China's counter-surveillance industry booms amid heightened espionage fears | Gravitas

Navratri 2026: 9 days, 9 forms of Goddess Durga and 9 colours- Check the complete list

Trump accuses Houthis of driving up oil prices before US midterms, warns of consequences

Russian woman and Bihar boy's love story goes viral after she reaches India to marry him

Arijit Singh 9-city India stadium tour to start from January: Check venue and ticket prices

US Midterms 2026: In Alaska, cost-of-living anxiety meets strangest ballot in high-stakes Senate race

F1 set to return to Africa for first time since 1993 

'Don't ever mess with nature!': Trump’s tiger attack post triggers social media backlash as victim's family issues heartbreaking tribute

CMs Vijay-Naidu meet in Vijayawada, discuss water sharing, river-linking

Air India Flight from Frankfurt diverted to Jaipur after hijack alert, probe on

1,500 drones illuminate Mumbai sky as Cordelia Cruises unveils second ship, Cordelia Sky

Delhi Police arrest Cockroach Janta Party's Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde in Jantar Mantar case, to be produced before court

‘Rise up, young patriots!’: American singer Mary Millben says US donors funding CJP, backs Modi govt

Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay calls on US to 'get back to' being defender of human rights

France accuses Musk of ‘online harassment’ of European leaders, warns of poll interference

'Turn approver, resign, we'll forgive you': Rahul Gandhi claims receiving messages from CEC Gyanesh Kumar

MI5 chief warns Russia is UK’s ‘aggressor number one’ as Iran and AI threats grow

Trump reconsidering calling off Nidal Hasan's execution livestream. Here's why

‘My president, I mean my husband’: Trump's new press secretary Katie Zacharia's first briefing goes off the rails in 14 minutes

‘How many people did she illegally bring from Somalia?’ Trump targets Ilhan Omar, questions her net worth

Marco Rubio to visit India next week, focus on energy cooperation and strategic ties

US politicians mistakenly use Indian, Russian warship images for Navy's birthday posts

'Ouch!!! That must hurt': Kangana Ranaut hails Kamal Haasan's sharp reply to Elon Musk over Starlink row

Girl 'dead' for 8 hours wakes up at her own funeral, dad insists she wasn't breathing

Sidhu Moose Wala’s younger brother wins hearts by recreating late singer’s signature move at Toronto Hologram Show

UK school ditches technology, shifts from screen to pen and paper for learning

Durga Puja 2026: Kolkata roads get a splash of colours

New OTT releases this week (October 12-18, 2026): Sacrifice, Koffee with Karan S9, Roadies Rebirth- 6 titles coming on Netflix, JioHotstar and more

Inside Aneet Padda's 24th birthday bash with rumoured boyfriend Ahaan Panday and Alia Bhatt

New Cold War: Why is China buying more gold? Explained

Netanyahu wants to join Saudi's war on Houthis, but Crown Prince denies: Report

Anupam Kher joins Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana as Jatayu, new poster unveiled

Measles kills again: 6 dead in Pennsylvania as America faces its worst outbreak in decades | Gravitas

Cornell University suspends fraternity parties over 2024 gang rape allegations

Robert Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Thursday appeared before the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/enforcement-directorate-summons-robert-vadra-in-corruption-case-222400">Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case</a> linked to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad, officials said.

Vadra was dropped by his wife and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi outside the agency's office near India Gate at about 10:30 AM.

He was summoned to depose before the investigating officer of the case where his statement will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

He has appeared before the agency multiple times in the past in this case.

The agency has recently sought cancellation of the anticipatory bail given to Vadra and has also opposed his foreign travel.

A local court Wednesday had reserved for June 3 its order to allow Vadra to travel abroad.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also last week moved a court here seeking cancellation of the anticipatory bail given to Vadra in this case and the Delhi High Court had then issued a notice to him seeking his response.

The ED had told the Delhi HC that it required Vadra's custody as he was not cooperating in the investigation and the trial court had not discussed the gravity of the offence in its order that gave relief to the high-profile businessman.

The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property located at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million GBP (British pounds), which is allegedly owned by him.

The agency had told a Delhi court that it has received information about various new properties in London which belong to Vadra. These include two houses, one worth 5 million GBP and the other valued at 4 million GBP, six other flats and more properties.

Vadra has denied the allegations of possessing illegal foreign assets and termed them a political witch hunt against him. He said he was being "hounded and harassed" to subserve political ends.

Robert Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Thursday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case linked to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad, officials said.

Robert Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Thursday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case linked to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad, officials said. Vadra was dropped by his wife and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi outside the agency's office near India Gate at about 10:30 AM. He was summoned to depose before the investigating officer of the case where his statement will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He has appeared before the agency multiple times in the past in this case. The agency has recently sought cancellation of the anticipatory bail given to Vadra and has also opposed his foreign travel. A local court Wednesday had reserved for June 3 its order to allow Vadra to travel abroad. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also last week moved a court here seeking cancellation of the anticipatory bail given to Vadra in this case and the Delhi High Court had then issued a notice to him seeking his response. The ED had told the Delhi HC that it required Vadra's custody as he was not cooperating in the investigation and the trial court had not discussed the gravity of the offence in its order that gave relief to the high-profile businessman. The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property located at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million GBP (British pounds), which is allegedly owned by him. The agency had told a Delhi court that it has received information about various new properties in London which belong to Vadra. These include two houses, one worth 5 million GBP and the other valued at 4 million GBP, six other flats and more properties. Vadra has denied the allegations of possessing illegal foreign assets and termed them a political witch hunt against him. He said he was being "hounded and harassed" to subserve political ends.

Money laundering case: Robert Vadra appears before Enforcement Directorate again

Modi 2.0: Prominent faces of the 58-member ministerial team

The US has said that it is closely working with India to minimise any impact of New Delhi reducing oil imports from Iran as Washington has refused to give waivers to any country from its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-debate-behind-trumps-move-to-tighten-iran-oil-sanctions-215055">sanctions on the West Asian country</a>.

US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus, while replying to a question in a briefing said, "So we work – we coordinated closely, of course, with them to minimize any negative impact".

She explained that Washington's "goal... is for everyone" to "cease importing Iranian oil entirely" and "we appreciate everyone who has worked with us steadfastly to get to zero".

A couple of weeks ago, Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif had visited New Delhi and met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj regarding many issues including the import of oil.

On purchase of oil from Iran, Sushma Swaraj told Zarif that a decision on the same will be taken after the elections result keeping in mind "our commercial considerations, energy security and economic interests".

Even though there hasn't been any statement from the Ministry of External Affairs or the petroleum ministry if India has cut oil imports from Iran, Indian envoy to the US, Harsh Vardhan Shringla was quoted as saying that New Delhi has reduced oil import from the West Asian country.

"India had already sharply decreased its imports from Iran and bought one million tonnes (tons) of crude in April, the last month before Washington stepped up its pressure campaign against Tehran and ended all exemptions to sanctions. That's it. After that we haven't imported any," Mr Shringla was quoted by news agency PTI.

The India-Iran bilateral trade during the fiscal year 2016-17 stood at $12.89 billion of which New Delhi imported $10.5 billion worth of goods - mainly crude oil.

The US has said that it is closely working with India to minimise any impact of New Delhi reducing oil imports from Iran as Washington has refused to give waivers to any country from its sanctions on the West Asian country.

The US has said that it is closely working with India to minimise any impact of New Delhi reducing oil imports from Iran as Washington has refused to give waivers to any country from its sanctions on the West Asian country. US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus, while replying to a question in a briefing said, "So we work – we coordinated closely, of course, with them to minimize any negative impact". She explained that Washington's "goal... is for everyone" to "cease importing Iranian oil entirely" and "we appreciate everyone who has worked with us steadfastly to get to zero". A couple of weeks ago, Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif had visited New Delhi and met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj regarding many issues including the import of oil. On purchase of oil from Iran, Sushma Swaraj told Zarif that a decision on the same will be taken after the elections result keeping in mind "our commercial considerations, energy security and economic interests". Even though there hasn't been any statement from the Ministry of External Affairs or the petroleum ministry if India has cut oil imports from Iran, Indian envoy to the US, Harsh Vardhan Shringla was quoted as saying that New Delhi has reduced oil import from the West Asian country. "India had already sharply decreased its imports from Iran and bought one million tonnes (tons) of crude in April, the last month before Washington stepped up its pressure campaign against Tehran and ended all exemptions to sanctions. That's it. After that we haven't imported any," Mr Shringla was quoted by news agency PTI. The India-Iran bilateral trade during the fiscal year 2016-17 stood at $12.89 billion of which New Delhi imported $10.5 billion worth of goods - mainly crude oil.

Working to minimise any negative impact: US on India cutting oil imports from Iran

Amethi MP Smriti Irani was among the six women ministers to take oath in the newly-formed government led by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-time-222847">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Thursday.

The number of women ministers in this government is lower than the last time, even though the number of women elected in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls is the highest ever.

There were eight women ministers in the last government.

Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Nirmala Sitharaman also took oath as Union ministers, besides Irani.

The 43-year-old Amethi MP, who was the "giant slayer" in the Lok Sabha polls as she scripted a historic win over Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in the latter's family bastion, took oath as Union minister along with 57 others.

Badal (52), from BJP ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), won the polls from Bathinda.

Sitharaman (59), who was the first woman to be appointed a full-time defence minister of the country, also took oath as Union minister.

Fatehpur MP Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti (52) took oath as minister of state, along with new entrants Renuka Singh Saruta (55), the MP from Chhattisgarh's Sarguja, and Debashree Chaudhuri (48), the MP from Raiganj in West Bengal.

Their portfolios are yet to be announced.

Among the women ministers in the previous government, Sushma Swaraj (external affairs), Uma Bharti (drinking water and sanitation), Maneka Gandhi (women and child development) and Anupriya Patel (MoS, health and family welfare) are not part of the new council of ministers.

The average age of women MPs this time is 51 years with Irani being the youngest woman minister and Sitharaman the oldest.

Sitharaman, Swaraj and Bharti did not contest the Lok Sabha polls. Gandhi, Badal, Irani and Jyoti won from their respective constituencies.

The number of women elected in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls is the highest ever.

Of the 542 MPs who will take oath as members of the Lower House in the next few days, 78 are women with Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal leading with 11 each.

A total of 724 women candidates contested the polls across the country with the Congress fielding the maximum of 54, closely followed by the BJP at 53.

With over 14 per cent female members, the 17th Lok Sabha will have the highest number of women since 1952. The 16th Lok Sabha had 64 women, while 52 were elected to the 15th Lok Sabha.

Amethi MP Smriti Irani was among the six women ministers to take oath in the newly-formed government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. The number of women ministers in this government is lower than the last time, even though the number of women elected in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls is the highest ever.

