"For Me It's About Dharma": Rishi Sunak On Taking Up Challenging Tasks

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has spoken of his motivation behind taking on the top job at 10 Downing Street in the wake of intense political turmoil last year as his "dharma".

In a televised interview with 'Talk TV' host Piers Morgan at his Downing Street home to mark 100 days in the job as Britain's first Indian-origin Prime Minister on Thursday, he was asked what made him take on the tough task amid a crippling cost-of-living crisis and his predecessor Liz Truss' shortest term as Prime Minister at just 45 days.

"For me it's about duty. There's a concept in Hinduism called dharma, which roughly translates into duty and that's how I was raised. It was about doing the things that were expected of you and trying to do the right thing," he replied.

"Even though it was going to be a nightmare job… I felt that I could make a difference and was the best person to make a difference at that moment, especially given the challenges that people were facing, what they were seeing with their mortgages and that's ultimately why I put myself forward to do it knowing that it would be difficult and challenging but ultimately doing what was my duty in that situation. I believe deeply in service and thought I could make a difference for the country," he said.

The 42-year-old, who swore his oath of allegiance on being elected member of Parliament in the House of Commons on the 'Bhagavad Gita', has often spoken about his Hindu faith giving him strength.

The UK-born son of National Health Service (NHS) doctor Yashveer and pharmacist Usha has spoken of regular visits the temple with his family and during last year's leadership campaign, he took time out to make a visit to a Hare Krishna temple on the outskirts of London for Janmashtami to seek blessings.

In the wide-ranging interview this week, he also referred to his wife Akshata – the daughter of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy – as his support system and admitted he was "batting above his average" with her as his life partner.

He revealed how he romantically proposed to her, going down on one knee, and praised "the support that she gives me in this job".

"I wouldn't be able to do this job without her love and support to keep going," he said.

Asked about the "mantra" the British public could cling on to, he added: "Have hope because I can make it better and I will make it better. That's what I am working day and night to do." Morgan also asked him about his personal wealth and he repeated a previous commitment to publish his tax returns in the interest of "transparency".

"They [tax returns] will be published shortly. As you know the tax filing deadline was just a few days ago… they will be released shortly," he said.

On the wave of public sector strikes over pay, Sunak said he would "love to give the nurses a massive pay rise" but pointed out that he could not, as doing so would stoke inflation.

"Even if it's not popular, it's the right thing for the country to stay the course to beat inflation," he said.

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We Are Giving Priority To Development Of Northeast: PM Modi

Highlighting his government's commitment to holistic development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the country is giving priority to the development of Northeast by boosting tourism, adding that the proposed Budget 2023 also lay emphasis in developing 50 tourism destinations across the country.

Prime Minister participated in the Krishnaguru Eknaam Akhanda Kirtan for World Peace held at Krishnaguru Sevashram at Barpeta, Assam via video conferencing on Friday.

Addressing the devotees of Krishnaguru Sevashram, PM Modi said, "I am glad to express that the Indian tradition of knowledge, service and humanity propagated by Krishna Guru continues to grow even stronger. Krishnaguru ji had started the ritual of month-long of Akhand Namjap (chanting) and kirtan every 12 years for world peace. In our country, there has been an ancient tradition of organizing such events over a period of 12 years."

PM Modi said the occasion signifies responsibility and people from all parts of India used to assemble here. The organizing of this event after every 12 years also reiterates the tradition of Kumbh, he said.

The Prime Minister said, in 2019, the people of Assam organized the 'Pushkaram Festival', which will be repeated on the banks of the Brahmaputra river only after 12 years. In Kumbhakonam Tamil Nadu, the Mahamaham festival is celebrated after every 12 years.

"Today, whoever is lagging behind in the race of development, will be given the first priority in the country. The country is prioritising those who are deprived," PM Modi said.

Referring to Union Budget 2023-24, PM said, "Today, we are giving priority to the development of Northeast and Assam. Tourism plays a major role in the economy of this region. As proposed in Budget 2023, 50 tourism destinations across the country will be developed as wholesome tourism destinations."

He said this year's budget has made provisions for setting up Unity malls in each state where products made by agriculturists and artisans will be displayed and sold from there. Moreover, the products will be sent to other state unity malls too.

Highlighting the culture of Assam, PM Modi said, "When it comes to the crafts of Assam, 'Gomosha' gets it mention naturally. I myself love wearing 'gomosha'. We have made Bamboo in the category of grass to promote skill development as well as the increased presence of these items in the market."

