NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

New Delhi: BJP's Mukesh Dalal is set to be elected unopposed from the Surat Lok Sabha seat after all other candidates withdrew from the contest, the party's Gujarat unit chief CR Paatil said today. Today was the deadline for withdrawing nominations. "Surat has presented the first lotus to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I congratulate our candidate for Surat Lok Sabha seat Mukesh Dalal for getting elected unopposed," Mr Paatil posted on the microblogging website X, referring to the BJP's election symbol. Eight candidates - seven of them independents - and Pyarelal Bharti of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) withdrew their papers. The nomination papers of the Congress's Surat candidate Nilesh Kumbhani was rejected on Sunday after the district returning officer Saurabh Parghi found discrepancies in the signatures of the proposers. The nomination form of Suresh Padsala, the Congress's substitute candidate from Surat, was also found invalid. The returning officer had said the four nomination forms submitted by the two Congress candidates did not appear genuine. The proposers, in their affidavits, had said they had not signed the forms themselves, the returning officer said in the order. Congress lawyer Babu Mangukiya said the party will approach the high court and the Supreme Court for relief. Post a commentCongress leader Jairam Ramesh in a post on X said the Surat developments indicate "democracy is under threat". "Our elections, our democracy, Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution - all are under a generational threat. This is the most important election of our lifetime," Mr Ramesh said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today visited the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen, to carry out a first-hand assessment of the security situation. He interacted with the soldiers deployed in the extreme weather and tough terrain conditions. Addressing the soldiers, Mr. Singh lauded their contributions for protecting the motherland with valour and determination in extreme conditions. He said, nation will remain forever indebted to the Armed Forces personnel, as due to their sacrifices, every citizen feels safe. He said, their contributions will forever be an inspiration for future generations. Terming Siachen a symbol of India’s sovereignty and determination, THE Defence Minister said, Siachen is the capital of courage, grit and determination. He also remembered the success of Operation Meghdoot terming it a golden chapter of the country’s military history. He said, success of Operation Meghdoot is a matter of pride for all. Operation Meghdoot was launched by the Indian Army in Siachen on 13th April in 1984. According to the official statement of the Defence Ministry, Mr. Singh also laid a wreath at the Siachen War Memorial. He was accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and senior Army officials. The Defence Minister was given a detailed brief on the operational readiness in the Siachen Glacier and the prevalent security situation.

In Chess, 17-year-old Indian prodigy, Dommaraju Gukesh made history as the youngest-ever player to win the FIDE Candidates tournament in Toronto. In the final round last night, Gukesh held fellow title contender Hikaru Nakamura of USA to a draw with black pieces but his fate was sealed on the other board where Ian Nepomniachtchi and Fabiano Caruana battled for 109 moves before agreeing to a draw. Gukesh became the youngest-ever Candidates Tournament champion, beating Garry Kasparov’s record, who was 20 years of age when he won this tournament in 1984. After Vishwanathan Anand, he becomes the second Indian to qualify for the World Chess Championship. With this amazing victory, Gukesh will challenge the reigning Champion Ding Liren of China in the World Chess Championship match. In the other games of the day, Praggnanandhaa defeated Nijat Abasov while Vidit Gujrathi agreed to a draw against Alireza after barely five minutes at the board. In the women’s section, Vaishali Rameshbabu defeated Kateryna Lagno for her fifth win in a row after four successive losses. Humpy Koneru defeated Lei Tingjie. In the women’s Candidates event, Chinese player Tan Zhongyi was crowned the winner. She will take on compatriot Ju Wenjun in the Women’s World Championship.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has embarked on an official visit to France. The visit is aimed to further reinforce the robust defence ties between the two nations, which have gained considerable momentum in the last few years. During his visit, General Anil Chauhan is scheduled to interact with the senior civil and military leadership of France, including his counterpart General Thierry Burkhard. Defence Ministry said in a statement that the Chief of Defence Staff will visit the French Space Command, and the Land Forces Command and address student officers of the Army and Joint Staff Course at Ecole Militaire (School of Military). He is scheduled to visit and interact with a few reputed defence industries in France, including Safran Group, Naval Group, and Dassault Aviation. General Chauhan will also visit the Neuve-Chapelle Memorial and the Indian Memorial at Villers-Guislain and lay a wreath in honour of the brave Indian soldiers, who made the supreme sacrifice during the First World War.

