Arunachal guv, CM & dy CM extend tributes
Tibetan spiritual leader
the Dalai Lama, top leaders from Arunachal Pradesh, including governor KT Parnaik, CM
Pema Khandu
and deputy CM Chowna Mein, on Sunday extended heartfelt tributes, celebrating his extraordinary life dedicated to non-violence, compassion and global harmony, reports Joken Ete.
Parnaik, in an official message, described the Dalai Lama as 'a living embodiment of compassion, peace, and timeless wisdom'.
Khandu, who attended the official celebration, along with Union minister Kiren Rijiju and Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao in Dharamshala, called it a 'truly humbling experience'. "His journey is an inspiration to humanity," Khandu wrote on his X account.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
34 minutes ago
- India Today
Should India rethink ‘secular, socialism'? Why RSS prompt won't get BJP moving
It began not in Parliament nor in the heat of an election rally but at a commemorative event in Nagpur. On June 25, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) celebrated 50 years since the proclamation of the Emergency by the Indira Gandhi government in audience comprised swayamsevaks, writers, retired bureaucrats and cultural thinkers. RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale took the stage and delivered a sharp reminder of what he called 'the distortions inflicted upon India's constitutional soul' during those 21 months of suspended came Hosabale's strike: 'The words 'socialist' and 'secular' were never part of the Constitution adopted by Dr B.R. Ambedkar and the Constituent Assembly. They were inserted during the Emergency—when civil liberties were crushed. Shouldn't we now debate whether these terms still reflect the true ethos of the nation?'Some political analysts believe socialism was inserted to back Indira's efforts to cement her approval among the masses on the basis of a socialist and pro-poor image, with slogans such as 'garibi hatao' (eradicate poverty). Her government at the time of the Emergency apparently inserted the word in the Preamble of the Constitution to underline that socialism was a goal and philosophy of the Indian state. The Sangh has since nurtured the grouse that Indira's socialism was closer to what was practised in the former Soviet Union or China of the time, and had envisaged the nationalisation of all of India's means of production. This is completely in opposition to the Sangh's ideas and economic didn't make an offhand remark. In the Sangh Parivar, few public interventions are accidental. The occasion—an Emergency remembrance event—was steeped in ideological symbolism. The venue (Nagpur) is the intellectual nerve-centre of the RSS. And the political context was no less significant: the BJP in power for a third consecutive term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, albeit with fewer seats and greater coalition 2024 Lok Sabha poll campaign had seen an uncharacteristic restraint from the RSS. But now, a year into the government being in place, the Sangh decided to gain control of the narrative along with setting a trajectory for the government as well as the organisation. Its chosen target? The very words Indira had inserted into the Preamble via the 42nd Constitutional Amendment in followed—measured, but pointed. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said at a university convocation in Bhubaneswar a few days later. 'What Hosabale-ji said is historically correct. 'Socialist' and 'secular' were introduced during the Emergency, without full democratic debate. It's worth revisiting in today's context.'In Bhopal, Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan argued: 'India has always been secular in spirit—these labels were unnecessary. Our civilisational culture is far more inclusive than these terms can capture.'advertisementBut the government offered no response. No constitutional amendment was proposed. No debate will be initiated in Parliament. The BJP's strategic instinct was restraint. The RSS had floated the idea. The BJP made no move to act on isn't new. The present-day BJP has moved beyond several of the socialist leaders to expand into different geographies and demographies. This helped rid the party some of its untouchability while making it skillful in alliances with socialist parties. The collapse of the Janata Dal meant several of its constituents joining the BJP over the years, aiding the party's expansion in Karnataka, Gujarat, Haryana and Bihar, and a bounce-back in Uttar BJP's relationship with the word 'socialism' has always been fraught. When the party was formed in April 1980 in Delhi, it was born from the wreckage of the Janata experiment. Its leaders—Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani and Nanaji Deshmukh—chose to name it the Bharatiya Janata Party, not the revived Bharatiya Jana Sangh. Seeking to appeal to a broader middle-class constituency and mindful of India's post-Emergency mood, they adopted 'Gandhian Socialism' as the party's guiding philosophy. Jayaprakash Narayan's portrait was placed beside those of Jana Sangh founders Deendayal Upadhyaya and Syama Prasad the term never sat easy. Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia and many RSS swayamsevaks were openly critical. For them, even Gandhian Socialism smacked of ideological compromise. In the RSS's intellectual tradition, 'socialism' was seen as a Western import, inimical to India's civilisational values of dharma, decentralization and family-centric BJP's 1984 electoral disaster—just two Lok Sabha seats—prompted a rethink. Gandhian Socialism was dropped from party literature. The BJP began to articulate its vision through the lens of 'Integral Humanism' and 'Anatodayaya', the philosophical framework propounded by Upadhyaya in the Sangh pracharak, Dattopant Thengadi, deepened this narrative. In his book Third Way, he laid out a sweeping rejection of both capitalism and socialism, arguing for a uniquely Indian path grounded in spiritual economics and self-reliant communities. This language suited the Sangh: it was civilisational, not class-based; moral, not Minister Narendra Modi's rise to power enabled the BJP to recast this discourse in a modern, managerial idiom. The phrase 'Garib Kalyan' replaced the older frameworks of socialism. Massive welfare schemes, such as Ujjwala, Ayushman Bharat and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, were implemented using digital governance tools. Benefits were targeted via the 'JAM' trinity: Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar authentication and Mobile connectivity. Redistribution took place, but it was framed not as class war but empowerment. Modi's model promised dignity through genius of this political project was in divorcing the mechanics of redistribution from the vocabulary of socialism. 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas' became a rallying cry that carried moral force without ideological baggage. It reached Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs and the aspirational middle classes simultaneously, without needing to cite Jawaharlal Nehru or Karl the BJP's revision, socialism doesn't talk of 'class struggle', as done by the Marxists. That stands the party out in the present-day debate on the caste census. Caste-focused parties, such as the Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal and Samajwadi Party, and now even the Congress, talk of 'jiski jitni aabadi utna haq' (quota rights as per population) while demanding reservation and a caste census. On the other hand, the BJP is propounding taking everyone along—in effect, rendering socialism obsolete in both policy and is why the RSS is now asking the obvious question: if the BJP has long abandoned socialism in practice, why preserve its ghost in the Preamble? Why let a word inserted during a constitutional 'dark age' remain enshrined in the foundational text of the Indian republic? From the Sangh's point of view, this isn't just a semantic matter. It's about reclaiming the Constitution from what it sees as ideological distortions imposed during a time of political for the BJP, the calculus is different. Deleting 'socialist' or 'secular' from the Preamble would require a constitutional amendment—one that could provoke fierce opposition and judicial scrutiny. The Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the 'basic structure' doctrine and often relied on the Preamble's socialist character to buttress rulings on affirmative action, labour rights and environmental protection. Any attempt to alter that language could ignite a legal also the political cost. For many voters—especially the rural poor, SC/ST communities and OBCs—the idea of socialism is not about Marxist theory but government support: subsidies, pensions, quotas, welfare. These voters may trust Modi more than the Congress but still expect the State to deliver economic justice. Striking out 'socialist' from the Constitution could alarm these segments just as the BJP tries to deepen its social base beyond the urban middle class and upper the BJP's strategic silence. Let the RSS test the waters. Let sympathetic ministers issue cryptic nods. But don't commit. Don't legislate. Don't provoke the conversation has begun. Hosabale's words may not become policy in this Parliament or even the next. But they represent an ideological challenge to the Nehruvian consensus, still embedded in the constitutional framework. And in the world of the Sangh Parivar, such challenges rarely fade away. They wait and return. Sometimes, they even rewrite the script of the to India Today Magazine- EndsTune InMust Watch
News18
an hour ago
- News18
'Lodged Representations...': China On Dalai Lama Row As India Reaffirms Religious Freedom Stand
Last Updated: China objected to India extending greetings to the Dalai Lama and accused the country of meddling in its internal affairs, after India affirmed its commitment to religious freedom. China on Monday said it has lodged representations to India, accusing the country of meddling with China's internal affairs through Xizang (Tibet)-related issues. It also protested to India over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's greetings to the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday and the attendance of Indian officials at the celebrations. In a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that New Delhi should fully appreciate Beijing's sensitivities on Tibet-related issues, adding that China's position on such affairs is consistent. The 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile, who for a long, has been engaged in separatist activities and attempted to separate Xizang from China under the cover of religion, the spokesperson alleged. 'Chinese government's position on Xizang-related issues is consistent and clear. It is well known that the 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile who has long been engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion with the aim of breaking Xizang away from China," she said. 