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Natural farming is solution for food security: PM Modi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday appealed to farmers across India, especially 80 per cent who are small land holding farmers, to adopt natural farming and look for nature-based solutions that can provide food security as well as help achieve balance with nature.

Stating that some states such as his home state Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh have already taken to natural farming, PM Modi also appealed to all state governments to take up natural farming as ‘jan andolan’ and ensure that at least one village in every Panchayat is 100 per cent into natural farming.

“We need to take away farming from the chemistry lab to nature’s lab. And when I say nature’s laboratory, it is entirely science-based,” Modi said while virtually addressing the farmers during the valedictory session of ‘National Conclave on Natural Farming’ being held at Anand in Gujarat.

Along with natural farming, the role of indigenous cows too is very important, he said, adding, the land that needs less irrigation can better withstand droughts and floods.

“When the world is chanting the mantra of ‘Back to Basics’, we need to remember that our civilization was based on agriculture, so imagine, how advanced our knowledge about farming must have been,” the Prime Minister said and reminded the audience of detailed mentions about agriculture related issues in the ancient works right from Rig Veda, Atharv Veda to Puranas and Parashar Rishi to ‘Krushak Kavi Ghagh’ in north India to ‘Sant Thiruvallur’ in south India. He also recited a Sanskrit shloka and a couplet from poet Ghagh’s works.

Reminding almost eight crore farmers listening to him virtually across India that he had challenged the world to adopt LIFE – Life Style for Environment – during the recent climate change summit, Modi said, “In the 21st century, it is India that is going to lead, it is the Indian farmers that are going to lead. As we celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and march into the Amrit Kaal (time till India’s 100 years of Independence), India will provide for the world a better solution for food security along with balance with nature through natural farming.”

There is no denying that fertilizers played an important role in the green revolution, but it is equally important to look for alternatives to it, he said.

Gujarat Governor Acharya Dev Vrat, who has himself carried out natural farming practice prior to donning the gubernatorial role, explained in detail what prompted him to turn to natural farming – in his home state Haryana – and how with the help of Subhas Palekar, the man who is promoting zero budget natural farming, he regained fertility of the land that had turned useless due to excess use of chemical fertilizers.

In what can be termed as a Masterclass on natural farming, the Governor also explained in very simple language how easy it is to prepare ‘Jeevamrut’, the organic pesticide/insecticide and how to ensure nitrogen fixation to revive the dead soil.

A short film on natural farming was shown on the occasion. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is also the first minister for Cooperation, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, too, spoke on the occasion.

The three-day ‘National Conclave on Natural Farming’ was organized from December 14 and attended by over 5,000 farmers physically apart from hundreds and thousands of others who attended it virtually through ICAR, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency) network in the States.

National News

Congress MP Imran Masood calls for banning liquor during Navratri

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Saharanpur, March 29: Congress lawmaker Imran Masood said on Saturday that not just meat shops, liquor establishments should be shut during the nine-day festival of Navratri and called for embracing and promoting the spirit of brotherhood and communal harmony.

“Everybody is demanding a ban on meat shops during Navratri. Why is no one asking for a ban on liquor shops? Why is there no outpouring on the free flow of liquor during Navratri? Will this not spoil the purity and sanctity of the festival?” Saharanpur MP said in a special interaction with media.

The Congress Parliamentarian said that peaceful celebration supersedes everything, and it is incumbent upon all communities to maintain decorum during festivities and also make certain sacrifices, be it Eid or Navratri.

Notably, Eid-ul-Fitr and Navratri are coinciding on the same day this year. Both festivals are set to fall on Monday, with little possibility of change in the Eid schedule on account of moon sighting.

Days ago, the Congress MP also extended support to the demands of a meat ban during Navratri celebrations. In an apparent message to the Muslim community, he said that nothing would change if one did not eat meat for ten days.

“What matters above everything is the peaceful co-existence of communities. At no point in time, the differences over food preferences lead to communal strife,” Masood told newspersons.

Congress MP, when asked questions on the party’s strategy for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, said that the Opposition is fully prepared to take on the Centre on “partisan legislation”.

