By Unknown Author from NYT Style
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Priyanka Chopra Reviews The Elephant Whisperers. Guneet Monga's Reply
Priyanka Chopra recently watched Guneet Monga's documentary The Elephant Whisperers, and she couldn't stop gushing over it. The actress shared two posts on her Instagram stories lauding the makers Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga for "bringing this amazing story to life". In the first post, Priyanka wrote, "A trunk-filled with emotions! One of the most heartwarming documentaries I've watched recently...loved it! Big shout out to @kartikigonsalves @guneetmonga for bringing this amazing story to life (red heart emoji)." In the next post, the actress tagged The Elephant Whisperers team. For those who don't know, then let us tell you the documentary is nominated for Oscars 2023 in the Best Documentary Short category.
Soon after Priyanka Chopra shared the posts, Guneet Monga quickly replied. She re-shared the posts on her Instagram stories and wrote sweet notes thanking the actress. In the first post, she wrote, "Thank you Priyanka. You are the best," followed by heart emoticons. In the second, she wrote, "We are over the moon Priyanka. We love you so so much."
Take a look at both the post below:
Helmed by Kartiki Gonsalves and produced by Guneet Monga and Achin Jain, The Elephant Whisperers has been nominated against Haul Out, How Do You Measure A Year, The Martha Mitchell Effect and Stranger At The Gate. The documentary, set in South India, tells the story of a couple who adopts an orphan baby elephant.
Coming back to Priyanka Chopra, the actress is gearing up for the release of the much-awaited Citadel trailer. The trailer of the spy thriller is slated to release on March 1, 2023.
Third Top FTX Executive Pleads Guilty in Fraud Investigation
By BY DAVID YAFFE-BELLANY AND MATTHEW GOLDSTEIN from NYT Technology
Teaser: Priyanka's Citadel Promises To Be Action-Packed Spy Thriller
Priyanka Chopra, on Monday, surprised her fans by sharing the first look of the much-awaited web series Citadel. Now, the actress has treated her fans to the teaser of Citadel, produced by the Russo Brothers. The clip starts with Stanley Tucci saying, "Everything you know is a lie. What you were was a myth. What you were was Citadel." In the next frame, we see glimpses of Priyanka, Richard Madden and some action-packed scenes. Along with the teaser, the actress announced the date of the trailer release. In the caption, the actress wrote, "Everything you know is a lie. @citadelonprime trailer tomorrow."
Soon after Priyanka Chopra shared the post, her husband Nick Jonas commented, "Let's go!!" while Varun Dhawan, who will star in the Hindi version of Citadel, dropped a bomb emoticon.
Take a look at the Citadel teaser below:
On Monday, Priyanka shared the first glimpse of the spy series Citadel and captioned it as "First look at @citadelonprime via @vanityfair #CitadelOnPrime". Check out the post below:
The upcoming spy-thriller Citadel is created by Josh Appelbaum and Bryan Oh. The series stars Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden as agents Nadia Singh and Mason Kane, respectively. The first season will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on April 28, 2023, with the first two episodes.
Meanwhile, The Indian instalment of Citadel, helmed by Raj and DK, features Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the lead roles. Also, it will have spin-off series in many countries, including Mexico and Italy.
Coming back to Priyanka Chopra, she will also be seen in the film Love Again with Sam Heughan. It will release on May 12, 2023.
Monday, February 27, 2023
Animal Body Gifts Rihanna Faux Fur Coat After She Was Spotted In Real Fur
Animal advocacy group PETA has gifted a faux fur coat to Rihanna after the singer was spotted wearing what looked like a real fur coat at a dinner event. According to TMZ, PETA reached out to the 35-year-old popstar to urge her to steer away from wearing real fur coats. The animal rights organisation sent her a letter and a fur coat from Unreal Fur, which they claim will help the singer "stay warm and fashionable while making the cruelty-free switch".
Taking to Twitter, PETA also shared a snippet from the long letter with Rihanna's photo with the request. "We saw photos of you going to dinner in what appears to be a real fur coat. As a mother, you know what it's like to feel protective and to want to make sure no harm comes to your family. Please understand that this desire - this instinct even - is shared by the minks, foxes, and rabbits that are torn away from their families and killed for their fur," the text on the picture read.
Take a look below:
Our message to @rihanna ๐ฆ pic.twitter.com/tOtDPD2X12
— PETA (@peta) February 25, 2023
"We could take any fur items off your hands and get them to the only people who truly have an excuse to wear them - people without homes and victims of wars or natural disasters," it added.
The full letter, obtained by TMZ, goes into further detail. As per the outlet, PETA's senior vice President, Lisa Lange, pointed out that it is now illegal to sell fur in California and designers such as Chanel, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Valentino have already banned it. "Won't you please help create a kinder world for your children to grow up in by deciding today that you will no longer wear fur?" the letter read.
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"You have so much - won't you please spare animals who ask for nothing but to be left alone to live with their loves ones, free from the electrocutions, gassings, and beating that are standard in the fur industry, and donate your furs to a good cause?" it added.
Further, the letter stated that the faux fur coat will help Rihanna stay "warm and fashionable". Ms Lange also hoped the popstar would consider the request.
Betty Boothroyd, Britain’s First Female House of Commons Speaker, Dies at 93
By BY DANIEL VICTOR from NYT World
With 'Hera Pheri 3' Post, Suniel Shetty Explains Bollywood Film Business
Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty on Monday confirmed that the much-awaited 'Hera Pheri 3' is "finally happening". Taking to LinkedIn, Mr Shetty, who played the role of Shaam in the movie, announced that the film's shooting has started.
"So Hera Pheri 3 is finally happening! Look forward to being back on set with Pareshji & Akki. Like all good things, this one took some time, but it's a relief to finally have an answer to this question!" the actor wrote in his post.
Mr Shetty also spoke about how movies are financed, produced and released, as well as how they make money. "The movie business isn't very different. To explain the entirety of the movie business here would be oversimplifying it. But let's just say having a good script, a set of actors & a director is literally just the starting point," he wrote.
Further, while explaining the several revenue outlets for a film, ranging from box office receipts to digital and satellite rights and music, Mr Shetty said that there are several factors for any business to succeed - a good idea, thorough market research, a solid business plan, a skilled team, funding at the right time and a strong distribution network.
"The movie business isn't very different. To explain the entirety of the movie business here would be oversimplifying it. But let's just say having a good script, a set of actors & a director is literally just the starting point," the actor explained.
