MINORITY AFFAIRS Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had an unusual assignment on Friday – honoring the 5th World Film Tourism Conclave in Mumbai. But even when addressing the film’s conclave, the minister was careful not to forget his government’s line. He told the audience that “the torrent of films can hit terrorism hard” and that Indian and foreign films have played an important role in “giving a significant message against the threat of terrorism, violence and radicalism”. Naqvi said the Modi government has taken several steps to make India a preferred filming destination, including providing financial incentives and other facilities to promote foreign film production in India.
The candidate
WEST BENGAL Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, one of the driving forces behind the opposition’s decision to field Yashwant Sinha as presidential candidate, appears to have read the writing on the wall. Speaking to reporters in Kolkata on Friday, she said, had the BJP been more transparent in its choice of Draupadi Murmu, opposition parties could have made a collective appeal not to force a contest. At present, even JD(S) has given his support to NDA candidate Murmu. Shiromani Akali Dal, also invited to the opposition rally, also supported Murmu. However, the AAP, which has 10 Rajya Sabha members, remains evasive, despite NCP supremo Sharad Pawar announcing that Delhi’s CM and AAP national leader Arvind Kejriwal has pledged support. Sinha’s candidacy.
Last day at the office
Two Indian diplomats, both accomplished in their own way, retired on Friday – Indian envoy to Canada Ajay Bisaria and Indian envoy to New York TS Tirumurti. While India’s envoy to Thimphu Ruchira Kamboj will become India’s envoy to the UN in New York, the position in Canada is yet to be filled. Bisaria was one of the best diplomats who was the assistant of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
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