Amethi MP Smriti Irani was among the six women ministers to take oath in the newly-formed government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. The number of women ministers in this government is lower than the last time, even though the number of women elected in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls is the highest ever. There were eight women ministers in the last government. Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Nirmala Sitharaman also took oath as Union ministers, besides Irani. The 43-year-old Amethi MP, who was the "giant slayer" in the Lok Sabha polls as she scripted a historic win over Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in the latter's family bastion, took oath as Union minister along with 57 others. Badal (52), from BJP ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), won the polls from Bathinda. Sitharaman (59), who was the first woman to be appointed a full-time defence minister of the country, also took oath as Union minister. Fatehpur MP Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti (52) took oath as minister of state, along with new entrants Renuka Singh Saruta (55), the MP from Chhattisgarh's Sarguja, and Debashree Chaudhuri (48), the MP from Raiganj in West Bengal. Their portfolios are yet to be announced. Among the women ministers in the previous government, Sushma Swaraj (external affairs), Uma Bharti (drinking water and sanitation), Maneka Gandhi (women and child development) and Anupriya Patel (MoS, health and family welfare) are not part of the new council of ministers. The average age of women MPs this time is 51 years with Irani being the youngest woman minister and Sitharaman the oldest. Sitharaman, Swaraj and Bharti did not contest the Lok Sabha polls. Gandhi, Badal, Irani and Jyoti won from their respective constituencies. The number of women elected in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls is the highest ever. Of the 542 MPs who will take oath as members of the Lower House in the next few days, 78 are women with Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal leading with 11 each. A total of 724 women candidates contested the polls across the country with the Congress fielding the maximum of 54, closely followed by the BJP at 53. With over 14 per cent female members, the 17th Lok Sabha will have the highest number of women since 1952. The 16th Lok Sabha had 64 women, while 52 were elected to the 15th Lok Sabha.

Meet six women ministers of PM Modi Cabinet

After defeating Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son from the high-stakes Jodhpur seat, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat appeared set to get his second stint in the Union ministry.

Shekhawat was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Jodhpur in 2014 and was made the minister of state for agriculture and farmers' welfare in September 2017. On Thursday, he was sworn-in as a cabinet minister.

As an MP, Shekhawat contributed to the development of the civil airport of Jodhpur city, which is also known as the 'blue city', and expansion of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

The 51-year-old had defeated Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot in Jodhpur by over 2.7 lakh votes. The chief minister had represented the&nbsp; 
constituency five times since 1980.

"This election is about government versus workers and common people. It is an election between the CM's son and a common man's son," Shekhawat had told PTI during the election campaign.

Known for his oratory skills and popular in his constituency, Shekhawat is often fondly referred to as "Gajju banna".

The two-time MP had strained relations with former chief minister Vasundhara Raje. Shekhawat was once in the running for the post of the BJP's state president. But, amid strong opposition from Raje, he lost out to Madan Lal Saini.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, however, was appointed as the convener of the election committee for the assembly election.

Shekhawat made his debut in politics as the president of the Jai Narain Vyas University student union in 1992. He remained closely associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in the region, especially in the border areas of Barmer and Jaisalmer.&nbsp;

After defeating Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son from the high-stakes Jodhpur seat, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat appeared set to get his second stint in the Union ministry.

After defeating Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son from the high-stakes Jodhpur seat, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat appeared set to get his second stint in the Union ministry. Shekhawat was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Jodhpur in 2014 and was made the minister of state for agriculture and farmers' welfare in September 2017. On Thursday, he was sworn-in as a cabinet minister. As an MP, Shekhawat contributed to the development of the civil airport of Jodhpur city, which is also known as the 'blue city', and expansion of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The 51-year-old had defeated Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot in Jodhpur by over 2.7 lakh votes. The chief minister had represented the constituency five times since 1980. "This election is about government versus workers and common people. It is an election between the CM's son and a common man's son," Shekhawat had told PTI during the election campaign. Known for his oratory skills and popular in his constituency, Shekhawat is often fondly referred to as "Gajju banna". The two-time MP had strained relations with former chief minister Vasundhara Raje. Shekhawat was once in the running for the post of the BJP's state president. But, amid strong opposition from Raje, he lost out to Madan Lal Saini. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, however, was appointed as the convener of the election committee for the assembly election. Shekhawat made his debut in politics as the president of the Jai Narain Vyas University student union in 1992. He remained closely associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in the region, especially in the border areas of Barmer and Jaisalmer.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Jodhpur MP who gave Gehlot the 'blues'

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Telangana G Kishan Reddy, who was sworn-in as a Minister of State, is a leader who rose through the ranks.

The BJP leader won the Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat in Telangana by a comfortable margin.

Reddy, who started his political career in 1977 as an ordinary worker with the Janata Party, had served as president of BJP in undivided Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and also as national president of BJYM, BJP's youth wing.

He also functioned as the party's floor leader of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly.

Born in 1960 in neighbouring Ranga Reddy district, Kishan Reddy was inspired by Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan and RSS leaders before he plunged into public service.

After working with Janata Party as an activist, he joined the BJP when it was formed in 1980.

Reddy's growth in the saffron party was gradual and he was appointed as the president of BJYM in 2002 when the party was in power at the Centre.&nbsp;

Reddy formed the World Youth Council Against Terrorism (WYCAT), an apolitical organisation, when he was the president of BJYM.

He organised a World Youth Convention under the auspices of WYCAT in New Delhi in which delegates from over 50 countries participated.

He conducted a 'Seema Suraksha Jagran Yatra' with the objective of expressing solidarity with the people living in border areas.&nbsp;

Reddy contested Assembly polls for the first time in 2004 (from Himayatnagar in Hyderabad) and got elected. His work won him laurels though he was the only MLA for his party then.

After delimitation of constituencies, he was subsequently elected to the Assembly from Amberpet constituency in the city in 2009 and 2014.&nbsp;

He, however, lost the Assembly elections held in December 2018, the first in Telangana after its formation.

With sitting Lok Sabha member and former Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya being denied the ticket, Kishan Reddy was chosen by the party to contest from Secunderabad in the recently held Lok Sabha polls.

Reddy also worked for social causes, including well being of children suffering from heart ailments. His effort, along with others, made the then government come up with a scheme to help such children.

He headed the Telangana Home Guards Association and undertook agitations, seeking equal treatment, respect and improvement in their living conditions.&nbsp;

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Telangana G Kishan Reddy, who was sworn-in as a Minister of State, is a leader who rose through the ranks. The BJP leader won the Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat in Telangana by a comfortable margin.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Telangana G Kishan Reddy, who was sworn-in as a Minister of State, is a leader who rose through the ranks. The BJP leader won the Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat in Telangana by a comfortable margin. Reddy, who started his political career in 1977 as an ordinary worker with the Janata Party, had served as president of BJP in undivided Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and also as national president of BJYM, BJP's youth wing. He also functioned as the party's floor leader of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Born in 1960 in neighbouring Ranga Reddy district, Kishan Reddy was inspired by Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan and RSS leaders before he plunged into public service. After working with Janata Party as an activist, he joined the BJP when it was formed in 1980. Reddy's growth in the saffron party was gradual and he was appointed as the president of BJYM in 2002 when the party was in power at the Centre. Reddy formed the World Youth Council Against Terrorism (WYCAT), an apolitical organisation, when he was the president of BJYM. He organised a World Youth Convention under the auspices of WYCAT in New Delhi in which delegates from over 50 countries participated. He conducted a 'Seema Suraksha Jagran Yatra' with the objective of expressing solidarity with the people living in border areas. Reddy contested Assembly polls for the first time in 2004 (from Himayatnagar in Hyderabad) and got elected. His work won him laurels though he was the only MLA for his party then. After delimitation of constituencies, he was subsequently elected to the Assembly from Amberpet constituency in the city in 2009 and 2014. He, however, lost the Assembly elections held in December 2018, the first in Telangana after its formation. With sitting Lok Sabha member and former Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya being denied the ticket, Kishan Reddy was chosen by the party to contest from Secunderabad in the recently held Lok Sabha polls. Reddy also worked for social causes, including well being of children suffering from heart ailments. His effort, along with others, made the then government come up with a scheme to help such children. He headed the Telangana Home Guards Association and undertook agitations, seeking equal treatment, respect and improvement in their living conditions.

G Kishan Reddy: Telangana MP who rose through the ranks

Suresh Angadi, a four-time member of Lok Sabha from Belgaum Lok Sabha constituency, is also an educationist whose institutions offer courses in commerce, science, computer science, business administration and engineering.

Angadi belongs to the dominant Lingayat community, who form the core electoral base of BJP, particularly in north Karnataka.

He has always maintained his popularity graph high as he never saw defeat ever since he took a plunge into electoral politics in 2004.

In his first election, he defeated Congress candidate Amarsinh Patil, son of veteran politician and freedom fighter Vasant Rao Patil.&nbsp;

Five years later, in 2009 Lok Sabha election, Angadi once again defeated Patil.

In 2014, Congress decided to field another popular leader Laxmi R&nbsp;Hebbalkar against Angadi but riding on the Modi wave, he defeated her too.&nbsp;

In the recently-concluded Lok Sabha election, he defeated Congress candidate V S Sadhunnavar.

The 63-year-old Angadi, a commerce graduate who also did a course in law, started his political career actively in 1996 when he was made the Belgaum district BJP vice president. In 2001, he was nominated as the Belgaum district president of BJP.

Three years after rising to the post of district president, Angadi was given ticket to contest the Lok Sabha election by the BJP.&nbsp;

Without missing a chance, he emerged as a giant killer by defeating Congress candidate and the then sitting MP Amarsinh Patil.

The BJP leader who hailed from an agricultural family in KK Koppa village near Belagavi was born to Somawwa and Channabasappa Angadi in 1053.

In 2008, four years after his election to Lok Sabha, he set up the Suresh Angadi Education Foundation as he was 'immensely influenced by Swami Vivekananda', says the SAEF about its chairman.&nbsp;

The BJP leader always maintained cordial relations with the BJP strongman and state president B S Yeddyurappa without facing any hindrance to secure ticket and support to win the successive elections successfully.

Unlike a few other MPs, Angadi maintained a distance from controversies, except for a few tweets about the 'gau rakshaks', which he had removed.&nbsp;

Suresh Angadi, a four-time member of Lok Sabha from Belgaum Lok Sabha constituency, is also an educationist whose institutions offer courses in commerce, science, computer science, business administration and engineering.