'The Indian side should fully recognise the highly sensitive nature of Xizang-related issues, recognise the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama, adhere to its commitments on Xizang-related matters, be prudent in its words and deeds, and stop using Xizang-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs," Ning said. She also said China has already lodged representations to India regarding this matter. On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had extended wishes to the Dalai Lama and said he has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline. 'His message has inspired respect and admiration across all faiths. We pray for his continued good health and long life," PM Modi posted on X. Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Sikkim Minister Sonam Lama attended his birthday celebrations in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. Earlier, on Friday, China had objected to Rijiju's statement that the incarnation of the Dalai Lama should follow his own wishes, urging India to act cautiously on Tibet-related issues to avoid affecting the improvement of bilateral relations. India should be clear of the anti-China separatist nature of the 14th Dalai Lama and honour its commitments on Xizang (Tibet) related issues, Mao told the media, reacting to Rijiju's statement. Later that day, India said it does not take any position on matters concerning faith and religion, two days after the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, unveiled a plan for choosing his successor. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian government has always upheld freedom of religion for all in the country and will continue to do so. 'We have seen reports relating to the statement made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama about the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution," he said. 'The government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion," Jaiswal added. The spokesperson was responding to media queries on the statement by the Dalai Lama, which also ended speculation on whether the Tibetan spiritual leader will have a successor or not after his death. The Dalai Lama has been living in exile in India since 1959. Last Wednesday, the Dalai Lama said that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust will have the authority to recognise his future reincarnation. Ning had reiterated China's stand that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama, the second-highest priest of Tibetan Buddhism, has to comply with rigorous religious rituals and historical conventions in line with domestic search, lots drawn from a 'golden urn' and the central government's approval. The present 14th Dalai Lama went through this procedure and was approved by the then central government, she had said. The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must uphold those principles, follow religious rituals and historical conventions, Chinese law and regulations, she had said. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 07, 2025, 15:21 IST News world 'Lodged Representations...': China On Dalai Lama Row As India Reaffirms Religious Freedom Stand
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale applauds PM Modi for highlighting the Pahalgam terror attack at the BRICS summit
New Delhi [India] July 7 (ANI): Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Monday lauded the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for raising the issue of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which disturbed the peace in Kashmir at the BRICS summit, where all member nations condemned it in unison. He said while talking with ANI, '...Pakistan Army and the government did plan the Pahalgam attack and disturbed the peace that was in Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370... PM Modi raised this issue in BRICS, and all the countries there condemned it in one voice...' While addressing the Pahalgam attack and BRICS condemnation of it, he also responded to political barbs from Team Uddhav aimed at Raj Thackeray over his earlier meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. 'I think Raj Thackeray is a well-known leader of Maharashtra, and he formed a new party after separating himself from Balasaheb Thackeray. He also supported PM Modi... It's not good to object to the meeting. Being a home minister, anybody can meet Amit Shah, and this is what democracy is', Athawale said. The remarks came a day after the public reunion of the Thackeray brothers. Earlier, on Monday, PM Modi, while addressing the session on 'Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance', at the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil, condemned terrorism as a 'grave threat to humanity', underlining the need for urgent reforms in global institutions and highlighting India's commitment to the Global South, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi, during a special media briefing on Sunday (local time), said the Prime Minister's remarks came in the context of discussions on peace, security and multilateral reforms. PM Modi also welcomed the united condemnation by BRICS members of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. 'On the session on Peace and Security, Honourable Prime Minister underlined that terrorism was a grave threat facing humanity. In this context, he noted that all the leaders have condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack in the strongest terms. He underlined that the terror attack is an onslaught on all of humanity. He also noted that those funding, promoting and providing safe havens to terrorists must be dealt with in the harshest terms,' Ravi said. (ANI)
