India suspends visa services for Canadians amid heightened tensions. Sukhdool Singh, Canada-based gangster & Khalistan supporter, allegedly killed in Winnipeg, Canada. This happened after India's National Investigation Agency intensified its crackdown on Khalistan terrorist.

Indian visa services in Canada suspended | India-Canada row

<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a news conference at Canada’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on Thursday (September 21), wherein he addressed the questions over the allegations that Canada had placed on India over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trudeau&nbsp;reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law as the diplomatic dispute between India and Canada escalated significantly. India accused Canada of being the safe haven of terrorists by providing refuge and suspended visa services for all Canadians.</p>

<p>"There are credible reasons to believe that government agencies of India may have been involved in the tragic killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil. This issue strikes at the very core of the rule of law, especially in the context of international legal norms. We have established robust processes in place, and we are committed to following due course. We call upon the government of India to engage with us and allow justice to take its course," said Trudeau</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Canadian PM Justin Trudeau says, "I call upon the Govt of India to work with us, to take seriously these allegations and to allow justice to follow its course."<br />
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<p>The diplomatic crisis originated when Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau made allegations on Monday suggesting India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India promptly refuted these claims, leading to a series of diplomatic measures taken by both nations. On Thursday, New Delhi reiterated that despite the Canadian Prime Minister's public accusations against India, the Canadian side had not shared any specific information with India regarding these allegations.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-mp-chandra-arya-claims-khalistan-elements-attacking-hindus-638310">Canada MP Chandra Arya claims Khalistan elements ‘attacking and threatening’ Hindus</a></p>

<p>Trudeau went on to say that&nbsp;Canada is a destination for people from across the world, including those seeking refuge from oppressive regimes, and once these individuals become Canadian citizens, it is the Canadian government's&nbsp;responsibility to ensure their complete protection.</p>

<p>"Our intention is not to incite conflict or provoke issues. However, we are unequivocal in our commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding Canadians while standing firm on our core values. Therefore, we extend our call to India to work collaboratively with us to seek justice in this matter," concluded Trudeau.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/data-lab-will-the-nijjar-clash-turn-india-canada-trade-ties-sour-637933">Data Lab: Will the clash over Nijjar murder turn India-Canada trade ties sour?</a></p>

<h2><strong>Had direct and frank conversation with PM Modi: Trudeau</strong></h2>

<p>"...I had a direct and frank conversation, with the Prime Minister (Modi), in which I shared my concerns in no uncertain terms..." Trudeau said.</p>

<p>On being asked&nbsp;whether there will be a tit-for-tat move from Canada, Trudeau said, "We call upon the government of India to take seriously this matter and to work with us to shed full transparency and ensure accountability and justice in this matter. We are a country of the rule of law. We are going to continue to do the work necessary to keep Canadians safe and to uphold our values and the international rules-based order. That's our focus right now."</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a news conference at Canada’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on Thursday (September 21), wherein he addressed the questions over the allegations that Canada had placed on India over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a news conference at Canada’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on Thursday (September 21), wherein he addressed the questions over the allegations that Canada had placed on India over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law as the diplomatic dispute between India and Canada escalated significantly. India accused Canada of being the safe haven of terrorists by providing refuge and suspended visa services for all Canadians. "There are credible reasons to believe that government agencies of India may have been involved in the tragic killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil. This issue strikes at the very core of the rule of law, especially in the context of international legal norms. We have established robust processes in place, and we are committed to following due course. We call upon the government of India to engage with us and allow justice to take its course," said Trudeau #WATCH | Canadian PM Justin Trudeau says, "I call upon the Govt of India to work with us, to take seriously these allegations and to allow justice to follow its course." (Source: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/lVhnLQNSwG — ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2023 × The diplomatic crisis originated when Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau made allegations on Monday suggesting India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India promptly refuted these claims, leading to a series of diplomatic measures taken by both nations. On Thursday, New Delhi reiterated that despite the Canadian Prime Minister's public accusations against India, the Canadian side had not shared any specific information with India regarding these allegations. Also read | Canada MP Chandra Arya claims Khalistan elements ‘attacking and threatening’ Hindus Trudeau went on to say that Canada is a destination for people from across the world, including those seeking refuge from oppressive regimes, and once these individuals become Canadian citizens, it is the Canadian government's responsibility to ensure their complete protection. "Our intention is not to incite conflict or provoke issues. However, we are unequivocal in our commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding Canadians while standing firm on our core values. Therefore, we extend our call to India to work collaboratively with us to seek justice in this matter," concluded Trudeau. Also read | Data Lab: Will the clash over Nijjar murder turn India-Canada trade ties sour? Had direct and frank conversation with PM Modi: Trudeau "...I had a direct and frank conversation, with the Prime Minister (Modi), in which I shared my concerns in no uncertain terms..." Trudeau said. On being asked whether there will be a tit-for-tat move from Canada, Trudeau said, "We call upon the government of India to take seriously this matter and to work with us to shed full transparency and ensure accountability and justice in this matter. We are a country of the rule of law. We are going to continue to do the work necessary to keep Canadians safe and to uphold our values and the international rules-based order. That's our focus right now." WATCH WION LIVE HERE: .

