logo
Kadam seeks Assembly session to discuss national security

Kadam seeks Assembly session to discuss national security

Hans India14-05-2025

Bhubaneswar: Rama Chandra Kadam, Leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) and MLA from Pottangi, has written to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urging him to immediately convene a special session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly to hold discussions over the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent developments.
Earlier, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday wrote letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor and the ceasefire between India and Pakistan which was first announced by US President Donald Trump.
In his letter to CM Majhi, written on May 10 and made public on Tuesday, Kadam cited the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the unfolding Operation Sindoor, and the ceasefire announced by Donald Trump as critical developments requiring urgent deliberation.
'Once again, I urge the immediate convening of a special session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. In light of the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and the ceasefire declared by US President Trump, it is essential that the people's representatives come together without delay. This session will provide a critical forum to deliberate on these urgent developments and reaffirm our united commitment to national security and resilience,' wrote Kadam.
The senior Congress leader also appealed to the Chief Minister to act 'promptly and decisively' on this collective demand. Notably, Kadam had earlier made similar requests to Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and Speaker Surama Padhy to convene a special session of the Assembly to discuss the Pahalgam terrorist attack and express solidarity with the families of the victims who lost their lives in the attack.
The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) on Monday had said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first address to the nation after Operation Sindoor is not sufficient to satisfy the country's people, and a special session of Parliament should be convened to bring more transparency. The people of the country should know whether the government changed its foreign policy and allowed third party to intervene in the bilateral issue of Indian and Pakistan, OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das said.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

MP shocker: Woman, 2 minor daughters abducted at gunpoint in Chhatarpur; 5 held
MP shocker: Woman, 2 minor daughters abducted at gunpoint in Chhatarpur; 5 held

Time of India

time30 minutes ago

  • Time of India

MP shocker: Woman, 2 minor daughters abducted at gunpoint in Chhatarpur; 5 held

Image used for representational purpose only NEW DELHI: Armed assailants, numbering more than twelve, reportedly kidnapped a woman and her two young daughters after shooting and wounding her husband in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, authorities reported on Sunday. The occurrence took place in Sumedi village within Lavkushnagar police jurisdiction at approximately 12.30 pm on Saturday. The perpetrators arrived using motorcycles and vehicles, according to Sub-Divisional Police Officer Naveen Dubey. Police are actively searching for the woman and her two children. Authorities have detained five suspects and registered charges under various Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions, including attempted murder. Superintendent of Police Agam Jain has formed five specialised teams to locate the remaining suspects and offered a Rs 10,000 reward for information. The perpetrators attacked Hariram Pal and his family before forcibly taking his wife and daughters, aged 7 and 5, at gunpoint. They were compelled into an SUV whilst shots were discharged into the air. A widely circulated social media video allegedly shows the abduction occurring in public view. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Pal informed journalists that he sustained gunshot wounds whilst attempting to protect his family but survived. The event has sparked controversy, with the opposition Congress criticising the BJP-led government's handling of state security. "A woman and her two children were kidnapped in broad daylight in Chhatarpur. The accused opened fire and forcibly took them away in a car," state Congress president Jitu Patwari posted on X. He asserted that despite concerning statistics on crimes against women, the state was establishing "new records of lawlessness" and questioned Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's silence on the matter. Former chief minister Kamal Nath also denounced the incident, stating, "There is no fear of law left in Madhya Pradesh. Such film-style crimes point to a state of jungle raj. This is deeply worrying." The Madhya Pradesh Home Department confirmed via X that authorities have filed charges, including attempted murder, regarding the Sumedi village incident.

Remembering Emergency: When India banned Coke and brewed nationalism in a bottle called Double Seven
Remembering Emergency: When India banned Coke and brewed nationalism in a bottle called Double Seven

Economic Times

timean hour ago

  • Economic Times

Remembering Emergency: When India banned Coke and brewed nationalism in a bottle called Double Seven