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The 'Refugee' actor termed the distribution of films as a complex process that involves several layers like producers, distributors and exhibitors. "Once a film's made, a studio typically either sells the distribution rights to a distributor or appoints one on a commission basis, who is then responsible for securing screens from theatre owners, negotiating terms & releasing the film in theatres. Sometimes distributors negotiate a % of the box office collections," he wrote on LinkedIn.
Mr Shetty also mentioned various ways to monetise films. "#BoxOffice collections, domestic & international, are the primary ones," he said. Further, pointing out that music rights are another key source of revenue, he stated, "#MusicRights are another important source of revenue. Usually sold to a #musiclabel who in turn monetise it through channels like streaming, licensing, digital ad revenues, etc..."
"33 years & 125 films later I don't have it all figured out, but I will keep getting better at it," the actor concluded.
Kashmiri Pandit Group Calls For "Brutal Operation" Against Terrorists
Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti or KPSS has called for a "brutal operation" against terrorists and their supporters in the Valley, a day after the killing of Kashmiri Pandit Sanjay Kumar by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.
KPSS, an organization of Kashmiri Pandits living in the Valley, has also demanded replacing Jammu and Kashmir's Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps to protect Pandits in the Valley.
In a strongly worked statement, the KPSS claims that a sizeable number of Kashmiri Muslims are working for terrorists responsible for killing of Kashmiri Pandits.
"Decisions taken by the Government of India in August 2019 have exposed the Kashmiri Society and its social fabric. Two out of Ten have turned OGWs (over ground workers) for these terror Organisations who are responsible for the killing of Kashmiri Pandits and other religious minorities" said Sanjay Tikoo, president KPSS.
The Pandit group said that "in a fight between Muslim Kashmir and Hindu India, religious minorities living in Kashmir are becoming a scapegoat".
Press Release - 27.02.2023
— KPSS (@KPSSamiti) February 27, 2023
Raliv, Galiv ya Chaliv (convert, die or leave) a modus-operandi initiated by the Radical Kashmiries to establish Islamic Doctrine in Kashmir continues and is reverberated by every #KashmiriPandit killing which is happening in Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/JO4bBs4cDR
The KPSS said religious terrorist groups are issuing threats against Pandits. "Islamic countries and scholars repeatedly claim that terror doesn't have a religion, but they need to see in Kashmir that here it not only has a religion but a face too."
Mr Tikoo has appealed to the Prime Minister to issue necessary directions to initiate "brutal operation against the militants and their aides to safe guard the lives of the innocents Kashmiri Pandits and other religious minorities living in Kashmir".
On Sunday, Sanjay Kumar, a Kashmiri Pandit was shot dead by terrorists near his home at Achan village in Pulwama district.
Soon after the killing, local Muslims held protests and demanded an end to terrorism to save Kashmiriyat. Since yesterday candlelight vigil was were held at several places to protest against the killing.
This was the first targeted attack on a Kashmiri Pandits after a gap of over four months in the Valley. In 2022, four Kashmiri Pandits were killed in targeted attacks by terrorists in Kashmir.
Mr Tikoo however is cynical about these anti terrorist protests. He claims that same people who are behind the killings are joining protests held against the killers.
"After executing the task these people join the wailing crowd in stealth mode by giving statements about Kashmiriyat and join Candle Light Marches. Just strategy has changed but the result is the same and i.e. Islamic Kashmir without Kashmiri Pandits and Hindus," said the Pandit organisation.
Sunday, February 26, 2023
West Bank Attack Kills 2 Israelis as Middle East Officials Meet in Jordan
By BY ISABEL KERSHNER from NYT World
Old Video: CEO Takes Shots From AK-47 To Prove Bulletproof Cars' Security
An old video showing what it's like to be shot at with an AK-47 in a bulletproof Mercedes Benz has resurfaced on social media and left users stunned. The clip was posted on Twitter on Saturday by an account called Interesting Engineering. It showed Texas Armoring Corporation's (TAC) CEO sitting inside a bulletproof Mercedes Benz SUV while it was being shot at by an AK-47.
"Texan armored vehicle company markets its product in the most Texas way possible," the caption of the post read. The short video showed TAC CEO Trent Kimball sitting alone inside the Mercedes-Benz as 8-10 rounds from an AK-47 rained down upon the SUV.
Watch the video below:
Texan armored vehicle company markets its product in the most Texas way possible.#engineering pic.twitter.com/M0bqZlcgXE
— Interesting Engineering (@IntEngineering) February 25, 2023
The clip was first released by the company back in 2014. According to New York Post, the shots were fired by the firm's sales and export compliance manager, Lawrence Kosub, who seemed very familiar with an assault rifle. In the video, all of Mr Kosub's shots hit the windscreen but none of them breached it.
Coming back to the video, since being shared it has accumulated more than 4.8 million views and hundreds of likes and comments. Internet users were shocked to see how the company's CEO didn't even flinch once during the whole scene.
"Confidence in one's product," wrote one user. "A lot of confidence must have gone in there...whew," said another.
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A third user commented, "Gotta admire a man who stands behind his products 100%". A fourth added, "Now this is a CEO who truly stands behind his product. Give that man a raise". One user even expressed, "This is both terrifying and very serious. You guys are bosses."
Meanwhile, according to Fox News, Texas Armoring Corporation is a supplier of bulletproof vehicles based out of San Antonio, US. the company produces a range of armoured passenger vehicles and they can even upgrade a person's current car.
Saturday, February 25, 2023
‘Frustrating and Upsetting’: Residents in Michigan Endure Fourth Day Without Power
By BY SAM EASTER, CLAIRE FAHY AND MCKENNA OXENDEN from NYT U.S.
China to Welcome Belarusian Leader, Raising Concerns Over Ukraine
By BY MARC SANTORA AND CHRIS BUCKLEY from NYT World
Watch: US Woman Loses Wallet On Train In India, This Happens Next
In a heartwarming incident, a woman from the United States, who forgot her wallet on a train in India, recently revealed how a man came forward to help her after he found her lost item. In a video, posted on Instagram by user @stephandpete_, the woman said that when she boarded a train in India, she forgot her wallet and got off at the station. Soon, she received a message on her Instagram from a man named Chirag, who informed her that he had found her purse and would return it.