Amid tiff, Trudeau urges India to take Nijjar killing seriously, reiterates commitment to rule of law

Sukhdool Singh, Canada-based gangster & Khalistan supporter, allegedly killed in Winnipeg, Canada. This happened after India's National Investigation Agency intensified its crackdown on Khalistan terrorist.

Khalistan terrorist Sukha Duneke killed in gang war in Canada | BREAKING

<p>In a mid-air incident, chaos erupted aboard an IndiGo flight travelling from Guwahati to Agartala as a 41-year-old passenger attempted to open the aircraft's emergency door.</p>

<p>The individual involved was allegedly intoxicated&nbsp;at the time, and was hard to calm down, further intensifying the already tense situation, as reported by the Free Press Journal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A video capturing the incident&nbsp;went viral on social media platforms. The footage showed crew members and fellow passengers grappling with the man who later appeared to have lost consciousness.</p>

<p>Faced with this challenging situation, a male crew member&nbsp;held and escorted the passenger, while a female crew member urged other passengers to clear the path.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/indias-indigo-likely-to-launch-project-to-track-pilot-fatigue-report-636153">India’s IndiGo likely to launch project to track pilot fatigue: Report&nbsp;</a></p>

<p><strong>Watch the video here:</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Quick thinking and unity prevailed on Indigo flight 6E-457 today! 🙌 While preparing for landing at MBB ARP, a passenger named Biswajit Debnath (41) attempted to open the door mid-flight. 👀 Kudos to fellow passengers for their swift response, ensuring everyone's safety. ✈️👏… <a href="https://t.co/WfsKHYu7JK">pic.twitter.com/WfsKHYu7JK</a></p>
— Tejinder Singh Sodhi 🇮🇳 (@TejinderSsodhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/TejinderSsodhi/status/1704814226236403835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Upon landing at the Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala, the airport police&nbsp;took the man into custody.</p>

<h2><strong>Similar incident unfolds on Chennai bound flight</strong></h2>

<p>In a similar incident, a passenger on an IndiGo flight travelling from Delhi to Chennai attempted to open the emergency door before take-off. The incident occurred on flight 6E 6341 at Delhi airport on Tuesday night (September 19).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Akasa Air's pilot exodus sparks shutdown risk as it faces 600 flight cancellations in August&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>The airline acknowledged the occurrence and emphasised that the safety of passengers remained intact throughout the incident. Notably, a comparable event had transpired a few months ago on another IndiGo flight originating from Hyderabad and bound for the national capital, Delhi. In that previous case as well, the disruptive passenger was handed over&nbsp;to security personnel upon landing at the Delhi airport.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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In a mid-air incident, chaos erupted aboard an IndiGo flight travelling from Guwahati to Agartala as a 41-year-old passenger attempted to open the aircraft's emergency door.

In a mid-air incident, chaos erupted aboard an IndiGo flight travelling from Guwahati to Agartala as a 41-year-old passenger attempted to open the aircraft's emergency door. The individual involved was allegedly intoxicated at the time, and was hard to calm down, further intensifying the already tense situation, as reported by the Free Press Journal. A video capturing the incident went viral on social media platforms. The footage showed crew members and fellow passengers grappling with the man who later appeared to have lost consciousness. Faced with this challenging situation, a male crew member held and escorted the passenger, while a female crew member urged other passengers to clear the path. Also read | India’s IndiGo likely to launch project to track pilot fatigue: Report Watch the video here: Quick thinking and unity prevailed on Indigo flight 6E-457 today! 🙌 While preparing for landing at MBB ARP, a passenger named Biswajit Debnath (41) attempted to open the door mid-flight. 👀 Kudos to fellow passengers for their swift response, ensuring everyone's safety. ✈️👏… pic.twitter.com/WfsKHYu7JK — Tejinder Singh Sodhi 🇮🇳 (@TejinderSsodhi) September 21, 2023 × Upon landing at the Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala, the airport police took the man into custody. Similar incident unfolds on Chennai bound flight In a similar incident, a passenger on an IndiGo flight travelling from Delhi to Chennai attempted to open the emergency door before take-off. The incident occurred on flight 6E 6341 at Delhi airport on Tuesday night (September 19). Also watch | Akasa Air's pilot exodus sparks shutdown risk as it faces 600 flight cancellations in August The airline acknowledged the occurrence and emphasised that the safety of passengers remained intact throughout the incident. Notably, a comparable event had transpired a few months ago on another IndiGo flight originating from Hyderabad and bound for the national capital, Delhi. In that previous case as well, the disruptive passenger was handed over to security personnel upon landing at the Delhi airport. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Passenger tries to open aircraft's emergency door. This is what happened next

An Indian-based startup here site has introduced a wearable gadget for visually impaired people.