Reuters A Coca Cola logo is pictured in Brussels, Belgium March 4, 2024. In the summer of 1977, just after the 21-month Emergency ended and India turned the page on nearly three decades of uninterrupted Congress rule, a new political force was not the only thing bubbling to the newly elected Janata Party government had shown the door to Coca-Cola and unveiled its own fizzy response -- Double Seven. The country's first "sarkari cola" was launched as a symbol of economic self-reliance and political after the landmark year that brought the Morarji Desai-led Janata coalition to power, Double Seven was more than a beverage; it was a political statement in a bottle. The indigenous cola had an elaborate launch at the annual trade fair at Pragati Maidan. The Double Seven cola, popularly known as "Satattar" (77 in Hindi) was manufactured and marketed by the makers of Modern breads - Modern Food Industries - a government-owned company. Interestingly, then MP H V Kamath was also awarded a cash prize for coming up with the name "77". Although "77" was not ready for sale until 1978, the name was chosen because 1977 was the year of big changes in India -- such as the end of the Indira Gandhi government and the helm of affairs in the cola episode was then Industry Minister George Fernandes, who decided to throw Coke as well as IBM out of India over their refusal to follow the provisions of what was then the Foreign Exchange Regulation Ramagundam wrote in Fernandes' biography "Life and Times of George Fernandes" that the provision stipulated that foreign companies should dilute their equity stake in their Indian associates to 60 per wanted Coca-Cola Company to not just transfer 60 per cent of the shares of its Indian firm but also the formula for its concentrate to Indian shareholders. The company said it was agreeable to transferring a majority of the shares but not the formula, which it contended was a trade company exited the Indian market as the government denied a licence to import the Coke concentrate. Fernandes then introduced the indigenous drink "77".The government asked the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysuru to develop the with the tagline "The Taste that Tingles", the cola did not strike the same chord with the public as Coca-Cola, amid tough competition from brands like Campa Cola, Thums Up, and Duke."I remember the launch of Double Seven at the annual trade fair at Pragati Maidan, a proud gift from the Janata Party, an indigenous drink supposedly superior than Coca-Cola and a stark reminder of Indira Gandhi's humiliating defeat in the recent general elections," author Sunil Lala says in his book "American Khichdi", published in McGraw Hill's book "Advertising Management: Concepts and Cases" also mentions Double Seven as an example of government branding and "swadeshi" marketing gone cited the launch of Double Seven as a business school case study in government-backed branding, highlighting the campaign's missteps and beverage-market context of the late end of Double Seven, not so surprisingly, coincided with Indira Gandhi reclaiming power in made a comeback in October 1993, post-liberalisation of the Indian market by the P V Narasimha Rao government and has maintained a strong presence ever leader Shashi Tharoor has also referred to the episode in his book "India: From Midnight to the Millennium and Beyond"."Heedless to the signal these exits sent to the world - whose brief hopes that a change of government might have led to a more welcoming investment climate were poured down the same drain as the Coke - the Janata ministers chose to celebrate the departures of these multinationals as a further triumph for socialism and anti-imperialistic self-reliance," Tharoor wrote in the Emergency was imposed 50 years ago on June 25, 1975, by the then prime minister Indira Gandhi. Triggered by political unrest and a court verdict invalidating Gandhi's election, the Emergency suspended civil liberties, censored the press and saw mass arrests of opposition leaders.

Aandhi: A cinematic storm that echoed Indira's era
Aandhi: A cinematic storm that echoed Indira's era

