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NEW DELHI: Noted <keyword id="211145" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="writer-and-journalist">writer and journalist</keyword> <keyword id="166218" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Khushwant-Singh">Khushwant Singh</keyword> passed away on Thursday. He was 99. 
 
Singh was best known for his trenchant secularism, his humour, and an abiding love for poetry. 
 "He was fine and passed away peacefully at home on Thursday," his daughter <keyword id="299216" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Mala-Singh">Mala Singh</keyword> said. His cremation will take place at Lodhi Crematorium at 4pm today. 
 
Read also: Khushwant Singh's column in TOI, dated October 23, 2011 - <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/9527596.cms" target="_blank">An agnostic's view of life &amp; death</a> 
 
Born on February 2, 1915 at Hadali, now in Pakistan, Singh wrote classics like "Train to Pakistan", "I Shall Not Hear the Nightingale" and "Delhi". 
 
He was a lawyer-turned-diplomat-turned-writer. His autobiography, "Truth, Love and a Little Malice", was published by Penguin Books in 2002. 
 
He was editor of several literary and news magazines, including the Illustrated Weekly of India as well as two newspapers, the Hindustan Times and the National Herald, through the 1970s and 1980s. 
 
In 2007, he was awarded with the Padma Vibhushan. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Oh no Khushwant Singh is no more. He made our lives so much richer by his literary contributions. “With Malice towards one and all” RIP — <keyword id="1671" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Shah-Rukh-Khan">SHAH RUKH KHAN</keyword> (@iamsrk) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamsrk/statuses/446554120938192896">March 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Khushwant Singh. End of an era. Only KS could say 'There's no condom for a pen." And prove it!
	— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeShobhaa/statuses/446551474776965120">March 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
 
Read also: Khushwant Singh's column in TOI, dated May 17, 2011 - <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/7210234.cms" target="_blank">He lived by example</a> 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Very sad to hear of the death of Khushwant Singh - great historian, novelist, editor, columnist, and a wonderfully kind, generous man. RIP.
	— Amitav Ghosh (@GhoshAmitav) <a href="https://twitter.com/GhoshAmitav/statuses/446557223825584128">March 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		If you haven't read Khushwant Singh's columns, novels or stories, you're missing out on a sizeable chunk of top notch Indian literature
	— ȿ ‏ (@Syddie) <a href="https://twitter.com/Syddie/statuses/446559305739685888">March 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		RIP Khushwant Singh - bet he will be telling jokes in heaven.
	— Chitra Narayanan (@ndcnn) <a href="https://twitter.com/ndcnn/statuses/446559088324120576">March 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
 
Read also: Vinita Dawra Nangia's blog, dated November 3, 2013 - <a href="http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/O-zone/entry/be-true-to-your-self-is-khushwant-s-lesson" target="_blank">Be true to your self, is Khushwant's lesson</a> 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Rip Khushwant singh! End of an era! Find memories of train to Pakistan n t bond I shared with him! Wil miss u!
	— Divya Dutta (@divyadutta25) <a href="https://twitter.com/divyadutta25/statuses/446558373010354176">March 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
	
		Khushwant will be remembered for this great history of the Sikhs. He was a very generous man. His bravest act was to take on Bhindranwale...
	— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ram_Guha/statuses/446558103798951936">March 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
 
Singh, who was a Member of Parliament from 1980 to 1986, was awarded with the Padma Bhushan in 1974 but returned the decoration in 1984 in protest against the storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar by the Indian Army. 
 
He is survived by son Rahul and daughter Mala. 
 