India: Gadget that will make navigation easier for visually impaired

The widest liquidity deficit in more than four years is grappling India's banking system. The nation's financial institutions are facing unanticipated difficulties due to record central bank borrowings and a significant outflow of funds for tax payments.

India's banking system faces severe liquidity deficit | Word Business Watch

As India and Canada face a diplomatic row and India suspends visa services for Canadians amid heightened tensions.

India-Canada diplomatic row: Trudeau briefs media gives no evidence

Aiming to reinvigorate its manufacturing sector, India is set to offer incentives of up to 2.2 billion dollars, or 180 billion rupees, across six new sectors. this movement is a part of India's large production-linked incentive scheme, launched in 2020, targeting 14 sectors.

India to unleash $2.2 bn incentives for manufacturing surge | World Business Watch

India-Canada diplomatic row escalates: Wanted in India, living in Canada

India-Canada ties hit rock-bottom: 'Allegations are politically driven'

A new row in the Indian politics after Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said key words have been dropped from the Indian Constitution. The Congress leader said that the copies of the Constitution which the lawmaker carried in their hands didn't have the word 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Preamble.

Indian Constitution controversy: The word 'socialist' has been removed from the Constitution?

<p>The Women's Reservation Bill, recently passed with near unanimity in the lower house of&nbsp;the Indian Parliament, has reignited a critical debate concerning the representation of women in the country's political landscape.</p>

<p>India currently ranks 141 out of 185 countries in terms of the percentage of women in the Lok Sabha, with only 15 per cent&nbsp;representation.</p>

<p>This figure not only falls below the global average but also lags behind neighbouring&nbsp; countries&nbsp;like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal.</p>

<p>Data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, a global organisation of national parliaments, underscores India's gender disparity issue.</p>

<p>The organisation's data reveals that India's lower house of Parliament has a mere 15 per cent representation of women, significantly lower than the global average of 26 per cent. This assessment considers the lower houses of parliaments in countries with bicameral legislatures (comprising an upper and lower house), as well as unicameral legislatures with only one house.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-womens-reservation-bill-need-of-the-hour-but-how-many-years-to-go-637947">India women’s reservation bill: Need of the hour, but how many years to go?</a></p>

<h2><strong>Comparative analysis</strong></h2>

<p>Pakistan, a neighbouring nation, has taken steps to address women's representation since 1956, currently maintaining a 20 per cent&nbsp;representation of women in its National Assembly. The country had reserved 17 per cent&nbsp;of seats for women in the National Assembly back in 2002.</p>

<p>In Bangladesh, which has a unicameral legislature, 50 out of 350 seats in the <em>'Jatiya Sangsad'</em> are reserved for women, resulting in a current parliamentary representation of 21 per cent women.</p>

<p>Nepal, with a representation of 33.09 per cent&nbsp;women, has made significant strides, although it is still close to the one-third of seats reserved for women since 2007 in its lower house, known as the House of Representatives.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;India-Canada tensions: Why was Khalistan supporter Sukha Duneke shot dead &amp; who was he?</strong></p>

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<p>Comparatively, countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have 29 per cent&nbsp;and 35 per cent&nbsp;women representatives, respectively. However, some countries, including Sri Lanka (5 per cent), Qatar (4 per cent), Oman (2 per cent), and Kuwait (3 per cent), have a lower percentage of women representatives than India.</p>

<p>On the contrary, nations like New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates boast an equal representation of men and women at 50 per cent. At the pinnacle of this list is Rwanda, with an impressive 61 per cent&nbsp;of women representatives in its lower house.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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The Women's Reservation Bill, recently passed with near unanimity in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, has reignited a critical debate concerning the representation of women in the country's political landscape.

The Women's Reservation Bill, recently passed with near unanimity in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, has reignited a critical debate concerning the representation of women in the country's political landscape. India currently ranks 141 out of 185 countries in terms of the percentage of women in the Lok Sabha, with only 15 per cent representation. This figure not only falls below the global average but also lags behind neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal. Data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, a global organisation of national parliaments, underscores India's gender disparity issue. The organisation's data reveals that India's lower house of Parliament has a mere 15 per cent representation of women, significantly lower than the global average of 26 per cent. This assessment considers the lower houses of parliaments in countries with bicameral legislatures (comprising an upper and lower house), as well as unicameral legislatures with only one house. Also read | India women’s reservation bill: Need of the hour, but how many years to go? Comparative analysis Pakistan, a neighbouring nation, has taken steps to address women's representation since 1956, currently maintaining a 20 per cent representation of women in its National Assembly. The country had reserved 17 per cent of seats for women in the National Assembly back in 2002. In Bangladesh, which has a unicameral legislature, 50 out of 350 seats in the 'Jatiya Sangsad' are reserved for women, resulting in a current parliamentary representation of 21 per cent women. Nepal, with a representation of 33.09 per cent women, has made significant strides, although it is still close to the one-third of seats reserved for women since 2007 in its lower house, known as the House of Representatives. Also watch | India-Canada tensions: Why was Khalistan supporter Sukha Duneke shot dead & who was he? Comparatively, countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have 29 per cent and 35 per cent women representatives, respectively. However, some countries, including Sri Lanka (5 per cent), Qatar (4 per cent), Oman (2 per cent), and Kuwait (3 per cent), have a lower percentage of women representatives than India. On the contrary, nations like New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates boast an equal representation of men and women at 50 per cent. At the pinnacle of this list is Rwanda, with an impressive 61 per cent of women representatives in its lower house. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India trails: Even Bangladesh, Pakistan have more women in Lower House of Parliament