Suresh Angadi, a four-time member of Lok Sabha from Belgaum Lok Sabha constituency, is also an educationist whose institutions offer courses in commerce, science, computer science, business administration and engineering. Angadi belongs to the dominant Lingayat community, who form the core electoral base of BJP, particularly in north Karnataka. He has always maintained his popularity graph high as he never saw defeat ever since he took a plunge into electoral politics in 2004. In his first election, he defeated Congress candidate Amarsinh Patil, son of veteran politician and freedom fighter Vasant Rao Patil. Five years later, in 2009 Lok Sabha election, Angadi once again defeated Patil. In 2014, Congress decided to field another popular leader Laxmi R Hebbalkar against Angadi but riding on the Modi wave, he defeated her too. In the recently-concluded Lok Sabha election, he defeated Congress candidate V S Sadhunnavar. The 63-year-old Angadi, a commerce graduate who also did a course in law, started his political career actively in 1996 when he was made the Belgaum district BJP vice president. In 2001, he was nominated as the Belgaum district president of BJP. Three years after rising to the post of district president, Angadi was given ticket to contest the Lok Sabha election by the BJP. Without missing a chance, he emerged as a giant killer by defeating Congress candidate and the then sitting MP Amarsinh Patil. The BJP leader who hailed from an agricultural family in KK Koppa village near Belagavi was born to Somawwa and Channabasappa Angadi in 1053. In 2008, four years after his election to Lok Sabha, he set up the Suresh Angadi Education Foundation as he was 'immensely influenced by Swami Vivekananda', says the SAEF about its chairman. The BJP leader always maintained cordial relations with the BJP strongman and state president B S Yeddyurappa without facing any hindrance to secure ticket and support to win the successive elections successfully. Unlike a few other MPs, Angadi maintained a distance from controversies, except for a few tweets about the 'gau rakshaks', which he had removed.

Suresh Angadi: Politician-cum-educationist and now a first-time minister

Mercury soared high in isolated parts of Maharashtra as a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/heatwave-intensifies-across-nation-central-india-worst-hit-222451">heat wave gripped</a> the region leading to a water crisis and also affecting crops.

According to the India Meteorological Department, the mercury sizzled at 48 degrees Celsius in Chandrapur on Wednesday.

The weather forecasting agency has warned that a heat wave may further rise in the coming days.

Apart from Chandrapur, areas such as Brahmpuri and Amravati also recorded a high temperature of 47.5 and 46.4 degrees Celsius, respectively.

However, in Andhra Pradesh, heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds hit Vijayawada on Wednesday providing relief from the sweltering heat and lowering temperatures considerably.

It is worth noticing that YSR Congress Party chief Jaganmohan Reddy is set to take oath here as the new chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.

The sudden change in weather has affected the preparations at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium, the venue of the swearing in.

Strong wind with speed reaching 40-50 kmph prevailed over the Andaman Sea and adjoining the southeast Bay of Bengal.

Squally weather prevailed over the southeast Arabian Sea. The organisation has advised fishermen not to venture into this area for the next few days.

Mercury soared high in isolated parts of Maharashtra as a heat wave gripped the region leading to a water crisis and also affecting crops. According to the India Meteorological Department, the mercury sizzled at 48 degrees Celsius in Chandrapur on Wednesday.

Mercury soared high in isolated parts of Maharashtra as a heat wave gripped the region leading to a water crisis and also affecting crops. According to the India Meteorological Department, the mercury sizzled at 48 degrees Celsius in Chandrapur on Wednesday. The weather forecasting agency has warned that a heat wave may further rise in the coming days. Apart from Chandrapur, areas such as Brahmpuri and Amravati also recorded a high temperature of 47.5 and 46.4 degrees Celsius, respectively. However, in Andhra Pradesh, heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds hit Vijayawada on Wednesday providing relief from the sweltering heat and lowering temperatures considerably. It is worth noticing that YSR Congress Party chief Jaganmohan Reddy is set to take oath here as the new chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. The sudden change in weather has affected the preparations at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium, the venue of the swearing in. Strong wind with speed reaching 40-50 kmph prevailed over the Andaman Sea and adjoining the southeast Bay of Bengal. Squally weather prevailed over the southeast Arabian Sea. The organisation has advised fishermen not to venture into this area for the next few days.

Maharashtra heat: Mercury touches 48 degree Celsius in Chandrapur

Two influential lawmakers from California have introduced legislation in the US House of Representatives to protect work authorisation of H-4 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-trump-immigration-plan-may-increase-visas-for-highly-skilled-workers-213463">visa workers</a>, a significant number of whom are Indian-American women.

The introduction of such legislation comes days after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that it would publish this month the long-promised regulation that would prevent the work authorisation to spouses on H-4 visas.

H-4 visas are issued to the spouses of H-1B visa holders, a significantly large number of whom are high-skilled professionals from India.

This week, the Trump administration announced plans to overturn current the DHS regulations that allow certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B visa holders who are stuck in green card backlogs to obtain employment authorisation, pursue their own professional goals and contribute to the US economy, said the lawmakers Anna G Eshoo and Zoe Lofgren.

Many H-4 visa holders are highly skilled professionals, and the DHS previously extended eligibility for employment authorisation to them recognising the economic burdens of families of many H-1B workers, particularly those who live in high-cost areas like Silicon Valley on a single income as they await green card approvals, they said.

Since the rule was implemented, over 100,000 workers, mainly women, have received employment authorisation, and the H-4 Employment Protection Act prohibits the Trump administration from revoking this important rule.

"H-4 visa holders deserve a chance to contribute to their local economies and provide for their families," Eshoo said.

"This is a matter of economic fairness and this legislation ensures it will continue," she added.

H-4 visa holders had obtained work permits under a special order issued by the previous Obama administration. Indian-Americans were a major beneficiary of this provision. More than one lakh H-4 visa holders have been beneficiary of this rule.

"While the Trump administration sits on its hands and does nothing, American citizens in-waiting are stuck in line for their number to come up," Lofgren said.

"Nobody benefits from this system, least of all the American economy when H-1B dependent spouses are prohibited from working. Many of these are accomplished and qualified individuals whose skills we'll lose to other countries unless the Administration finds a more sensible approach to immigration," she said.

Last November, Eshoo and Lofgren originally introduced the H-4 Employment Protection Act.

In March 2018, Eshoo and Lofgren led 13 Members of Congress in writing to DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, urging her to reconsider DHS's proposal to revoke eligibility for employment authorisation to H-4 dependent spouses.

A 2015 rule issued by the Obama administration allows work permits for spouses who otherwise could not be employed while H-1B visa holders seek permanent resident status, a process that can take a decade or longer.

The H-1B programme offers temporary US visas that allow companies to hire highly skilled foreign professionals working in areas with shortages of qualified American workers.

Since taking office, the Trump administration has been talking about cracking down on the H- 1B visa scheme.

During his election campaign, President Trump promised to increase oversight of our H-1B and L-1 visa programmes to prevent its abuse.&nbsp;

Two influential lawmakers from California have introduced legislation in the US House of Representatives to protect work authorisation of H-4 visa workers, a significant number of whom are Indian-American women.

Two influential lawmakers from California have introduced legislation in the US House of Representatives to protect work authorisation of H-4 visa workers, a significant number of whom are Indian-American women. The introduction of such legislation comes days after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that it would publish this month the long-promised regulation that would prevent the work authorisation to spouses on H-4 visas. H-4 visas are issued to the spouses of H-1B visa holders, a significantly large number of whom are high-skilled professionals from India. This week, the Trump administration announced plans to overturn current the DHS regulations that allow certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B visa holders who are stuck in green card backlogs to obtain employment authorisation, pursue their own professional goals and contribute to the US economy, said the lawmakers Anna G Eshoo and Zoe Lofgren. Many H-4 visa holders are highly skilled professionals, and the DHS previously extended eligibility for employment authorisation to them recognising the economic burdens of families of many H-1B workers, particularly those who live in high-cost areas like Silicon Valley on a single income as they await green card approvals, they said. Since the rule was implemented, over 100,000 workers, mainly women, have received employment authorisation, and the H-4 Employment Protection Act prohibits the Trump administration from revoking this important rule. "H-4 visa holders deserve a chance to contribute to their local economies and provide for their families," Eshoo said. "This is a matter of economic fairness and this legislation ensures it will continue," she added. H-4 visa holders had obtained work permits under a special order issued by the previous Obama administration. Indian-Americans were a major beneficiary of this provision. More than one lakh H-4 visa holders have been beneficiary of this rule. "While the Trump administration sits on its hands and does nothing, American citizens in-waiting are stuck in line for their number to come up," Lofgren said. "Nobody benefits from this system, least of all the American economy when H-1B dependent spouses are prohibited from working. Many of these are accomplished and qualified individuals whose skills we'll lose to other countries unless the Administration finds a more sensible approach to immigration," she said. Last November, Eshoo and Lofgren originally introduced the H-4 Employment Protection Act. In March 2018, Eshoo and Lofgren led 13 Members of Congress in writing to DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, urging her to reconsider DHS's proposal to revoke eligibility for employment authorisation to H-4 dependent spouses. A 2015 rule issued by the Obama administration allows work permits for spouses who otherwise could not be employed while H-1B visa holders seek permanent resident status, a process that can take a decade or longer. The H-1B programme offers temporary US visas that allow companies to hire highly skilled foreign professionals working in areas with shortages of qualified American workers. Since taking office, the Trump administration has been talking about cracking down on the H- 1B visa scheme. During his election campaign, President Trump promised to increase oversight of our H-1B and L-1 visa programmes to prevent its abuse.

US lawmakers introduce legislation to protect work visa of spouses of H-1B holders

Heeraben Modi, mother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was overwhelmed with emotions as she watched his son <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-time-222847">taking oath for the second term</a> today.

She watched the live telecast on television at her house in Gandhinagar and applauded&nbsp;when President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath of office to Modi.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Ahmedabad: Heeraben Modi, mother of PM Narendra Modi watching the swearing in ceremony <a href="https://t.co/KLwXtMLuRN">pic.twitter.com/KLwXtMLuRN</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1134093417841999872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Modi's swearing-in ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi with the presence of many world leaders, celebrities and politicians.

After the results for Lok Sabha elections were announced Modi visited his home state Gujarat and sought blessings from his mother in Gandhinagar.

Watch:&nbsp;Narendra Modi takes oath as Prime Minister for second consecutive term

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-consecutive-term-222879/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The oath ceremony comes a week after the BJP's massive win in the Lok Sabha elections - the party won 303 of the 542 seats which went to polls and its NDA allies took the tally to 354.

Heeraben Modi, mother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was overwhelmed with emotions as she watched his son taking oath for the second term today. She watched the live telecast on television at her house in Gandhinagar and applauded when President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath of office to Modi.

Heeraben Modi, mother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was overwhelmed with emotions as she watched his son taking oath for the second term today. She watched the live telecast on television at her house in Gandhinagar and applauded when President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath of office to Modi. Ahmedabad: Heeraben Modi, mother of PM Narendra Modi watching the swearing in ceremony pic.twitter.com/KLwXtMLuRN — ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2019 × Modi's swearing-in ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi with the presence of many world leaders, celebrities and politicians. After the results for Lok Sabha elections were announced Modi visited his home state Gujarat and sought blessings from his mother in Gandhinagar. Watch: Narendra Modi takes oath as Prime Minister for second consecutive term The oath ceremony comes a week after the BJP's massive win in the Lok Sabha elections - the party won 303 of the 542 seats which went to polls and its NDA allies took the tally to 354.

