Politics

Sonia Gandhi speaks as international conference celebrating Nehru's 125th birthday kicks off in Delh

New Delhi, Nov 17 (ANI): The Congress party on Monday commenced a two day long international conference to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru amid much fanfare. While speaking at the event, party President Sonia Gandhi said that Nehru was a leader who gave all his life working for the nation and for the unity and prosperity of the nation. Gandhi said that Nehru always believed that secularism was the main crux of Indian Constitution and that he was always ready to fight against power that would pick up caste based issues in the nation. She also said that the former PM believed that secularism was not just an idea but a necessity for a diverse nation like India. The congress president also acknowledged Nehru's work in putting the path of modernization, industrialization and social reforms. The Congress party has barred the NDA leaders from the event and the invitation was sent to all non-BJP parties. TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa and JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar, RJD led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, RLD, JD(S) and leaders of the Samajwadi Party have been invited to the conference.

Nov 17, 2014

Cultural programs enthrall audience awaiting PM Modi's speech at Allphones Arena

Sydney, Nov 17 (ANI): For the first time, Sydney is witnessing Indian patriotism to such a great height as Indianness came out in expat countrymen with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the city. Thousands of members of the Indian diaspora readied on Monday for a public address by Prime Minister Modi, who is the first prime minister to visit Australia in 28 years after Rajiv Gandhi. Cultural programs has already begun at the Allphones Arena in Sydney even as Modi is to start his first ever speech in Australia's biggest city. About 16,000 members of the Indian diaspora are packing the arena excited and looking forward to see Modi speak and create the ‘Madison Square Garden magic’ once again. At least 5,000 more are expected to be watching the event on big screens outside. Some have travelled from as far as the United States, Singapore and New Zealand. With moments to go for the mega event, the Indian expatriate community seems to be truly in the grip of a Modi mania as they performed at the stage of the crowded Allphones Arena.

Nov 17, 2014

Community in Sierra Leone rallies round Ebola survivors

Sillah, 14 years old, survived Ebola but lost his father and three siblings. Now he's alone with his mother and they're getting by with the help from their community in southern Sierra Leone. Duration: 01:16

Nov 17, 2014

No pressure on Pak PM: Congress after Sharif declines using any car supplied by India during SAARC

New Delhi, Nov 17 (ANI): Reacting over Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif___s refusal from using any car supplied by India during SAARC meet in Nepal, Congress leader Rashid Alvi on Monday said that there is no pressure on Pakistan PM to do so. Slamming Sharif, Alvi said that this shows Pakistan PM___s narrow-mindedness. He added that Pakistan PM can use any car he wants to.

Nov 17, 2014

Celebrations begin before PM Modi_s arrival at Allphones Arena

Sydney, Nov 17 (ANI): Celebrations begin at Allphones Arena in Sydney on Monday prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi_s address to the Indian diaspora. Dancing and singing was going on outside the stadium and excitement filled the air. Modi arrived in Sydney earlier in the day and was given a warm welcome by artists with a traditional dance performance. Meanwhile, thousands of Indian diaspora members arrived in the city to hear Modi_s speech at the Allphones Arena, in a retake of the Madison Square Garden event in New York. A cancer stricken cartoonist, Ramesh Chandra, who longed to meet Modi showed some cartoons he made for him and praised his leadership. Expat Indians expressed their excitement to meet PM Modi. A flash mob also took place outside Allphones Arena in which dancers held Indian flags and danced on patriotic Indian music.

Nov 17, 2014

Reactions pour in after Pak envoy says Indo-Pak ties should not be kept hostage to Kashmir issue

New Delhi/Bhopal, Nov 17 (ANI): Reactions flowed in on Monday after Pakistan Envoy Abdul Basit said that relations between India and Pakistan should not be kept hostage to the Kashmir issue. BJP leader GVL Narsimha Rao said that India was always ready to have bilateral talks with Pakistan, however, there were attempts made by Pakistan to derail those talks. Congress leader Rashid Alvi also expressed similar sentiments. Major General (Retd) SR Sinho termed this statement as a ‘political statement’.

