India
As the government raises the VAT, diesel in flood-affected Himachal would cost 3/l higher.
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh – In the aftermath of devastating floods that have wreaked havoc in parts of Himachal Pradesh, residents are now faced with another blow as the government has decided to raise the Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel. The hike in VAT will result in a price increase of ₹3 per liter for diesel in the flood-affected areas. This development comes as a concerning development for the already burdened residents who are struggling to recover from the catastrophic impact of the floods.
The decision to increase the VAT on diesel was taken by the state government as part of revenue generation efforts to aid in the recovery and reconstruction process after the floods. However, this move has drawn criticism from various quarters, particularly from the residents who are grappling with the aftermath of the disaster.
The increased price of diesel will have wide-ranging implications for the affected areas. The transportation sector, which heavily relies on diesel, will bear the brunt of the price hike, leading to increased costs for goods and services. Additionally, farmers and businesses dependent on diesel-powered machinery for agricultural and industrial activities are expected to face additional financial strain.
The government, while acknowledging the concerns raised by the public, defended the decision, stating that the revenue generated from the increased VAT on diesel would contribute to the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the flood-affected regions. They emphasized the need for financial resources to undertake urgent repairs, restore infrastructure, and provide relief to affected communities.
However, critics argue that imposing a price increase on diesel could potentially exacerbate the hardships faced by the residents, who are already grappling with the aftermath of the floods. The move has sparked debates regarding the timing and appropriateness of such a decision, given the delicate socio-economic conditions prevalent in the affected areas.
As the news of the diesel price hike spreads, local communities, activists, and political leaders are calling on the government to reconsider its decision and provide relief measures to mitigate the financial burden faced by the flood-affected population. They emphasize the importance of ensuring that the recovery process does not add further hardships to an already vulnerable population.
In response to the public outcry, the government has expressed its willingness to review the decision and assess the potential impact on the affected residents. It is expected that discussions will take place to find a balanced approach that addresses the financial needs for reconstruction while also considering the welfare of the affected communities.
The situation remains fluid, and the government’s response to the concerns raised by the public will be closely watched. In the meantime, residents of flood-affected areas in Himachal Pradesh continue to grapple with the challenges posed by the natural disaster and its subsequent repercussions on their lives and livelihoods.
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Festival
Why is National Farmers’ Day 2024 observed? Learn the date, the significance, the history, and more.
National Farmers’ Day 2024: Why it is celebrated? Know date, history, significance and more
National Farmers’ Day honours the vital contributions of farmers to India’s economy and highlights the ongoing challenges they face. Know why it is celebrated:
National Farmers’ Day in India, also known as Kisan Divas, is celebrated annually on December 23 to commemorate the birth anniversary of India’s 5th Prime Minister, Choudhary Charan Singh. This day honours and pays tribute to the farmers, who are regarded as the backbone of the nation. From its history to significance, here’s everything you need to know about this important day. (Also read: Christmas 2024: History, importance, significance of the festival and why it’s celebrated on December 25 )
National Farmers’ Day 2024 history
National Farmers’ Day was established to honour Chaudhary Charan Singh, who served as India’s Prime Minister from 1979 to 1980. Renowned for his strong support of the farming community, he introduced several key policies aimed at advancing agricultural development. His focus on land reforms, boosting agricultural productivity, and safeguarding farmers’ rights helped lay the groundwork for future welfare-driven policies.
In recognition of his contributions, December 23, his birthday, was declared National Farmers’ Day to celebrate his commitment to agriculture. Charan Singh’s work continues to influence India’s agricultural policies and rural development today.
Significance of National Farmers’ Day
National Farmers’ Day serves as a reminder of the vital role farmers play in India’s economy. As a largely agrarian country, India depends on its farmers for food security and economic stability. The day sheds light on the persistent challenges farmers face, including fair pricing, climate change, and the adoption of modern agricultural technologies. It offers an opportunity to discuss ways to enhance the welfare of farmers through government schemes and reforms.
National Farmers’ Day celebrations
National Farmers’ Day is primarily celebrated in India’s agricultural hubs, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh. On this day, various programs are organised across the country, providing farmers a platform to discuss their needs and aspirations. The day also highlights innovations in science and technology, which are introduced to farmers to help enhance their productivity.
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Entertainment
HT Rewind 2024: Manasi Parekh on the resurgence of Gujarati cinema and why her National Award win surprised her.
HT Rewind 2024: Manasi Parekh on why her National Award win caught her off guard, and the revival of Gujarati cinema
Manasi Parekh, recipient of the Best Actress National Award, talks about her amazing 2024 that gave her both commercial success and critical acclaim.