Prime Minister said the country has witnessed how Swachha Bharat Abhiyan was launched and with people's support, it was a big success. The reason behind the success of Digital India too is people's contribution.

Paramguru Krishnaguru Ishwar established the Krishnaguru Sevashram in 1974, at village Nasatra, Barpeta Assam.

He is the ninth descendant of Mahavaishnab Manohardeva, who was a follower of the great Vaishnavite saint Shri Shankardeva.

Krishnaguru Eknaam Akhanda Kirtan for World Peace is a month-long kirtan being held from January 6 at Krishnaguru Sevashram.

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Russia's Putin Warns West Over Arms Deliveries To Ukraine

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday vowed a decisive response to any country threatening Russia and lashed out against Germany for promising tanks for Kyiv.

His threats came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the Kremlin was consolidating its forces for a fresh offensive.

Zelensky was speaking in Kyiv beside EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, who said the bloc was looking to finalise fresh sanctions against Russia by February 24, exactly one year after Putin ordered troops into Ukraine.

In the southern Russian city of Volgograd, Putin said: "It's unbelievable but true. We are again being threatened by German Leopard tanks."

He was speaking at a ceremony commemorating the Red Army's victory against Nazi troops 80 years ago in Stalingrad, as the city was then known.

"We have something to respond with," he added. "A modern war with Russia will be completely different."

Ukraine this month secured promises from the West for deliveries of modern battle tanks to fight Russian forces, and Kyiv is now asking for long-range missiles and fighter jets.

- Sanctions to 'erode' Russia -

Russia is  "preparing to try to take revenge, not only against Ukraine, but against a free Europe and the free world," Zelensky told a joint press conference with von der Leyen.

Putin has insisted that Russia is weathering the barrage of sanctions imposed by Ukraine's Western allies and will continue its military campaign in Ukraine.

But von der Leyen said sanctions were already "eroding" Russia's economy, "throwing it back by a generation". She estimated that an existing oil price cap alone was costing Moscow around 160 million euros every day.

"We will introduce with our G7 partners an additional price cap on Russian petroleum products and by the 24th of February -- exactly one year since the invasion started -- we aim to have the 10th package of sanctions in place," she said.

Von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Thursday with the EU's most senior diplomat Josep Borrell ahead of a Ukraine-EU summit on Friday in the war-torn country, which is seeking EU membership.

Zelensky said his country deserved to start accession talks this year to "give energy and motivation to our people to fight."

But EU leaders say the process could take many years.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed the EU and specifically von der Leyen had called for Russia to be defeated so its economy would be devastated.

"Is this not racism, not Nazism," Lavrov said.

Lavrov's comments echoed Putin, who has frequently drawn parallels between what he calls Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine and the Soviet war against Nazi Germany.

Putin launched his intervention last year, saying that Russia needed to "de-Nazify" Ukraine.

Von der Leyen's trip comes one day after Kyiv raided the homes of an oligarch and public officials as part of efforts to ease Western concerns about graft.

"I'm comforted to see that your anti-corruption bodies are on alert and effective," von der Leyen said.

- 'How can I leave?' -

On the front line, Russian forces are pressing Ukrainian troops in the eastern Donetsk region, now the epicentre of fighting.

Moscow has been trying to seize control of Bakhmut in the industrial region for months in what has become the longest and bloodiest battle of the invasion.

Residents who remain in the war-scarred town told AFP they will not budge if the Russians arrive.

"How could I leave?" said 75-year-old Natalia Shevchenko.

She said she spends so much time sheltering from bombardments in her basement that she feels "like a mole" as she steps out into the light and her eyes adjust.

"Don't worry," she told AFP as shells whistled in the background. "They're far away. I've now learnt where they're going."

Russian forces have also been shelling the southern region of Kherson, after withdrawing its forces from the region's main city last year.

Separately the United States said Thursday it backs moves to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in the 2024 Olympics only as neutral athletes prevented from displaying national flags or emblems.

The US position adds to a growing dispute over the status of athletes from Russia and Belarus at the Paris Games.

Ukraine is calling for Russian athletes to be entirely banned over the invasion of Ukraine.

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Zelensky Says Ukraine Should Start EU Entry Talks "This Year"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday his war-torn country deserved to start EU accession talks "this year".

"I believe that Ukraine deserves to start negotiations on EU membership this year," Zelensky said Thursday after talks with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.

He said further integration with the European bloc would inspire Ukrainians and give them "motivation" to fight against Russian troops.

