DROUPADI MURMU WILL BE THE 15th PRESIDENT OF INDIA

Scripting history Thursday, NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu became the first tribal woman to be elected to the highest post in the country, its 15th President. At 64, she will also be the youngest president of India.

Murmu, former Governor of Jharkhand, trounced challenger and Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha, securing 64.03 per cent of the total votes polled.

The 64-year-old will be administered the Presidential oath of office by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana on July 25.

Even before the results were officially announced, Sinha congratulated Murmu and hoped she would function as the “Custodian of the Constitution without fear or favour”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who along with BJP president J P Nadda called on Murmu at her residence around the time she crossed the halfway mark during the counting of votes, said on Twitter, “India scripts history. At a time when 1.3 billion Indians are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a daughter of India hailing from a tribal community born in a remote part of eastern India has been elected our President! Congratulations to Smt, Droupadi Murmu Ji on this feat.”

“Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji’s life, her early struggles, her rich service and her exemplary success motivates each and every Indian. She has emerged as a ray of hope for our citizens, especially the poor, marginalised and the downtrodden. Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji has been an outstanding MLA and Minister. She had an excellent tenure as Jharkhand Governor. I am certain she will be an outstanding President who will lead from the front and strengthen India’s development journey,” Modi said.

Murmu bagged 2824 of the total 4701 valid votes while Sinha managed 1877 votes. Of the 4754 votes, 53 votes were invalid. In terms of vote value, the NDA candidate logged 676803 of the total 1072377 and Sinha 380177.

PRESIDENTIAL POLLS: CROSS-VOTING FOR MURMU BARES CRACKS IN OPPOSITION UNITY

As counting of votes in the Presidential election concluded Thursday, it became clear that NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu’s spectacular win had also been helped by some cross-voting. It was also proof of the division and confusion in Opposition ranks.

The ruling BJP claimed that 17 MPs from the two Houses of Parliament and 126 MLAs from states defied respective party lines and voted for Murmu.

With Sinha failing to get the expected votes, there is a question mark on Opposition unity. But leaders of Opposition parties pointed out that many among them had no choice except to stand with Murmu to protect their tribal support base.

Sinha drew a complete blank in Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland and Sikkim. Murmu even managed one vote from Kerala, a state where the BJP could not win a single seat in the Assembly or in the Lok Sabha polls.

Meanwhile, taking other Opposition parties by surprise, the Trinamool Congress announced Thursday that it will abstain from voting in the vice-presidential election. The party said it could not go with the NDA’s Jagdeep Dhankhar but could not support the Opposition’s Margaret Alva either, as it had “not been consulted” on her candidature.

When asked whether this will dent Opposition unity, TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said: “Opposition unity is not dependent on choosing presidential or vice-presidential candidates… or such polls… One has to rise above ego and self-interest. Opposition unity can be proved by fighting shoulder to shoulder on the streets… We welcome those (parties) which want to take on the BJP on the streets like us.”

TIES WITH ARAB NATIONS NOT HIT BY PROPHET REMARK ROW: GOVERNMENT

India’s friendly relations with Arab countries were not affected in view of the controversial comments made against Prophet Mohammad, the government said in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

“India shares historic and friendly relations with Arab countries which have strengthened significantly in the past few years in different domains,” said Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on being asked if “hate speeches and defamatory” comments made by spokespersons of political parties in India had affected its relations with Arab countries.

Qatar, Kuwait, Pakistan, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia and Azerbaijan were the countries that had summoned the Indian ambassadors in connection with the remarks on the Prophet. “Our ambassadors conveyed that the remarks were made by individuals and do not, in any manner, reflect the view of the Government of India. In line with our civilisational heritage and cultural traditions, India accords highest respect to all religions,” he said.

AFTER SATELLITE PICS SHOW CHINA'S INROADS NEAR DOKLAM, INDIA'S RESPONSE

India on Thursday said it keeps an eye on all developments having a bearing on national security, days after NDTV accessed new satellite images that indicate that a Chinese village - constructed 9 km east of Doklam plateau where Indian and Chinese forces faced off in 2017 - is now fully inhabited with cars parked at the doorstep of every home.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters the government then takes measures accordingly. "Please be assured that the government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India's security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard the same," Mr Bagchi said in reply to a question on the new satellite images.

Significantly, the village, which Beijing calls Pangda, lies squarely within Bhutanese territory.

Alongside Pangda is a neatly marked all-weather carriageway, part of China's extensive land-grab in Bhutan. This cuts 10 km into Bhutanese territory, along the banks of the fast-flowing Amo Chu river.

For India, construction along the Amo Chu means that Chinese forces could end up getting access to a strategic ridge in the adjacent Doklam plateau. This would give them a direct line-of-sight to India's sensitive Siliguri corridor, the narrow sliver of land that connects the northeast states with the rest of the country.