India Today

timean hour ago

  • India Today

Aandhi: A cinematic storm that echoed Indira's era

In this week's Retro Review, we dive into 'Aandhi', a bold political satire that stirred controversy for its striking parallels to Indira Gandhi. A timeless tale of ambition, love, and sacrifice, it remains a cinematic Review: Aandhi (1975)Cast: Sanjeev Kumar, Suchitra Sen, Om Prakash, AK Hangal, Om ShivpuriDirector: GulzarMusic/Lyrics: RD Burman, GulzarBox-Office Status: HitWhere to Watch: YouTubeWhy to Watch: For its poignant portrayal of politics' toll on personal livesMoral of the Story: Kuch toh log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehnaadvertisementFormer Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi devoted an hour every morning to yoga. She spent almost an equivalent amount of time with her stylist every week. The combination of the two gave her a distinct personality, highlighted by a slender physique, brisk walk, crisp sarees, and a hairstyle with a signature streak of the 1970s, Mrs Gandhi (as she was known worldwide) was at the peak of her popularity. The victory over Bangladesh, and her 'garibi hatao' campaign had endeared her to the masses and the classes. Even the opposition hailed her as an avatar of Durga. Photo: IMDb advertisement Film-maker Gulzar saw in Indira's unique persona and soaring popularity an opportunity to craft a political satire. The outcome was 'Aandhi', a film that suffered the highs and lows of the character that inspired has said many times the film was not based on Indira Gandhi's life. Only the lead character, Aarti Devi, was inspired by her, and Tarkeshwari Sinha, a popular Parliamentarian from Patna. But at the time of 'Aandhi's' release, the film was marketed as an Indira Gandhi biopic, with posters exhorting the audience to come and watch 'their PM on the screen.'The strategy, initially successful, backfired when Mrs Gandhi's opponents started screening some of the scenes in 'Aandhi' to tarnish her image during elections for the Gujarat assembly, fought in the heat of the Navnirman on a complaint filed by the Congress, the Election Commission banned 'Aandhi', 24 weeks after its initial release. Soon after, on June 26, 1975, Indira Gandhi's firm voice crackled through All India Radio, announcing the imposition of the Emergency. The film, thus, was indelibly linked with Mrs Gandhi, and the excesses of the Emergency that coincided with the PLOT'Aandhi's' narrative unfolds with a delicate balance of personal drama and political intrigue, centred on Aarti Devi (Suchitra Sen), a charismatic yet embattled politician whose chance reunion with her estranged husband, JK (Sanjeev Kumar), forces her to confront the sacrifices her ambition has demanded. Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen in a still from 'Aandhi'. (Photo: Facebook/FilmHistoryPic) While Aarti navigates the deluge of emotions from the past, an election unfolds, with all its trickery and subterfuge. Unable to match her aura and sharp moves, the opposition attacks Aarti's personal tongues, like they always do, begin to wag with rumours, snide remarks and salacious gossip. But, with a bold move at the end, Aarti stuns her critics, stealing the show, literally, from their own narrative similarities with Indira Gandhi are hard to miss. Her father, India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru, wasn't happy with her marriage to Feroze Gandhi, a Parsi. The marriage was solemnised with Vedic rituals, at Nehru's Gandhi, a dynamic politician and journalist, maintained an independent identity. Elected to the Lok Sabha from Rae Bareli in 1952 and 1957, he often sparred with the government. In 1958, he famously uncovered the LIC scandal, which implicated the relationship with Indira was complex, marked by periods of strain. Burdened with contradictions, the alliance didn't last long. Indira Gandhi soon shifted to her father's home with her sons Rajiv and 'Aandhi', Aarti's complex marriage with JK, who has an independent spirit, mirrors the Indira-Feroze dynamics. But, unlike Feroze Gandhi's tragic end - he died young after a heart attack - the film ends on a happy another scene, Aarti is pelted with stones. This happens after she delivers a speech and is confronted by an angry crowd. A journalist then asks her if violence is a part of politics, to which she replies that it is a part of bad incident has an uncanny similarity with a political rally where a stone hit Indira Gandhi's nose, requiring minor surgery. Photo: IMDb THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLYThe film's brilliance lies in Gulzar's ability to craft a story that is both intimate and universal, exploring the toll of public life on personal relationships. Sen's portrayal of Aarti is magnetic. She channels the poise and steely resolve of a leader while revealing the quiet loneliness beneath her polished as JK, matches her with a performance that is understated yet deeply affecting, his character's stoic demeanour masking years of unresolved film's non-linear storytelling, a Gulzar trademark, weaves past and present seamlessly, showing how Aarti's rise in politics strained her marriage and distanced her from her daughter. This personal conflict is juxtaposed with her public persona, where she navigates a world of sycophants, rivals, and moral compromises.'Aandhi' doesn't shy away from showing the gritty realities of politics - bribery, manipulation, and public scrutiny - but it does so with a poetic restraint that avoids Burman's music, paired with Gulzar's evocative lyrics, is the film's emotional heartbeat. Songs like 'Tere Bina Zindagi Se' and 'Is Mod Se Jaate Hain' are not mere interludes but narrative pillars, amplifying the themes of longing and chemistry between Sen and Kumar is most palpable in these musical moments, where their unspoken emotions speak louder than words. The supporting cast - Om Prakash, AK Hangal, and Om Shivpuri - adds depth, portraying the loyalists and sceptics who orbit Aarti's problem with the film is its climax. It starts with a problem that looks like a pointless 'Aandhi', a storm in a teacup, and ends with a dramatic solution. The subplot feels forced, relying on exaggerated gossip to dramatise Aarti's marriage, which clashes with the film's nuanced VERDICTDespite this flaw, the film's depiction of a strong, flawed female leader was groundbreaking for its time, challenging stereotypes in a male-dominated industry. The human story at its core - a love tested by ambition and time - makes 'Aandhi' timeless. The formula has been copied many times, almost verbatim in later films like 'Pyar Jhukta Nahin', underlining its evergreen Gandhi lost the 1977 election. When 'Aandhi' was re-released by the Moraraji Desai government, the audiences embraced its nuanced take on power and vulnerability. The film's success was a reminder that Indira Gandhi may have been defeated, but she wasn't forgotten. Like 'Aandhi', Indira Gandhi also got a second chance at redemption.'Aandhi' remains a must-watch for its bold storytelling, unforgettable performances, and its unflinching look at the personal costs of political life. It's a reminder that behind every public figure lies a private struggle, and that art, even when banned, has the power to endure and provoke. Watch it to witness a masterclass in filmmaking, music composition, and to reflect on the timeless truth: kuch toh log kahenge, but the heart knows its own story.P.S.: In 'Aandhi', Suchitra Sen is styled after Indira Gandhi. She wears crisp sarees, and has her trademark streak of grey. Habib Ahmed, the famous stylist, once revealed Indira's hair was 99 per cent except that grey streak, the rest had to be dyed black. 'She had it done first in France, and then I took over,' Habib revealed, adding that he saw the PM once or twice a week to help her maintain her iconic look.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store