(With inputs from AP)

Khushwant Singh, Journalist And Writer, Dies At 99

<keyword id="5652234" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pushkar-Singh-Dhami">Pushkar Singh Dhami</keyword> will be the new chief minister of <keyword id="44522" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttarakhand">Uttarakhand</keyword> following his election on Saturday as the leader of the BJP legislature party in the hill state where assembly polls are due next year. The 45-year-old will be the youngest chief minister of the state and replaces <keyword id="1498654" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tirath-Singh-Rawat">Tirath Singh Rawat</keyword>, who resigned on Friday night within four months of taking charge from <keyword id="2253089" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Trivendra-Singh-Rawat">Trivendra Singh Rawat</keyword>. Dhami will be sworn in on Sunday, Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar told reporters after a legislature party meeting at the state BJP headquarters where he was a central observer. "My party has appointed a common worker, son of an ex-serviceman, who was born in the border district of Pithoragarh to serve the people. "We'll work on people's issues with the cooperation of all. I will carry forward the work done by my predecessors," Dhami, a two-time MLA from Khatima in Udham Singh Nagar district, said. As Dhami takes over less than a year ahead of the next assembly elections, his biggest challenge lies in leading the BJP to another victory and retaining power in Uttarakhand, where the party has been plagued by factionalism. Changing chief ministers twice in a short span has not helped the party's image, with the opposition Congress accusing it of causing "political instability" and betraying the people. "We accept the challenge and we will take forward the party and serve the people," Dhami said when asked whether taking over as CM just months ahead of assembly polls will be an uphill task. The chief minister-elect thanked the party leadership for reposing faith in him and said that he will work with everyone's cooperation. Dhami's name was proposed by outgoing chief minister Tirath Singh Rawat and Pradesh BJP president Madan Kaushik and seconded by a number of MLAs, including former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, Tomar told reporters outside the state BJP headquarters here. No other name was proposed for BJP legislature party leader, Tomar said. Soon after his unanimous election as the BJP legislature party leader, Dhami headed for the Raj Bhawan along with a number of MLAs and the central observers to stake his claim to form the government. The BJP had replaced Trivendra Singh Rawat with Tirath Singh Rawat on March 10, hoping to go into the assembly polls with the new face, but he too was asked to step down as the Constitution required him to get elected as a member of the state assembly within six months of his appointment as CM and there seemed an increasing uncertainty over the Election Commission holding bypolls at this stage. The opposition Congress hit out at the BJP leadership, saying instead of ushering in development, it has thrown Uttarakhand into the throes of political instability and betrayed its people by repeatedly changing chief ministers. Starting with Nityananad Swami, the BJP will have eight chief ministers in the state, senior Congress leader <keyword id="180100" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Harish-Rawat">Harish Rawat</keyword> said, and added that in the latest four and a half years of the BJP's rule in Uttarakhand, there will be three chief ministers. "The BJP's high drama in Dehradun is an insult to the people of Uttarakhand. The prime minister had promised to give a double-engine government, but the state only received different chief ministers and no development," Harish Rawat, a former chief minister, said. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the BJP has betrayed the people and Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> and BJP chief J P Nadda are responsible. "This is BJP's example of lust for power, political instability, sharing fruits of power and failure of leadership. Instead of serving the people of Uttarakhand, they tried to distribute power, and <keyword id="2238662" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM-Modi">PM Modi</keyword> and J P Nadda are responsible for this. The BJP has brought Uttarakhand to such a turn where power means only sharing its fruits and nothing else," he alleged. Ending days of speculation about a change of guard in the state, Tirat Singh Rawat on Friday handed over his resignation letter to Governor Baby Rani Maurya past 11 pm, hours after returning from <keyword id="66" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi">Delhi</keyword> where he was summoned by the top BJP leadership on Wednesday. The names of nearly half a dozen MLAs were doing the rounds as probables for the top job, including Chaubattakhal MLA and cabinet minister Satpal Maharaj, Shrinagar MLA Dhan Singh Rawat and Khatima MLA Pushkar Singh Dhami. Interacting with reporters at his official residence after returning from the Raj Bhawan, Tirath Singh Rawat said, "I thought it was appropriate to resign as the state was facing a constitutional crisis under the provisions of section 151 A and 164 of the Representation of People Act." SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/google-is-working-on-a-new-app-to-let-you-store-your-medical-records/articleshow/84059948.cms">Google is working on a new app to let you store your medical records</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/battlegrounds-mobile-india-official-download-link-how-to-update-bgmi-rewards/articleshow/84058116.cms">Battlegrounds Mobile India launched officially – here’s how to update, claim rewards and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/failure-to-pivot-covid-19-blues-force-amazon-backed-shuttl-to-look-for-a-buyer/articleshow/84056797.cms">Failure to pivot, COVID-19 blues force Amazon-backed Shuttl to look for a buyer</a>

