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News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Must Have India First Policy': Maldives' Ex-Defence Minister Bats For 'Closest Neighbour'
Mariya Ahmed Didi, who was the defence minister when India started helping Maldives build its new defence ministry building, said India had always come to the island nation's aid 'It is very sad that for political reasons alone, such a good relationship between both countries (India and Maldives) was put at risk, but fortunately, everyone in the government here has come to their senses and we are hopefully seeing a new trend to the relationship," Maldives' former defence minister, Mariya Ahmed Didi, told CNN-News18 in an interview. Didi was the defence minister when India started helping Maldives build its new defence ministry building, which has been inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his current two-day state visit to the island nation. A huge poster of PM Modi adorned the building on Friday. 'The MOD building took shape in my tenure. It is a symbol of good defence cooperation in our time," Didi, now in the opposition, said, adding that from time immemorial, India and Maldives had a great relationship. first responder with us. This is a big signal," Didi told CNN-News18. 'It is up to all of us and Maldivians to make this euphoria last. The government should come out and explain the importance of India to the people. The President himself should come out in the media and make the people on the street understand so that the misguided campaign is put to rest. India has been our development partner. Whenever we needed them, they came to help us," Didi said. She also described Modi's trip as a momentous one. 'Since the Muizzu government came to power in Maldives, we have not seen much contact between the two neighbours. We always had an 'India first' policy. Not only because India is the largest neighbour, but it is for the mutual interest of both our countries to keep the relationship as we have had it historically alive," Didi said. She said both nations hold dear the ideals of history, geography, culture, cuisine, race, democracy, political ideology, and human rights. 'Our strategic vision is peace and stability in the region, and an open and free Indian Ocean. Our security interests and concerns over maritime security and terrorism are also the same," she said. Didi told CNN-News18 that Maldives must have an 'India First' policy as within his 'Neighbourhood First' policy, PM Modi sees Maldives as a priority. view comments First Published: July 26, 2025, 12:18 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Economic Times
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Martyred at the altar of 80s-style rally
Somewhere in a forgotten corner of modernity thrives an ancient political ritual: the political rally. The primal display of power through marching mobs, rivers of stalled traffic, and vanloads of people moving to one destination is still a thing in primitive locations like Kolkata. Mamata Banerjee 's annual 'martyrs' day' rally yesterday, for instance, really refers to citizens being martyred at the altar of ease of 21st-c living. Such societies still believe that power is measured in sq ft blockage. But can you really blame Didi for picking up and walking in droves with this communist ritual? There clearly are enough people who'll follow the piper in these medieval non-Germanic Hamelins for a free day trip to the City of Ploy and, for some, per diem and box lunch en who, in any other corner of the world, would have demanded they be allowed to go about their daily business, are happy to take such mob showboating as just another normal activity. Daily business being an oxymoronic concept in these places, a staycation on a weekday (for those who can afford to stay home and take a day off) becomes quite another rallying point. One almost admires the commitment to archaic spectacle - until your metro route is hijacked by a banner-waving throng shouting about something that similar mannequins would have shouted in the 1980s.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Like CPM, BJP bars people from voting: Mamata
Kolkata: Like in the past, now did not let anyone vote, CM on Sunday, on the eve of the Martyrs' Day rally. While Banerjee did not explicitly refer to EC's special intensive revision in Bihar, she criticised "torture" of Bengali-speakers in BJP-governed states. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Addressing Trinamool netas and workers at Esplanade, Banerjee said: "The democracy that you see in Bengal today did not exist earlier. In Kolkata, all buildings were shut during CPM's tenure so that people were unable to vote. We held a massive protest. CPM did not have the power to stop us, so they opened fire. Thirteen people died, and over 200 were injured." The CM added: "The demand was simple — no ID card, no vote. Based on the report of an observer who was sent here, this 'no ID, no vote' rule was implemented, and people got back their right to vote. We struggled a lot for that." "In 'double-engine' states, BJP does not allow people to vote. As for CPM, we have already exposed and defeated them. Yet, they are still making big speeches on social media," she said. On Bengali-speaking migrants in other states being labelled 'Bangladeshi', the CM said: "They torture people from Bengal just for speaking in Bengali. We respect people of all states." Questioning opposition to the July 21 rally, Banerjee said: "For 33 years, we have been holding this programme here because many people sacrificed their lives at this very place. We organise this one event here each year. Even that bothers some people. What happens to their concerns when they hold Nabanna Abhiyan without police permission?" Large posters of the CM were put up across roads leading to Victoria House, and gates constructed on the way to Esplanade. Cameras fixed below the dais captured footage of supporters arriving. Trinamool netas from districts started dropping in by the afternoon. Banerjee came to the venue around 6pm, and the crowd started shouting "Didi, Didi". She waved as 'Joy Bangla' slogans filled the air and shook hands with a few supporters. The 100-metre stretch on Central Avenue from Dorina crossing to Chandni Chowk metro station was dotted with FAM4TMC members dressed in yellow T-shirts and caps carrying posters and flags demanding a PM from Bengal. They raised the slogan 'Bolchhe Banglar Janata, Pradhanmantri Mamata' while streaming live on social media.