‘Very severe’ heat wave has gripped parts of Bangladesh, with maximum temperatures ranging from 40 degrees Celsius to over 42 degrees Celsius in some areas. ‘Very severe’ heat wave is sweeping over north, north-east and north-west districts of Bangladesh and a severe heat wave is sweeping Dhaka and parts of Khulna divisions and Rajshahi district, said a bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Sunday. Bangladesh’s highest temperature was recorded at 42.2 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga on Sunday while the season’s highest temperature in the capital Dhaka was recorded at 40.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday, said meteorologist. Two people died from heat stroke in Chuadanga and Pabna districts on Saturday amid the extreme heat weather due to the prevailing heat wave for the past few days, reports UNB. The BMD issued a warning that the heat wave condition will remain unchanged for the five days commencing 9 am on Saturday (20 April). The heat wave condition forced the authorities concerned to close all schools, madrasas and colleges till April 27. Dhaka University authorities also announced to hold classes online due to the scorching heat. Over 42 degrees Celsius temperature is considered as a very severe heat wave while between 40-41.9 degrees Celsius is considered severe and 38 to 39.9 degrees Celsius is considered as moderate heat wave while 36 to 37.9 degrees Celsius is considered as mild heat wave in the country, according to the BMD.

In Maldives, ruling party PNC of President Mohamed Muizzu is set to win a super majority in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, results showed. Muizzu’s People’s National Congress won 66 of the first 86 seats declared, in the 93-member majlis, or parliament, according to the Elections Commission of Maldives results. However, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party, which previously had a super-majority, was headed for a defeat with just a dozen seats. Parliamentary elections have been crucial in Maldives as elected governments have been keen to secure a majority in parliament to ensure smooth administration, secure the presidential tenure by avoiding parliamentary impeachment, and minimise the politicisation of policies during the presidential tenure.

The United States has blocked a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine. In the 15-member Security Council, twelve members voted in favor of the resolution while two countries – the UK and Switzerland – abstained. The US vetoed it. US allies France, Japan and South Korea supported the resolution. US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood told the Security Council that the veto does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood but instead is an acknowledgement that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties. Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz praised the US for vetoing what he called a shameful proposal. The Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, criticized the US veto, saying in a statement that it was unfair, immoral, and unjustified, and defies the will of the international community. The resolution would have recommended that the 193-member UN General Assembly, where there are no vetoes, approve Palestine becoming the 194th member of the United Nations. Some 140 countries have already recognized Palestine, so its admission would have been approved, likely by a much higher number of countries. This is the second Palestinian attempt for full membership and comes as the war in Gaza has put the more than 75-year-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict at center stage.

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Congress of conspiring to weaken India while questioning the intention behind the CPI (M)'s election manifesto promise to dismantle all nuclear weapons in the country. Mr Singh also demanded to know the Congress' stand on the issue and said that "talking about destroying our nuclear weapons is no less than playing with national security." "I want to ask Congress in particular what they have to say about this comment by CPIM. I want to ask them to clarify. CPIM says if they come to power, they will destroy all nuclear weapons. India's first nuclear tests were conducted in 1974 by Indira Gandhi. The need arose because China had continuously been doing nuclear tests. And even Pakistan had begun its nuclear trials," the defence minister said while addressing a public rally in Kerala's Kasargod. "Later, the Atal Bihar Vajpayee government conducted five successful nuclear tests and earned India the status of a nuclear power in the world. The Left and Congress want to weaken India," he added. The Communist Party of India (Marxist), which is part of the INDIA bloc, in its manifesto, which was released last week, has promised "complete elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological weapons." "At a time when India's neighbouring countries are nuclear powers, talking about destroying our nuclear weapons is no less than playing with India's national security. It is a very deep-rooted conspiracy to weaken the country," Rajnath Singh said. Attacking left parties, the Defence Minister said, "Once the public kicked the left party out of Tripura and Bengal, then there is no entry for them into power. Whether it is Congress or the Left Party, whenever they get exposed in public, their game is over. This is the reason that, whichever state they are kicked out of, the doors of that state are always closed for them." "Can you trust Congress and the LDF? Because in Kerala, both parties are fighting against each other, but in Delhi, the same Congress and Left do 'Modiram matal' (join hands) to increase friendship," he added.

Manila: The nearest Indonesian international airport to a volcano that erupted five times in recent days has been ordered closed for 24 hours due to volcanic ash, the transport ministry said Thursday. Sam Ratulangi International Airport in the city of Manado, located more than 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Mount Ruang, was forced to close until Thursday evening "due to the spread of volcanic ash which could endanger flight safety," Ambar Suryoko, head of the Manado region airport authority office, said in a statement.