Pushkar Singh Dhami to be the new Chief Minister of Uttarakhand replacing Tirath Singh Rawat

CBI court’s summon of the erstwhile Prime Minister, <keyword id="6359397" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Manmohan-Singh">Manmohan Singh</keyword> as an accused in the coal block allocation scam, popularly called Coalgate scam has been giving nightmares to the Congress party. The party president <keyword id="689" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Sonia-Gandhi">Sonia Gandhi</keyword> has left no stones unturned to understand the way outs for Singh in the case. 
 Sonia is learnt to be consulting <keyword id="30182" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Kapil-Sibal">Kapil Sibal</keyword>, former law minister Ashwani Kumar , Ghulam Nabi Azad and <keyword id="63771" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Mallikarjun-Kharge">Mallikarjun Kharge</keyword> among other legal minds of the country to challenge the court summons. 
 With Kapil Sibal and <keyword id="70470" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="KTS-Tulsi">KTS Tulsi</keyword> in defence, Manmohan Singh will appeal to the <keyword id="6354977" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Supreme-Court">Supreme Court</keyword> against the CBI summons. 
 
 Over 100 party leaders and MPs had joined Sonia in a ‘walk for support’ for Singh this morning in Central Delhi. 
 As reported by <keyword id="76338" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Reuters">Reuters</keyword>, Sonia who rarely speaks in public off the campaign trail, rallied to Singh's cause in apparent recognition of his loyalty to her family. 
 
(Image: Reuters)

The curious case of Manmohan Singh

After being the favourite target of his government’s misdoings and scams that rocked the Parliament during his term, former prime minister <keyword id="6359397" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Manmohan-Singh">Manmohan Singh</keyword> has been a man who is out of sight, but not out of minds of people yet. Not at least that of the investigating agencies. 
 
There have been those rarest of rare occasions when Manmohan Singh spoken about in the media especially after his retirement from active politics and his life, presumed to be going peacefully, at a low profile residence given to him in Delhi. 
 The latest news on the former prime minister, who led a hectic life as the leading man of UPA through the entire decade before the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> and its allies were trounced by Narendra Modi-led BJP in the 2014 general elections, was that he was ‘visited’ by officials from CBI in connection with the coal block allocation scam that cost him both his as well as his government’s reputation. Owing to the sheer size of corruption that is alleged to have taken place, Coalgate will linger on people’s minds for a long time to come. 
 
Last time former prime minister Manmohan Singh grabbed headlines was when he was accorded the highest national order by the government of Japan, which acknowledged his contribution towards strengthening ties between both the countries. 
 
Another ‘little known’ fact that didn’t really make a huge noise was his decision to adopt Pachim Bekeli Gaon Panchayat under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana. Pachim Bekeli Gaon Panchayat is located in Kamrup district of Assam, from where Manmohan Singh represents the Rajya Sabha. 
 
How is the workaholic politician and economist spending his retirement days? Going by his composure which remained undeterred by the most testing times his government went through while wading through difficult times, Manmohan Singh still presents a picture that involves work primarily. Only, now he gets to stretch his time as much as possible, since it is completely under ‘his’ control. 
 Earlier, as a PM, he met visitors barely for 10 minutes at his official residence. But, at a home that was given to him as a matter of entitlement for all former PMs, Manmohan Singh spends time attending meetings, and meeting people from various walks of life at his residence #3, Motilal Nehru road in New Delhi. This house was earlier occupied by former Kerala governor and Congress loyalist <keyword id="5267" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sheila-Dikshit">Sheila Dikshit</keyword>. Having moved into this humble abode, when compared to the sprawling residence he occupied as the Prime Minister, Singh spends most of his time reading. 
 