Amid the deepening diplomatic divide between India and Canada, New Delhi raises concerns about the ongoing developments related to the killing of Khalistani terrorists in Ottawa and tagged the allegations as politically motivated. New Delhi also asked Canada to share proof of its allegations.

New Delhi: Canada a safe haven for terrorists

As India and Canada face a diplomatic row and India suspends visa services for Canadians amid heightened tensions. Indian Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi gives a press conference to further clarify any lingering doubts.

India-Canada Row: 'Larger issues of terrorism and terror financing most important'

<p>The abrupt resignations of several of the pilots at Indian low-cost airline Akasa Air have forced the firm to temporarily reduce its flight schedule. This has led to a legal conflict, and the airline has threatened to shut down if there are any more resignations.</p>

<p>Flights were disrupted because a number of pilots "abandoned their duties" and left without giving the required contractual notice period, but the airline is still on track to make investments in expanding its operations and acquiring more aircraft, CEO Vinay Dube wrote in an email to staff on Tuesday.</p>

<p>According to a source with direct knowledge of the proceedings, Dube's email was sent on the same day the airline's attorney warned a Delhi court that Akasa was in "crisis" and would shut down as a result of the sudden resignations.</p>

<p>According to the source, Akasa informed the court that it had to cancel 600 flights in August and that if the resignations continue; it may have to cancel up to 700 more in September.</p>

<p>"We have chosen to fly less and give up market share ... these are only short-term constraints," Reuters quoted him as saying. He also mentioned that the airline had "strong finances" and was positive about its future.</p>

<p>To enforce the notice period, Akasa has taken the pilots, many of whom have joined rival Air India Express, to court and filed a lawsuit against the aviation authority.</p>

<p>According to the aviation regulation, the notice term varies depending on the rank of the pilot and spans from 6 to 12 months.</p>

<p>In a statement, Akasa stated that “all our actions are aimed at creating a durable and reliable airline for the long run.”</p>

<p>Akasa Air’s distress call comes at a moment of extreme polarisation in India's aviation sector, where IndiGo, the largest airline in the nation, and Tata-owned Air India dominate roughly two-thirds of the market, while SpiceJet struggles to raise money and Go Air struggles to emerge from bankruptcy.</p>

<p>Akasa, which was established in 2022 by Dube and former IndiGo president Aditya Ghosh, had its market share decline to 4.2 per cent in August from 5.2 per cent a month earlier, according to official data.</p>

<p>In order to expand its international flying plans, Akasa, which has 72 Boeing planes on order, bought four more 737 MAX aircraft in June. Before the end of the year, it is expected to announce a fresh three-digit aircraft order, according to Dube.</p>

<p>According to Dube, Akasa received approval from India's civil aviation ministry last week to launch foreign flights. The government is currently addressing the airline's request for traffic rights, following which the company can decide on its initial destinations.</p>

<p>"Akasa is a well-run airline with strong finances and a solid plan," Reuters quoted him as saying.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from Reuters)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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The abrupt resignations of several of the pilots at Indian low-cost airline Akasa Air have forced the firm to temporarily reduce its flight schedule. This has led to a legal conflict, and the airline has threatened to shut down if there are any more resignations.