So, when the woman checked the message, she made her way to Chirag's restaurant in Bhuj, Gujarat. In the video, she is seen thanking Chirag for his kind gesture and even offering him money, however, he refuses to accept it and instead tells her to keep her things safe.
Watch the video below:
"I've learned (3,000+ times over) how wrong I was to offer a tip for a genuine act of kindness (and how transactional the culture in America can be), how common something like this is India (I've been loving all of the other lost and found stories!), and lastly, how many people think I lost my wallet on purpose (in month 17 of traveling with a three-year-old, I assure you that this kind of carelessness comes naturally.)" the caption of the post read.
The woman shared the video earlier this month and since then it has accumulated more than 3,000 likes and nearly 50,000 likes.
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"I'm glad you got it back. So proud of people like Chirag! Hope you have a great stay In India. Lots of love," wrote one user in the comment section. "People like Chirag are the real ambassadors of Indian tourism. He searched for her by her name on social media, and even without knowing correct English, he tried to help her with that message," commented another.
A third user said, "Maybe the misconceptions about India change with this! Appreciate Chirag's attitude and helping mentality. Hope you guys enjoy the trip in India" while a fourth added, "such a lovely video of positivity!" "This is the beauty of India," expressed fifth.
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By BY MARC SANTORA AND CHRIS BUCKLEY from NYT World
Old Video: Zookeeper Puts Head Inside Crocodile's Mouth, This Happens Next
A horrific old video has resurfaced online showing the moment a crocodile bit a zookeeper's head before viciously thrashing him side to side. The short clip was shared a few days back by an Instagram page called 'earth.reel'. According to the Express, the incident took place in 2017 at a free crocodile show on the island of Ko Samui, in Thailand.
In the video, a zookeeper is seen kneeling before a crocodile and placing his entire head inside its motionless mouth. The man holds his position for ten seconds before the reptile suddenly snaps down on his head and violently thrashes him around.
"WARNING! Not for Weak Heart People," the Instagram user wrote in the caption of the post.
Watch the video below:
Towards the end of the clip, as the crocodile continues to thrash the man around, shrieks are heard in the background. But fortunately, seconds later he is left on the ground reeling from his injuries while the crocodile slides back into the water.
According to the Express, the horrifying incident took place around six years back at one of Thailand's famed crocodile shows for a small group of people on the tourist island of Ko Samui. At the time, it was reported that the zookeeper's condition remained unknown. The man was also said to have been "showing off" previous crocodile-related wounds, including a missing finger, to the crowd of six shortly before the performance.
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Meanwhile, on Instagram, the old video has accumulated more than 1,800 likes and over 44,000 views. In the comment section, one user wrote, "If you mess with a wild animals, you have to expect this will probably happen, and it is on you". Another said, "When you play with fire you get burned, when you play Russian roulette you get shot, when you play with alligators or crocodiles you get your a** ate up lol the lesson here has been learned by the idiot and taught by the wild a** professor."
"Some people have to learn the hard way," added third. "Human stupidity is unbelievable!! I can't believe what this guy does!! What the animal does is instinct, what the other animal does is stupidity," expressed fourth.
Friday, February 24, 2023
Watch a Harrowing Battle Scene in ‘All Quiet on the Western Front.’
By BY MEKADO MURPHY from NYT Movies
New York Times reporters reflect on the moments from the war that are seared in their minds.
By BY ANDREW E. KRAMER, MARC SANTORA, VALERIE HOPKINS AND CARLOTTA GALL from NYT World
Friday’s fiercest questioning has focused on Alex Murdaugh’s whereabouts. Here are takeaways.
By BY NICHOLAS BOGEL-BURROUGHS AND BEN SHPIGEL from NYT U.S.
G7 leaders say their solidarity with Ukraine will ‘never waver.’
By BY MICHAEL D. SHEAR from NYT World
Video: Baby Langur Weeps After Mother's Tragic Death, Internet Emotional
Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda on Friday shared a heartbreaking video of a baby langur weeping while holding on to its dead mother. Sharing the short clip on Twitter, Mr Nanda wrote that the incident took place in Assam. The video showed a golden baby langur sobbing uncontrollably over the lifeless body of its mother after she was killed by a speeding vehicle.
"This will haunt me for a long long time. A Golden langur was assassinated on the road in Assam. The baby is still in its arm not knowing what has befallen him. I am informed that all steps are being taken to save the baby," Mr Nanda wrote in the caption of the post.
Watch the video below:
This will hunt me for a long long time๐๐
— Susanta Nanda (@susantananda3) February 24, 2023
A Golden langur assassinated on the road in Assam. The baby still in its arm not knowing what has befallen him.
I am informed that all steps are being taken to save the baby. pic.twitter.com/iMOcEHquZw
In the clip, the baby langur is seen weeping, clutching its mother's face and trying to wake her up but to no avail. The two animals are also seen surrounded by several people.
Internet users were quick to react to the video. While some expressed their condolence over the tragic accident, others expressed anger.
"This is so sad! Why can't we care for the co-inhabitants of our planet? Poor Baby!" wrote one user. "Can't bear to watch..... hope the baby recovers from the trauma," said another.
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A third user said, "O God! My heart is breaking when I see this accident and the plight of the baby langur. One has to drive carefully keeping other's safety also in mind," while a fourth commented, "Be it be a clear road,it doesn't give the right to anyone to overspeed. Moreover, while we drive, we should always be careful and speed should be moderate."
"Saddest thing!! Brutal! Can't bear to watch. Prayers for the baby to recover from this tragedy," wrote another user. "This is very tragic and heart-wrenching," expressed another.
Mr Nanda's video has accumulated more than 37,000 views and over 1,500 likes.
Thursday, February 23, 2023
"If Its Basic Industry Is Terrorism...": S Jaishankar On Helping Pakistan
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday virtually dismissed the idea of helping Pakistan to come out of its economic mess.
Speaking at the annual Asia Economic Dialogue organised by the external affairs ministry in Pune, Mr Jaishankar said he will consider the local public sentiment while making a big decision.
"I would have a pulse (on) what do my people feel about it. And I think you know the answer," he said.
Pakistan is grappling with an economic crisis and has not been successful in getting an agreement from multilateral institutions either. In the recent past, India has helped neighbours like Sri Lanka as it struggled to come out of its economic troubles and regularly helps others in the neighbourhood as well.
However, when it comes to Pakistan, the fundamental issue impacting the New Delhi-Islamabad ties is terrorism, Mr Jaishankar said, adding that one must not be in denial of this problem.
