Pongal, SC, farmer protest, fam law, Congress, Yamuna pollution, Bird Flu, Satyajit Ray, Nykaa,Apex Court,

14 January 2021

• 90% farmers don't support agitation after SC stay: BCI

  A day after the Supreme Court put a stay on the implementation of the three Central farm laws, the Bar Council of India (BCI) claimed on Wednesday that "90 per cent of the farmers are not in favour of the protests".
  
  In a statement, BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said, "Everybody knows that 90 per cent of the peace loving farmers are not in favour of continuance of agitation after the stay order of the Supreme Court, but persons with vested interests are trying to fulfil their own political ambition even at the cost of de-stablising the country.

• Laws framed by legislators, not courts: Sidhu on farmers' stir

  Taking up the cause of the farmers who are protesting against the three contentious agricultural laws, Congress leader and former Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Wednesday that in a democracy, laws are framed by elected representatives, and not by the courts.
  
  "In a democracy, laws are made by elected representatives of the people, not by the honourable courts or committees... Any mediation, debate or discussion should have happened among the farmers and the Parliament," Sidhu said in a tweet.

• Rajnath Singh to attend Veterans Day in Bengaluru on Thursday

  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh would attend the Veterans Day of the armed forces here on Thursday with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, an official said on Wednesday.
  
  "Singh and Rawat will attend the Veterans Day meet at the Air Force station in the city along with next of kin of our bravehearts who sacrificed their lives for protecting the country," a Defence Ministry official said in a statement here. Veterans Day is celebrated every year on January 14 in recognition of the services of the Indian Army's first Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, who retired on January 14, 1953.

• Govt misled apex court on farmers' issue: Congress

  The Congress has alleged that the apex court has been misled by the Central government on the farm laws that the deliberation has been going on for years. The Congress said that it's contrary to what the government said in the court and there is no coherence in what the government says and what it does.
  
  Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "This is a serious example of the Central government misleading the apex court and misrepresenting to the people of India. The passage of legislations is an act of deception, dupery and defrauding."

• SC takes up Yamuna pollution, says clean water basic right

  The Supreme Court on Wednesday said pollution-free water forms a basic right under the constitutional framework as it took suo moto cognisance of the issue of contamination of rivers by sewage effluents.
  
  A bench, headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde, said: "We deem it appropriate at this stage to start with the issue of contamination of river Yamuna."

• Bird flu 2021: Unnatural bird deaths reported from J&K, Jharkhand

  Cases of avian influenza or bird flu have been confirmed in 10 states only, as on Wednesday, while further cases of unnatural mortality of birds have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal and four districts of Jharkhand, an official statement said.
  
  The Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, in a statement, said that states were asked to ensure that the infection does not spread among poultry, as it would have a high economic cost for the poultry farmers but it was found that many states are banning supply of poultry and poultry products from other states.

• Nykaa Fashion announces first 'brick and mortar' store in Delhi

  Nykaa Fashion, the multi-brand fashion e-commerce platform, has announced its first 'brick and mortar' store at the bustling Ambience Mall in New Delhi.
  
  From a range of categories -- lounge wear, cocktail wear, work wear, accessories, and Indian designs, among others, Nykaa Fashion store should be your go to fashion destination.

• Vice President greets the nation on the eve of Makar Sankranti and Pongal

  The Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu wished the people on the eve of Makar Sankranti and Pongal. Following is the full text of his message –“I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all our citizens on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti and Pongal. 

  Makar Sankranti marks ‘Uttarayan’, the beginning of the northward journey of the Sun. Celebrated with different regional names all over the country, the festival is associated with the harvest season and reflects the remarkable common thread of unity that binds all Indians in our composite culture. 

  This agricultural festival is truly unique in its celebration of nature’s bounty and vitality, and reminds us of our symbiotic relationship with Mother Nature. The celebration is also a testament to the deep reverence our civilization has for nature. This is also an occasion to remember and revisit our roots in our villages, the cradle of our heritage and culture. May this festive season bring good cheer in your family, strengthen togetherness in our nation and be an auspicious beginning of the good times in the coming months.”

• IFFI to celebrate legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray

  The 51^st International Film Festival of India will pay rich tributes to the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray. This was announced during the Golden Jubilee edition of IFFI in 2019, by Amit Khare, Secretary, Ministry of I&B, as part of the Centenary celebrations of Satyajit Ray.

  IFFI will showcase the following films as part of this tribute: Charulata (1964), Ghare Baire (1984), Pather Panchali (1955), Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977) and Sonar Kella (1974).