In 2017, Indian soldiers had physically prevented Chinese workers from getting to this ridge in Doklam called the Jhamperi. There is now a concern that China is trying to bypass Indian defences to the West by approaching the same ridge through this alternate axis.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST / July 21

from mohfw.gov.in ,

New Cases on Wednesday  21,566

Active Cases 1,48,881 (+3,227)

Total Deaths (Deaths Yesterday) 5,25,870 (45)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

======================

RUSSIA RESUMES GAS FLOW TO GERMANY WITH CUTBACK

Russia reopened its biggest gas pipeline to Germany at less than half normal capacity on Thursday after a maintenance shutdown, raising worries of European energy shortages to come.

The resumption of gas flows via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany ended a nerve-jangling 10 days for Europe in which politicians expressed concern Russia might keep it shut altogether after closing it for repairs. But with the flows still cut back, Germany’s economy minister Robert Habeck accused Russia of blackmailing Europe over energy.

The Kremlin denied that and blamed Europe for causing disruption with sanctions which had complicated the pipeline’s maintenance.

Nearly five months since Russia invaded Ukraine, the prospect of a disruption of European energy supplies is one of the biggest global economic and political risks arising from the war. European countries fear they could face shortages next winter, if Russia cuts back deliveries during warm months when they typically replenish storage tanks.

“(President Vladimir) Putin’s goal is to unsettle, drive up prices, divide society and to weaken support for Ukraine,” Habeck said. “We don’t bow to it but counteract this with concentrated and consistent action. We take precautions so that we can get through the winter. ”

‘UKRAINE, RUSSIA TO SIGN GRAIN DEAL TODAY’

Ukraine and Russia were due Friday to sign an elusive deal designed to help relieve a global food crisis caused by blocked Black Sea grain exports. The first major agreement between the warring sides since Russia’s February invasion of its neighbour comes with global food prices soaring and people in some of the world’s poorest countries facing starvation.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres was due to arrive in Turkey on Thursday for the signing ceremony at Istanbul. “The grain export agreement, critically important for global food security, will be signed in Istanbul (Friday) under the auspices of President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan and UN secretary-general Guterres together with Ukrainian and Russian delegations,” the Turkish leader’s spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tweeted.

Up to 25 million tonnes of wheat, other grains have been blocked in Ukrainian ports by Russian warships and landmines Kyiv has laid to avert a feared amphibious assault.

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OPPOSITION ABSENT, DEBATE ON ANTARCTIC BILL PUT OFF

In one of the rare occasions, the Lok Sabha was today adjourned after Union Minister Jitendra Singh asked the Chair to defer the discussion on a key legislation, the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022, since Opposition members were not present in the House.

“It is an important Bill. I think the Opposition should be present to participate in the discussion,” Singh said.

Subsequently, Biju Janata Dal’s Bhartruhari Mahtab, who was in the Chair, adjournment the proceedings after having taken the sense of the House.

After three days of continuous logjam, the Lok Sabha yesterday functioned during the pre-lunch hours, with the majority of Opposition members skipping the proceedings.

Several Opposition members were not present in the House, with many of them protesting outside over Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s questioning by the Enforcement Directorate in the National Herald money laundering case.

The Bill to lay down rules to regulate a range of activities on territories in Antarctica was introduced by Jitendra Singh in the Lok Sabha on April 1.

AMID PROTESTS, ED QUIZZES SONIA GANDHI, CALLS HER AGAIN ON MONDAY

Congress president Sonia Gandhi yesterday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and recorded her statement under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a case related to the National Herald newspaper.

The day was marked with a show of strength by the party. Protests were held and leaders courted arrest across the country. The ED has summoned Sonia again on July 25.

The 75-year-old leader, who is recovering from Covid, stayed at the ED headquarters for a little over two hours. The questioning session was concluded at her request, ED officials said. However, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed the ED told Sonia that they had no further questions and she could leave. Sonia said she would be willing to respond to any other questions they might have and was ready to stay on till 8 pm or 9 pm, if necessary, Ramesh tweeted.

“The ED then said it had nothing to ask of her either Thursday or Friday. After which Sonia said she was willing to appear on Monday,” he said. The summoning of the Congress leader created a political storm both within Parliament and across the country.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot said, “Officials could have come to her residence and recorded the statement.” Leaders of 13 political parties accused the government of unleashing political vendetta.

LG RETURNS ARVIND KEJRIWAL’S PROPOSAL TO ATTEND SINGAPORE SUMMIT

After Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena Thursday returned Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s proposal for a foreign visit to Singapore for a summit, the latter shot off a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for a clearance, informed Deputy CM Manish Sisodia. The proposal was sent to the LG around two months back.

Sources in the LG Office said the World Cities Summit prima facie seemed to be a conference of mayors and therefore, did not “befit attendance” by a Chief Minister. “Having carefully studied the nature of the forum and the profile of other attendees, as also the subjects being deliberated upon at the Conference, the LG has pointed out that the Conference will be covering different aspects of Urban Governance which in the case of Delhi are addressed by diverse civic bodies ranging from NDMC, MCD and DDA apart from the GNCTD,” a source in the LG Office said.