On Friday, Kyiv hosts a high-profile EU-Ukraine summit.

In June last year EU leaders granted candidate status to Ukraine, just months after Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops to the pro-Western country. But the path to full membership remains long despite Kyiv's bullishness, and could take years.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned last May it could take "decades" before Ukraine meets the criteria and achieves full membership.

Zelensky said that Ukrainian and EU officials had a "mutual" understanding.

"Only together a strong Ukraine and a strong European Union can protect the life we value," Zelensky added.

"And that our further integration must give energy and motivation to our people to fight against any obstacles and threats."

The Ukrainian leader also said that global pressure on Russia must be increased.

"The enemy is at a specific stage when Russia's strategic defeat is already clear," he said. "But tactically, they still have the resources to attempt offensive actions."

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Only Women, Shudras Can Feel Pain Of "Derogatory" Remarks: Samajwadi Party Leader

Samajwadi Party national general secretary Swami Prasad Maurya on Thursday said only women and "Shudras" can feel the pain of the "derogatory" remarks made against them in the guise of religion.

Mr Maurya, a prominent OBC leader in Uttar Pradesh, recently made headlines for his comments on Ramcharitmanas - a 16th-century poem, saying that its certain verses "insult" a large section of the society on the basis of caste and demanded that those be "banned".

He compared the pain of women and 'Shudras' with that of Mahatma Gandhi after he was thrown out of a train by Britishers.

"The pain caused by the insult and misbehaviour the British had meted out to Gandhiji on a train by saying 'Indians are dogs' was only felt by him. Similarly, the pain caused by the derogatory comments made against women and Shudras in the guise of religion are only felt by them," Mr Maurya said in a tweet in Hindi.

A cabinet minister in the previous BJP government in the state, Mr Maurya had resigned and joined the SP before the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

He contested the election from the Fazilnagar Assembly seat in the Kushinagar district but lost. He was later sent to the legislative council by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.

On January 24, an FIR was registered against Mr Maurya at the Hazratganj police station over his controversial comments on the "Ramcharitmanas", police said.

The case was registered following a complaint from Shivendra Mishra, a resident of the Aishbagh locality in the Bazar Khala area of Lucknow.

Another FIR was registered against Mr Maurya and others on January 29 at the PGI police station.

The case was registered on a complaint from Satnam Singh Lavi, who alleged that the act of burning the copies of the "Ramcharitmanas" posed a threat to peace, police said.

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Delhi Mayor Polls To Be Held On February 6: Report

The mayoral election is the first item on the agenda for the municipal House slated to be held on February 6 in Delhi, sources said on Thursday.

It will be followed by the election of the deputy mayor and six members of the standing committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), they said.

Lt Governor V K Saxena has approved convening of an MCD House to elect the mayor on February 6, Raj Niwas officials said on Wednesday.

The date had been proposed by the Delhi government, an official has said.

"The agenda for the House says that the election to pick the mayor of Delhi will be held first, followed by that of the deputy mayor and six members of the standing committee," a source said.

Two sessions held so far -- January 6 and January 24 -- since the civic polls have failed to elect a mayor due to ruckus among the AAP and BJP members.

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Centre Has "No Role" In Fixing Minimum Working Days For Courts: Minister

There is no proposal at present to increase the number of working days or working hours of the Supreme Court, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Thursday.

The central government has no role in fixing the minimum number of compulsory working hours and working days for courts, the minister said.

In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, he said the top court has been working on an average of 222 days in a year.

"The number of working hours, working days and vacations of the courts are prescribed as per rules framed by the respective courts. The Supreme Court of India, in exercise of the powers conferred on it under Article 145 of the Constitution of India, makes rules for regulating the court's practice and procedures which includes its sittings and vacations...," he said.

Accordingly, he noted, that the Supreme Court has framed the 'Supreme Court Rules, 2013' which were notified in 2014.

He said the rules provide that the period of summer vacation shall not exceed seven weeks and the length of the summer vacation and the number of holidays for the court and the offices of the court shall be such as may be fixed by the Chief Justice so as not to exceed 103 days, excluding Sundays not falling in the vacation and during court holidays.

"The central government has no role in fixing the minimum number of compulsory working hours and working days for courts. Further, there is no proposal at present to increase the number of working days or working hours of the Supreme Court," he said.

The minister asserted that the government is fully committed to the independence of judiciary and constantly endeavours to provide a conducive environment for judges to discharge their judicial functions smoothly.

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