In fact, books were among the first few things that were packed and moved after he announced his retirement and decided on staying in this house. There’s nothing very ornate or flashy about the house that has now become home for the retired politician, who still commands a large amount of respect from people within and outside the party. 
 
He still enjoys a large amount of formidable security at this house, which is spread across two-and-half acres of land and gives him protected area to go for his favourite activity, apart from reading – long walks. 
 
Industrialists, economists and visitors – all get some share of his time much more than what they got earlier. Now, the meetings with people stretch up to half an hour, than those touch-and-go meetings that happened in a matter of few minutes when he was a busy man. 
 
Having been less of a politician and more of an economist, Manmohan Singh is still a force to reckon with for all the liberal measures he took during his tenure. He was re-elected as Rajya Sabha member last year, for additional six year tenure. 
 
Image: indiatimes

Manmohan Singh: Lost In Time?

<keyword id="1498654" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tirath-Singh-Rawat">Tirath Singh Rawat</keyword>, the <keyword id="14666" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP">BJP</keyword> MP from Pauri Garhwal, has been appointed next Chief Minister of <keyword id="44522" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttarakhand">Uttarakhand</keyword>. His name was announced by outgoing Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat after the BJP's Legislative Party meeting in Dehradun on Wednesday. Tirath Singh Rawat has also served as BJP state unit chief from 2013 to 2015. In his student days he was associated with ABVP. While working with the RSS he worked his way up the ladder in the BJP. In 1997, he became a member of the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Parishad, and have served as a state minister. A BJP leader said that along with Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', MPs -- Ajay Bhatt, Mala Rajya Lakshmi and Naresh Bansal were present in the legislative party meeting. The meeting was called to elect the new Chief Minister after Trivendra Singh Rawat resigned on Tuesday following direction of the party's central leadership after MLAs questioned his style of functioning and there was a political upheaval in the state. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/checkout-review-of-oppo-fitness-band-related-to-design-performance-price-and-battery-life/articleshow/81423414.cms">Oppo Band Style review – getting the basics right with a twist of flair</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/narendra-modi-joe-biden-yoshihide-suga-and-scott-morrison-are-set-to-meet-for-the-first-ever-quad-leaders-summit-on-march-12/articleshow/81424117.cms">The first-ever leaders summit of the QUAD may be another signal that it's ready for something more formal</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/how-to-check-share-allotment-status-of-mtar-technologies-ipo/articleshow/81424102.cms">MTAR Technologies IPO: Here is how to check share allotment status</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/tcs-cfo-explains-how-the-role-of-a-finance-head-has-been-changed-by-the-pandemic/articleshow/81423884.cms">EXCLUSIVE: TCS CFO explains how the role of a finance head has been changed by the pandemic</a>

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh announces Tirath Singh Rawat as new CM

New Delhi, Actor <keyword id="106133" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ranveer-singh" source="Orion">Ranveer Singh</keyword> received career honour for his contribution to cinema at the third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival and thanked "master of transformation", Hollywood actor <keyword id="10419" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="johnny-depp" source="Orion">Johnny Depp</keyword>, in his acceptance speech. The Indian actor was one of the three recipients of this year's Honorary Yusr Awards at the Jeddah-based film gala, which opened on Thursday. Hollywood actor Diane Kruger and Saudi actor-writer Abdullah Al-Sadhan were the other two personalities to be honoured with the award. Hollywood star <keyword id="26628" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sharon-stone" source="Orion">Sharon Stone</keyword> presented Singh with the honour. In his speech, Singh expressed his admiration for Depp, who was also present at the opening ceremony. "I'm going off-script for a moment here. Wow, one of my screen idols is in the house. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Johnny Depp. My good sir, I have followed your work since 'Edward Scissorhands' and 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape'. "What an honour to be receiving this award in your presence. Thank you for everything you have unknowingly taught me about the craft, sir. Master of Transformation, versatility, is something that I am inspired by you," the "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani" star said. The official X handle of the film extravaganza shared Singh and Depp's picture. "Live from the opening ceremony of the third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival; honoree Ranveer Singh poses alongside Hollywood star Johnny Depp. #RedSeaIFF23 #YourStoryYourFestival," the post read. Other Indian cinema personalities who will attend the festival include filmmaker <keyword id="3778" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="karan-johar" source="Orion">Karan Johar</keyword> and actors <keyword id="6354850" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="katrina-kaif" source="Orion">Katrina Kaif</keyword>, Frieda Pinto. According to the festival's website, Yusr Awards recognise both emerging and established voices across the formats of fiction, documentary, and animation. The Red Sea International Film Festival will conclude on December 9.