The abrupt resignations of several of the pilots at Indian low-cost airline Akasa Air have forced the firm to temporarily reduce its flight schedule. This has led to a legal conflict, and the airline has threatened to shut down if there are any more resignations. Flights were disrupted because a number of pilots "abandoned their duties" and left without giving the required contractual notice period, but the airline is still on track to make investments in expanding its operations and acquiring more aircraft, CEO Vinay Dube wrote in an email to staff on Tuesday. According to a source with direct knowledge of the proceedings, Dube's email was sent on the same day the airline's attorney warned a Delhi court that Akasa was in "crisis" and would shut down as a result of the sudden resignations. According to the source, Akasa informed the court that it had to cancel 600 flights in August and that if the resignations continue; it may have to cancel up to 700 more in September. "We have chosen to fly less and give up market share ... these are only short-term constraints," Reuters quoted him as saying. He also mentioned that the airline had "strong finances" and was positive about its future. To enforce the notice period, Akasa has taken the pilots, many of whom have joined rival Air India Express, to court and filed a lawsuit against the aviation authority. According to the aviation regulation, the notice term varies depending on the rank of the pilot and spans from 6 to 12 months. In a statement, Akasa stated that “all our actions are aimed at creating a durable and reliable airline for the long run.” Akasa Air’s distress call comes at a moment of extreme polarisation in India's aviation sector, where IndiGo, the largest airline in the nation, and Tata-owned Air India dominate roughly two-thirds of the market, while SpiceJet struggles to raise money and Go Air struggles to emerge from bankruptcy. Akasa, which was established in 2022 by Dube and former IndiGo president Aditya Ghosh, had its market share decline to 4.2 per cent in August from 5.2 per cent a month earlier, according to official data. In order to expand its international flying plans, Akasa, which has 72 Boeing planes on order, bought four more 737 MAX aircraft in June. Before the end of the year, it is expected to announce a fresh three-digit aircraft order, according to Dube. According to Dube, Akasa received approval from India's civil aviation ministry last week to launch foreign flights. The government is currently addressing the airline's request for traffic rights, following which the company can decide on its initial destinations. "Akasa is a well-run airline with strong finances and a solid plan," Reuters quoted him as saying. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India's Akasa Air reduces flights as pilots leave, warns of a possible shutdown: Report

<p>The downtown area of Srinagar is changing, earlier known for stone pelting and law and order incidents, it is now becoming an example of peace. The Downtown Heroes Football Club which was formed a few years ago has not only remained but become a mission, and is helping the youngsters to stay away from drugs and give a new shape to their future.</p>

<p>The old city of Srinagar was known for producing top-class footballers&nbsp;who even went on to represent Jammu and&nbsp;Kashmir and India at the national and international level. The downtown area of Srinagar was known as the hub of football in Kashmir, but with the beginning of insurgency, the downtown lost touch with the most popular sport in Kashmir.</p>

<p>Downtown Heroes FC was started with an aim to revive the lost glory of football in the old city. It was launched in 2020 and the club has already made a name for itself. The club is not only changing the image of the downtown, but it also has helped in curbing the drug menace in the Srinagar city. Not only are they including addicts in the club to play but also running campaigns for a drug-free Kashmir.</p>

<p>''See we started this club in 2020. We started this for a reason that was that downtown earlier was known for good things but over the period of time it lost its glory. It was now known for bad things, the aim to start this club was to show the world that we are not bad people and if given a chance we can excel anywhere. One of the biggest challenges Kashmir is facing now is drug addiction because we lack basic avenues of entertainment, so we want to give this alternative to people to&nbsp;come and&nbsp;play football and shun violence and drugs. We are successful till now. We have people who have left drugs and are playing with us. The target is to get youth away from this all,'' said Hanan Bashir, co founder, Downtown Heroes FC.</p>

<p>In its inaugural season, Downtown Heroes FC went to play in the Premier League, Real Kashmir Cup and also went on to win the Doon Knockout football tournament title. This year Downtown Heroes FC played the Durand Cup which is the oldest football competition in India and Asia.</p>

<p>''In 2020, we created this Downtown Club. It took us three years to become successful in our goal. This year we went for the Durand Cup, which is the oldest tournament in Asia. The top teams of India played there and this year Downtown Club was also one of those teams, which is a big success for us. Many of our boys are playing in foreign clubs and are constantly getting offers,'' said Mushtaq Bashir, co-founder, Downtown Heroes FC.</p>

<p>The club includes youth in the age group of 15 years to 25 years. The club began playing at the Islamia College ground in Downtown and quickly rose to prominence on the domestic football map of the country. The Downtown Heroes have been promoted to the 2022–23 I-League Division 2. Downtown Heroes Football Club is showing a new direction to the youth of Valley.</p>

<p>The more private clubs come to our Kashmir, the better it is. The future is being made. In recent times, drug addiction has been on the rise and if the youth go into the sports, they will save themselves from these bad habits. The change is coming slowly, the downtown club has a lot of local youngsters playing in it and we have got a great platform like the Durand Cup to play in,'' said Salah Shafi, a player.</p>

<p>Downtown Football Club has also now joined the J&amp;K Sports Council's campaign to bring more youth into the sports field. Next week the club will be selecting football players at sub-junior, junior levels. This is part of the club's expansion plan to involve more youth in sports and keep them away from drugs and violence.</p>

<p>''This has provided us with great help. There is a huge drug addiction here and when they saw us footballers on TV&nbsp;to play football for the club, they got inspired. The people from our area are extremely proud and inspired when they see us playing on TV. Football has played a big role in downtown to save youngsters from addiction.</p>

<p>The bigger the platform you get, the better your profile becomes,'' said Momin Khalid, another player.</p>

<p>More than 200 youngsters are right now associated with the Downtown Heroes FC.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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The downtown area of Srinagar is changing, earlier known for stone pelting and law and order incidents, it is now becoming an example of peace. The Downtown Heroes Football Club which was formed a few years ago has not only remained but become a mission, and is helping the youngsters to stay away from drugs and give a new shape to their future.

