Poison of communal frenzy have no place in India: PM Narendra Modi </br><br> In a marathon address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort, PM today underlined India's unity and diversity and said the poison of casteism and communal frenzy have no place in the country. Modi, in his second Independence Day address, focussed largely on the issue of corruption and asserted that the steps taken by his government over the last 15 months to deal with the "termite" had started yielding results. Responding to opposition criticism that nothing is happening on the problem of black money, he said "some people love to spread pessimism" as he informed that about Rs 6500 cr of undeclared money has been disclosed during the compliance window provided by the government. He spoke about a number of initiatives to end corruption and bring transparency and proposed doing away with the practice interviews for small jobs, contending that this becomes a route for corruption. (PTI) (15/08/2015) 
Not a day of politics, will talk tomorrow: Rahul Gandhi on PM Narendra Modi speech </br><br> Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her deputy Rahul Gandhi today refrained from commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech, with the party vice president saying it is not a day of politics. "Today is not a day of politics. We will talk tomorrow," he merely said, when asked by reporters on his reaction to the Prime Minister address on Independence Day. Sonia Gandhi too steered clear of any questions and merely greeted reporters on Independence Day. They were interacting with the media after the Congress President unfurled the national flag at the AICC headquarters.(PTI) (15/08/2015) 
Arvind Kejriwal under fire over display of his name at Independence Day event </br><br> Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today drew flak over students creating a formation of his name during Independence Day celebrations here, soon after which AAP government went into damage control mode by claiming that it was part of a "tradition" being followed over the years. Kejriwal's name was a part of several such designs, including the tricolour and 'thank you', created by students using multi-coloured cloth pieces at the stands of the Chhatrasal Stadium, the venue of the event. Lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan, who was earlier expelled from AAP, tweeted, "From crs on personality cult promoting Kejriwal ads to 'Jai Ho Kejriwal' instead of Jai Hind. Shameful Megalomania." (PTI) (15/08/2015) 
Ban pending, vendors sell 'cheaper' plastic flags </br><br> Despite government's efforts against plastic tricolours, they continue to be sold in the national capital as vendors find them cheaper. As the government is mulling a ban on sale and use of plastic-made national flags in the country, scores of vendors were found selling such tricolours at traffic signals and intersections in the national capital today. Shopkeepers say that there is more demand for plastic flags as they are cheaper in comparison to paper flags. "The vendors who sell these flags at traffic signals prefer plastic flags as they are cheaper. While bulk purchasing of plastic flags generally costs 25 paise per piece, the paper ones cost Re 1," Dinesh, a shopkeeper at Sadar market, said. Shamsher, a shopkeeper in Munirka, said, "We sell around 10,000 plastic flags every year around Independence day. There is demand for paper flags at times generally from schools, but rest prefer plastic ones only." Taking note of complaints that after Republic Day and Independence Day functions, flags made of plastic are often found lying on roads and gutters, Home Ministry officials had recently said that the government is going to issue an order banning plastic flags soon. (PTI) (15/08/2015) 
Indians should be proud of 'unity in diversity': Mohan Bhagwat </br><br> RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat today said the people of India should take pride in the country's unity in diversity and strive towards increasing the glory of the nation as well as humanity. Bhagwat was speaking after unfurling the National Flag on the occasion of 69th Independence Day function organised by an NGO Dr Ambedkar Vanvasi Kalyan Trust at Rander area of the city. Explaining the significance of the tricolour, Bhagwat said, "There are three colours in our national flag and also there is a dharma chakra in between. This dharma chakra tells us that we all should live for the enforcement of religion in our country and that we have to bring back the lost religion in the world." "The saffron colour is positioned at the top of the flag. It is the colour of sacrifice, credibility and knowledge Our kings and saints had made great sacrifices for others… the colour of that sacrifice was saffron. The clothes they wore were saffron. At the time of daybreak, this saffron colour (of the sun) clears the darkness of night. It is the colour of knowledge," he said. While white symbolises piety and purity of life,green is the colour of prosperity in the world, he said. (PTI) (15/08/2015) 
Taj Mahal becomes 'first monument' to debut on Twitter </br><br> With the launch of Taj Mahal's twitter account today, the 17th century mausoleum became the "first historical monument" to have an official handle on the micro-blogging site. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today launched the official twitter account of the monument– @Taj Mahal at his residence in the state capital, Director general of UP Tourism Amrit Abhijat said. "With this Taj Mahal has become the first historical monument in the world to have its own twitter account," Principal Secretary Navneet Sehgal told PTI. He said that while visiting the official account, a tourist could share his picture on #MyTajMemory, which would be included in the main account. After launching the account, the Chief Minister also shared a picture with his MP wife Dimple Yadav and son in front of Taj Mahal and hash tagged it #MyTajMemory. (PTI) (15/08/2015) 
Don't brand Punjabis as drug addicts: Dy CM Sukhbir Badal </br><br> Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today hit out at those who try to brand Punjabis as drug addicts. Reiterating the SAD-BJP government's resolve to take Punjab to new heights of development and prosperity, Sukhbir Badal castigated those who try to brand Punjabis as drug addicts. He also hit out at the Congress "for dubbing Punjabis as drug addicts as part of a defamation campaign against Punjab and Punjabis." Notably, Punjab Congress has in the recent past hit out at the state government for the growing drug problem in the state, alleging the SAD-BJP regime had become "a silent spectator" on this issue. (PTI) (15/08/2015) 
Dowry case: Police may call Radhe Maa for questioning again </br><br> Police could call for questioning again the accused in a dowry harassment case, in which the controversial spiritual leader Sukhvinder Kaur alias Radhe Maa is also an accused, an official said today. While the statement of Radhe Maa was recorded in connection with the case yesterday that of other accused over last week. "Some of the accused persons have submitted documentary evidence to support their side during their questioning by police. "The accused, if needed, could be called again for questioning in future by the investigating office," Kandivali police station senior inspector Mukund Pawar said without taking name of Radhe Maa. He said that police had completed recording of statements of all the seven accused in the case till last evening. (Reuters) (15/08/2015) 
No Independence Day relief for arrested godman Sarathi Baba, lands in jail </br><br> Cuttack, Aug 15 (PTI) Arrested self-styled godman Sarathi Baba was sent to Choudwar circle jail here today even as hundreds of convicts elsewhere in the country were released from prisons on the occasion of Independence Day. Cuttack Sub-divisional judicial magistrate B Goutam remanded Sarathi Baba alias Santosh Roul in judicial custody after rejecting his bail application that came up for consideration for the first time during the day. Despite a national holiday, the SDJM court was opened in the first hours of the day to take up the matter as the police remand of the arrested godman ended midnight. Ever since his arrest by Odisha Police crime branch last Saturday, Roul was taken on remand by the police for six days in two phases for questioning. Booked under several sections of IPC, SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Arms Act and Religious Institutions (Misuse) Act, the bail application came up for hearing for the first time during the day as the lawyers of the city were on strike for the whole of last week. (PTI) (15/08/2015) 
Islamic State threat may figure in Narendra Modi's talks with UAE leadership </br><br> The issue of ISIS threat is likely to be part of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE leadership which considers the terror group as a major threat. Modi will arrive here tomorrow on a two-day visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 34 years, and will hold talks with the leadership of world's second largest Arab economy. When asked whether the issue of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) will figure in the talks, official sources said UAE sees the terror group as a major threat and will take every measure to counter it. (PTI) (15/08/2015)
Who is Alexandr Wang? 28-year-old hired for 14 billion US dollar by Mark Zuckerberg to lead Meta superintelligence labs