The Sun
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Final day of National Unity Week 2025 in Batu Kawan
BATU KAWAN: The national-level 2025 National Unity Week (SMP) celebrations are concluding today at Batu Kawan Stadium grounds after four days of vibrant activities. The event, which began on Thursday, has drawn over 250,000 visitors from diverse backgrounds. The final day kicks off at 6.30am with Zumba and traditional dance fitness sessions. Morning highlights include the Larian Kembara Ilmu and Fun Unity Run, followed by a multicultural traditional costume showcase at 9am. Children can enjoy the 'Didi & Friends' musical show at noon and 2pm, featuring meet-and-greet sessions with animated characters. Arts and culture enthusiasts can catch the open boria competition at the main stage from 4pm. Other attractions include spice identification contests, classic costume showcases, and entrepreneurship talks. Visitors can also explore Rumah KAMI exhibitions, ethnic village displays, traditional games, and Foodunites stalls. Public services such as traffic summons discounts from PDRM and JPJ, as well as reduced compound fines from MBPP and MBSP, are available during the event. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the celebration yesterday. The event, themed 'Harmony in Diversity,' concludes at 6pm today. - Bernama
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
After central advisory, singara & jalebi set to make debut on party faithfuls' menu this Martyrs' Day
Kolkata: Singara and jalebi are likely to make a debut on the party faithful's menu alongside the usual egg-rice this year at the Trinamool Congress organised camps. Party supporters are staying over the weekend to take part in the annual Martyrs' Day rally scheduled for Monday. Party sources said while the snacks cannot be produced in bulk like the other food items, they will be served as a delicacy as an evening snack, perhaps once between Saturday and Monday. This is a reminder to the now-withdrawn diktat against these traditional Indian snacks by the central govt. "We are trying to offer singara-jalebi as an evening snack to the participants at least once during this period. We are taking stock of the expenditure," said Debalina Biswas, KMC borough IX chairperson, who is in charge of overall facility management at Uttirna in south Kolkata. Around 4,500 party supporters from Purulia, Bankura, and Murshidabad will be housed there from Saturday. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata According to an estimate, close to a lakh supporters are supposed to reach Kolkata by Sunday evening to take part in the annual Martyrs' Day rally on July 21. The visitors are being accommodated in large tents and shelters set up at four main locations across the city — Central Park in Salt Lake, Gitanjali Stadium in Kasba, Uttirna open-air auditorium in Alipore, and Kshudiram Anushilan Kendra next to Netaji Indoor Stadium. The largest of these makeshift camps is in Salt Lake, housing around 30,000 people overnight. A party senior in charge at the camps said they arranged full-day meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As part of preparations, 200 quintals of rice and over 3.6 lakh eggs — around 12,000 crates — have been sourced. The logistics extend beyond camps, with hotels, guest houses, and dormitories near Howrah, Sealdah, and central Kolkata also being booked. TMC functionaries said this would be one of the largest gatherings in recent times, expecting a record crowd to arrive from all 23 districts ahead of the 2026 elections. "We're here to hear Didi's message ahead of the elections. After our success in LS polls, we are confident of a victory again next year," said Rupam Sarkar, a supporter from Gangarampur in South Dinajpur, who arrived with 130 others and is staying in the Salt Lake camp. "People began arriving on Friday. We have close to 10,000 people in our camp," said Sujit Bose, in charge of Salt Lake camp.