"No country is ever going to come out of a difficult situation and become a prosperous power if its basic industry is terrorism.
"Just as a country has to fix its economic issues, a country has to fix its political issues too, a country has to fix its social issues," he said without naming Pakistan.
Mr Jaishankar also made it clear that it is in nobody's interest to see a country get into severe economic difficulties, and that too a neighbour.
Once a country is in the throes of a serious economic problem, it has to make policy choices to get out of it, the career diplomat-turned-politician said, adding that others cannot solve it for the country.
The world can only provide options and support systems, Mr Jaishankar said, making it clear that Pakistan will have to make "tough choices".
He said India has also undergone the same challenges several times in its modern history, with the last one being 30 years ago with the balance of payment crisis.
Meanwhile, Mr Jaishankar said ever since Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, the country's approach to the neighbouring countries has undergone a perceptible change and also reminded all about the Prime Minister's decision to call heads of state for the swearing-in function to start a new relationship.
Citing the case of Maldives, he said India's help in the recent past includes the Greater Male project and also added that he was present at the foundation stone laying event a few weeks ago.
India is also buying or selling power with many of its neighbours, Mr Jaishankar said, adding that it recently started buying power from Nepal.
Going forward, the country is also mulling to up its focus on education and healthcare spending in the neighbourhood, Mr Jaishankar said.
He also assured that India will also be using its G-20 presidency to give a voice to the problems of the 'global south' and asserted that India is the best-placed country to do that.
The prime minister and his top ministers have spoken to 125 countries in the past month in India's effort to be an effective voice of the global south, Jaishankar said.
Speaking at the same event, Maldives' Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer said climate finance is a big challenge and expected help to flow through on the commitment at the earliest. His counterpart from Bhutan, Lyonpo Namgay Tshering said an easing of global financial conditions is also the need of the hour.
Mr Jaishankar said there are multiple second and third-order impacts of the major world events and policy decisions, which India will be flagging to the world as part of its G-20 presidency.
The EAM also said that the G-20, with nearly 200 events across the country, is a marketing of India to influential people across the world by exposing them to cultural and socio-economic changes taking place in the country.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
เคคเคฌ เคฎเคนेंเคฆ्เคฐ เคธिंเคน เคงोเคจी เคे เคธाเคฅ เคนुเค...เค เคฌ เคนเคฐเคฎเคจเคช्เคฐीเคค เคौเคฐ เคฌเคจीं เคถिเคाเคฐ, เคเคคเคจे เคฌเคก़े เคिเคฒाเคก़ी เคे เคธाเคฅ เคเคธा เคจเคนीं เคนोเคจा เคฅा
เคญाเคฐเคคीเคฏ เคฎเคนिเคฒा เค्เคฐिเคेเค เคीเคฎ เคो เคเคเคธीเคธी เคी20 เคตिเคถ्เคต เคเคช เคธे เคเคธ्เค्เคฐेเคฒिเคฏा เคे เคนाเคฅों เคธेเคฎीเคซाเคเคจเคฒ เคธे เคนाเคฐเคเคฐ เคฌाเคนเคฐ เคนोเคจा เคชเคก़ा. เคเคธ เคฎैเค เคฎें เคเคช्เคคाเคจ เคนเคฐเคฎเคจเคช्เคฐीเคค เคौเคฐ เคจे เคถाเคจเคฆाเคฐ เคซिเคซ्เคी เคเคฎाเค เคเคฐ เคซिเคฐ เคตो เคฆुเคญाเค्เคฏเคชूเคฐ्เคฃ เคคเคฐीเคे เคธे เคเคเค เคนोเคเคฐ เคตाเคชเคธी เคाเคจे เคชเคฐ เคฎเคเคฌूเคฐ เคนुเค. เคนเคฐเคฎเคจเคช्เคฐीเคค เคौเคฐ เคिเคธ เคคเคฐเคน เคे เคฒเคฏ เคฎें เคจเคเคฐ เค เคฐเคนी เคฅी เค
เคเคฐ เคตो เคฎैเคฆाเคจ เคชเคฐ เคฐเคน เคाเคคी เคคो เคญाเคฐเคคीเคฏ เคीเคฎ เคซाเคเคจเคฒ เคฎें เคนोเคคी. เคนเคฐเคฎเคจ เคเคฐ เคชूเคฐ्เคต เคญाเคฐเคคीเคฏ เคเคช्เคคाเคจ เคे เคฌीเค เคुเค เคเค เคैเคธा เคนुเค เคिเคธे เคฆेเคเคจे เคे เคฌाเคฆ เคोเค เคญी เคฏเคนी เคเคนेเคी เคि เคเคคเคจे เคฌเคก़े เคिเคฒाเคก़ी เคे เคธाเคฅ เคเคธा เคคो เคจเคนीं เคนोเคจा เคाเคนिเค เคฅा.
Nicholas Kristof and Samantha Power on the Ukraine invasion one year later
By BY THE NEW YORK TIMES from NYT Times Insider
China Clamps Down On Access to ChatGPT As AI Race Intensifies: Report
OpenAI's ChatGPT, which was launched in November last year, has exploded in popularity worldwide and has become the fastest-growing consumer application in history. The chatbot has been grabbing eyeballs with its ability to have natural conversations with users and answer a range of questions.
Needless to say, the software's success has already ruffled some of the biggest technology firms, prompting Alphabet Inc and Microsoft Corp to hastily debut new functions in Google and Bing. As the AI race heats up, major tech companies in China are also scrambling to create their own homegrown version. Meanwhile, authorities are now clamping down on the usage of the chatbot, with several popular Chinese apps removing access to ChatGPT, as per a CNN report.
Though ChatGPT is not officially available in China, residents have been using virtual private networks and foreign phone numbers to help bypass restrictions. However, over the weekend, things seemed to have changed.
Searches for ChatGPT on Chinese platforms no longer returned results, while workaround programs had been disabled or replaced with a notice saying they had been suspended for “violating relevant laws and regulations”, the South China Morning Post reported.
Apps called ChatGPTRobot and AIGC Chat Robot said their programs had been suspended due to ''violation of relevant laws and regulations.'' Even Shenlan BL and AI Duihua told their users that their ChatGPT access services had become “unavailable” without specifying a reason. Other apps, like ChatgptAiAi and Chat AI Conversation, also met with the same fate.
