Preneet Kaur, suspended Congress MP and the wife of former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, voted in favour of the Ethics Committee recommendations on Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, showing support for her expulsion from parliament. Her aid proved decisive at the meeting of the Committee, who took a vote today on the recommendations and it was adopted with a 6-4 majority.

A total of 10 members, including the chairman of the committee had attended the meeting held this evening. The BJP numbers were down from 7 to 4 today as three of its members were unable to attend.

One MP was missing from the Opposition side too. Uttam Reddy, one of the five MPs who staged a walkout supporting Mahua on November 2, is filing his nomination for the Telangana Assembly elections.

A YSR Congress nominee — whose vote the NDA could have counted on — also did not attend the meeting.

Under the circumstances, Ms Kaur’s vote became pivotal – one more vote in favour of Ms Moitra would have led to a deadlock.

Ms Kaur’s husband, veteran Congressman and Gandhi family loyalist Amarinder Singh, had quit the Congress in 2021 after he was forced to step down from the top post in Punjab. He then formed his own party — the Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) –and later joined the BJP.

In February, Congress suspended Preneet Kaur, accusing her of “indulging in anti-party activities to help BJP”. There was a call for her expulsion from Amrinder Singh Raja Warring — the new state party chief — last year after the four-time MP participated in a roadshow led by Union minister Rajnath Singh, who was campaigning for her husband during last year’s state election.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who is powering the moves against Ms Moitra, welcomed Preneet Kaur’s decision. “Punjab has always stood for India’s identity and national security, today again Captain Amarinder Singh ji and Congress Party MP Preneet Kaur ji did not make any compromise for national security. India was, is and will always be grateful to the brave men of Punjab,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter.

In its report, the Committee said Mahua Moitra shared user ID with “unauthorised persons”, took cash and amenities from businessman Darshan Hiranandani and it was “serious misdemeanour” which calls for “serious punishment”.  

Besides her expulsion from parliament, the panel recommended that a “legal, intensive, institutional and time-bound investigation” be held into the matter.

Mr Dubey said that anti-corruption body Lokpal has ordered a CBI probe into the corruption allegations against Ms Moitra. The MP accused her of asking questions in Lok Sabha to target the Adani Group at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for gifts. He also said Ms Moitra had shared her login wih Mr Hiranandani, which has been accepted by both parties.

Ms Moitra has admitted to sharing her parliamentary login, but claimed there is no regulation governing this. Ahead of her hearing with the Ethics Committee, she had questioned why these rules “are not shared with MPs”.

Ukraine’s parliament approved a state budget for next year on Thursday, aiming to strengthen its army and defences as Kyiv battles Russia in a 20-month-old war that has no end in sight.

Budget revenues are set at 1.77 trillion hryvnias ($48.4 billion) while spending is planned at 3.35 trillion hryvnias. Ukraine will face a huge budget deficit of about $43.58 billion in 2024, government officials said.

Next year, more than half of all Ukrainian budget spending is planned for the defence sector to fund the war effort against Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

“The priorities are clearly set in the budget. All our internal resources will go so we can withstand and win over the enemy,” Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said after the vote.

“Practically 50% of our spending – for defence and security of Ukraine. There will be more weapons and vehicles, more drones, ammunition and missiles. Every hryvnia from a taxpayer will go to the army.”

Shmyhal also said the government planned to increase minimum wages and pensions to help millions cope with the rising cost of living during the war.

Lawmakers said 276 deputies voted to support the budget, which also envisages higher spending for the education and health sectors next year.

Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said financial aid from Ukraine’s Western allies would be key to be able to cover the budget gap and pay for social and humanitarian spending.

The government had already received $35.4 billion this year and about $31 billion last year from its partners.

But getting foreign financial support next year could prove more challenging. Marchenko acknowledged that donor fatigue had grown as the war dragged on.

The government plans for the economy to grow next year, forecasting gross domestic product growth at 4.6% after a nearly 5% increase expected this year.

Last year, the Ukrainian economy shrank by nearly a third as millions of people fled the war, cities and towns were bombed, critical infrastructure damaged and supply and logistics chains severely disrupted.

With the war in its 21st month, businesses and people have adjusted to a new wartime reality. However, risks and uncertainty remain high, the government and analysts said.

Diwali Puja, or the worship rituals performed during the festival, is a sacred and elaborate tradition that holds immense significance in the hearts of millions. The puja not only celebrates the return of Lord Rama from Lanka after defeating demon king Ravana (according to Ramayana), but is also a way to pray for prosperity, good luck and good health all year long. The Diwali Puja begins with thorough cleaning and decorating of the house. A clean and pure environment is essential before beginning the rituals that have huge cultural significance for people in India.

Date and timing of Diwali 2023 puja

Diwali Puja is typically performed on the main day of the festival, which falls on the new moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik. The auspicious timing is determined by the Panchang, an ancient Hindu calendar. This year, the festival will be celebrated on Sunday (Novemebr 12).

According to Drik Panchang, the Lakshmi Puja muhurat for Diwali 2023 will begin at 5:39 pm and continue till 7:35 pm.

How to perform Diwali Puja

The puja begins with an invocation to Lord Ganesha (according to Hindu beliefs, he is invoked before starting any auspicious activity), the remover of obstacles, seeking his blessings for a successful and obstacle-free prayer session.

The central deity of Diwali Puja is Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Devotees offer prayers and seek her blessings for financial well-being. The elders of the house recite sacred mantras and hymns while performing the puja. These chants are believed to bring divine blessings and energy into the home.

Devotees offer a variety of items to the deities, including flowers, fruits, sweets, and incense. These offerings are considered a way of showing devotion and gratitude.

The puja concludes with the singing of aartis, devotional songs that expresses reverence and gratitude to the deities.

Celebrations begin

After the Diwali puja, people prepare and light earthen lamps (diyas), which is a significant part of the festival. It symbolises the victory of light over darkness and the dispelling of ignorance.

Diwali Puja is a time for families to come together, strengthening bonds, and celebrating the festival’s spiritual and cultural significance as a unit.