"Now, BJP MPs Take Two Steps Back On Seeing Me," Says Rahul Gandhi

Agencies

July 26, 2018

New Delhi, Jul 26: Congress President Rahul Gandhi today took a swipe at the BJP over his hugging Prime Minister Narendra Modi in parliament, saying now the party's MPs take "two steps back" on seeing him fearing he may embrace them too.

Mr Gandhi, who was severely criticised by the BJP leaders for hugging PM Modi during his speech on the no-confidence motion against the government last week, said he may have a difference of opinion with the ruling party leaders and he can fight them, but he doesn't need to hate them.

"You can fight someone with all your might, but hate is a choice... And I think that is something that is very important to understand. I may disagree with Mr (L K) Advani, I may have a completely different conception of the country from that of Mr Advani. And I can fight Mr Advani on every single inch, but I don't need to hate him," Mr Gandhi said at a book launch where the senior BJP leader and former deputy prime minister was also present.

The Congress chief further said that he can hug L K Advani and also fight him.

"It is very interesting how this works, because now whenever I come across BJP MPs, they take two steps back... we have to be careful he is going to hug us," Mr Gandhi said amid peals of laughter.

After a no-holds barred and scathing criticism of PM Modi on several issues including the Rafale jet deal, Mr Gandhi had walked across the well of Lok Sabha to Modi and hugged him. The gesture had taken PM Modi as well as the treasury benches by surprise.

Comments

Good Approach... Many indians who follow cheddi rules are not aware of such appreciation (Love for all) which need to b addressed to BJP and its affiliated groups and their followers. God loves when we rid HATRED from our HEART which BJP will never teach to its followers... Devils love hatred and BJP is indirectly and unknowingly supporting it by spreading Hatred which is making our society filled with hatred... Recognize and learn who is the TRUE GOD and U will know how Hatred connects the devils....

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Elusive bamboo shrimp resurfaces in Mangaluru estuary after 70 years

News Network

December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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