The downtown area of Srinagar is changing, earlier known for stone pelting and law and order incidents, it is now becoming an example of peace. The Downtown Heroes Football Club which was formed a few years ago has not only remained but become a mission, and is helping the youngsters to stay away from drugs and give a new shape to their future. The old city of Srinagar was known for producing top-class footballers who even went on to represent Jammu and Kashmir and India at the national and international level. The downtown area of Srinagar was known as the hub of football in Kashmir, but with the beginning of insurgency, the downtown lost touch with the most popular sport in Kashmir. Downtown Heroes FC was started with an aim to revive the lost glory of football in the old city. It was launched in 2020 and the club has already made a name for itself. The club is not only changing the image of the downtown, but it also has helped in curbing the drug menace in the Srinagar city. Not only are they including addicts in the club to play but also running campaigns for a drug-free Kashmir. ''See we started this club in 2020. We started this for a reason that was that downtown earlier was known for good things but over the period of time it lost its glory. It was now known for bad things, the aim to start this club was to show the world that we are not bad people and if given a chance we can excel anywhere. One of the biggest challenges Kashmir is facing now is drug addiction because we lack basic avenues of entertainment, so we want to give this alternative to people to come and play football and shun violence and drugs. We are successful till now. We have people who have left drugs and are playing with us. The target is to get youth away from this all,'' said Hanan Bashir, co founder, Downtown Heroes FC. In its inaugural season, Downtown Heroes FC went to play in the Premier League, Real Kashmir Cup and also went on to win the Doon Knockout football tournament title. This year Downtown Heroes FC played the Durand Cup which is the oldest football competition in India and Asia. ''In 2020, we created this Downtown Club. It took us three years to become successful in our goal. This year we went for the Durand Cup, which is the oldest tournament in Asia. The top teams of India played there and this year Downtown Club was also one of those teams, which is a big success for us. Many of our boys are playing in foreign clubs and are constantly getting offers,'' said Mushtaq Bashir, co-founder, Downtown Heroes FC. The club includes youth in the age group of 15 years to 25 years. The club began playing at the Islamia College ground in Downtown and quickly rose to prominence on the domestic football map of the country. The Downtown Heroes have been promoted to the 2022–23 I-League Division 2. Downtown Heroes Football Club is showing a new direction to the youth of Valley. The more private clubs come to our Kashmir, the better it is. The future is being made. In recent times, drug addiction has been on the rise and if the youth go into the sports, they will save themselves from these bad habits. The change is coming slowly, the downtown club has a lot of local youngsters playing in it and we have got a great platform like the Durand Cup to play in,'' said Salah Shafi, a player. Downtown Football Club has also now joined the J&K Sports Council's campaign to bring more youth into the sports field. Next week the club will be selecting football players at sub-junior, junior levels. This is part of the club's expansion plan to involve more youth in sports and keep them away from drugs and violence. ''This has provided us with great help. There is a huge drug addiction here and when they saw us footballers on TV to play football for the club, they got inspired. The people from our area are extremely proud and inspired when they see us playing on TV. Football has played a big role in downtown to save youngsters from addiction. The bigger the platform you get, the better your profile becomes,'' said Momin Khalid, another player. More than 200 youngsters are right now associated with the Downtown Heroes FC. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: This football club is changing the image of Srinagar's downtown. Here's how

The 10-day festival of Ganesha Chaturthi has begun in India. People celebrate this festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha with great enthusiasm and religious fervour across the country. But not just in India, this festival has gone global, watch the video to know more.

Nigeria: Indian diaspora celebrates Ganesha Chaturthi in Lagos as festival goes global | WION

<p>As tensions brew between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, WION reached out to Dr&nbsp;Vivek Mishra, a Fellow with ORF's Strategic Studies Programme, to dissect the situation and offer a nuanced perspective on Canada's stance regarding the Khalistani movement and its broader implications. Dr&nbsp;Mishra said that Trudeau is playing vote bank politics to keep the political support he needs to remain in power. He highlighted that the Trudeau government heavily relies on support from the New Democratic Party (NDP).&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The Trudeau government is banking on peripheral support by the NDP - a political party that openly supports Khalistanis and ignores their wrongdoing and even illegal citizenship. If the NDP pulls its support today, the Trudeau govt will fall. So the motivation is obvious," he said.</p>

<p>"The Canadian government should do some soul-searching here. They have willfully let relations with India fall precipitously and we know that the support of political representations inside Canada like the NDP has played a key role.</p>

<p>"But broadly, the Liberal Party has been sympathetic to these causes since Pierre Trudeau, Justin Trudeau's father. However, these are different times, and don't expect India to let the Canadian government's false allegations pass," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tit-for-tat-new-delhi-cautions-indians-against-travelling-to-canada-amidst-diplomatic-standoff-637878">New Delhi issues advisory, cautions against hate crimes and violence in Canada</a></p>