Johnny Depp unknowingly taught Ranveer Singh the craft of acting

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 16 (ANI): Actor <keyword id="20608216" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="abhimanyu-singh" source="keywords">Abhimanyu Singh</keyword> has joined the cast of Sunny Deol-starrer 'Lahore 1947'. As per a statement, actor Abhimanyu Singh will play the villain in the film, which is being directed by <keyword id="20185967" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rajkumar-santoshi" source="keywords">Rajkumar Santoshi</keyword>. On having Abhimanyu on board, Santoshi said, "Usually, whenever we think of a villain's character, the first few names that come to our mind are Amrish ji and Danny ji but we have to look forward and see who's taking the baton ahead. Interestingly, we have roped in Abhimanyu Singh who will be seen playing a strong and lead role as antagonist in Lahore 1947. His intensity, his voice, and his conviction are truly unbeatable. He is undoubtedly one of the most talented actors we have in our industry." 'Lahore 1947' is produced under the banner of <keyword id="20383919" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aamir-khan-productions" source="keywords">Aamir Khan Productions</keyword>. This project marks the teaming up of Sunny Deol, Rajkumar Santoshi along with <keyword id="19915144" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aamir-khan" source="keywords">Aamir Khan</keyword>. Interestingly, this film will also mark Aamir Khan Productions' (AKP) 17th production under their banner. The film also stars <keyword id="19995399" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="preity-zinta" source="keywords">Preity Zinta</keyword> and Shabana Azmi. Recently, Santoshi expressed his excitement about having Preity in the film. "After a long time, Preity Zinta is again playing a very important role for the silver screen with Lahore 1947. She is indeed an extremely talented, finest, and most natural actress in our industry. Whichever character she plays she totally invests herself in it and makes the audience feel that she is made for that character. Interestingly, the audience will see her again with Sunny Deol. This on-screen pair has always been immensely loved by the audience. Above all, this film's script demands a pair that is as accurate as Sunny and Preity," Santoshi said. 'Lahore 1947' marks the reunion of Preity and Sunny after a long time. The duo has earlier featured together in a couple of films such as 'The Hero: Love Story of a Spy', 'Farz', and 'Bhaiaji Superhit'. (ANI)

Sunny Deol to lock horns with Abhimanyu Singh in 'Lahore 1947'