A delighted Heeraben watches son Narendra Modi take oath as PM

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/narendra-modi-ushers-in-second-term-as-prime-minister-222608">Narendra Modi to take oath as Prime Minister today</a>

With the 2019 Lok Sabha poll victory, he has become the first Prime Minister outside of the Congress to win two consecutive terms with a full majority since 1971.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-faces-second-election-in-months-as-netanyahu-fails-to-form-government-222605">Israel faces second election in months as Netanyahu fails to form government</a>

The September 17 ballot will be Israel's second this year. It spells unprecedented upheaval even for a country used to political infighting and is a big blow to Netanyahu, who had claimed victory in the last election on April 9.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/ahead-of-oath-taking-ceremony-pm-modi-pays-tribute-mahatma-gandhi-vajpayee-visits-national-war-memorial-222611">Ahead of oath-taking ceremony, PM Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, Vajpayee; visits National War Memorial&nbsp;</a> 
 
Before taking oath as the prime minister for the second consecutive term today, Modi on Thursday morning visited National War Memorial and paid tribute to India's martyrs.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mueller-says-he-could-not-charge-trump-as-congress-weighs-impeachment-222609">Mueller says he could not charge Trump as Congress weighs impeachment</a> 
 
US Special Counsel Robert Mueller said on Wednesday his probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election was never going to end with criminal charges against President Donald Trump but he did not clear him and indicated it was up to Congress to decide whether he should be impeached.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/europa-league-hazard-scores-twice-as-chelsea-thrash-arsenal-in-final-222607">Europa League: Hazard scores twice as Chelsea thrash Arsenal in final</a>

Chelsea destroyed Arsenal with four second-half goals that handed coach Maurizio Sarri his first major trophy at the age of 60, although that might not be enough to silence the speculation that he could also be leaving Stamford Bridge imminently. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Narendra Modi to take oath as Prime Minister today With the 2019 Lok Sabha poll victory, he has become the first Prime Minister outside of the Congress to win two consecutive terms with a full majority since 1971.

Narendra Modi to take oath as Prime Minister today With the 2019 Lok Sabha poll victory, he has become the first Prime Minister outside of the Congress to win two consecutive terms with a full majority since 1971. Israel faces second election in months as Netanyahu fails to form government The September 17 ballot will be Israel's second this year. It spells unprecedented upheaval even for a country used to political infighting and is a big blow to Netanyahu, who had claimed victory in the last election on April 9. Ahead of oath-taking ceremony, PM Modi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, Vajpayee; visits National War Memorial Before taking oath as the prime minister for the second consecutive term today, Modi on Thursday morning visited National War Memorial and paid tribute to India's martyrs. Mueller says he could not charge Trump as Congress weighs impeachment US Special Counsel Robert Mueller said on Wednesday his probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election was never going to end with criminal charges against President Donald Trump but he did not clear him and indicated it was up to Congress to decide whether he should be impeached. Europa League: Hazard scores twice as Chelsea thrash Arsenal in final Chelsea destroyed Arsenal with four second-half goals that handed coach Maurizio Sarri his first major trophy at the age of 60, although that might not be enough to silence the speculation that he could also be leaving Stamford Bridge imminently.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-president-amit-shah-takes-oath-as-cabinet-minister-222849">BJP chief Amit Shah</a> on Thursday took oath as a Cabinet minister in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/live-updates-prime-minister-narendra-modi-swearing-in-ceremony-222770">Narendra Modi government</a>. This is the first time that Shah is entering the government.

Known as an astute strategist whose non-political interests range from playing chess and watching cricket to stage performances and listening to classical music, 55-year-old Shah is often hailed as the BJP's most successful president for crafting its way to power states after states.

The record tally that he delivered for the BJP in the Lok Sabha 2019 elections is already being seen by many as something that would be difficult to repeat.

A man with avowed aim of having the BJP rule from "panchayat to Parliament", Shah has built his party into a formidable army that has been forever marching on since he took charge as its president in July 2014.

Watch: Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah take oath as Union ministers

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/rajnath-singh-and-amit-shah-takes-oath-as-union-ministers-222878/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Political pundits say Shah has used a skilful mix of ideological firmness, unlimited political imagination and realpolitik flexibility to keep the BJP ahead of the game.

He fought the Lok Sabha election this year for the first time from Gandhinagar seat in Gujarat, and defeated Congress's J Chavda by a record five lakh votes.

Having risen through the ranks since starting at the booth level for the party in Gujarat at the age of 14 years, Shah is a firm believer in the prerequisite of a strong ground-level organisational machinery for poll successes.

For the 2019 elections, he deployed over 7,000 leaders for nearly 500 poll committee across the country, with special focus on 120 seats that the BJP had lost in 2014, and brought in 3,000 "full-timers" across parliamentary seats.

Seen as a Modi confidant, Shah also brought about cohesion between the government and the party, with the party leaders promoting the government's work and the ministers being used for the party work.

BJP chief Amit Shah on Thursday took oath as a Cabinet minister in the Narendra Modi government. This is the first time that Shah is entering the government. Known as an astute strategist whose non-political interests range from playing chess and watching cricket to stage performances and listening to classical music, 55-year-old Shah is often hailed as the BJP's most successful president for crafting its way to power states after states.

BJP chief Amit Shah on Thursday took oath as a Cabinet minister in the Narendra Modi government. This is the first time that Shah is entering the government. Known as an astute strategist whose non-political interests range from playing chess and watching cricket to stage performances and listening to classical music, 55-year-old Shah is often hailed as the BJP's most successful president for crafting its way to power states after states. The record tally that he delivered for the BJP in the Lok Sabha 2019 elections is already being seen by many as something that would be difficult to repeat. A man with avowed aim of having the BJP rule from "panchayat to Parliament", Shah has built his party into a formidable army that has been forever marching on since he took charge as its president in July 2014. Watch: Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah take oath as Union ministers × Political pundits say Shah has used a skilful mix of ideological firmness, unlimited political imagination and realpolitik flexibility to keep the BJP ahead of the game. He fought the Lok Sabha election this year for the first time from Gandhinagar seat in Gujarat, and defeated Congress's J Chavda by a record five lakh votes. Having risen through the ranks since starting at the booth level for the party in Gujarat at the age of 14 years, Shah is a firm believer in the prerequisite of a strong ground-level organisational machinery for poll successes. For the 2019 elections, he deployed over 7,000 leaders for nearly 500 poll committee across the country, with special focus on 120 seats that the BJP had lost in 2014, and brought in 3,000 "full-timers" across parliamentary seats. Seen as a Modi confidant, Shah also brought about cohesion between the government and the party, with the party leaders promoting the government's work and the ministers being used for the party work.

Amit Shah: BJP's 'Chanakya' now enters government

Rolls Royce Motor Cars, the maker of ultra-luxury automobiles, launched its first-ever Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) Cullinan in India on Thursday. The SUV derives its name Cullinan, from one of the largest diamonds ever found.

The car is powered by a 6.75L V12, twin turbo engine that delivers 563 horsepower and 850 Nm of peak torque. The company is calling it an 'Effortless Everywhere SUV' that feels equally at-home while off-roading and while navigating the city.

Rolls Royce executives said the vehicle underwent design and testing for several years, across extreme climatic conditions. The company claims that vehicle was extensively tested in icy conditions, the deserts of Dubai and Scottish Highlands.

The Cullinan comes as an addition to the line-up of five cars that the British carmaker had launched in the last five years. The past launches included the two-door GT, the Dawn, Wraith, Ghost and Phantom 8.

One glance at the car and the iconic design elements of the Roll Royce family such as the large front grille with the RR logo, 'Spirit of Ecstasy' hood ornament above the logo are unmissable.

As an additional accessory, buyers can also opt for twin electronically deployed seats that emerge out of the base of the boot along with a cocktail table in the middle.

The car is available in a staggering 44,000 colour options and the executives from the company say that they also offer custom-colours based on customer choices. However, if you’re looking to get your hands on one, the waiting time is between nine and 11 months. Buyers in India would also have to shell out around 250 per cent of import duty on the luxury car.

Rami Jourdi, Regional PR Manager for the company, said that there has been an overwhelming response in India for the Cullinan and customers have already placed orders. He also added that 2018 was a very successful year for the company with 4,107 cars delivered to customers. "When compared to 2017, we grew 22per cent and India was a part of the success," he added.

Speaking of customers who had expressed interest in the Cullinan he said, most of the customers are new and many of them are ones who added this car to their Rolls Royce collection. He also emphasized on the luxury brand’s aim to expand across India beyond their existing dealership and showrooms in Chennai, Delhi and Hyderabad. South India continues to be an important market for Rolls Royce, he added.

Rolls Royce Motor Cars, the maker of ultra-luxury automobiles, launched its first-ever Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) Cullinan in India on Thursday. The SUV derives its name Cullinan, from one of the largest diamonds ever found.

Rolls Royce Motor Cars, the maker of ultra-luxury automobiles, launched its first-ever Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) Cullinan in India on Thursday. The SUV derives its name Cullinan, from one of the largest diamonds ever found. The car is powered by a 6.75L V12, twin turbo engine that delivers 563 horsepower and 850 Nm of peak torque. The company is calling it an 'Effortless Everywhere SUV' that feels equally at-home while off-roading and while navigating the city. Rolls Royce executives said the vehicle underwent design and testing for several years, across extreme climatic conditions. The company claims that vehicle was extensively tested in icy conditions, the deserts of Dubai and Scottish Highlands. The Cullinan comes as an addition to the line-up of five cars that the British carmaker had launched in the last five years. The past launches included the two-door GT, the Dawn, Wraith, Ghost and Phantom 8. One glance at the car and the iconic design elements of the Roll Royce family such as the large front grille with the RR logo, 'Spirit of Ecstasy' hood ornament above the logo are unmissable. As an additional accessory, buyers can also opt for twin electronically deployed seats that emerge out of the base of the boot along with a cocktail table in the middle. The car is available in a staggering 44,000 colour options and the executives from the company say that they also offer custom-colours based on customer choices. However, if you’re looking to get your hands on one, the waiting time is between nine and 11 months. Buyers in India would also have to shell out around 250 per cent of import duty on the luxury car. Rami Jourdi, Regional PR Manager for the company, said that there has been an overwhelming response in India for the Cullinan and customers have already placed orders. He also added that 2018 was a very successful year for the company with 4,107 cars delivered to customers. "When compared to 2017, we grew 22per cent and India was a part of the success," he added. Speaking of customers who had expressed interest in the Cullinan he said, most of the customers are new and many of them are ones who added this car to their Rolls Royce collection. He also emphasized on the luxury brand’s aim to expand across India beyond their existing dealership and showrooms in Chennai, Delhi and Hyderabad. South India continues to be an important market for Rolls Royce, he added.

