming is real folks. Wake up to it before it's too late. In a saree made of sustainable recyclable material by @vaishalisstudio."

Fashion designer and wife of actor Arbaaz Khan, Sshura Khan, commented on the post and said: "Stunner."

Sonakshi Sinha dropped fire emojis.

In 'Patna Shuklla', Raveena plays the role of Tanvi Shukla.

The film revolves around the uncommon journey of Tanvi, a common woman, who takes matters into her own hands when she sees a student entangled in a roll number scam, and soon realises that she is pitted against a Chief Minister candidate.