<keyword id="128682" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="netflix" source="Orion">Netflix</keyword> is all set to come up with a documentary film based on rapper <keyword id="2165498" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="yo-yo-honey" source="Orion">Yo Yo Honey</keyword> Singh's life. On the occasion of <keyword id="380702" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="honey-singh" source="Orion">Honey Singh</keyword>'s birthday, Netflix India took to Instagram and unveiled the teaser of the documentary film. "Singh-ing on top of our voices because Honey Singh's latest documentary comes soon on Netflix," a post read on the Instagram page of Netflix India. Produced by the oscar-award winning Sikhya Entertainment and directed by <keyword id="536863" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="mozez-singh" source="Orion">Mozez Singh</keyword>, Yo Yo Honey Singh will take his fans through the unseen and unheard chapters of his life with his raw and candid revelations that capture his highs as well as the lows. The docu-film captures his personal and professional journey, with behind-the-scenes moments straight from Hirdesh Singh aka Yo Yo Honey Singh himself alongside sit-downs with his family members, friends and music collaborators who have been by his side through it all. As per Honey Singh, the documentary film will give everyone an "honest" account of his life. "I have spoken about my personal &amp; career issues in the media before but I've never been able to bare it all. I have received tremendous love from my fans, and they deserve to know the whole story. This Netflix docu-film will give everyone an honest and sincere account of my life, my upbringing, where I've been and my current journey to return stronger," he shared. Oscar award-winning producer Guneet Monga, Sikhya Entertainment added, "Yo Yo Honey Singh took over the Indian Music industry by storm. His music resonated with the youth. Singh was a star even before he garnered limelight in the press. His tumultuous journey with fame intrigued a whole nation, and us at Sikhya. This was a story I wanted to explore. Thankfully, Netflix has always supported and given unique, diverse local stories to a global audience, creating a space for a perfect fit for a bare-it-all, authentic docu-film like this. We're excited for you to meet the man behind the country's rap and hip-hop music, and learn about the journey that led to his clout, and the controversy that followed." The release date for the project has not been disclosed yet. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/silicon-valley-banks-new-ceo-urges-depositors-to-bring-back-their-money/articleshow/98651245.cms">Silicon Valley Bank's new CEO urges depositors to bring back their money</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/immigration-lines-stretch-beyond-entrance-point-complain-delhi-airport-passengers/articleshow/98653336.cms">Immigration lines stretch beyond entrance point, complain Delhi airport passengers</a>

Yo Yo Honey Singh to give a sneak peek into his life with Netflix docu-film

Former <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Planning+Commission+">Planning Commission</a> member <keyword id="120162" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arun-Maira">Arun Maira</keyword> has come up with some startling revelations about former <a href="file:///C:/Users/gunja.d/Documents/Septemeber%202015/PM%20Manmohan%20Singh">PM Manmohan Singh</a> which could further spoil his image. He has said that Singh had inducted him as a change management expert but never backed any changes. He also alleged that former <keyword id="51819" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Deputy-Chairman">Deputy Chairman</keyword> of <keyword id="46913" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Planning-commission">Planning Commission</keyword> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Montek+Singh+Ahluwalia+">Montek Singh Ahluwalia</a> was a reluctant reformer. 
 
Maira is going to make these revelations public via his upcoming book to be released next Wednesday. Maira admitted that he felt let down at the end of his tenure at the Planning Commission as the leadership asked him to find solutions, accepted his ideas, but never implemented them. 
 He further said PM <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> scrapped the Planning Commission during his first seven months in office. He replaced it with Niti Aayog focused on co-operative federalism — exactly the reforms that Singh had in mind but couldn't implement during his ten years in office. 
 
The former PM admitted this to Maira after a parliamentary panel meeting this January after the Aayog was set up, when he thanked the latter for making him 'look good.' 
 
Maira had told MPs in the parliamentary standing committee on finance and planning that the Niti Aayog's charter of working closely with states and being an essay in persuasion was the same vision first enunciated by the UPA PM. 
 
"The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Congress+Vice-President+Rahul+Gandhi">Congress</a> keeps jumping up every time the <keyword id="6360789" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Modi-Government">Modi government</keyword> announces something, saying it was their idea. Well, then why didn't it do anything about those ideas," Maira told ET. 
 
"We were told that the PM would meet us once every month. That never happened. He relied only on Ahluwalia and chaired Commission meetings just once or twice a year," Maira said, adding that they had identified the new paradigm for the Commission, set up by Nehru in 1950, in our first eight months in the job. 
 
But both Ahluwalia and Singh never applied those ideas. Since they were the people with authority on resources of the government, commission, unless they were going to put themselves behind the system, it couldn't happen. Later, they said change things on the side, but leave the core as it is, Maira said. 
 
In his book An Upstart in Government: Journeys of Change and Learning, former <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Tata+group+">Tata Group</a> manager and <keyword id="136162" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Boston-Consulting-Group">Boston Consulting Group</keyword> chief Maira traces his story from a single phone call requesting him to join the government as a change agent in the middle of a 2009 holiday in Prague, till his last meeting with the Commission in April 2014. 
 
