NEWS

The role played by the Indian armed forces during the Doklam episode and the Galwan Valley clashes not only enhanced India's prestige but also raised its stature globally, Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen C P Mohanty said on Sunday.

Addressing an event, he spoke extensively on the key ethos of the Indian armed forces and highlighted their major contributions during the 1965 war, 1971 war and the Kargil conflict.

Citing recent events, Lt Gen Mohanty said, "What has happened in Doklam and Galwan not only enhanced the prestige of the nation, but it has also given us a big stature internationally."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the construction site of the new parliament building, which is expected to be completed in the second half of the next year. Modi spoke to people involved in the construction as he inspected the ongoing work, official sources said.

The building is part of the Central Vista project, which has faced criticism from the opposition. Government officials have said that Parliament's winter session in 2022 will be held in the new building. The new parliament building will have an area of 64,500 square metres.

It will also have a grand Constitution Hall to showcase India's democratic heritage, a lounge for members of Parliament, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space.

Union minister for law and justice Kiren Rijiju said there was no turf war between the executive, legislature and judiciary and that all three are working in the interest of the nation. Rijiju was inaugurating the School of Law, Forensic Justice and Policy Studies at Gujarat Forensic Sciences University on Sunday.

“The judiciary, executive and legislature are different organs but all are working for the country. People outside feel there is a turf war. That is not true,” said the union minister. “When I became the law minister, I told the chief justice that whenever he needed me, I would always be there in the service of judges and the judiciary,” said Rijiju.

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed a “vengeful” and “jealous” Centre had compromised the country’s prestige by denying her permission to travel to a global peace conference in Rome on the ground that it was “not commensurate with the level of a chief minister”.

The external affairs ministry formally informed the Bengal government of its decision on Friday, triggering a typical Mamata outburst in which she dared the Centre to “stop me”.

“I am not eager to visit foreign countries, but this was about the respect of the nation. This government goes on talking about Hindu interests. But if it really has Hindu interests at heart, why deny the only Hindu woman representative from India permission (to go there)?” she said, pointing out that all other invitees to the event were Christians and Muslims.