In a press conference, Sisodia hit out at the decision calling it “mean politics” and said Kejriwal does not agree with the LG’s “advice”. “Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was invited to Singapore for the World Cities Summit by the (Singapore) government. It was said urban experts, business and governance leaders are coming for it. The Singapore government has written — your insights will enrich our discussions on how we can make our cities more liveable and sustainable,” he said.

“The CM has now decided that he will apply for political clearance at the Ministry of External Affairs.

GYANVAPI: SC DECLINES TO PRE-EMPT DIST JUDGE ORDER

The Supreme Court on Thursday firmly said it would not preempt the Varanasi district judge in determining the validity of a trial court order appointing a court commissioner to survey the Gyanvapi mosqueold Kashi Vishwanath temple, which led to the discovery of a ‘shivling’.

Declining the Gyanvapi mosque management committee’s request to adjudicate the validity of the order appointing a court commissioner, a bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, Surya Kant and P S Narasimha, which had shifted the trial of a suit by Hindus seeking right to worship inside the Gyanvapi mosque from a civil judge (senior division) to the district judge, told the committee of management of the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid that it had the liberty to raise every possible objection before the district judge to the commissioner and the report.

For the committee, senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi insisted the SC adjudicate the validity of the order appointing the court commissioner and his report.

“It is like a fruit of a poison tree which has led to the creation of a situation and perception that threatens to alter the character of a religious place maintained for centuries,” he said. “The illegal order directing appointment of court commissioner needs to be struck off,” he added.

The bench said if the district judge upholds the committee’s objections, the entire report would automatically be rendered non-existent.

SC ALLOWS AN UN-WED WOMAN TO END 23-WK PREGNANCY

The Supreme Court yesterday allowed an unmarried woman to abort a 23-week pregnancy, subject to the report by a medical board at AIIMS. Earlier, the Delhi High Court had refused to let the woman undergo abortion on the grounds that the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Rules 2021, do not extend the 24-week limit to unmarried women.

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971 was amended in 2021. While it increased the permissible time limit for abortion from 20 weeks to 24 weeks, it did so for only certain categories of women. This classification of women finds mention in the Rules, currently under challenge in the Delhi High Court. The list is limited — minors, rape victims, women with change in marital status during pregnancy (widowhood and divorce), foetal anomalies, women with physical disabilities and women with mental illness including mental retardation — and excludes all other women.

The amendment is perhaps meant to be supportive of women, but it hardly does so.

Even before the amendment and the new rules, the courts and particularly the Bombay High Court had led the jurisprudence on this issue. On several occasions, it upheld abortion to be an integral part of a woman’s personal liberty on various grounds. The most important of them remain — mental health and choice.

FPIs RETURN WITH RS 1,799-CR INFLOW: RE, MARKETS GET A BOOST

The rupee recovered from Wednesday’s close of 79.99 to close 4 paise higher at 79.95 against the US dollar on Thursday, following the overall weakness in crude oil prices and fresh foreign fund inflows. With foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) pumping money, the Sensex has shot up by 1,921 points so far this week.

FPIs, who pulled out Rs 2.28 lakh crore since January, invested Rs 1,799 crore on Thursday, raising expectations that FPIs will start investing in India again at low levels. Further, oil prices fell by more than $5 on Thursday after higher US gasoline stockpiles and an ECB rate hike stoked demand worries and returning oil supply from Libya eased supply concerns.

KL RAHUL TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 BEFORE WINDIES TOUR

KL Rahul, India’s vice-captain, has tested positive for Covid-19 and is likely to miss the series in West Indies. He was recovering after the recent surgery at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore and was set to travel to West Indies later this week.

Rahul was only named in the T20I squad for the West Indies series, subject to fitness, and his absence will open up the chance to the likes of Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda (who opened in a game in the series in Ireland), and Sanju Samson.

NEERAJ CHOPRA QUALIFIES FOR FINAL AT WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Neeraj Chopra qualified for the men's javelin throw final at World Athletics Championships, being held in Eugene, Oregon, with an effort of 88.39m. The Olympic champion sealed his spot in the final with his first throw in the qualification round. Chopra was in Group A of the qualification round and the first to throw, and the 24-year-old wrapped it up early for himself. He will now compete in the final, which is set to be held on Sunday early morning (IST).

The automatic qualifying mark in javelin throw for the World Championships final was 83.50m.

Chopra's throw was the best in Group A and only Grenada's Anderson Peters could better his effort with a throw of 89.91m.

India's Rohit Yadav, with a throw of 80.42, also qualified for the final as he finished 10th in the qualifying.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. - Melody Beattie

OFF TRACK

Old man Murray goes to the doctor with a very worried look on his face. "Doctor," he says, "You've got to help me. Do you remember those voices in my head I always complain about?"

"Yes," the doctor replies.

"Well they've suddenly gone away," Murray says.

"So what's the problem?"

"I think I'm going deaf."