Singh repeated the same existential questions about the Commission's relevance that he had raised five years earlier. Maira was surprised as the commission's members had identified afresh what needed to be done by their successors. 
 
"The government was besieged by criticism in its last year and was very defensive, with ministers floating 'zero loss' theories about scams. I don't know if Ahluwalia sent forward our view to the PM as a Niti Aayog-type charter is what we had in mind," Maira said, hinting that the UPA was keen not to admit that its style of running the Commission wasn't optimal. 
 "Every time I hear Modi speak, it strikes me that he gets all the things the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> leadership refused to accept. Whether it's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Make+In+India+">Make In India</a> instead of a manufacturing policy focused purely on investment enclaves that required massive land tracts, or the focus on job creation," Maira said. 
 
Maira pointed to a major anomaly in the Commission's working - its members have minister of state ranks but none of its staff report directly to the members. 
 
"We had drivers, door-openers, paper-carriers, but no professional staff. Advisors working on our subjects would be transferred or go on leave without us having a clue," he said. 
 
Ahluwalia pursued a move to allow two professionals for each member of the Commission, including himself, but was unable to do it. Finally, Ahluwalia is learnt to have told Maira that he couldn't expedite such government processes, so Maira must seek help from outside the government. 
 
This compelled Maira to talk to Tata Sons' director R Gopalakrishnan and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Mahindra+%26+Mahindra+">Mahindra</a> group chief <keyword id="46425" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Anand-Mahindra">Anand Mahindra</keyword> to lend some managers to the think tank. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Manmohan Singh’s trusted aide Arun Maira is now calling the Ex PM and Montek Singh ‘reluctant reformers’

<ul><li><keyword id="6354953" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="punjab" source="Orion">Punjab</keyword> Chief Minister and <keyword id="1575" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="congress" source="Orion">Congress</keyword> rebel <keyword id="135403" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="capt-amarinder-singh" source="Orion">Capt Amarinder Singh</keyword> faced a humiliating defeat from AAP's greenhorn Ajit Pal Kohli with over 13,000 votes on Thursday from his stronghold <keyword id="62595" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="patiala" source="Orion">Patiala</keyword> (Urban).</li><li>The former's fledgling Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) was contesting the polls in alliance with the BJP and SAD (Sanyukt), an Akali Dal rebel.</li><li><keyword id="2205232" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="capt-amarinder" source="Orion">Capt Amarinder</keyword> Singh left the Congress just ahead of the polls after the Congress unceremoniously removed him from the helm and he floated his own party.</li></ul>In a major embarrassment for two-time Punjab Chief Minister and Congress rebel Capt Amarinder Singh in a fag-end of his political career, he faced a humiliating defeat from AAP's greenhorn Ajit Pal Kohli with over 13,000 votes on Thursday from his stronghold Patiala (Urban), the seat that he has won for four consecutive terms since 2002 when he first contested. He is seen as a nationalist, and widely respected leader of the BJP-led alliance. The former's fledgling Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) was contesting the polls in alliance with the BJP and SAD (Sanyukt), an Akali Dal rebel. In the Congress-ruled state, Arvind Kejriwal's AAP is heading for a landslide win, with the Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP far behind. Capt Amarinder Singh left the Congress just ahead of the polls after the Congress unceremoniously removed him from the helm and he floated his own party. A day ahead of the counting of votes, Capt Amarinder Singh exuded full confidence, saying he expected positive verdict by the people of Punjab in favour of his party Punjab Lok Congress and the alliance partners, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiromani Akali Dal-Samyukt. In his statement, Capt Amarinder Singh had said, "the counting of votes marks the conclusion of the electoral festival of democracy and we are confident of outstanding results". Capt Amarinder Singh said people of Punjab had understood the importance of a "double-engine" government in Punjab which will watch and safeguard the national interest and help in reviving Punjab's economy. "Promising days are ahead for Punjab", he had remarked. In the 2019 parliamentary polls, Capt Amarinder Singh steered his former party -- the Congress to a victory in his ruling Punjab in eight out of 13 Lok Sabha seats despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wave across the country. At a public meeting ahead of the polls, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had a special praise for Capt Amarinder Singh that he always rose above partisan considerations when it came to the issues concerning national security. He said when he became the Home Minister in 2019, he felt quite concerned about the security along the Punjab border. "But once I spoke to Capt Amarinder, I felt relaxed," he had recalled at his rally in Patiala town. In 2017, Capt Amarinder Singh, now 80, polled 72,217 votes against nearest rival Balbir Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party, who got just 19,852. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate and former Army chief Gen J.J. Singh (retd) got just 11,613 votes. Gen Singh is now with the BJP. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-galaxy-s22-series-pixel-6-affected-by-severe-dirty-pipe-vulnerability-that-lets-hackers-intercept-whatsapp-messages-sms-and-more/articleshow/90120028.cms">Samsung Galaxy S22 series, Pixel 6 affected by severe ‘Dirty Pipe’ vulnerability that lets hackers intercept WhatsApp messages, SMS and more</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/india-is-likely-to-promote-upi-rupay-to-de-risk-itself/articleshow/90119399.cms">India is likely to promote UPI, Rupay to de-risk itself</a>