A user told SCMP that his personal WeChat account was blocked last week, three days after he embedded a ChatGPT API.
As of now, it's not really clear what prompted these closures. However, the CNN report says that there might be some political reasons. State-run media on Monday released a video in which it is claimed that the chatbot could be used by US authorities to ''spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion.''
Recently, a team from China's Fudan University developed a ChatGPT-like chatbot platform but it crashed hours after it launched to the public, due to a sudden surge of traffic.
Apart from China, OpenAI does not allow users in Hong Kong, Iran, Russia and parts of Africa to sign up.
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Man Receives Wrong Book From Amazon Along With A Sorry Note From Seller
Mix-ups and misplacements are known to happen when it comes to online product delivery. More often than not, people end up receiving different items instead of the things they ordered. In yet another incident of confusion by an online shopping site, a man complained that he got a random book instead of the one he ordered. However, that was not it. The customer also received a note from the seller requesting him not to give a negative review.
The Twitter user who goes by the name @kashflyy shared the picture of the book and wrote, ''I ordered a certain book from Amazon but they sent me this random book called looking for laddoo along with this letter like bhai what is going on.''
Check out the tweet here:
I ordered a certain book from Amazon but they sent me this random book called looking for laddoo along with this letter like bhai what is going on ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ pic.twitter.com/90D19KIl9k
— Kashish (@kashflyy) February 21, 2023
In the tweet, the user said that he ordered a book from Amazon, however, he received a random children's book called ‘Looking for Laddoo'. Interestingly, the seller also sent him a note and explained the reason for the confusion. The seller requested him several times not to give negative feedback.
The note reads, ''Dear customer, apologise for the order. Sir, you ordered this book..We have stock, but damaged condition. We will send you other book. Please return back that book. Don't give negative feedback. Please cancel order your self. Don't give negative feedback Sir. Please help this order Sir. Thank You Sir.''
Internet users were amused with the tweet and many sympathised with the seller. One user wrote, ''That's a v good gesture on the seller's part. The best the person could have done!'' Another commented, ''This is really cute! If I were you, I'd return the book, and not leave a negative feedback. Possibly, it's a small mom-and-pop bookshop trying their luck on Amazon.''
A third said, ''I know you wanted a particular book but this is just way too sweet an apology Please don't leave negative feedback and give them a chance to give you the book you ordered.''
However, some were not convinced by the note and said that the seller needs to do better. A fourth commented, ''Why so?? Do you think returning an amazon order is that easy? He could have waited for a few days, arranged the book from somewhere and sent it. It is a dangerous gesture to be true.''
Ukraine prepares itself for the possibility of Russian aggression via Moldova and Belarus.
By BY MARC SANTORA from NYT World
Watch: Ram Charan, In New York, Greets Fans Like This
Ram Charan, who flew out to the US to attend the 95th Academy Awards, checked in New York in style. The RRR star Ram Charan, surrounded by bodyguards, was spotted entering a building while he stopped to greet his fans patiently waiting for the actor. In the video, the actor can be seen waving at his fans as soon as he steps out of his car. Before entering the premises, he stops to shake hands with his fans and also clicks a selfie. The actor looks dashing in a grey pant-suit paired with a beige t-shirt. He added sunglasses to accentuate his look.
Take a look at the pictures below:
Earlier, Ram Charan was spotted at Hyderabad airport in a black OOTD for his flight to the US, and he was barefoot. The actor happens to be a devotee of Lord Ayyappa, and he follows the ritual of remaining barefoot on fast days, which is why the actor was pictured sans footwear. Take a look at the video:
Ram Charan is in the US to attend the Oscars, which is scheduled to take place on March 12 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. RRR song Naatu Naatu is nominated in the Best Original Song category at this year's award show.
So far, the actor has had a great year as his film RRR, co-starring Jr NTR, won the Golden Globes Award for Best Original Song for Naatu Naatu. The film also won big at this year's Critics Choice Awards.
On the personal front, Ram Charan is expecting his first child with his wife Upasana.
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Israel Unlikely to Extradite Mexican Ex-Lawman Wanted in Mass Abduction, Officials Say
By BY RONEN BERGMAN AND NATALIE KITROEFF from NYT World
Little Boy Makes Meal For His Mother Suffering From Covid, Melts Internet
Kindness and empathy are the traits which make us truly human and children are the ones who manifest these qualities in the best possible way. One such sweet story has surfaced on Twitter, melting hearts. Erin Reed, a content creator and activist according to her Twitter bio, shared how her son took care of her when she was down with Covid-19. He prepared a meal and left it right outside her bedroom door with a super cute letter.
The photo shows a small bowl which has raw spinach leaves and a few strands of noodles, along with a fork. The note along with it reads, “I made this for you. If it is not perfect, I am sorry. Look food!”
“Y'all I am sick with Covid and look what my son made for me and left on the table right outside my bedroom door,” Mrs Reed tweeted.
Check out the tweet here:
Y'all I am sick with Covid and look what my son made for me and left on the table right outside my bedroom door ๐ญ pic.twitter.com/MotOlsZoA4
— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) February 18, 2023
Since being shared, the post has received more than 82,000 likes, and more than 2,800 retweets.
The adorable gesture has touched the hearts of many, who praised the boy for being so thoughtful. People also appreciated the woman for raising her son right. One user wrote, ''So Sweet and it looks Perfect!!!'' Another commented, ''Great job young man! Your momma is proud of you.''
A third wrote, ''Aah what a sweetie, bless him. He's on the right track. Looks so healthy. Thoughtful, loving child. Credit to mummy.'' A fourth added, ''Your son did an incredible job! He should be proud of himself! Get better soon, Erin. The sickness will not last long.''
Talking of thoughtful kids, a six-year-old's handwritten note to her mother who was having a rough day recently went viral on the internet. A Twitter user, Shematologist, MD, shared the adorable note, which read, "Dear mom, I am sorry if you had a ruf (rough) day."
2 เคชूเคฐ्เคต เค्เคฐिเคेเคเคฐ เคेเคเคฒ เคฐाเคนुเคฒ เคी เคตเคเคน เคธे เคญिเคก़े, เคฎाเคฎเคฒा เคนเคฆ เคธे เคเคे เคฌเคข़ा, เคชเคข़ें เคชूเคฐी เคคू-เคคू, เคฎैं-เคฎैं, เคिเคธเคจे เคเคฌ เค्เคฏा เคเคนा?