To casual Hindi viewers, Manasi Parekh is the star of popular TV shows like Sumit Sambhal Lega and Gulaal, among others. But years after she was shot to fame with Hindi television, the actor made her name in her home state – Gujarat – with some critically acclaimed films there. The dividends were reaped in 2024, a remarkable year for the actor when she broke box office records and won a National Film Award. In conversation with HT, Manasi looks back at her annus mirabilis and the revival of Gujarati cinema. (Also read: Manasi Parekh reacts to winning National Film Award for Best Actress: Big win for me as a working mother)
On her amazing 2024
Manasi saw the box office success of her Gujarati horror comedy, Jhamkudi, which earned around ₹25 crore at the box office. Later in the year, she became the first person to win the Best Actress National Award for a Gujarati film as she won it for her 2023 release, Kutch Express. “It has been an amazing year,” Manasi says. First Jhamkudi broke all Gujarati box office records of the last two years. That was a good success, and then the win happened. It made us believe that we are on the right path.”
The National Award win was so unexpected, says Manasi, that she had even forgotten that she had applied for the award. “It was absolutely unexpected. One works with the hope that this film reaches the zenith of what it has to achieve. When we were making Kutch Express, we knew something special was happening. We had applied for the National Award as everyone else does, but we didn’t know the process after that,” she says.
“We were shooting two months ago when the announcement happened, and friends from the industry started messaging. I was so confused because I had forgotten that we had even applied. At that moment, when you are completely caught off guard, it’s so special. If you make a film with the intention of winning an award, you are constantly thinking about it. But when you don’t know all that, it’s very amazing,” the actor adds.
Kutch Express was produced by Manasi and her husband, singer-filmmaker Parthiv Gohil, with some help from their friends. “My husband and I produced the project, and our friends invested in it. It’s almost completely crowdfunded in that sense. We just believed that it had to be made in our own language. So, the win feels much sweeter,” she says.
On Gujarati cinema’s revival
Many were surprised that Manasi is the first to win a Best Actress National Award for Gujarati cinema and the actor sees this as an honour. She tells us, “Hindi cinema is the mainstay but then you have the National Awards where Nithya (Menen) and I win it for regional films, Rishab Shetty wins it for Kantara. You just realise that they are making the effort to recognise talent apart from Hindi cinema.”
But the actor argues that since Gujarati cinema had seen a lull earlier, it is only natural that none of the stalwarts from the industry won any award. “Gujarati cinema has come around in the last 10-12 years, honestly,” she explains. “Before that, it was dormant for a long time. Films were being made, but they were not being correctly distributed. It’s a very adolescent industry right now. Great directors and writers are stepping in, and now it has revived.”
Looking forward to 2025, Manasi hopes to continue doing good work, regardless of language and medium. “All I want to do is tell good, important stories,” she says, signing off.
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TV
A funny jab at AP Dhillon’s attendance at Karan Aujla’s concert in Mumbai is made by Munawar Faruqui: “Ab Aujla block”
Munawar Faruqui takes a hilarious dig at AP Dhillon attending Karan Aujla’s Mumbai concert: ‘Ab Aujla block’
Amid AP Dhillon, Diljit Dosanjh’s feud, standup-comedian Munawar Faruqui takes a dig at the singer attending Karan Aujla’s concert.
Recently, AP Dhillon shared the stage with Karan Aujla during his concert in Mumbai. Now, Standup comedian and Bigg Boss 17 winner Munawar Faruqui has taken a dig at the singer attending Aujla’s concert amid his feud with Diljit Dosanjh.
Munawar Faruqui on AP Dhillon attending Karan Aujla’s concert amid feud with Diljit Dosanjh
On Monday, Munawar Faruqui took to Instagram and shared a photo of the Tauba Tauba alongside AP Dhillon on the stage, the comedian wrote, “Ab Karan Aujla block!”, hinting at AP Dhillon and Diljit Dosanjh’s controversy.
All about Diljit Dosanjh and AP Dhillon’s feud
For the unversed, it all started after AP Dhillon, during his Chandigarh concert, responded to Diljit Dosanjh’s shoutout for him and claimed that the Lover singer had blocked him on Instagram. In response to this, Diljit said, “I never blocked you… I might have issues with the government, but not with artists.”
However, AP Dhillon didn’t let it slide and shared a screen recording as ‘proof’ to show that he was blocked by Diljit Dosanjh and could only see his profile after the singer unblocked him. Even during Karan Aujla’s Mumbai concert, AP Dhillon made a statement, “A narrative is being pushed that these guys don’t like each other, they don’t get along… But I’m gonna tell you one thing, this social media is all corrupt. This is a narrative that people push. We f**king love each other.” He went on to add, “I want to tell you one thing. Music is not a f*king sport. There is no winner or loser in this game. All it matters is who f*king keeps it real.”
Meanwhile, Munawar Faruqui became a household name with his witty stand-up performances. He then participated in Salman Khan’s show Bigg Boss 17 and beat Ankita Lokhande, Abhishek Kumar, and Mannara Chopra to emerge as the winner of the season. He was last seen in Laughter Chefs for a few episodes and also featured as a mentor in the show Playground 4, but lost the season to Elvish Yadav.
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