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President Donald J. Trump Proclaims May 4, 2017 as a National Day of Prayer

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Donald Trump

We come together on our National Day of Prayer as one Nation, under God, to show gratitude for our many blessings, to give thanks for His providence, and to ask for His continued wisdom, strength, and protection as we chart a course for the future. We are united in prayer, each according to our own faith and tradition, and we believe that in America, people of all faiths, creeds, and religions must be free to exercise their natural right to worship according to their consciences.

We are also reminded and reaffirm that all human beings have the right, not only to pray and worship according to their consciences, but to practice their faith in their homes, schools, charities, and businesses in private and in the public square free from government coercion, discrimination, or persecution. Religion is not merely an intellectual exercise, but also a practical one that demands action in the world. Even the many prisoners around the world who are persecuted for their faith can pray privately in their cells. But our Constitution demands more: the freedom to practice one’s faith publicly.

The religious liberty guaranteed by the Constitution is not a favor from the government, but a natural right bestowed by God. Our Constitution and our laws that protect religious freedom merely recognize the right that all people have by virtue of their humanity. As Thomas Jefferson wisely questioned: “can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?”

In 1789, President George Washington proclaimed a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, calling upon Americans to “unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations.” In 1988, the Congress, by Public Law 100-307, called on the President to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a “National Day of Prayer.” On this National Day of Prayer, the right to pray freely and live according to one’s faith is under threat around the world from coercive governments and terrorist organizations. We therefore pray especially for the many people around the world who are persecuted for their beliefs and deprived of their fundamental liberty to live according to their conscience. We pray for the triumph of freedom over oppression, and for God’s love and mercy over evil.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 4, 2017, as a National Day of Prayer. I invite the citizens of our Nation to pray, in accordance with their own faiths and consciences, in thanksgiving for the freedoms and blessings we have received, and for God’s guidance and continued protection as we meet the challenges before us.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-first.

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Culture

Bharat Ratna for Karpoori Thakur: A Tribute to Bihar’s Backward Class Champion

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Karpoori Thakur

The Narendra Modi-led BJP Government has posthumously conferred Bharat Ratna to the eminent socialist figure and former Chief Minister of Bihar, Karpoori Thakur, renowned for his advocacy for the Backward Classes in India. The declaration preceded the centenary celebrations of Thakur, also known as Jan Nayak (people’s leader), scheduled for the next day.

A two-time former Chief Minister of Bihar, Thakur played a crucial role in mentoring current-generation leaders in the state, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav. The decision by the BJP-led Modi government to honor Thakur, a towering figure among backward caste leaders in Bihar, with the highest civilian award, comes at a time when the opposition is rallying around the demand for a caste census as a pivotal issue in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Who is Karpoori Thakur?

Karpoori Thakur, originally from Pitaunjhia village (now Karpoori Gram) in the Samastipur district of Bihar, actively participated in the Quit India Movement as a student activist and spent 28 months in jail during the freedom struggle. A member of the All India Students Federation, he entered politics in 1952, securing a seat as an MLA from Tajpur constituency as a Socialist party candidate.

Thakur’s political journey included serving as the Education Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. In 1970, he became the first non-Congress socialist Chief Minister of Bihar, but his government collapsed after six months. He regained the CM post in 1977, only to resign in 1979 due to internal conflicts within the Janata Party, a coalition of various parties, including Socialists, regarding the reservation system.

Banned Liquor

Known for his social and political initiatives, Thakur enforced total prohibition of alcohol in Bihar, eliminated English as a compulsory subject for matriculation examinations, and facilitated the establishment of schools and colleges in backward districts. Notably, his implementation of the Mungeri Lal Commission report in 1978 reclassified backward classes as extremely backward classes, leading to 26% reservation in government services for them, a precursor to the later Mandal Commission report.

Karpoori Thakur Formula

The Karpoori Thakur Formula proposed 12% reservation for OBCs, 8% for EBCs, 3% for women, and 3% for the poor from upper castes. However, this reservation policy caused internal tensions within the Janata Party and faced opposition from upper castes. Thakur’s legacy continued even after his death in 1988, influencing the rise of regional parties like Janata Dal (United) and Rashtriya Janata Dal in Bihar.

In 2023, the coalition government of JD(U) and RJD released the findings of a caste survey, the first since 1931, revealing that EBCs classified using the Karpoori Formula constituted the largest section of the state’s population. The issue of caste census has become a focal point for opposition parties leading up to the Lok Sabha elections.

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Anand Mishra, Renowned IPS Officer in Assam, Resigns with Potential Lok Sabha Bid

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Anand Mishra

Anand Mishra, a distinguished member of the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the current Superintendent of Police in Lakhimpur, Assam, officially tendered his resignation from the position. However, he has asked the Chief Secretary to relieve him from the job with effect from January 16, 2024.

According to reports, Mishra is planning to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from the Buxar constituency in Bihar. The interesting fact is that Anand Mishra is just 34 years old and he has over 26 years of services left.

The announcement was made through a letter addressed to the chief secretary, wherein SP Mishra conveyed his decision to step down from the IPS, expressing a desire for a life characterized by freedom and independence. In the letter, he articulated, “I hereby submit my unconditional resignation from the IPS to pursue a life of freedom and independence, aiming to realize these aspirations through various social services and other avenues beyond the scope of IPS mandates.”

Anand Mishra has been a notable figure in Assam, widely recognized for his unwavering dedication and commitment to upholding law and order. Mishra hasn’t revealed the party he will be joining but is likely that he will join the ruling BJP.

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Cyclone Michaung Fury: Actor Vishal Attacks DMK Mayor Priya Rajan

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Vishal

In the wake of the heavy rains causing flooding across Chennai, actor Vishal took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday to address the city’s mayor regarding the stormwater drain project. The project, designed to mitigate flooding during downpours, is a vital component in managing rainwater and preventing urban flooding. Despite the existing stormwater drainage facilities in flood-prone Chennai, instances of flooding persist during intense rainfall.

The recent deluge, triggered by Cyclonic Storm Michaung, wreaked havoc in Chennai and nearby districts, claiming around 8 lives and disrupting normal life. Low-lying and residential areas experienced inundation, leading to power outages and internet disruptions. Vishal, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), expressed concern for the well-being of the mayor and other officials of the Greater Chennai Corporation, emphasizing the need for their safety and the assurance of essential supplies.

As a concerned voter and resident of the city, Vishal questioned the effectiveness of the stormwater drainage system in preventing flooding. He juxtaposed the situation in Chennai with that of Singapore, wondering if the drainage project was intended for the former or the latter. Reflecting on the 2015 floods that paralyzed the city for over a month, Vishal lamented the current conditions, expressing disappointment at the lack of improvement after eight years.

Recalling the community’s resilience during the 2015 floods, Vishal called for a more proactive role from representatives of each constituency. He urged them to instill hope, provide assistance, and alleviate distress instead of fostering fear. Expressing a sense of shame, Vishal appealed to the authorities to fulfill their duty to citizens, emphasizing the need for action rather than relying on miracles. He concluded by invoking divine blessings for the well-being of the people.

Notably, two years ago, the Tamil Nadu government sanctioned Rs 1,000 crore for the construction of a stormwater drain in response to severe flooding in Chennai. As per information available on the Chennai Corporation’s website, a significant portion of the stormwater drain project has been completed, covering 225 km at a cost of Rs 699 crore, with additional construction underway for a length of 70.26 km at a cost of Rs 276.54 crore.

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