เคญाเคฐเคคीเคฏ เค्เคฐिเคेเค เคीเคฎ เคे เคเคชเคจเคฐ เคेเคเคฒ เคฐाเคนुเคฒ เคा เคเคฐाเคฌ เคช्เคฐเคฆเคฐ्เคถเคจ เคธिเคฐ्เคซ เคเคจเคे เคฒिเค เคนी เคจเคนीं เคฌเคฒ्เคि เคीเคฎ เคंเคกिเคฏा เคे เคฒिเค เคญी เคฎुเคธीเคฌเคค เคฌเคจा เคนुเค เคนै. เคीเคฎ เคे เคिเคฒाเคก़ी เคคो เคिंเคคा เคฎें เคนैं เคธाเคฅ เคนी เคชूเคฐ्เคต เค्เคฐिเคेเคเคฐ เคเคธ เคฎाเคฎเคฒे เคो เคฒेเคเคฐ เคฌाเคนเคฐ เคฒเคก़ เคฐเคนे เคนैं. เคीเคฎ เคंเคกिเคฏा เคे เคชूเคฐ्เคต เคคेเค เคेंเคฆเคฌाเค เคตेंเคเคेเคถ เคช्เคฐเคธाเคฆ เคเคฐ เคชूเคฐ्เคต เคเคชเคจเคฐ เคเคाเคถ เคोเคชเคก़ा เคे เคฌीเค เคेเคเคฒ เคฐाเคนुเคฒ เคी เคตเคเคน เคธे เคเคฎเคเคฐ เค्เคตीเคเคฐ เคตाเคฐ เคिเคก़ा เคนुเค เคนै. เคเคाเคถ เคฒเคाเคคाเคฐ เคฐाเคนुเคฒ เคो เคीเคฎ เคฎें เคฐเคเคจे เคชเคฐ เค
เคก़े เคนुเค เคนैं เคเคฌเคि เคตेंเคเคेเคถ เคจे เคเคจเคो เคฌाเคนเคฐ เคเคฐเคจे เคชเคฐ เค
เคชเคจे เคตिเคाเคฐ เคต्เคฏเค्เคค เคिเค เคนैं.
Biden and Putin offer radically different portraits of the war in Ukraine.
By BY DAVID E. SANGER from NYT World
2011 AG5: Oblong Asteroid As Big As Empire State Building Passes Earth
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States managed to capture the image of a huge asteroid as it hurtled past Earth at the beginning of February 2023. The asteroid, 2011 AG5, which was safely passed by Earth at a distance of around 1.1 million miles (1.8 million kilometers), was unharmed.
According to the space agency, this close approach provided the first opportunity to take a detailed look at the asteroid since it was discovered in 2011, revealing an object about 1,600 feet (500 meters) long and about 500 feet (150 meters) wide-dimensions comparable to the Empire State Building. The powerful 230-foot (70-meter) Goldstone Solar System Radar antenna dish at the Deep Space Network's facility near Barstow, California, revealed the dimensions of this extremely elongated asteroid.
"Of the 1,040 near-Earth objects observed by planetary radar to date, this is one of the most elongated we've seen," said Lance Benner, a principal scientist at Jet Propulsion Laboratory who helped lead the observations.
According to the space agency, asteroid 2011 AG5 orbits the Sun once every 621 days and won't have a very close encounter with Earth until 2040, when it will safely pass our planet at a distance of about 670,000 miles (1.1 million kilometers, or nearly three times the Earth-Moon distance).
"Interestingly, shortly after its discovery, 2011 AG5 became a poster-child asteroid when our analysis showed it had a small chance of a future impact," said Paul Chodas, the director for CNEOS at JPL.
"Continued observations of this object ruled out any chance of impact, and these new ranging measurements by the planetary radar team will further refine exactly where it will be far into the future."
Monday, February 20, 2023
One local official says some buildings have collapsed, but the quake’s true toll is still unclear.
By BY CORA ENGELBRECHT AND BEN HUBBARD from NYT World
Cracks Have Appeared On Badrinath Highway Near Joshimath: Official
With the Kedarnath Temple Committee announcing the dates for opening doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham, cracks have been found on a stretch of road along the Badrinath Highway near Joshimath between JP and Marwari.
Chamoli DM Himanshu Khurana said that cracks have appeared on the road from JP to Marwari on the Badrinath Highway.
"Instructions have been given to Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to test the cracks and take protective measures," Mr Khurana said.
According to DM Khurana Joshimath, people "complained about cracks in some houses".
"A team of engineers posted in Joshimath have been sent to test the cracks on the houses so that the actual situation can be known," he added.
Hundreds of residents were shifted to relief centres in safe places after cracks appeared at several homes in Joshimath, suggesting subsidence.
The Uttarakhand government has already announced relief packages worth crores for the affected families of Joshimath.
In January, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the relief package has been released for nearly 3,000 families affected by gradual land subsidence in the Himalayan state.
The Chief Minister also announced that Rs 50,000 has been given by the state disaster authority to each family as a non-adjustable one-time special grant for the transportation of goods and immediate needs of their buildings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed concern over the situation in Joshimath and had assured all help to the state administration in mobilising rescue and relief during a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami earlier.
The Badrinath Dham is one of the four ancient pilgrimage sites referred to as 'Char Dham' which also included Yamunotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath. It is situated in the town of Badrinath in Uttarakhand. It remains open for six months every year (between the end of April and the beginning of November).
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
One year into the war, Putin is crafting the Russia he craves.
By BY ANTON TROIANOVSKI AND VALERIE HOPKINS from NYT World
Anti-Sikh Riots Accused Jagdish Tytler Among Delegates At Congress Meet
The Congress on Monday released a list of AICC delegates from Delhi, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and former Union minister Jagdish Tytler, whose name figured in a probe panel report on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The election of Tytler as an All India Congress Committee (AICC) delegate drew strong reactions from Delhi's ruling AAP and the BJP, which said it exposed the opposition party's character of creating division and chaos in the country.
The AICC delegates perform key roles in the party. They, along with Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates, will attend the party's 85th plenary session to be held in Raipur from February 24 to 26.
The AICC delegates form the electorate whenever there is an election for members of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the top decision-making body of the party.
The Steering Committee of the party will take a call on February 24 on whether there will be elections for 11 of the 25 members of the CWC this time.
The Congress has 1,338 elected and 487 co-opted AICC delegates from across the country.