Punjab Elections 2022: Former CM Captain Amarinder Singh loses Patiala seat

Bollywood power couple, <keyword id="19927390" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Deepika-Padukone" source="keywords">Deepika Padukone</keyword> and <keyword id="19921973" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ranveer-Singh" source="keywords">Ranveer Singh</keyword> have become parents to a <keyword id="20015816" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="baby-girl" source="keywords">baby girl</keyword>.'DeepVeer' officially confirmed the news with their fans with a post on <keyword id="19900288" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Instagram" source="keywords">Instagram</keyword> on Sunday. "Welcome baby girl! 8.09.2024," the picture read. After this good news, 'DeepVeer' fans couldn't keep calm and flooded the comment section. One of the users wrote, "Congratulations Deepu and Ranveer." Another user commented, "Congratulations DeepVeer." On Saturday, several photos and videos of Deepika went viral on social media as she made her way to the hospital. Before welcoming their first child, Deepika and Ranveer visited Mumbai's <keyword id="20382517" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Siddhivinayak-Temple" source="keywords">Siddhivinayak Temple</keyword> on the occasion of <keyword id="20669522" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ganesh-Chaturthi" source="keywords">Ganesh Chaturthi</keyword> on Friday evening. The couple was clicked by the shutterbugs as they entered the temple premises. The couple were all smiles as they arrived at the temple to see Lord Ganesha's blessings. Recently, the couple treated fans with their stunning <keyword id="20762403" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="maternity-shoot" source="keywords">maternity shoot</keyword>. In the joint post shared on Deepika and Ranveer's Instagram handles, the couple captioned it with ward off evil eye, heart and infinity emojis. In the pictures, the couple can be seen embracing baby bump. Deepika and Ranveer announced their pregnancy in February this year. Ranveer-Deepika tied the knot on November 14, 2018, at Italy's Lake Como after dating for six long years and the duo never fail to shower love on each other on social media. They first met on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's romantic drama film 'Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela' and later also starred in 'Bajirao Mastani' and 'Padmaavat'. Meanwhile, on the work front, Deepika will be next seen in '<keyword id="20032943" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Singham-Again" source="keywords">Singham Again</keyword>,' set to hit the big screens on the festive occasion of Diwali 2024. Helmed by Rohit Shetty, 'Singham Again' also stars her husband Ranveer Singh, actors Ajay Devgn Kareena Kapoor Khan, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Ranveer Singh in the lead roles. 'Singham Again' is the third instalment of the super-hit franchise. 'Singham' was released in 2011, starring Kajal Aggarwal and Prakash Raj in lead roles, followed by 'Singham Returns' in 2014. Both projects were box office hits. Ranveer, on the other hand, recently announced his new project, featuring a stellar cast that includes Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal. Ranveer Singh will also star in Farhan Akhtar's upcoming 'Don 3'.

You Searched For "Singh" and got 11 results

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