On parole, Lalu arrives in Patna to attend son's marriage
Patna/Ranchi, May 10: The wait was finally over for his family, relatives, and party leaders and supporters, as jailed RJD chief Lalu Prasad arrived in Patna on Thursday evening to attend his elder son's marriage on May 12.
Lalu Prasad was received by his elder daughter and Rajya Sabha member Misa Bharti, his sons - former Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Tejashwi Yadav -- and some senior party leaders.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief was welcomed at the Patna airport like a hero, with hundreds of party leaders, workers and upbeat supporters holding his colourful pictures in hand and raising slogans in his praise.
He is availing a three-day parole granted by Ranchi's Birsa Munda Central Jail authorities, to allow him to attend the marriage. He is currently serving his jail term following conviction in the fodder scam.
With a festive mood already prevailing at Patna's sprawling 10, Circular Road bungalow -- allotted to former Bihar Chief Minister and Lalu Prasad's wife Rabri Devi, his presence is set to add more colour to the celebrations.
Former Bihar Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav got engaged last month to former Minister and senior RJD leader Chandrika Rai's daughter Aishwarya Rai. The wedding will take place here on May 12.
Earlier in the day, accompanied by a team of doctors and policemen, Lalu Prasad left the Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS), where he is admitted for treatment, for Patna by a private carrier.
He will, however, remain under constant watch of the camera during the marriage, in line with the conditions of the parole. He will also not meet and speak to party leaders, media persons and not engage in any political activity.
"All his movements would be captured by video cameras," a jail official said.
Lalu has been undergoing treatment at RIMS after he was brought back to Ranchi from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, on May 1.
He was admitted to RIMS on March 17 as he complained of uneasiness in the jail.
The RJD chief has been convicted in four fodder scam cases since 2013, the latest being the Dumka treasury case in which a special CBI court sentenced him to 14 years in jail.
His provisional bail plea hearing is due to be taken up at the Jharkhand High Court on May 11.
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US President Biden assures peaceful transfer of power in January
Washington, Nov 7: Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Thursday vowed to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to President-elect Donald Trump in January and appealed to the people to accept the election results for the White House.
Biden made the comments during an address to the nation a day after Trump, 78, was re-elected as the 47th president of the US after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party's nominee.
Biden said he spoke with Trump and also with Vice President Harris, who he said ran an inspiring campaign.
Trump, who had lost the 2020 elections to President Biden, won this time both in terms of popular votes and electoral college votes.
“Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory. I assured him that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition," Biden said in his address from the Rose Garden of the White House.
"That's what the American people deserve,” he added.
"For over 200 years, America has carried on the greatest experiment in self-government in the history of the world," he said, adding that the people vote and choose their leaders and do it peacefully.
"In a democracy, the will of the people always prevails," said Biden in his address attended by members of his Cabinet and senior administration officials.
Biden said he hoped the election could also lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electoral system.
“It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent. It can be trusted, win or lose. I also hope we can restore the respect for all our election workers who busted their necks and took risks at the outset,” he said.
“As they did their duty as citizens, I will do my duty as president. I'll fulfill my oath and I will honour the Constitution. On January 20th, we'll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America,” Biden said.
Rebutting criticism of his economic policy, Biden said his administration is leaving behind the strongest economy in the world.
Biden said he also spoke with Vice President Harris.
"She's been a partner and a public servant. She ran an inspiring campaign, and everyone got to see something that I learned early on to respect so much: her character... She has great character, true character,” he said.
Biden added that Harris -- who took after Biden withdrew in July-- gave her "whole heart and effort" to her presidential campaign.
"I know for some people, it's a time for victory, to state the obvious. For others, it's a time of loss," he said.
Adding that campaigns are contests of competing visions and the country chooses one or the other, Biden said, "We accept the choice the country made."
"You can't love your country only when you win. You can't love your neighbour only when you agree,” Biden said.
His remarks are seen as an attempt to heal a country that appeared divided into two groups after the results of the bitterly contested presidential election were out.
"I know people are still hurting, but things are changing rapidly. Together, we've changed America for the better. Now we have 74 days to finish our term. Let's make every day count. That's the responsibility we have to the American people,” he said.
Noting that setbacks are unavoidable, he said that giving up is "unforgivable".
"We all get knocked down. But the measure of our character, as my dad would say, is how quickly we get back up. Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up,” he said.
“That's the story of America for over 240 years and counting. It's a story for all of us, not just some of us," he said, adding that the American experiment endures.
"We're going to be okay, but we need to stay engaged. We need to keep going. Above all, we need to keep the faith,” Biden said.