Rolls Royce unveils its first-ever SUV Cullinan in India; priced at Rs 6.95 crore

The display picture of Narendra Modi's Twitter handle and Facebook was updated minutes before <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-time-222847">he took oath as the prime minister for the second time</a> on Thursday.

In his new photo, the 68-year-old stalwart is wearing a light blue shirt with black half-jacket, also known as Modi jacket.

The cover photo of the Prime Minister on the micro-blogging site was also replaced with the image of his greeting the crowd with folded hands on the day he capped a landslide victory in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections and gave a victory speech from the dais of the BJP headquarters.

Narendra Modi is one of the most famous and active politicians on social media with nearly 48 million followers.

He joined Twitter in 2009 while he was the chief minister of Gujarat.

Watch:&nbsp;Narendra Modi takes oath as Prime Minister for second consecutive term

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-consecutive-term-222879/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Narendra Modi took oath as the 15th Prime Minister of India in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of a battery of dignitaries, including foreign leaders.

Minutes, after he was administered the oath by President Ram Nath Kovind, the display and cover pictures of the Prime Minister Office (PMO) Twitter handle was also changed.

In the cover photo, the PM Modi is bowing down to respectfully touch the Constitution of India with his forehead, as he walked towards the podium after he was recently elected as the leader of the NDA and BJP&nbsp;parliamentary party last week.

The main image is his close-up in which the leader is wearing a saffron jacket on a white shirt.

Riding high on the planks of muscular nationalism, BJP stormed to power with 303 seats. Along with its NDA allies, the number swelled to 353 in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

The display picture of Narendra Modi's Twitter handle and Facebook was updated minutes before he took oath as the prime minister for the second time on Thursday.

The display picture of Narendra Modi's Twitter handle and Facebook was updated minutes before he took oath as the prime minister for the second time on Thursday. In his new photo, the 68-year-old stalwart is wearing a light blue shirt with black half-jacket, also known as Modi jacket. The cover photo of the Prime Minister on the micro-blogging site was also replaced with the image of his greeting the crowd with folded hands on the day he capped a landslide victory in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections and gave a victory speech from the dais of the BJP headquarters. Narendra Modi is one of the most famous and active politicians on social media with nearly 48 million followers. He joined Twitter in 2009 while he was the chief minister of Gujarat. Watch: Narendra Modi takes oath as Prime Minister for second consecutive term Narendra Modi took oath as the 15th Prime Minister of India in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of a battery of dignitaries, including foreign leaders. Minutes, after he was administered the oath by President Ram Nath Kovind, the display and cover pictures of the Prime Minister Office (PMO) Twitter handle was also changed. In the cover photo, the PM Modi is bowing down to respectfully touch the Constitution of India with his forehead, as he walked towards the podium after he was recently elected as the leader of the NDA and BJP parliamentary party last week. The main image is his close-up in which the leader is wearing a saffron jacket on a white shirt. Riding high on the planks of muscular nationalism, BJP stormed to power with 303 seats. Along with its NDA allies, the number swelled to 353 in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

PM Modi's Twitter, Facebook profile updated minutes before he took oath

A staunch loyalist of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-time-222847">Narendra Modi</a> since the days he was the chief minister of Gujarat, BJP leader Giriraj Singh has seen his political stock rise dramatically in the past one decade.

The 66-year-old Singh, who has won the Begusarai seat in Bihar defeating CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar by a margin of over four lakh votes, belongs to the influential Bhumihar community - earlier supporters of the Congress, but since the Mandal era forming the BJP's backbone in the state.

He had been associated with the Sangh Parivar since his days as a student of Magadh University during which he was an active member of the ABVP.&nbsp;

He, however, remained in political wilderness until his election to the state legislative council in 2002 and his induction into the Nitish Kumar cabinet three years later.

Kumar was perceived to have an overbearing presence by his detractors in the BJP and Singh, by his acts of defiance, endeared himself to hardliners as well as members of his own community, who saw in his blunt support of Modi a caste-man asserting himself before an OBC boss.

After it became clear that Modi will be the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP and Kumar parted ways, Singh - who had lost his ministerial berth in the state - was rewarded with a Lok Sabha ticket from Nawada, a seat he won while earning the ignominy of having been banned from campaigning in Bihar and Jharkhand by the Election Commission, which took exception to his pronouncement that those opposed to his leader deserved to be sent to Pakistan.

Six months after Modi assumed power in May, 2014, Singh was made the Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in a cabinet expansion exercise and he continued to hold the post till the government lasted.

While his tenure as a Union minister, like his stint in the state, remained free of blemishes he kept making headlines through acts like prefixing his "gotra" - Shandilya - to his name and urging others to follow the example in the interests of Hindu traditions.

Many of his utterances verged on Hindutva hardline as he repeatedly raised the issue of rising Muslim population in the country and underscored that a decline in the proportion of Hindus in a region invariably led to social strife.

At times he also went against the government line of awaiting the Supreme&nbsp;Court verdict on Ayodhya saying "Hindus were running out of patience". He drew flak when he visited riot-accused Bajrang Dal activists in Nawada last year and lambasted the Nitish Kumar government for the same though his party had come to share power in the state again.

Ahead of a massive rally in the Bihar capital before the elections were announced, Singh once again proclaimed that those who did not attend the same would be deemed to be standing with Pakistan, but ended up missing it himself on account of ill-health, evoking much ridicule.

Electioneering saw him warning Muslims that their reluctance to chant "Vande Mataram" could be detrimental to their own interests as unlike the Hindus who were cremated upon death, they needed "three yards of land for burial". An FIR was lodged in this connection at Begusarai upon the EC's directive and the case of model code of conduct has not been closed, though Singh has secured bail.

A staunch loyalist of Narendra Modi since the days he was the chief minister of Gujarat, BJP leader Giriraj Singh has seen his political stock rise dramatically in the past one decade.

A staunch loyalist of Narendra Modi since the days he was the chief minister of Gujarat, BJP leader Giriraj Singh has seen his political stock rise dramatically in the past one decade. The 66-year-old Singh, who has won the Begusarai seat in Bihar defeating CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar by a margin of over four lakh votes, belongs to the influential Bhumihar community - earlier supporters of the Congress, but since the Mandal era forming the BJP's backbone in the state. He had been associated with the Sangh Parivar since his days as a student of Magadh University during which he was an active member of the ABVP. He, however, remained in political wilderness until his election to the state legislative council in 2002 and his induction into the Nitish Kumar cabinet three years later. Kumar was perceived to have an overbearing presence by his detractors in the BJP and Singh, by his acts of defiance, endeared himself to hardliners as well as members of his own community, who saw in his blunt support of Modi a caste-man asserting himself before an OBC boss. After it became clear that Modi will be the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP and Kumar parted ways, Singh - who had lost his ministerial berth in the state - was rewarded with a Lok Sabha ticket from Nawada, a seat he won while earning the ignominy of having been banned from campaigning in Bihar and Jharkhand by the Election Commission, which took exception to his pronouncement that those opposed to his leader deserved to be sent to Pakistan. Six months after Modi assumed power in May, 2014, Singh was made the Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in a cabinet expansion exercise and he continued to hold the post till the government lasted. While his tenure as a Union minister, like his stint in the state, remained free of blemishes he kept making headlines through acts like prefixing his "gotra" - Shandilya - to his name and urging others to follow the example in the interests of Hindu traditions. Many of his utterances verged on Hindutva hardline as he repeatedly raised the issue of rising Muslim population in the country and underscored that a decline in the proportion of Hindus in a region invariably led to social strife. At times he also went against the government line of awaiting the Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya saying "Hindus were running out of patience". He drew flak when he visited riot-accused Bajrang Dal activists in Nawada last year and lambasted the Nitish Kumar government for the same though his party had come to share power in the state again. Ahead of a massive rally in the Bihar capital before the elections were announced, Singh once again proclaimed that those who did not attend the same would be deemed to be standing with Pakistan, but ended up missing it himself on account of ill-health, evoking much ridicule. Electioneering saw him warning Muslims that their reluctance to chant "Vande Mataram" could be detrimental to their own interests as unlike the Hindus who were cremated upon death, they needed "three yards of land for burial". An FIR was lodged in this connection at Begusarai upon the EC's directive and the case of model code of conduct has not been closed, though Singh has secured bail.

Giriraj Singh: A firebrand leader, who trounced Kanhaiya Kumar by over 4 lakh votes

Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds hit Vijayawada on Wednesday providing relief from the sweltering heat and lowering temperatures considerably.

YSR Congress Party chief Jaganmohan <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mk-stalin-to-attend-andhra-pradesh-chief-minister-elect-jagan-mohan-reddys-swearing-in-ceremony-on-may-30-222261">Reddy is set to take oath as the new chief minister of Andhra Pradesh</a>.

The sudden change in weather has affected the preparations at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium, the venue of the swearing in. Governor ESL Narasimhan will administer the oath of office and secrecy at 12.23 pm.

Reddy, is the son of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

He was earlier a Member of Parliament from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency.

The YSRCP got an absolute majority in 175-member strong Assembly, ousting N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from power in the state.

The party won 151 seats out of 175, whereas opposition TDP's strength was drastically reduced from 102 in the 2014 Assembly elections to a mere 23.

YSRCP polled 49.9 per cent votes, while TDP got a 39.2 per cent vote share.

One seat went to the Jana Sena Party led by actor-turn politician Pawan Kalyan.

YSRCP also bagged 22 Lok Sabha seats out of 25 in the state, while TDP could get only three seats.&nbsp;

Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds hit Vijayawada on Wednesday providing relief from the sweltering heat and lowering temperatures considerably. YSR Congress Party chief Jaganmohan Reddy is set to take oath as the new chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.

Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds hit Vijayawada on Wednesday providing relief from the sweltering heat and lowering temperatures considerably. YSR Congress Party chief Jaganmohan Reddy is set to take oath as the new chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. The sudden change in weather has affected the preparations at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium, the venue of the swearing in. Governor ESL Narasimhan will administer the oath of office and secrecy at 12.23 pm. Reddy, is the son of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. He was earlier a Member of Parliament from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency. The YSRCP got an absolute majority in 175-member strong Assembly, ousting N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from power in the state. The party won 151 seats out of 175, whereas opposition TDP's strength was drastically reduced from 102 in the 2014 Assembly elections to a mere 23. YSRCP polled 49.9 per cent votes, while TDP got a 39.2 per cent vote share. One seat went to the Jana Sena Party led by actor-turn politician Pawan Kalyan. YSRCP also bagged 22 Lok Sabha seats out of 25 in the state, while TDP could get only three seats.

Heavy rain lashes Vijayawada, venue of Andhra Pradesh CM swearing-in ceremony affected

Narendra Modi, who began his second term as Prime Minister, took oath along with his Council of Minister. Among them was former foreign secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

Jaishankar was a surprise inclusion in the government and was seated on the dais in the forecourt of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/live-updates-prime-minister-narendra-modi-swearing-in-ceremony-222770">Rashtrapati Bhavan where the swearing-in ceremony took place</a>.