<p>Dr&nbsp;Mishra strongly criticised Canada's allegations, describing them as "an absolute travesty of statecraft."&nbsp;</p>

<p>He argued that India should be more concerned about Canada's interference in its internal affairs. Dr&nbsp;Mishra pointed to the substantial impact of economic and human resources mobilised in Canada through Khalistani factions, which he says "is challenging India's sovereignty and territorial integrity."</p>

<h2><strong>Bilateral relations and geopolitical ramifications&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Mishra said Canada has lost its standing in Asia, potentially impacting its Indo-Pacific policy and diminishing its role in the Indian Ocean.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/data-lab-will-the-nijjar-clash-turn-india-canada-trade-ties-sour-637933">Data Lab: Will the Nijjar clash turn India-Canada trade ties sour?</a></p>

<p>"In one fell swoop, Canada has lost Asia...&nbsp;expect the bilateral relations to go south for a while at least. Most of all, Canada can kiss its Indo-Pacific policy goodbye, or operate without any anchor in the Indian Ocean, which will not have much worth anyway," he told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The expert questioned Canada's attempts to form collectives through alliances like the five-eyes (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States), suggesting that countries would be hesitant to level allegations against India without substantial evidence.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/5-biggest-controversies-in-canadian-pm-justin-trudeaus-career-637861">5 biggest controversies in Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's career</a></strong></p>

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<p>"No country is going to base expectations, least of all their bilateral ties on allegations by a partner, which stands on flimsy grounds," the expert noted.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Khalistani sentiments in British Columbia</strong></h2>

<p>Lastly, Mishra pointed out British Columbia as "a hotspot for nurturing Khalistani sentiments inside Canada."&nbsp;He cited specific incidents, such as the murder of Nijjar, the defacement of Hindu temples, and threats to Indian diplomats, all originating from this province.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We hope that the Canadian opposition should make this issue front and centre and expose the current Liberal party's agenda on this issue," he concluded.&nbsp;</p>

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As tensions brew between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, WION reached out to Dr Vivek Mishra, a Fellow with ORF's Strategic Studies Programme, to dissect the situation and offer a nuanced perspective on Canada's stance regarding the Khalistani movement and its broader implications.

As tensions brew between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, WION reached out to Dr Vivek Mishra, a Fellow with ORF's Strategic Studies Programme, to dissect the situation and offer a nuanced perspective on Canada's stance regarding the Khalistani movement and its broader implications. Dr Mishra said that Trudeau is playing vote bank politics to keep the political support he needs to remain in power. He highlighted that the Trudeau government heavily relies on support from the New Democratic Party (NDP). "The Trudeau government is banking on peripheral support by the NDP - a political party that openly supports Khalistanis and ignores their wrongdoing and even illegal citizenship. If the NDP pulls its support today, the Trudeau govt will fall. So the motivation is obvious," he said. "The Canadian government should do some soul-searching here. They have willfully let relations with India fall precipitously and we know that the support of political representations inside Canada like the NDP has played a key role. "But broadly, the Liberal Party has been sympathetic to these causes since Pierre Trudeau, Justin Trudeau's father. However, these are different times, and don't expect India to let the Canadian government's false allegations pass," he added. Also Read | New Delhi issues advisory, cautions against hate crimes and violence in Canada Dr Mishra strongly criticised Canada's allegations, describing them as "an absolute travesty of statecraft." He argued that India should be more concerned about Canada's interference in its internal affairs. Dr Mishra pointed to the substantial impact of economic and human resources mobilised in Canada through Khalistani factions, which he says "is challenging India's sovereignty and territorial integrity." Bilateral relations and geopolitical ramifications Mishra said Canada has lost its standing in Asia, potentially impacting its Indo-Pacific policy and diminishing its role in the Indian Ocean. Also Read | Data Lab: Will the Nijjar clash turn India-Canada trade ties sour? "In one fell swoop, Canada has lost Asia... expect the bilateral relations to go south for a while at least. Most of all, Canada can kiss its Indo-Pacific policy goodbye, or operate without any anchor in the Indian Ocean, which will not have much worth anyway," he told WION. The expert questioned Canada's attempts to form collectives through alliances like the five-eyes (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States), suggesting that countries would be hesitant to level allegations against India without substantial evidence. Watch | 5 biggest controversies in Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's career × "No country is going to base expectations, least of all their bilateral ties on allegations by a partner, which stands on flimsy grounds," the expert noted. Khalistani sentiments in British Columbia Lastly, Mishra pointed out British Columbia as "a hotspot for nurturing Khalistani sentiments inside Canada." He cited specific incidents, such as the murder of Nijjar, the defacement of Hindu temples, and threats to Indian diplomats, all originating from this province. "We hope that the Canadian opposition should make this issue front and centre and expose the current Liberal party's agenda on this issue," he concluded. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Trudeau playing vote bank politics, Canada meddling in India's affairs: Expert rips into Ottawa

Canada says it is investigating credible allegations about the potential involvement of Indian government agents in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist. This comes as another Khalistani terrorist is killed in Canada in an inter-gang war. Canada rallies its allies for support amid muted responses.