New Delhi : The government has notified amendments to the foreign direct investment policy in the space sector to attract offshore investors in satellite manufacturing and satellite launch vehicles segments. Amendment made in the FDI policy for space sector through a gazette notification dated April 16, 2024, prescribes liberalized entry route and provides clarity for FDI in satellites, launch vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, creation of spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft and manufacturing of space-related components and systems. "These rules may be called the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-debt Instruments) (Third Amendment) Rules, 2024," the gazette notification said. The liberalized entry routes under the amended policy are aimed at attracting potential investors in the Indian companies in space. The Union Cabinet earlier this year gave approval to these amendments. The notification comes days ahead of the scheduled visit of Tesla CEO Elon Musk who is expected to meet with various Indian space companies during his visit from April 21 to 22. Concurrently, approvals for Musk's satellite internet project, Starlink, are nearing finalization. As per the notification, up to 74 per cent FDI for satellite manufacturing & operation, satellite data products and ground segment & user segment are allowed under automatic route. Beyond 74 per cent these activities are under government route. FDI up to 49 per cent is allowed for Launch Vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, Creation of Spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft are under automatic route but beyond 49 per cent government permission would be required. Besides, 100 per cent FDI allowed for manufacturing of components and systems/ sub-systems for satellites, ground segment and user segment without government permission. As per the earlier norms, FDI was permitted in establishment and operation of Satellites through the government approval route only. In line with the vision and strategy under the Indian Space Policy 2023, the Union Cabinet has eased the FDI policy in the Space sector by prescribing liberalized FDI thresholds for various sub-sectors/activities. The Department of Space consulted with internal stakeholders like IN-SPACE, ISRO and NSIL as well as several industrial stakeholders. NGEs have developed capabilities and expertise in the areas of satellites and launch vehicles. With increased investment, they would be able to achieve sophistication of products, global scale of operations and enhanced share of the global space economy.

Ram Navami is being celebrated today across the country with religious fervour and enthusiasm. The festival marks the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Devotees in large numbers are visiting Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh to pay obeisance to Lord Ram. Our Ayodhya correspondent has filed a report. This was the first Ram Navami celebration since the consecration ceremony of the Ram Lala idol at the Ayodhya temple earlier this year. The Ram Navami was also celebrated in Chitrakoot in the spiritual atmosphere. In Uttar Pradesh, Ram Navami is being celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm across the state. There is special joy in Ramnagari Ayodhya. On this occasion, at 12.16 pm today, the Sun Tilak lit up on the forehead of the statue of Lord Ramlala seated in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya. This is the first Ram Navami in Ayodhya after the consecration of Shri Ramlala. Followers of Sanatan Dharma from all over the world today witnessed the historic, amazing and unique scene of Surya Tilak created by the rays of Lord Diwakar on the forehead of Ramlala as soon as he appeared in the newly constructed divine and grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, which was done by the eminent scientists of the country after four years of practice. And  research. Amidst the chanting of Shri Ram Sankirtan and Veda mantras, the devotees became emotional and started cheering after seeing their beloved incarnate on earth. 56 types of offerings were made to Lord Ramlala and prasad distributed among the 7000 sevaks and devotees present on the premises including security forces and construction personnel. In Jammu and Kashmir, the nine-day long deeply revered Shat Chandi Maha Yagya organised by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board during Chaitra Navratra for the universal peace and prosperity concluded on a grand note with “Purna Ahuthi” on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami today. Our correspondent reports that three lakh pilgrims made their journey to the revered Shrine during the auspicious Chaitra Navratri. In Maharashtra, Ram Navami has been celebrated with devotion and traditional fervour. In Nashik’s Kalaram Temple, Maha Arti was performed in the morning. Gora Ram and other temples also celebrated the Ram Navami festival with full devotion. A large number of devotees gathered to take blessings and Prasad in these temples. In Shirdi’s Saibaba temple, various rituals were performed.  Today mandir will be open for devotees for the whole night. The Chaitra festival at Nashik’s Saptashrungi temple began from today. This festival will continue till Hanuman Jayanti. The state transport department has arranged additional buses for the convenience of devotees. In other places also various functions were organised in ram Navami. Ram Navami festival has been celebrated today in different parts of West Bengal amid tight security. On the occasion, pujas and processions have been organized by various religious organizations. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on her X handle today wished the people of the state on Ramnavami. At the same time, she appealed to maintain peace and order everywhere. The state government has declared the day as a holiday. Governor CV Anand Bose performed puja at the Ram Mandir at Dahi Ghat, Central Kolkata on the occasion of Ram Navami. He also wished everyone on Ramnavami. BJP state President Sukanta Majumder participated in Ramnavami pujas and processions at various places in South Dinajpur today. On the other hand, Leader of Opposition Subhendu Adhikari attended the Ram Navami festival at Newtown and offered puja and later took part in a procession. Apart from this, BJP candidates also participated in the Ramnavami festival and held processions in different parts of the state since yesterday.

Prime Minister and Senior BJP leader Narendra Modi will address two public meetings today in Gaya and Purnia in Bihar in support of NDA candidates. First election rally will be held in Gaya parliamentary constituency where Mr. Modi will address a public meeting at Gandhi Maidan this morning. The second public meeting will be held at Rangbhoomi Maidan in Purnia this afternoon. After the announcement of Lok Sabha elections, this is the third visit of Prime Minister Modi to Bihar. Earlier, he had held public meetings in Jamui and Nawada parliamentary constituencies this month. Polling will be held in Gaya in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on 19th April, while Purnia Lok Sabha segment will go to the polls on 26th April in the second phase.