Jaishankar is a seasoned diplomat who was the Indian government's pointsman for China and the US. He is the son of late K Subrahmanyam, one of India's leading strategic analysts, and a key member of the Indian team which negotiated the landmark Indo-US nuclear deal.

The deal, initiated in 2005, took several years to craft, and was signed by the UPA government headed by Manmohan Singh in 2007.

Jaishankar's appointment as foreign secretary in January 2015 had evoked a sharp reaction from various quarters over the timing of the government's decision to remove Sujatha Singh.

Breaking News:&nbsp;Ex-Foreign secy S Jaishankar at PMO

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/breaking-news-ex-foreign-secy-s-jaishankar-at-pmo-222836/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He had earlier served as India's Ambassador to the US and before that to China.

A 1977-batch IFS officer, Jaishankar played a key role in resolving the crisis following the incursion in Ladakh's Depsang and the Doklam stand-off, handling the tough negotiations with Beijing.

Among other positions, Jaishankar has been India's High Commissioner to Singapore and Ambassador to the Czech Republic.

A graduate of St Stephen's College, Jaishankar is an MA in Political Science and an MPhil and PhD in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Jaishankar is married to Kyoko Jaishankar and has two sons and a daughter.

In 2019, Jaishankar was conferred with Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

Narendra Modi, who began his second term as Prime Minister, took oath along with his Council of Minister. Among them was former foreign secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

Narendra Modi, who began his second term as Prime Minister, took oath along with his Council of Minister. Among them was former foreign secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Jaishankar was a surprise inclusion in the government and was seated on the dais in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan where the swearing-in ceremony took place. Jaishankar is a seasoned diplomat who was the Indian government's pointsman for China and the US. He is the son of late K Subrahmanyam, one of India's leading strategic analysts, and a key member of the Indian team which negotiated the landmark Indo-US nuclear deal. The deal, initiated in 2005, took several years to craft, and was signed by the UPA government headed by Manmohan Singh in 2007. Jaishankar's appointment as foreign secretary in January 2015 had evoked a sharp reaction from various quarters over the timing of the government's decision to remove Sujatha Singh. Breaking News: Ex-Foreign secy S Jaishankar at PMO He had earlier served as India's Ambassador to the US and before that to China. A 1977-batch IFS officer, Jaishankar played a key role in resolving the crisis following the incursion in Ladakh's Depsang and the Doklam stand-off, handling the tough negotiations with Beijing. Among other positions, Jaishankar has been India's High Commissioner to Singapore and Ambassador to the Czech Republic. A graduate of St Stephen's College, Jaishankar is an MA in Political Science and an MPhil and PhD in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Jaishankar is married to Kyoko Jaishankar and has two sons and a daughter. In 2019, Jaishankar was conferred with Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of the country. (With inputs from agencies)

S Jaishankar, former foreign secretary, a surprise pick in Team Modi 2.0

A politician with an uncanny knack for sensing which way the wind is blowing, Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan has a rare distinction of serving as a minister in the cabinets of six prime ministers.

Paswan Thursday took oath as Cabinet minister.&nbsp;

The septuagenarian had started off as a member of the Bihar legislative assembly in the 1960s and shot to fame in the 1977 post-Emergency Lok Sabha polls when he won Hajipur seat by over four lakh votes, then a record margin.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/live-updates-prime-minister-narendra-modi-swearing-in-ceremony-222770">Live: Narendra Modi takes oath as PM again along with the council of ministers</a>

Another emphatic victory in 1989 earned him his first stint in the cabinet of V P Singh, who appointed him as labour minister.

Less than a decade later, he was back as railway minister in successive governments headed by H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujaral which together lasted for a couple of years.

The Janata Dal faction, with which he was associated in the 1990s, sided with the BJP-led NDA and Paswan was made the minister for communications, and later coal in the government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Later, he floated his own party with a view to exploring the possibilities as the foremost Dalit leader in Bihar after Babu Jagjivan Ram.

The Gujarat riots of 2002 saw him quit the NDA in protest and gravitate towards the Congress-led UPA, which came to power two years later. He was appointed the minister for chemicals and fertilizers and steel under Manmohan Singh.

His relations with the Congress got strained during the UPA-2 when he was denied a ministerial berth following his party's debacle in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. Paswan himself was defeated at his own citadel of Hajipur.

Ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls the BJP, which was looking for allies in Bihar so they could help it make up for the loss of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), welcomed him with open arms and offered him seven seats to contest. The LJP won six, including Paswan, his son Chirag and brother Ram Chandra.

As the minister for food and public distribution and consumer affairs under Narendra Modi, Paswan made his mark as a stout votary of the government whenever it came under attack on issues of social justice. He handled efficiently the pulses and sugar sector crisis besides bringing reforms in the Public Distribution System.

He did not contest the recent Lok Sabha polls. His younger brother and Bihar minister Pashupati Kumar Paras won from Hajipur. Paswan is now set to enter the Rajya Sabha, most likely from Bihar.&nbsp;

A politician with an uncanny knack for sensing which way the wind is blowing, Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan has a rare distinction of serving as a minister in the cabinets of six prime ministers.

A politician with an uncanny knack for sensing which way the wind is blowing, Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan has a rare distinction of serving as a minister in the cabinets of six prime ministers. Paswan Thursday took oath as Cabinet minister. The septuagenarian had started off as a member of the Bihar legislative assembly in the 1960s and shot to fame in the 1977 post-Emergency Lok Sabha polls when he won Hajipur seat by over four lakh votes, then a record margin. Live: Narendra Modi takes oath as PM again along with the council of ministers Another emphatic victory in 1989 earned him his first stint in the cabinet of V P Singh, who appointed him as labour minister. Less than a decade later, he was back as railway minister in successive governments headed by H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujaral which together lasted for a couple of years. The Janata Dal faction, with which he was associated in the 1990s, sided with the BJP-led NDA and Paswan was made the minister for communications, and later coal in the government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Later, he floated his own party with a view to exploring the possibilities as the foremost Dalit leader in Bihar after Babu Jagjivan Ram. The Gujarat riots of 2002 saw him quit the NDA in protest and gravitate towards the Congress-led UPA, which came to power two years later. He was appointed the minister for chemicals and fertilizers and steel under Manmohan Singh. His relations with the Congress got strained during the UPA-2 when he was denied a ministerial berth following his party's debacle in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. Paswan himself was defeated at his own citadel of Hajipur. Ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls the BJP, which was looking for allies in Bihar so they could help it make up for the loss of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), welcomed him with open arms and offered him seven seats to contest. The LJP won six, including Paswan, his son Chirag and brother Ram Chandra. As the minister for food and public distribution and consumer affairs under Narendra Modi, Paswan made his mark as a stout votary of the government whenever it came under attack on issues of social justice. He handled efficiently the pulses and sugar sector crisis besides bringing reforms in the Public Distribution System. He did not contest the recent Lok Sabha polls. His younger brother and Bihar minister Pashupati Kumar Paras won from Hajipur. Paswan is now set to enter the Rajya Sabha, most likely from Bihar.

Ram Vilas Paswan: Master political craftsman who has worked under six prime ministers

Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi will attend Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bimstec-leaders-invited-for-modis-swearing-in-ceremony-222056">Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony</a>&nbsp;for the second term on May 30.

The ceremony will be a grand event with the presence of many world leaders, politicians and celebrities. It will take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7pm.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Congress President Rahul Gandhi to also attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's oath ceremony tomorrow. <a href="https://t.co/lpb1mwi8MR">https://t.co/lpb1mwi8MR</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1133725096596557824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a clear majority with 303 seats, which is 22 more than its 2014 tally. Along with its allies, the NDA stands at 352 in the 17th Lok Sabha.

Watch:&nbsp;Rahul adamant on resignation, wants a non-Gandhi as next Congress president

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/rahul-adamant-on-resignation-wants-a-non-gandhi-as-next-congress-president-221657/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

At the same time, Congress suffered a crushing defeat and since then the party is in existential crisis. Many ministers have quit the party over their failure in the Lok Sabha elections.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-workers-gather-outside-rahul-gandhis-residence-urging-him-not-to-resign-222563">Congress president had offered to step down</a> from the party post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held last Saturday, taking moral responsibility for Congress' dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections.

However, Rahul's offer of resignation was unanimously rejected by the CWC.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi will attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony for the second term on May 30. The ceremony will be a grand event with the presence of many world leaders, politicians and celebrities.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi will attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony for the second term on May 30. The ceremony will be a grand event with the presence of many world leaders, politicians and celebrities. It will take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7pm. Congress President Rahul Gandhi to also attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's oath ceremony tomorrow. https://t.co/lpb1mwi8MR — ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2019 × Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a clear majority with 303 seats, which is 22 more than its 2014 tally. Along with its allies, the NDA stands at 352 in the 17th Lok Sabha. Watch: Rahul adamant on resignation, wants a non-Gandhi as next Congress president At the same time, Congress suffered a crushing defeat and since then the party is in existential crisis. Many ministers have quit the party over their failure in the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress president had offered to step down from the party post at the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held last Saturday, taking moral responsibility for Congress' dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections. However, Rahul's offer of resignation was unanimously rejected by the CWC.

Rahul, Sonia Gandhi to attend Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony

Smriti Irani is a giant slayer, who hardened her political skills as a member of the BJP and in a battle of David vs Goliath, defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from his family stronghold Amethi.

And the party rewarded Smriti Irani with a ministerial berth in the Union Council of ministers. Irani took oath as a minister at the swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/live-updates-prime-minister-narendra-modi-swearing-in-ceremony-222770">Narendra Modi took an oath for the second innings</a> as Prime Minister.

From being one of the most popular faces on the small screen to taking on Rahul Gandhi in a high-profile Lok Sabha poll battle in Amethi, Smriti Irani has come a long way. She was inducted in the Narendra Modi ministry in 2014 to representing a crowning glory in her political career.

Having acquired fame as a TV actress in “saas-bahu" soap opera, Irani continued to under spotlight after she switched over from TV to politics and fought two tough electoral battles - against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi in 2014 and Congress heavyweight Kapil Sibal from Chandni Chowk in Delhi in 2004.

Irani has earlier served as national president of Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing.

She was born in Delhi and had her education in New Delhi before shifting to Mumbai wher she became a household name because of her role in the TV serial Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Married to businessman Zubin Irani and having one son and a daughter, Smriti Irani lists reading as her past-time.

Smriti Irani is a giant slayer, who hardened her political skills as a member of the BJP and in a battle of David vs Goliath, defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from his family stronghold Amethi.