Ottawa probes India’s role in Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder

Another Khalistan Supporter is shot dead in Canada. Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha Duneke has been killed in Winnipeg, Canada. WHO WAS SUKHA DUNEKE?

India-Canada tensions: Why was Khalistan supporter Sukha Duneke shot dead & who was he?

<p>The National Medical Commission (NMC) has achieved a milestone by securing the coveted World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) recognition status for a decade.</p>

<p>The announcement was made through an official press release by the Union Health Ministry. This recognition promises to usher in a new era of global opportunities and enhancements within India's medical education landscape, reported NDTV.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Most importantly, the benefits of the WFME recognition is that it grants Indian medical graduates access to pursue postgraduate training and practice in countries that require WFME recognition, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/engaging-with-allies-pressing-on-canada-to-provide-evidence-indias-calibrated-response-on-nijjar-death-638249">&nbsp;Engaging with allies, pressing on Canada to provide evidence: India’s calibrated response on Nijjar death</a></p>

<h2><strong>Universal accreditation</strong></h2>

<p>Under this accreditation, all 706 existing medical colleges in India will attain WFME accreditation. Furthermore, any new medical colleges established within the next decade will automatically receive WFME accreditation.</p>

<p>This universal accreditation promises to elevate India's status as an attractive destination for international students, emphasising the nation's adherence to globally recognised standards.</p>

<p>Beyond facilitating global mobility for medical professionals, the NMC's newfound recognition aligns India's medical education with global best practices and benchmarks.</p>

<p>This alignment is expected to enhance the quality and standards of medical education within India, ensuring that graduates meet international expectations.</p>

<p>The WFME recognition is not limited to individual professionals or institutions; it extends to the entire Indian medical education ecosystem.</p>

<p>It will foster academic collaborations, promote exchanges, stimulate innovation in medical education, and cultivate a culture of quality assurance among medical educators and institutions.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;India-Canada row: Indian visa services in Canada suspended</strong></p>

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<p>A pivotal aspect of the WFME recognition is its relevance to international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking opportunities in the United States.</p>

<p>The new rule states that "starting in 2024, individuals applying for ECFMG Certification must be a student or graduate of a medical school that is appropriately accredited. More specifically, the school must be accredited by an accrediting agency that is officially recognised by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME)."</p>

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The National Medical Commission (NMC) has achieved a milestone by securing the coveted World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) recognition status for a decade.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has achieved a milestone by securing the coveted World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) recognition status for a decade. The announcement was made through an official press release by the Union Health Ministry. This recognition promises to usher in a new era of global opportunities and enhancements within India's medical education landscape, reported NDTV. Most importantly, the benefits of the WFME recognition is that it grants Indian medical graduates access to pursue postgraduate training and practice in countries that require WFME recognition, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Also read | Engaging with allies, pressing on Canada to provide evidence: India’s calibrated response on Nijjar death Universal accreditation Under this accreditation, all 706 existing medical colleges in India will attain WFME accreditation. Furthermore, any new medical colleges established within the next decade will automatically receive WFME accreditation. This universal accreditation promises to elevate India's status as an attractive destination for international students, emphasising the nation's adherence to globally recognised standards. Beyond facilitating global mobility for medical professionals, the NMC's newfound recognition aligns India's medical education with global best practices and benchmarks. This alignment is expected to enhance the quality and standards of medical education within India, ensuring that graduates meet international expectations. The WFME recognition is not limited to individual professionals or institutions; it extends to the entire Indian medical education ecosystem. It will foster academic collaborations, promote exchanges, stimulate innovation in medical education, and cultivate a culture of quality assurance among medical educators and institutions. Also watch | India-Canada row: Indian visa services in Canada suspended A pivotal aspect of the WFME recognition is its relevance to international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking opportunities in the United States. The new rule states that "starting in 2024, individuals applying for ECFMG Certification must be a student or graduate of a medical school that is appropriately accredited. More specifically, the school must be accredited by an accrediting agency that is officially recognised by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME)." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Indian medical graduates can now practice in US, Canada and Australia. Here's how

India-Canada diplomatic row escalates: Indian visa services in Canada suspended

MPs have received copies of the constitution, but the copies did not mention the words secular' and 'socialist'. Opposition parties have called the move 'suspicious'. What is the mystery behind the constitution copies? Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: India: MPs receive constitution copies with missing key terms

Turkish President Erdogan has racked up Kashmir once again at the UNGA. This time he has pushed for a dialogue between India & Pakistan. What explains this unsolicited advice? Here's what Molly Gambhir has to say.

Gravitas: Erdogan wants India-Pak dialogue on Kashmir

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