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In Congress, chorus grows for Priyanka to contest LS polls

News Network
April 14, 2019

New Delhi, Apr 14: The Congress may have declined any move to field her from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat but the idea of AICC General secretary for Uttar Pradesh East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contesting for Lok Sabha polls seems to have tremendous support among the party workers who feel it could have a ‘morale boosting’ effect on the party cadres in the state, where the grand old party is fighting against odds to make its presence felt.

Reports that Congress could field Ms Vadra from Varanasi have been doing the rounds since the last couple of days. When asked on the issue, the party on Saturday said that it would not comment on hearsay and that media would be informed if any such decision is taken.

Addressing mediapersons at AICC headquarters, party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, responding to a question in this regard, said, 'We don’t comment on hearsay. The party will let you know if any decision will be taken on it.'

According to a section of party leaders, Ms Vadra contesting the Lok Sabha elections from a seat in Uttar Pradesh will benefit Congress in the state as well as other parts of the country.

In fact, party leaders and workers from Uttar Pradesh feel a decision by Ms Vadra to contest for the Lok Sabha elections will enhance the Congress’ poll prospects across the country.

The reports of Ms Vadra contesting the Lok Sabha elections have been doing the rounds ever since she was made the General secretary for Uttar Pradesh East.

In fact, in reply to queries by reporters during her campaign meetings in the state, Ms Vadra has expressed her willingness to contest for the Lok Sabha elections if the party wants.

Party leaders feel that a decision to field her, especially from the strategically important constituency like Varanasi , could strongly put forth a message among the people of the state that the party is fighting the election in Uttar Pradesh on the front foot.

It is notable that after being ignored by the BSP and SP alliance in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress had announced its decision to go it alone in the state and contest on all 80 Lok Sabha seats.

Ms Vadra's candidature would only bolster this message.

Party sources said Ms Vadra's decision to campaign in Uttar Pradesh as well as other parts of the country is sure to improve chances of the Congress to oust the BJP from power.

Sources say that Ms Vadra taking on the might of PM Modi from Varanasi would enthuse the party cadres in the state, where the party has been reduced to being a fringe player in the last few years.

The best show by the party in the last two decades in UP was in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections when the party managed to win 21 seats , out of 80 Lok sabha seats of the state.

However, in the face of a strong Modi wave in 2014, the party was reduced to an abysmal two seats.

Though till now the party has remained non committal on her candidature, sources said the party top brasss is actively considering the idea of fielding her from Varanasi or Allahabad in an attempt to take the battle to the BJP in UP.

In this context, political observers attach significance to a statement made by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Raebareli earlier this week after filing her nomination for the seat.

Talking to reporters after filing her nomination from Rae Bareli , Ms Gandhi, when asked if she felt Mr Modi was invincible, said,’’not at all... Don't forget 2004, Vajpayee ji was invincible but we won":

"People of the country are fed up with BJP and Narendra Modi and they have made up their mind to replace him," she said.

If Ms Vadra contests from Varanasi, it will be the most-watched contest in the Lok Sabha election 2019, where a member of the Gandhi family will directly challenge the might of PM Modi, that too from Varanasi.

Though a final decision on her candidature from Varanasi would be taken only by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, political observers feel that she is best contender to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi.

Political observers feel that with sharp attacks on Prime Minister Modi during her campaign in Utar Pradresh over the last month, Ms Vadra has established herself as an able contender against him.

PM Modi, who contested for the first time from Varanasi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, won by a massive margin of 3.70 lakh votes. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal was the runner up, polling over 2 lakh votes. Congress candidate Ajay Rai got 75,000 odd votes.

Though taking on PM Modi on his home turf looks to be an impregnable task, many feel that Ms Vadra with her fresh appeal and her startling resemblance to her grandmother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has the ability to win the hearts of the electorate, thus posing a serious challenge to the popularity enjoyed by Mr Modi.

Party workers in Uttar Pradesh say that with her confident demeanour and ability to win the hearts of the common man, Ms Vadra reminds them of Indira Gandhi. In fact, they feel that she is the most suitable candidate to take on the might of PM Modi.

Fielding Ms Vadra from Varanasi is being seen as another of the major surprises from the Congress for the BJP in these Lok Sabha elections.

Congress has already surprised political pundits by announcing Mr Gandhi's candidature from Wayanad, in Kerala apart from the traditional bastion of Amethi.

Even Ms Vadra's entry into formal politics ahead of Lok Sabha polls was a surprise.

Viewed in this context, the chances of Ms Vadra finally contesting against PM Modi cannot be completely ruled out.

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News Network
June 3,2020

New Delhi, Jun 3: Over 1 lakh scanned copies of Indians' national IDs, including Aadhaar, PAN card and passport, have been put on dark web for sale, cyber intelligence firm Cyble said on Wednesday.

The leaked data seems to have originated from a third party and not from the government system, according to a report by Cyble.

