Sonia Gandhi attempts damage control with an emotional appeal, attacks BJP

April 15, 2014

Sonia_GandhiNew Delhi, Apr 15: With the Congress looking down and out, party President Sonia Gandhi has now made an emotional appeal to the country through a televised advertising campaign. Sonia has launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, saying that the battle for 2014 is the fight to preserve and protect the idea of Indian-ness.

Sonia warned the nation that the BJP's ideas are autocratic and divisive, adding that the Congress believes in unity. She said that the Congress is now fighting for a future where power is not held by a few.

"We want unity. They want to impose uniformity. They say 'just believe in me'. We are fighting this election for a future where power is not the preserve of a select few, but exercised by many," Sonia said.

"Their (BJP's) vision is clouded with hatred and falsehood, their ideology is divisive and autocratic," Sonia added.

"Today, our society stands at a crossroads. The Congress ideology and vision will continue to take us towards a healthy, free democracy, open to the life of change and transformation," Sonia said in her appeal. The Congress is fighting one of its toughest battles after being in power for ten years that has brought in anti-incumbency, forcing the party to fight with its back to the wall.

Sonia appealed to each voter to think from their heart and decide what direction, what path they want the country to take. She said that living with feelings for each other across religions, castes, communities, regions, languages, is what makes India a strong nation.

"These have been the bedrock of our progress. These are the essence of our Bharatiyata, our Hindustaniyat," she added. Unlike BJP's strategy, Sonia said the Congress approach was, "Believe in our intentions, in our achievements: a high rate of growth, inclusive development, strong democratic institutions."

"Today, our society stands at a cross-roads. The Congress ideology and vision, will continue to take us towards a healthy, free democracy open to the light of change and transformation," she added. She began her appeal speaking of what made her proud to be Indian, "as each of you is a proud Indian."

"Our India is founded on certain core beliefs and values. It is these basic beliefs that have united all of us, diverse people, into one nation. I learnt these from you, as you made me one of your own.

Sonia's appeal in the form of a short televised speech in multiple channels was made both in Hindi and English.

The BJP has, however, hit back stating that the Congress President's appeal was fake and was a desperate attempt to gain votes in the face of a losing battle.

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News Network
March 23,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 23: Amid a spurt in coronavirus cases, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has asked the Centre to give the states authority to give clearances for manufacturing masks, gloves and sanitisers.

In a letter addressed to prime minister Narendra Modi, Vijayan said during the crisis, masks and sanitisers are needed in large numbers.

"As an interim, states must be given authority to give clearances of manufacturing of items related to medical devices, sanitisers, chemicals, etc. which are needed for fighting Covid-19," Vijayan said in the letter.

He also sought permission for the state home department to use drones for the relevant applications related to Covid-19.

"In China and elsewhere in the world, drones have been used extensively in minimising human contact, disinfection, etc. Unfortunately, with the current laws pertaining to the use of drones, none of these is possible in India," the chief minister said.

He also sought permission to access and use facilities available with all central institutions and research labs operating in the state.

The chief minister shared the letter on his Twitter handle.

With 15 new positive cases of Covid-19, the total number of infected persons in Kerala had gone up to 67, including the three who were discharged after recovery last month.

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News Network
February 18,2020

New Delhi, Feb 18: India emerged as the world's fifth-largest economy by overtaking the UK and France in 2019, says a report.

A US-based think tank World Population Review in its report said that India is developing into an open-market economy from its previous autarkic policies.

"India's economy is the fifth-largest in the world with a GDP of $2.94 trillion, overtaking the UK and France in 2019 to take the fifth spot," it said.

The size of the UK economy is $2.83 trillion and that of France is $2.71 trillion.

The report further said that in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, India's GDP (PPP) is $10.51 trillion, exceeding that of Japan and Germany. Due to India's high population, India's GDP per capita is $2,170 (for comparison, the US is $62,794).

India's real GDP growth, however, it said is expected to weaken for the third straight year from 7.5 per cent to 5 per cent.

The report observed that India's economic liberalisation began in the early 1990s and included industrial deregulation, reduced control on foreign trade and investment, and privatisation of state-owned enterprises.

"These measures have helped India accelerate economic growth," it said.

India's service sector is the fast-growing sector in the world accounting for 60 per cent of the economy and 28 per of employment, the report said, adding that manufacturing and agriculture are two other significant sectors of the economy.

The US-based World Population Review is an independent organisation without any political affiliations.

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News Network
May 28,2020

Pulwama, May 28: A major incident of a vehicle-borne IED blast was averted by the timely input and action by Pulwama Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Army, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said.

According to sources, Pulwama Police got credible information last night about a terrorist moving with an explosive-laden car ready to blast at some location. They took out various parties of police and security forces and covered all possible routes keeping themselves and the police and security forces away from the road at safer locations.

The suspected vehicle came and a few rounds were fired towards it. A little ahead this vehicle was abandoned and the driver escaped in the darkness. On close look, the vehicle was seen to be carrying heavy explosives in a drum on the rear seat. Possibly more explosive would be fitted elsewhere in the vehicle, sources added.

The vehicle was kept under watch for the night. People in nearby houses were evacuated and the vehicle exploded in situ by the Bomb Disposal Squad as moving the vehicle would have involved serious threat, sources said.

The vehicle reportedly sports a number plate of a scooter registered somewhere in Kathua district of Jammu zone, sources added.

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