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
May 19,2020

New Delhi, May 19: Spitting at workplace will be punishable with fine, the Personnel Ministry has said, citing the national directives for COVID-19 management.

In an order issued to all central government departments, it has asked their heads to ensure strict compliance of this and other directives in this regard.

This order is likely to bring about changes in and around government and private work places, where one can easily spot stains of 'pan' and 'gutka' spitted at some of the corners of walls or areas not frequented by many employees/public.

"Spitting in public and work places shall be punishable with fine, as may be prescribed in accordance with its laws, rules and regulations by the state/union territory local authority," said the national directives issued by the Home Ministry and shared by the Personnel Ministry with all central government departments.

It said wearing 'face cover' is compulsory in all public and work places.

In additional directives for the work places, the ministry said as far as possible, the practice from work from home should be followed.

"Staggering of work/business hours shall be followed in offices, work places, shops, markets and industrial and commercial establishments. Provision for thermal scanning, hand wash and sanitiser will be made at all entry and exit points and common areas," the directives said.

Frequent sanitization of the entire workplace, common facilities and all points which come into human contact e.g. door handles etc., shall be ensured, including between shifts, it said.

"All persons in charge of work places shall ensure social distancing through adequate distance between workers, adequate gaps between shifts, staggering the lunch breaks of staff, etc," the directive said.

The Centre on Monday asked 50 per cent of its junior employees, below the level of deputy secretary, to join work in office.

Till now, only 33 per cent of such employees were asked to attend office due to the novel coronavirus lockdown.

Central government employees were asked to work from home due to the lockdown that came into force from March 25.

All officers of the level of deputy secretary and above have already been asked to attend office on all working days.

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News Network
April 13,2020

New Delhi, Apr 13: India's tally of positive COVID-19 cases rose to 9,152 following an increase of 796 cases in the last 24 hours, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Monday.

Out of the total number of cases, 7,987 patients are active cases while 857 cases have been cured/discharged and migrated.

With 35 deaths in the last 24 hours, the death toll mounted to 308.

According to the ministry, Maharashtra remained at the top with the total cases at 1,985, including 217 patients who have recovered/discharged and 149 patients died.

Delhi's tally of positive COVID-19 cases rose to 1,154 cases, including 27 recovered and 24 patients succumbing to the virus.

Tamil Nadu too reported 1,075 cases, including 50 recovered and 11 patients dead.

Meanwhile, four states have crossed the 500 mark with regards to the total number of cases as Rajasthan recorded 804 cases, Madhya Pradesh with 532 cases, Gujarat with 516 cases and Telangana with 504 cases, as per the ministry.

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News Network
April 4,2020

Kochi, Apr 4: France on Saturday evacuated 112

French citizens stranded in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in a special Air India flight, official sources said here.

The Embassy of France had made a request to the Kerala government to facilitate the journey of the French citizens stranded due to the lockdown announced by the central government to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

The French citizens, mostly tourists and those who came for Ayurvedic treatment, were brought here by the state tourism department 24 days ahead of their trip.

They underwent a medical examination before boarding the flight for Paris from Cochin International Airport at 08.13 am on Saturday, officials said.

The Air India flight was chartered by the French government for evacuating its citizens in various cities in India including Kochi, Bengaluru and Mumbai.

On Friday, Gulf nation Oman had evacuated its 46 citizens stranded in Kochi in an Oman Air flight.

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