"We came across a non-reputed actor who is currently selling over 1 lakh Indian National IDs on the dark net. With such a low reputation, ideally, we would have skipped this; however, the samples shared by the actor intrigued our interest -- and also the volume. The actor is alleged to have access to over 1 lakh IDs from different places in India," Cyble said.

The personal data leaked by cyber criminals leads to various nefarious activities such as identity thefts, scams, and corporate espionage. Many criminals use the personal details in the IDs to win trust of the people over a phone call for fraudulent activities.

Cyber criminals leak personal data of 2.9 cr job-seeking Indians on dark web for free

The Cyble researchers acquired around 1,000 IDs from the seller and confirmed that the scanned IDs belong to Indians.

"Preliminary analysis suggests that the data originated from a third party, and no indication or artefact is indicating that it came from a government system. At this point, Cyble researchers are still investigating this further -- we are hoping to share an update soon," Cyble said.

The scanned ID documents indicate that the data may have been leaked from a company's data base in the segment where they have to comply with 'Know Your Customer' (KYC) norms.

"Cyble researchers have also learned about a surge in KYC and banking scams -- leaks such as this are often used by scammers to target individuals, especially elderlies," Cyble said.

The cyber intelligence firm has recommended people to refrain from sharing personal information especially financial information over phone, e-mail or SMS.

"Regularly monitor your financial transaction, if you notice any suspicious transaction, contact your bank immediately," the company said.

In May, Cyble showed two instances where personal data of 7.65 crore Indians have been put on sale in the dark web. In one instance, the seller claimed to have sourced data of 4.75 crore Indians from online directory Truecaller and in other, the seller claimed to have sourced from job websites.

Truecaller, however, had denied the claim of breach in its database.

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Agencies
August 4,2020

Ayodhya, Aug 4: Ramarchan puja begins at Ram Janmabhoomi site ahead of the foundation laying ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Ramarchan Puja is a prayer to invite all major gods and goddesses ahead of Lord Ram's arrival.

Mahesh Bhagchandka, one of the trustees of Ashok Singhal foundation as Yajman in the puja said, "This is being conducted at the temporary seat of Ramlalla. The pooja will be conducted in four phases."

Speaking about the third and fourth phases, he said: "In the third phase, Dashrath, father of Lord Ram with his wives will be worshipped and then all three brothers of Lord Ram - Laxman, Bharat and Shatrughan with their wives. Lord Hanuman ji will too be worshipped. Whereas in the fourth phase, Lord Ram will be worshipped."
Meanwhile, security has been heightened in Ayodhya ahead of the foundation laying ceremony.

Temples across the city is decorated with lights, diyas and flowers ahead of the grand event. Patna's Mahavir Mandir Trust is preparing over 1.25 lakh 'Raghupati Laddoos' for the occasion. Thes laddoos will be distributed as 'prasad' to devotees.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday offered prayers at the Hanuman Garhi temple during his visit to Ayodhya to take stock of the preparations for the 'bhoomi pujan'.
He along with officials also visited 'Ram ki Paudi' to inspect the arrangements ahead of the foundation stone laying ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on August 5. 

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News Network
February 9,2020

Panaji, Feb 9: Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao, has urged the central government to "immediately and unconditionally revoke the Citizenship Amendment Act" and stop quashing the "right to dissent".

He also appealed to the government not to implement the proposed countrywide National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR).

Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media, a wing of the Goa Church, in a statement on Saturday said, "The Archbishop and the Catholic community of Goa would like to appeal to the government to listen to the voice of millions in India, to stop quashing the right to dissent and, above all, to immediately and unconditionally revoke the CAA and desist from implementing the NRC and the NPR."

The CAA, NRC and NPR are "divisive and discriminatory" and will certainly have a "negative and damaging effect" on a multi-cultural democracy like ours, the church said.

There is serious concern that NRC and NPR will result in "direct victimisation of the underprivileged classes, particularly Dalits, adivasis, migrant labourers, nomadic communities and the countless undocumented people who, after having been recognised as worthy citizens and voters for more than 70 years, will suddenly run the risk of becoming stateless and candidates for detention camps," it said.

There has been widespread discontent and open protests throughout the country and even abroad against the CAA, NRC and NPR, which are "forecasting a systematic erosion of values, principles and rights" that have been guaranteed to all citizens in the Constitution, the release said.

Eminent citizens, including top intellectuals and legal luminaries, have taken a studied and unequivocal stand against the CAA, NRC and NPR, it noted.

Goa also witnessed several protests, which transcended the confines of religious and caste affiliation and brought people from all walks of life together on one united platform, said the statement.

It said Christians in India have always been a peace-loving community and deeply committed to the ideals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, enshrined in the Constitution.

"We have always taken great pride that our beloved country is a secular, sovereign, socialist, pluralistic and democratic republic," the church said.

The very fact that CAA uses religion goes against the secular fabric of the country, it said. "It goes against the spirit and heritage of our land which, since times immemorial, has been a welcoming home to

all, founded on the belief that the whole world is one big family," the church said.

"We pray for our beloved country, that good sense, justice and peace prevail in the hearts and minds of all," it added.

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