Former Congress presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are among the elected AICC members from Uttar Pradesh, which has the maximum number of delegates.
There are a total of 36 elected and 25 co-opted AICC delegates from Delhi.
Delhi Congress chief Anil Kumar Chaudhary, former Union minister Ajay Maken and former AICC general secretary (organisation) Janardan Dwivedi are among the elected AICC delegates from Delhi.
The list of elected delegates also includes Devendra Yadav, Manish Chatrath, Abhishek Dutt, Krishna Allavaru, Arvinder Singh Lovely, Sandeep Dikshit, Subhash Chopra and Alka Lamba.
Among the co-opted AICC members from Delhi are Praveen Davar, former Delhi ministers Haroon Yusuf and Krishna Tirath, boxer Vijender Singh, Ragini Nayak and K B Byju.
Targeting the Congress over the election of Tytler, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said the Congress action shows its leader Rahul Gandhi who talked of "mohabbat ki dukan" during his Bharat Jodo Yatra is actually opening "nafrat ki dukan (shop of hatred)".
"The leader who spread maximum hatred during anti-Sikh riots in 1984 has been made an elected member of AICC. It would not be wrong to say that such leaders are spine of Congress," Bhatia charged.
Slamming the Congress Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Raghav Chadha said, "With another promotion for Jagdish Tytler, Congress' message for Sikhs is clear - that it will continue to indulge in a brazen display of insensitivity towards Sikhs. Like I said earlier, a pathological dislike for Sikhs is in Congress' DNA." The name of Tytler, once a formidable leader of the Congress in Delhi, figured in a report of the Nanavati Commission which probed into the anti-Sikh riots.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Sunday, February 19, 2023
U.S. Warnings to China on Arms Aid for Russia’s War Portend Global Rift
By BY EDWARD WONG from NYT World
Asaduddin Owaisi Says Delhi Home Pelted With Stones By "Miscreants"
Unidentified miscreants arrived at the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi's residence in the national capital and allegedly pelted stones at it, damaging windows on Sunday evening, the police said.
Following the incident, AIMIM Chief approached the police and lodged a complaint. In his complaint, Asaduddin Owaisi alleged that stones were pelted at his Delhi residence by some unknown miscreants.
My Delhi residence has been attacked again. This is the fourth incident since 2014. Earlier tonight, I returned from Jaipur & was informed by my domestic help that a bunch of miscreants pelted stones that resulted in broken windows. @DelhiPolice must catch them immediately pic.twitter.com/vOkHl8IcNH
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) February 19, 2023
The incident happened at the Delhi residence of the AIMIM chief at Ashoka Road area at around 05.30pm.
Following information, a team of Delhi police led by an Additional DCP visited his residence and collected evidence from the spot.
Mr Owaisi in his complaint to Parliament Street Police Station alleged that a group of miscreants pelted stones at his residence and damaged windows.
"I reached my residence at 11:30 pm. Upon returning I found the glass of the windows broken and stones/rocks lying around. My domestic help informed that a group of miscreants threw stones at around at the residence around 5:30 pm," A Owaisi alleged.
The AIMIM chief also said that this is the fourth such attack at his residence.
"This is the fourth time such an attack has taken place. The area surrounding my house has enough CCTV cameras, and the same may be accessed, and the culprits should be apprehended immediately. It is conceived that such acts of vandalism are happening in such a high-security zone," the letter further stated.
"Immediate action must be taken, and the culprits should be arrested at the earliest," he added in the letter.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Your Monday Briefing: A Testy Exchange Between the U.S. and China
By BY AMELIA NIERENBERG from NYT Briefing
5 เคिเคฒाเคก़ी เคคीเคธเคฐे เคेเคธ्เค เคธे เคชเคนเคฒे เคนुเค เคोเคिเคฒ, เคीเคฎ เคฎैเคจेเคเคฎेंเค เคी เคฌเคข़ी เคिंเคคा, 1 เคा เคเคे เคेเคฒเคจा เคฎुเคถ्เคिเคฒ!
เคเคธ्เค्เคฐेเคฒिเคฏा เคो เคชเคนเคฒे เคฆो เคेเคธ्เค เคฎैเค เคेเคฒเคจे เคे เคฌाเคฆ เคीเคฎ เคो เคญाเคฐเคค เคे เคนाเคฅों 2-0 เคी เคนाเคฐ เคฎिเคฒी เคนै. เคจाเคเคชुเคฐ เคेเคธ्เค เคฎें เคชाเคฐी เคเคฐ 132 เคฐเคจ เคเคฌเคि เคฆिเคฒ्เคฒी เคेเคธ्เค เคฎैเค เคฎें เคเคธ्เค्เคฐेเคฒिเคฏा เคी เคीเคฎ เคे 6 เคตिเคेเค เคธे เคนाเคฐ เคा เคธाเคฎเคจा เคเคฐเคจा เคชเคก़ा. เคเคธ เคธीเคฐीเค เคा เคคीเคธเคฐा เคेเคธ्เค เคฎैเค เคंเคฆौเคฐ เคฎें เคेเคฒा เคाเคจा เคนै เคเคธเคธे เคชเคนเคฒे เคนी 5 เคिเคฒाเคก़ी เคोเคिเคฒ เคนो เคुเคे เคนैं.
Watch: Street Performer Singing 'Tere Naam' In London Wows Internet
A video of a street performer in the United Kingdom singing a popular song from the 2003 hit Bollywood movie 'Tere Naam' is winning hearts on social media.
A musician named Vish dropped the video of his performance on his Instagram account. In the viral clip, he is seen standing on the pavement, with a microphone in his hands and speakers placed around him. Several people are also seen gathered around to watch him perform, while many are seen recording his performance or enjoying it from a distance.
Watch the video below:
"Singing Tere Naam live on the street at Southall (London)," wrote Mr Vish while posting the video on Instagram. The clip opens with the musician saying, "I want you guys to sing with me. Come on!" As it progresses, he is then seen beautifully singing the song 'Tere Naam'.
Mr Vish uploaded the video on Instagram just a few hours ago and since then it has already accumulated more than 9,400 likes and over 83,000 views. Internet users simply loved Mr Vish's performance and showered their love in the comment section.
"Your voice & this song," wrote one user. "Beautiful song, beautifully sung," said another.
A third user commented, "My favourite. Brings back memories," while a fourth enquired, "Wembly me kab aa rahe ho? (When are you coming to Wembley?)"