“We opposed the amendments in the JPC meeting, tooth and nail. We will strongly voice our dissent in Parliament too,” he said.

Notably, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that the Waqf Bill will not be delayed any further and will be reintroduced in the ongoing session of Parliament.

Only four working days of the Budget Session are left, as it concludes on April 4.

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National News

‘PM Narendra Modi Relies On Crutches Of Nitish Kumar And Chandrababu Naidu To Pass Waqf Bill”: AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi

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Hyderabad: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi spoke on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 and said that the BJP does not have a majority in the Lok Sabha, and if Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar oppose it, it won’t be passed.

While speaking to media, Asaduddin Owaisi said that PM Narendra Modi is relying on the crutches of Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar. He stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is spreading lies in the country regarding the Waqf Bill.

“Amit Shah is the Home Minister of the Government of India and his statement is proof of the fact that you trying to make an unconstitutional law which can be challenged in the court. This is a violation of the articles of the Constitution and the Waqf of the entire country will suffer because of it. You are removing the section of the Waqf property, who will benefit from it. You are omitting the revenue of lakhs of rupees. Amit Shah is lying to the country that you can challenge the Waqf Tribunal in the court. Prime Minister Narendra Modi relies on the crutches of Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu and if they do not support this unconstitutional bill, then this law will not be made”, Asaduddin Owaisi said.

Earlier on Friday, Owaisi supported the ‘black band’ protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Owaisi, who is also part of the JPC on the Waqf bill, joined in the symbolic protest on Friday by wearing a black armband as he offered prayers.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that Waqf Amendment Bill, on which JPC has given its report, will be tabled in the Budget session of Parliament. The Budget session is slated to conclude on April 4.

“Nobody needs to get afraid of the Waqf Bill. In 2013, the Congress-led government passed the Waqf Bill and made several provisions that are not aligned with our Constitution. We are now trying to align the bill with constitutional principles,” he said.

Asked about Asaduddin Owaisi’s black arm band protest, Amit Shah said people have a right to do so. “Some do it through their clothes, some through their words. In Parliament, one opposes through logic,” he said.

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Crime

Accused in Saif Ali Khan stabbing case files bail plea, claims innocence

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Mumbai, March 29: Mohammad Shariful Islam Shahzad, the accused in the stabbing of Bollywood superstar Saif Ali Khan, has filed a bail petition in the Mumbai Sessions Court, asserting that he is innocent and the case against him is fabricated.

The attack took place in the early hours of January 16 when the accused allegedly entered Saif’s Bandra residence through his youngest son Jeh’s room.

The actor, who was reportedly trying to fend off the assailant, suffered multiple stab wounds. Despite his injuries, Saif managed to go to the hospital on his own, accompanied by his son Taimur.

Shariful Islam Shahzad’s petition, filed through his lawyer, claims that the FIR was wrongly registered and that he has fully cooperated with the police investigation.

His legal team argues that since all evidence is already in police custody, there is no risk of tampering, and therefore, he should be granted bail.

Currently, the case is being handled by the Bandra Magistrate Court, but it falls under the jurisdiction of the Mumbai Sessions Court. Once the police file a charge sheet, the case will be transferred to the Sessions Court. However, the charge sheet is yet to be filed.

According to media reports, doctors removed a 2.5-inch knife from Saif’s wound. The actor sustained six stab injuries, two of which were serious as they were near his spine.

The incident reportedly occurred around 2:15 am on January 16 when the accused broke into the house, attacked the house help, and then stabbed Saif when he intervened.

Saif was alerted by noises from Jeh’s room, where he found the accused in an altercation with the house help. Attempting to protect the staff, Saif fought off the intruder with his bare hands before being stabbed multiple times.

Investigations have revealed that the accused, a Bangladeshi national, intended to rob a wealthy individual to finance his mother’s medical treatment in his home country. He has a history of petty theft and was previously dismissed from restaurants in Worli and Thane for stealing.

It is also reported that the attacker was unaware of Saif Ali Khan’s celebrity status and targeted the residence purely because it was located in an upscale apartment complex.

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