Nov 17, 2014

Modi in Australia LIVE: Visa on Arrival in India for Australians, PM Promises in Sydney [WATCH LIVE]

About 20,000 Indians are expected to pack the venue and comparisons are already being drawn to Modi's resounding address at the Madison Square Garden in New York.

Nov 17, 2014

BSF jawan opens fire at J and K CM Omar Abdullah_s residence, arrested

Srinagar, Nov 17 (ANI): A BSF trooper, posted outside Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah_s residence on Monday accidentally opened fire from his automatic rifle, police said. According to reports, the BSF trooper was immediately detained and disarmed after being identified and is being questioned for further information. Tension spread in the high-security Gupkar road area as people believed that the attack had taken place at the chief minister_s residence. Meanwhile, Abdullah posted a tweet expressing full faith in his security force despite the incident. He tweeted saying, _Not withstanding today_s incident with the BSF jawan stationed at my residence in Srinagar today I have full confidence in my security team._

Nov 17, 2014

Wealth issue was reworked after PM spoke at G20: MEA

Sydney, Nov 17 (ANI): MEA Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said on Monday that the G20 communique was reworked and unaccounted wealth issues were incorporated after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about it at the G20 summit. Akbaruddin said that PM's international engagements are a part of his multi-layered diplomacy.

Nov 17, 2014

Murder for 'honour': the bloody tide sweeping Pakistan

So-called 'honour killings' are rife in Pakistan -- it's estimated at least one woman is killed every day in Sindh province alone, most deaths a way to consolidate local power and extort land from the weak. Duration: 03:08

Nov 17, 2014

Sydney awaits Modi_s speech at _Allphones Arena_ with full excitement and vigour

Sydney, Nov 17 (ANI): An excited Sydney awaits Prime Minister Narendra Modi_s speech at _Allphones Arena_ on Monday after he arrived in the city on the second leg of his four-city tour in Australia. Expat Indians said that Modi has brought a lot of enthusiasm in the youth and has changed how youth looks at politics. An Indian selling _custom Modi merchandise_ said that there is immense excitement among people. He said that he has already sold 700 t-shirts and the first lot of the custom dupattas are sold out and the next lot coming is expected to get sold out soon. Modi arrived in Sydney and later was welcomed by Australian artists who performed a traditional Aboriginal dance in his welcome.

Nov 17, 2014

PM Narendra Modi arrives in Sydney

Sydney, Nov 17 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday arrived in Sydney on the second leg of his four city tour of the country of Australia. Clad in a mellow pink shirt and a Nehru jacket, Modi stepped out of the plane to awaiting dignitaries of both Australian and Indian origin. Modi was received at the airport by major dignitaries from Sydney and is now heading to his Hotel in the city. After putting up a grand show in Brisbane and attending the G-20 Summit with the top world leaders, Modi reached Sydney and will be there on a whirlwind six-hour visit at the city before proceeding to Canberra on Monday night and later to Melbourne. The Indian diaspora in Australia are betting to recreate the 'Madison Square Garden magic' when they will host Prime Minister Modi in Sydney on Monday in the country's largest indoor 'Allphones Arena'.

Nov 17, 2014

PM Modi invites Australian businessmen to invest in India

Brisbane, Nov 17 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met businessmen during breakfast hosted by Queensland Premier Campbell Newman in Brisbane. Modi invited business leaders to participate and invest in Indian economy. Modi said that India and Australia share a comprehensive relation in terms of strategic partnership and international trade relations.

Nov 17, 2014

Good governance is the starting point to change: PM Modi

Brisbane, Nov 17 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met businessmen during breakfast hosted by Queensland Premier Campbell Newman in Brisbane. Modi asserted that good governance is the starting point of change and added that reforms launched by his government are aimed at boosting economic growth and improve quality of life.

Nov 17, 2014

PM Modi meets business leaders at breakfast hosted by Queensland Premier

Brisbane, Nov 17 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met businessmen during breakfast hosted by Queensland Premier Campbell Newman in Brisbane. While addressing the gathering he thanked the Australian government for playing a good host for the G-20 summit. He highlighted the steps taken to achieve good governance and said the government had eliminated unnecessary laws and regulations, making processes easier and shorter, ensuring that our government is more transparent.

Nov 17, 2014