Several users also flooded the comment section with heart and fire emojis.
Also Read | ''The Arm Should Be...'': Nagaland Minister's Witty Post Triggers Laughter On Twitter
The song, beautifully sung by Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan, has been picturised on Salman Khan and Bhumika Chawla in the movie 'Tere Naam'.
Meanwhile, a similar video of the same musician went viral a few months ago. In the clip, the Mr Vish was singing a popular song from the 2003 hit Bollywood movie 'Kal Ho Na Ho'. Several videos of the singer performing on the streets of UK have become an instant hit with the internet. As per his Instagram bio, Vish is "UK's 1st Bollywood Busker".
Saturday, February 18, 2023
"Would You Pray To Find A Dead Body?": Quake-Hit Turkey's Tragic Reality
As his bulldozer claws at the rubble of buildings destroyed by this month's earthquake, operator Akin Bozkurt consoles himself that by finding bodies he gives family members the chance to have a funeral for loved ones and a grave where they can mourn.
"Would you pray to find a dead body?" he asked. "We do...to deliver the body to the family."
Bozkurt, 42, travelled to Kahramanmaras, the southern Turkish city closest to the epicentre of the devastating quake 12 days ago from his home town of Kayseri, 250 km (155 miles) north, to help with the demolition of destroyed buildings.
"You recover a body from under tonnes of rubble. Families are waiting with hope...they want to have a burial ceremony. They want a grave," Bozkrut said.
According to Islamic tradition, the dead should be buried as quickly as possible.
At a graveyard in the city, the thousands of new graves vastly outnumbered those which predated the earthquake, underlining the scale of the catastrophe.
More than 46,000 people in Turkey and Syria were killed by the earthquake and the death count is expected to climb even higher.
Bozkurt said that while he was at work with his bulldozer a father, warming himself at a fire by the ruins of his former home, asked him to find his daughter.
"He told us, 'please find a piece of her so I would know where her grave is'. This is really tragic."
"We are trying to find happiness from the saddest moment in their lives."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
More Than 300,000 Starbucks Vanilla Frappuccino Drinks Recalled
By BY MCKENNA OXENDEN from NYT Business
Officials from Japan and China discuss diplomatic tensions in Munich.
By BY EDWARD WONG from NYT World
Amit Shah's "Truth" Swipe After Uddhav Thackeray Loses Sena Name, Symbol
Union Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said those who chose to "lick the soles" of people with opposite ideologies have found which side truth was on after the Election Commission declared the faction headed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as the real Shiv Sena and gave it the 'bow and arrow' symbol.
Shah also said the Bharatiya Janata Party's ideological bases were being completed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding the Centre was "moving in the direction of the Common Civil Code".
Without naming Uddhav Thackeray, Shah, who was speaking at the launch of Marathi version of the booked 'Modi@20', also reiterated there was no agreement on sharing the chief minister's post in the run up to the 2019 Assembly polls.
The Shiv Sena broke its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party after the results of the 2019 Assembly polls were declared claiming the latter had reneged on a promise to share the CM's post with it.
Uddhav teamed up with the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress to lead the Maha Vikas Aghadi, till it fell in June last year after Shinde rebelled.
"Yesterday, the Election Commission did 'doodh ka doodh, pani ka pani' (bring out absolute truth). Yesterday, the term 'satyamev jayate' (truth always triumphs) was characterised," Shah said in the presence of CM Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.
The Election Commission (EC) on Friday allotted the name 'Shiv Sena' and its poll symbol 'bow and arrow' to the group led by CM Shinde, in the process delivering a big blow to Uddhav Thackeray, whose father Bal Thackeray founded the outfit in 1966.
"Those who used to shout by taking refuge of falsehood today found out on whose side truth is," he said without naming Thackeray.
"During the (2019) state election, I was the party chief. We fought the election together, put up a bigger photo of Modiji than his (Thackeray), and contested the election by knowing Fadnavis as the leader. But to become CM, (he) went on to lick the soles of people having an opposite ideology," Shah further said.
He exhorted those attending the gathering to ensure all seats in Maharashtra should come to the kitty of the BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.Maharashtra will see Assembly polls just a few months after Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
"In elections, victories and defeats take place. But those who betray should not be spared as their courage gets a boost (if they are spared). I heard Shinde's press conference yesterday where he said he had freed the bow and arrow that had been mortgaged with the NCP and Congress," Shah said.
"Forget about us, these people (Uddhav faction) betrayed the ideology of Balasaheb and Shiv Sainiks. Today, doodh ka doodh, pani ka pani ho gaya," he asserted.
Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Shah said the country was now the fifth biggest economy in the word, larger than that of the United Kingdom, which ruled here for more than 150 years.
He said the Congress and National Conference, which predicted bloodshed in Kashmir due to the scrapping of provisions of Article 370 that gave the restive northern state a special status, have now got their answer as "leave (firing) a bullet, there is no courage to even pelt a stone".
PM Modi ended the insurgency in the North East, and Left Wing Extremism is almost finished.
"This is the biggest achievement. Fifty years back, we set on a path with an aim, and today, the aim has been achieved in the last nine years. No one imagined Article 370 would be abrogated, or triple talaq would end, or the Citizenship Amendment Act would be enacted," Shah said.
"No one could imagine the Centre would go in the direction of the Common Civil Code. But Modiji has worked to complete these ideological bases of the party. But the mission is still incomplete," he asserted.
Taking another swipe at Thackeray, Shah said they (BJP leaders under Modi) had come into politics with the aim of making India the number one country in all sectors, not like "one who would betray his own father's ideology, party and party workers to become chief minister".
Under the charismatic leadership of Modiji, the party will win with a two-thirds majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Union Home Minister claimed.
Attacking the Congress-led UPA government that ruled from 2004 to 2014, Shah said every minister in that dispensation thought of himself as the prime minister and no one considered the prime minister (Manmohan Singh) as the prime minister.
"There was policy paralysis. Terrorists used to cross the border and used to take away the heads of our soldiers, they used to mutilate then but there used to be silence in Delhi Darbar (UPA government). Scams used to unfold like film scenes. There was no women's security," he alleged.
Taking a jab at Manmohan Singh, Shah said the PM at the time had no respect in foreign countries.
"The PM used to go and read a written speech. Sometimes, he used to read Thailand's speech in Singapore and Singapore's in Thailand," Shah remarked.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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