Smriti Irani is a giant slayer, who hardened her political skills as a member of the BJP and in a battle of David vs Goliath, defeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi from his family stronghold Amethi. And the party rewarded Smriti Irani with a ministerial berth in the Union Council of ministers. Irani took oath as a minister at the swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday where Narendra Modi took an oath for the second innings as Prime Minister. From being one of the most popular faces on the small screen to taking on Rahul Gandhi in a high-profile Lok Sabha poll battle in Amethi, Smriti Irani has come a long way. She was inducted in the Narendra Modi ministry in 2014 to representing a crowning glory in her political career. Having acquired fame as a TV actress in “saas-bahu" soap opera, Irani continued to under spotlight after she switched over from TV to politics and fought two tough electoral battles - against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi in 2014 and Congress heavyweight Kapil Sibal from Chandni Chowk in Delhi in 2004. Irani has earlier served as national president of Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing. She was born in Delhi and had her education in New Delhi before shifting to Mumbai wher she became a household name because of her role in the TV serial Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Married to businessman Zubin Irani and having one son and a daughter, Smriti Irani lists reading as her past-time.

Smriti Irani: The return of giant slayer

Once television's favourite bahu, BJP leader Smriti Irani has proved her mettle in politics too. She fought the 2014 Lok Sabha elections against Congress president Rahul Gandhi from the Gandhi family pocketborough Amethi and lost by a narrow margin of over a lakh vote.

In 2019, the fortunes reversed and she emerge victorious against Gandhi, hence earning the moniker 'giant slayer'.

The win was rewarded by her party with a ministerial berth. She took oath as a minister on Thursday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan&nbsp;where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/live-updates-prime-minister-narendra-modi-swearing-in-ceremony-222770">Narendra Modi took an oath for the second inning</a>s as Prime Minister.

Her portfolio has not yet been decided. In the last tenure of Modi government, Irani served as Information and&nbsp;Broadcasting, Textiles and HRD minister.

From being one of the most popular faces on the small screen to taking on Rahul Gandhi in a high-profile Lok Sabha poll battle in Amethi, Smriti Irani has come a long way. She was inducted in the Narendra Modi ministry in 2014 too representing a crowning glory in her political career.

Having acquired fame as a TV actress in “saas-bahu" soap opera, Irani continued to under spotlight after she switched over from TV to politics and fought two tough electoral battles - against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi in 2014 and Congress heavyweight Kapil Sibal from Chandni Chowk in Delhi in 2004.

Irani has earlier served as national president of Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing.

She was born in Delhi and had her education in New Delhi before shifting to Mumbai wher she became a household name because of her role in the TV serial Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Married to businessman Zubin Irani and having one son and a daughter, Smriti Irani lists reading as her past-time.

Once television's favourite bahu, BJP leader Smriti Irani has proved her mettle in politics too. She fought the 2014 Lok Sabha elections against Congress president Rahul Gandhi from the Gandhi family pocketborough Amethi and lost by a narrow margin of over a lakh vote.

Once television's favourite bahu, BJP leader Smriti Irani has proved her mettle in politics too. She fought the 2014 Lok Sabha elections against Congress president Rahul Gandhi from the Gandhi family pocketborough Amethi and lost by a narrow margin of over a lakh vote. In 2019, the fortunes reversed and she emerge victorious against Gandhi, hence earning the moniker 'giant slayer'. The win was rewarded by her party with a ministerial berth. She took oath as a minister on Thursday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan where Narendra Modi took an oath for the second innings as Prime Minister. Her portfolio has not yet been decided. In the last tenure of Modi government, Irani served as Information and Broadcasting, Textiles and HRD minister. From being one of the most popular faces on the small screen to taking on Rahul Gandhi in a high-profile Lok Sabha poll battle in Amethi, Smriti Irani has come a long way. She was inducted in the Narendra Modi ministry in 2014 too representing a crowning glory in her political career. Having acquired fame as a TV actress in “saas-bahu" soap opera, Irani continued to under spotlight after she switched over from TV to politics and fought two tough electoral battles - against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi in 2014 and Congress heavyweight Kapil Sibal from Chandni Chowk in Delhi in 2004. Irani has earlier served as national president of Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing. She was born in Delhi and had her education in New Delhi before shifting to Mumbai wher she became a household name because of her role in the TV serial Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Married to businessman Zubin Irani and having one son and a daughter, Smriti Irani lists reading as her past-time.

Smriti Irani becomes part of Team Modi 2.0, takes oath as minister

Known for his administrative prowess and innovative approach in addressing issues, Nitin Jairam Gadkari has been instrumental in pushing infrastructure development and reviving projects stuck for many years.

The 62-year-old senior BJP leader, often dubbed as one of the high performing ministers during the first term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, is expected to be entrusted with key responsibilities in the second term too.

Gadkari Thursday was sworn in as a Cabinet minister but his portfolio is yet to be announced.

He won the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat with a margin of around 2.13 lakh votes by defeating his former party man and now Congress member Nana Patole.

Whether its reviving stuck highway projects worth Rs 3.85 lakh crore or starting cargo shipments on Ganga river, Gadkari has been at the forefront of infrastructure development. Some of the key projects are Eastern Peripheral Expressway and Delhi-Meerut Expressway and Zojila tunnel.

In May 2014, he took charge of the Road Transport, Highways and Shipping ministries. He was also given charge of Water Resoruces, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Ministry from September 3, 2017.

He was also at the helm of Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water and Sanitation ministries from June 4 till November 9, 2014.

Born in 1957 into a middle-class agricultural family in Nagpur, he came to the spotlight for giving his city a new face and was also known as 'flyover man' for building a series of flyovers in Mumbai during his stint as PWD minister in Maharashtra.

Not just during the first term of Modi government, Gadkari had played a pivotal role in the successful implementation of the Mumbai-Pune expressway.

Elected to the Lok Sabha for the second straight term, he had a long inning in Maharashtra politics and was also the youngest BJP president.

In 2014, he was first elected to the Lower House from Nagpur, a traditional Congress stronghold, after defeating seven-time winner Vilas Mutthemwar by a margin of about 3 lakh votes.

He was a member of Maharashtra Legislative Council from 1989 to 2014 and during this time, he served as PWD Minister (1995-1999) and as Maharashtra Legislative Council leader (1999 - 2005).

Gadkari entered politics as a student leader of ABVP and later joined the Janta Yuva Morcha, youth wing of the BJP. The imposition of emergency by Indira Gandhi in June 1975 was a turning point in his life, following which he decided to dedicate his life to social work rather than practising law.

Gadkari studied LLB, MCom and also holds a diploma in business management. He has also penned books, including India Aspires (English), Bhavishya Ka Bharat (Hindi) and The Path of Progress (English).

Among others, he played a leading role in the formation of Laxmanrao Mankar Memorial Trust and took up the work of starting of Ekal Vidyalayas in different parts of Vidarbha region.

Gadkari was also instrumental in setting up the Institute of Village Enterprise Development of Handicraft Artists (VEDHA India), which is working with the bamboo workers from the bamboo producing areas.&nbsp;

Known for his administrative prowess and innovative approach in addressing issues, Nitin Jairam Gadkari has been instrumental in pushing infrastructure development and reviving projects stuck for many years.

Known for his administrative prowess and innovative approach in addressing issues, Nitin Jairam Gadkari has been instrumental in pushing infrastructure development and reviving projects stuck for many years. The 62-year-old senior BJP leader, often dubbed as one of the high performing ministers during the first term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, is expected to be entrusted with key responsibilities in the second term too. Gadkari Thursday was sworn in as a Cabinet minister but his portfolio is yet to be announced. He won the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat with a margin of around 2.13 lakh votes by defeating his former party man and now Congress member Nana Patole. Whether its reviving stuck highway projects worth Rs 3.85 lakh crore or starting cargo shipments on Ganga river, Gadkari has been at the forefront of infrastructure development. Some of the key projects are Eastern Peripheral Expressway and Delhi-Meerut Expressway and Zojila tunnel. In May 2014, he took charge of the Road Transport, Highways and Shipping ministries. He was also given charge of Water Resoruces, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Ministry from September 3, 2017. He was also at the helm of Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water and Sanitation ministries from June 4 till November 9, 2014. Born in 1957 into a middle-class agricultural family in Nagpur, he came to the spotlight for giving his city a new face and was also known as 'flyover man' for building a series of flyovers in Mumbai during his stint as PWD minister in Maharashtra. Not just during the first term of Modi government, Gadkari had played a pivotal role in the successful implementation of the Mumbai-Pune expressway. Elected to the Lok Sabha for the second straight term, he had a long inning in Maharashtra politics and was also the youngest BJP president. In 2014, he was first elected to the Lower House from Nagpur, a traditional Congress stronghold, after defeating seven-time winner Vilas Mutthemwar by a margin of about 3 lakh votes. He was a member of Maharashtra Legislative Council from 1989 to 2014 and during this time, he served as PWD Minister (1995-1999) and as Maharashtra Legislative Council leader (1999 - 2005). Gadkari entered politics as a student leader of ABVP and later joined the Janta Yuva Morcha, youth wing of the BJP. The imposition of emergency by Indira Gandhi in June 1975 was a turning point in his life, following which he decided to dedicate his life to social work rather than practising law. Gadkari studied LLB, MCom and also holds a diploma in business management. He has also penned books, including India Aspires (English), Bhavishya Ka Bharat (Hindi) and The Path of Progress (English). Among others, he played a leading role in the formation of Laxmanrao Mankar Memorial Trust and took up the work of starting of Ekal Vidyalayas in different parts of Vidarbha region. Gadkari was also instrumental in setting up the Institute of Village Enterprise Development of Handicraft Artists (VEDHA India), which is working with the bamboo workers from the bamboo producing areas.

Known for his performance, Nitin Gadkari likely to have key ministry in Modi 2.0 government

One of the top leaders of the BJP, Rajnath Singh is a man of all seasons who maintains cordial relations with leaders across the political spectrum and enjoys wide acceptability.

The Home Minister in the outgoing government, on whom <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/live-updates-prime-minister-narendra-modi-swearing-in-ceremony-222770">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> banked on heavily in the last five years whenever there was a crisis, be it farmers agitation, violence in Jammu and Kashmir or Jat quota stir, has been appointed Cabinet minister again.

Many see a reflection of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mannerism in him and feel he has been carrying forward the party veteran's legacy as 'Ajatshatru, a man with no enemies.&nbsp;

His good rapport with opposition leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mamata Banerjee, Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Omar Abdullah had made his government's pointsman for any discussion with the opposition.

Even during the bitter political campaign, 67-year-old Singh, who was&nbsp;contesting from Lucknow Lok Sabha seat, was never drawn into any ugly war of words with his opponents.

The image of the minister carrying on his shoulder the coffin of soldiers killed in February 14 Pulwama terror attack will remain etched in the minds of the people.

A former professor of physics, it was Singh, as BJP President in 2013, who was instrumental in declaring Narendra Modi as prime ministerial candidate, despite strong opposition from veterans like L K Advani.

Singh was the third leader of the BJP, after Modi and BJP President Amit Shah, who had extensively campaigned for the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

He was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh between 2000-2002, had also held the portfolios of Surface Transport and Agriculture in Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

A life-long RSS member, Singh occupied various positions in RSS, ABVP and Uttar Pradesh BJP before becoming the national President of the BJP twice -- 2005 to 2009 and 2013 to 2014.

Singh, who was elected to Lok Sabha from Lucknow for two consecutive terms in 2014 and 2019, was thrice elected to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly and twice to Rajya Sabha. He was elected to Lok Sabha for the first time in 2009 from Ghaziabad.

Singh was appointed district president of the Jana Sangh in 1975 at the age of 24 and was elected as MLA from Mirzapur in 1977.

In 1984, he became the UP state president of the BJP's youth wing BJYM, in 1986, its national general secretary and subsequently national president of the BJYM in 1988.

Singh was elected a member of the UP Legislative Council in 1988 and became Education Minister of the state in 1991. During his tenure as Education Minister in UP, he established some landmarks by introducing the Anti-Copying Act and Vedic Mathematics in the syllabus and correction of various portions of history textbooks.

He became a member of Rajya Sabha in 1994 and also the Chief Whip of the BJP in the upper house.

In 1997, Singh became state president of UP BJP. During this period, apart from expanding and strengthening the organisation, he played a key role in saving the BJP-led government twice during political crisis.

Singh was appointed Union Surface Transport Minister in 1999 and during this period he got the opportunity to initiate the National Highway Development Programme, a dream project of the then Prime Minister Vajpayee.

In October 2000, he became Chief Minister of UP and was twice elected as MLA from Haidargarh constituency in Barabanki. In 2002, he became National General Secretary of BJP.

On May 24, 2003, he became Union Minister of Agriculture and subsequently for Food Processing. During this period he initiated a few epoch making projects like Kisan Call Centre and Farm Income Insurance Scheme.

One of the top leaders of the BJP, Rajnath Singh is a man of all seasons who maintains cordial relations with leaders across the political spectrum and enjoys wide acceptability.

One of the top leaders of the BJP, Rajnath Singh is a man of all seasons who maintains cordial relations with leaders across the political spectrum and enjoys wide acceptability. The Home Minister in the outgoing government, on whom Prime Minister Narendra Modi banked on heavily in the last five years whenever there was a crisis, be it farmers agitation, violence in Jammu and Kashmir or Jat quota stir, has been appointed Cabinet minister again. Many see a reflection of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mannerism in him and feel he has been carrying forward the party veteran's legacy as 'Ajatshatru, a man with no enemies. His good rapport with opposition leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mamata Banerjee, Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Omar Abdullah had made his government's pointsman for any discussion with the opposition. Even during the bitter political campaign, 67-year-old Singh, who was contesting from Lucknow Lok Sabha seat, was never drawn into any ugly war of words with his opponents. The image of the minister carrying on his shoulder the coffin of soldiers killed in February 14 Pulwama terror attack will remain etched in the minds of the people. A former professor of physics, it was Singh, as BJP President in 2013, who was instrumental in declaring Narendra Modi as prime ministerial candidate, despite strong opposition from veterans like L K Advani. Singh was the third leader of the BJP, after Modi and BJP President Amit Shah, who had extensively campaigned for the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh between 2000-2002, had also held the portfolios of Surface Transport and Agriculture in Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. A life-long RSS member, Singh occupied various positions in RSS, ABVP and Uttar Pradesh BJP before becoming the national President of the BJP twice -- 2005 to 2009 and 2013 to 2014. Singh, who was elected to Lok Sabha from Lucknow for two consecutive terms in 2014 and 2019, was thrice elected to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly and twice to Rajya Sabha. He was elected to Lok Sabha for the first time in 2009 from Ghaziabad. Singh was appointed district president of the Jana Sangh in 1975 at the age of 24 and was elected as MLA from Mirzapur in 1977. In 1984, he became the UP state president of the BJP's youth wing BJYM, in 1986, its national general secretary and subsequently national president of the BJYM in 1988. Singh was elected a member of the UP Legislative Council in 1988 and became Education Minister of the state in 1991. During his tenure as Education Minister in UP, he established some landmarks by introducing the Anti-Copying Act and Vedic Mathematics in the syllabus and correction of various portions of history textbooks. He became a member of Rajya Sabha in 1994 and also the Chief Whip of the BJP in the upper house. In 1997, Singh became state president of UP BJP. During this period, apart from expanding and strengthening the organisation, he played a key role in saving the BJP-led government twice during political crisis. Singh was appointed Union Surface Transport Minister in 1999 and during this period he got the opportunity to initiate the National Highway Development Programme, a dream project of the then Prime Minister Vajpayee. In October 2000, he became Chief Minister of UP and was twice elected as MLA from Haidargarh constituency in Barabanki. In 2002, he became National General Secretary of BJP. On May 24, 2003, he became Union Minister of Agriculture and subsequently for Food Processing. During this period he initiated a few epoch making projects like Kisan Call Centre and Farm Income Insurance Scheme.

Rajnath Singh: Man of all seasons carries Vajpayee's legacy of 'Ajatshatru'

BJP president Amit Shah took oath as a Cabinet minister as part of the Narendra Modi-led Council of Ministers on Thursday evening. Shah, a first-time Lok Sabha MP, defeated Congress's J Chavda from Gandhinagar in Gujarat by a record margin of five lakh votes.

A confirmation on the inclusion of Shah in the Union government came through a tweet by Gujarat BJP chief Jitu Vaghani, who put out a message congratulating the 55-year-old leader.

"Had a courtesy meeting with our mentor Amit Shah and gave my best wishes to him on his inclusion as a strong member of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's council of ministers," Vaghani tweeted.

This is the first time that Shah is part of Modi government at the Centre. He has served as the Home minister in Gujarat when Modi was the chief minister.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife over who would succeed Shah as BJP president, with the names of J P Nadda being seen as a possible choice. Some other names are also being talked about for the post including Bhupender Yadav.

BJP president Amit Shah took oath as a Cabinet minister as part of the Narendra Modi-led Council of Ministers on Thursday evening. Shah, a first-time Lok Sabha MP, defeated Congress's J Chavda from Gandhinagar in Gujarat by a record margin of five lakh votes.

BJP president Amit Shah took oath as a Cabinet minister as part of the Narendra Modi-led Council of Ministers on Thursday evening. Shah, a first-time Lok Sabha MP, defeated Congress's J Chavda from Gandhinagar in Gujarat by a record margin of five lakh votes. A confirmation on the inclusion of Shah in the Union government came through a tweet by Gujarat BJP chief Jitu Vaghani, who put out a message congratulating the 55-year-old leader. "Had a courtesy meeting with our mentor Amit Shah and gave my best wishes to him on his inclusion as a strong member of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's council of ministers," Vaghani tweeted. This is the first time that Shah is part of Modi government at the Centre. He has served as the Home minister in Gujarat when Modi was the chief minister. Meanwhile, speculation is rife over who would succeed Shah as BJP president, with the names of J P Nadda being seen as a possible choice. Some other names are also being talked about for the post including Bhupender Yadav.

BJP president Amit Shah takes oath as Cabinet minister

Due to rising temperature, several districts in Tamil Nadu are facing acute water shortage.

According to reports, there has been a 40 per cent cut in the piped water supply in capital Chennai. Several reservoirs across the state have witnessed a decrease in water levels.

"Tamil Nadu is in a very big disaster in terms of water, water resources and planning also. It is facing the worst ever drought in the last few years. There are four major reservoirs which supply water to Chennai having a combined storage of about 11 thousand million cubic (tmc). Other than that there are small reservoirs too. But nothing was done to augment the capacity," said Sundarrajan of NGO Poovulagin Nanbargal.

"Chennai should have got about four tmc of water from Krishna district till April. But we got only 0.8 tmc and the rest is not yet supplied. Similarly, Tamil Nadu should have got 20 tmc of water from Kaveri river in the last four-five months. Kaveri is the drinking water source for at least five crores of Tamil Nadu. It's a very dire situation now," he added.

Sundarrajan stated that this is the time when people across the state take a cue and "work on water conservation and conserve our forests."

In the past few weeks, few places in states like Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh among others have faced issues related to cut in the water supply.

Due to rising temperature, several districts in Tamil Nadu are facing acute water shortage. According to reports, there has been a 40 per cent cut in the piped water supply in capital Chennai.

Due to rising temperature, several districts in Tamil Nadu are facing acute water shortage. According to reports, there has been a 40 per cent cut in the piped water supply in capital Chennai. Several reservoirs across the state have witnessed a decrease in water levels. "Tamil Nadu is in a very big disaster in terms of water, water resources and planning also. It is facing the worst ever drought in the last few years. There are four major reservoirs which supply water to Chennai having a combined storage of about 11 thousand million cubic (tmc). Other than that there are small reservoirs too. But nothing was done to augment the capacity," said Sundarrajan of NGO Poovulagin Nanbargal. "Chennai should have got about four tmc of water from Krishna district till April. But we got only 0.8 tmc and the rest is not yet supplied. Similarly, Tamil Nadu should have got 20 tmc of water from Kaveri river in the last four-five months. Kaveri is the drinking water source for at least five crores of Tamil Nadu. It's a very dire situation now," he added. Sundarrajan stated that this is the time when people across the state take a cue and "work on water conservation and conserve our forests." In the past few weeks, few places in states like Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh among others have faced issues related to cut in the water supply.

Tamil Nadu faces huge water scarcity

Two terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on Thursday.

According to police, the encounter broke out earlier today in Dangerpora&nbsp;village in Sopore area.

"On a credible input, a cordon and search operation was launched jointly by police and security forces in Dangerpora area of Sopore. During the search operation, the hiding terrorists fired on the search party. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter," police said in a statement.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a>: Two terrorists neutralised in an encounter in Danger Pora area of Sopore in Baramulla. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuandKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuandKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/LnjydwqIfM">https://t.co/LnjydwqIfM</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1134061914525356032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The identities of the terrorists are yet unknown.

Earlier, the security forces had got a major breakthrough when one of the most wanted terrorists, Zakir Musa, was killed in an encounter in Tral in Pulwama on May 24.

Two terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on Thursday. According to police, the encounter broke out earlier today in Dangerpora village in Sopore area.

Two terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on Thursday. According to police, the encounter broke out earlier today in Dangerpora village in Sopore area. "On a credible input, a cordon and search operation was launched jointly by police and security forces in Dangerpora area of Sopore. During the search operation, the hiding terrorists fired on the search party. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter," police said in a statement. #UPDATE: Two terrorists neutralised in an encounter in Danger Pora area of Sopore in Baramulla. #JammuandKashmir https://t.co/LnjydwqIfM — ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2019 × The identities of the terrorists are yet unknown. Earlier, the security forces had got a major breakthrough when one of the most wanted terrorists, Zakir Musa, was killed in an encounter in Tral in Pulwama on May 24.

Jammu and Kashmir: Two terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Baramulla district

india-news

India, News on India, stories on India, articles on India, India stories at Wion, India news, India latest news

india news