Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strike-a-pose-international-yoga-day-stretches-around-world-146050">International Day of Yoga</a> from Ranchi on Friday with all arrangements being in place at the Prabhat Tara ground.

Since 2015, the International Day of Yoga is celebrated annually on June 21.

Yoga connects people and with the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi world has adopted yoga, an official release quoting Chief Minister Raghubar Das said in Ranchi on&nbsp;Thursday.

It is a matter of great pride that the Prime Minister will participate in the main programme of International Yoga Day in Ranchi. The state government is putting all efforts to make the programme success. Good arrangements have been made for the participants, Das said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/can-you-guess-who-took-yoga-to-the-west-294#the-yoga-travels-from-east-to-west-50266">Indian masters who got West hooked on Yoga</a>

During one of his previous yoga day speeches, the Prime Minister had said yoga has become one of the most powerful unifying forces in the world. 
The Prime Minister will reach Ranchi Thursday night, stay at the Raj Bhavan and participate in the fifth International Yoga day programme at 6am Friday, according to an official communique.

Adequate security arrangements have been made as over 40,000 yoga enthusiasts are expected to take part, an official release said.

Gates will be opened at 3am With free bus service, which will start Thursday night, it said.

A total 400 make-shift toilets, over 200 drinking water kiosks, eight medical teams, 21 ambulances, jawans of NDRF and more than 100 CCTV cameras are in place at the venue adjacent to the Prabhat Tara school.

A total of 28 display screens have been installed at the venue for live telecast of the event.

This year's slogan is --- Yoga for Heart-.

Besides the chief minister, Governor Droupadi Murmu, Union Minister of state (Independent) for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik and Jharkhand Health Minister Ramchandra Chandravanshi will share the stage with the Prime Minister, the communique said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the International Day of Yoga from Ranchi on Friday with all arrangements being in place at the Prabhat Tara ground. Since 2015, the International Day of Yoga is celebrated annually on June 21.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the International Day of Yoga from Ranchi on Friday with all arrangements being in place at the Prabhat Tara ground. Since 2015, the International Day of Yoga is celebrated annually on June 21. Yoga connects people and with the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi world has adopted yoga, an official release quoting Chief Minister Raghubar Das said in Ranchi on Thursday. It is a matter of great pride that the Prime Minister will participate in the main programme of International Yoga Day in Ranchi. The state government is putting all efforts to make the programme success. Good arrangements have been made for the participants, Das said. Also read: Indian masters who got West hooked on Yoga During one of his previous yoga day speeches, the Prime Minister had said yoga has become one of the most powerful unifying forces in the world. The Prime Minister will reach Ranchi Thursday night, stay at the Raj Bhavan and participate in the fifth International Yoga day programme at 6am Friday, according to an official communique. Adequate security arrangements have been made as over 40,000 yoga enthusiasts are expected to take part, an official release said. Gates will be opened at 3am With free bus service, which will start Thursday night, it said. A total 400 make-shift toilets, over 200 drinking water kiosks, eight medical teams, 21 ambulances, jawans of NDRF and more than 100 CCTV cameras are in place at the venue adjacent to the Prabhat Tara school. A total of 28 display screens have been installed at the venue for live telecast of the event. This year's slogan is --- Yoga for Heart-. Besides the chief minister, Governor Droupadi Murmu, Union Minister of state (Independent) for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik and Jharkhand Health Minister Ramchandra Chandravanshi will share the stage with the Prime Minister, the communique said.

PM Modi to lead International Yoga day celebration at Ranchi

India Sides With Israel & Votes Against Palestinian NGO In UN's ECOSOC. After Decades Of Endorsing The Two-nation Theory In Israel-Palestine Conflict, India Favours Israel Over Palestine At The United Nation's ECOSOC. Is There Merit In India's Decision? What Does This Mean For India? How Has The Indo-Israel Relationship Evolved Under Modi? Is Hugplomacy Working?

Gravitas: India Favours Israel Over Palestine

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eye-on-china-us-government-seeks-more-funding-from-congress-to-bolster-bay-of-bengal-military-security-226703">Eye on China: US government seeks more funding from Congress to bolster Bay of Bengal military security</a>

With an eye on countering increasing Chinese influence in key&nbsp;South Asian countries, the Trump administration has sought $30 million for what it has described as "Bay of Bengal" security initiative to provide foreign military financing to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-defence-budget-unchanged-says-minister-documents-show-45-increase-226697">Pakistan's defence budget 'unchanged', says minister; documents show 4.5% increase</a>

The Pakistan government claimed that its defence budget was kept unchanged at Rs 1,152,535 million&nbsp;for next fiscal (2019-20), but the official documents showed that there was nominal increase of 4.5 per cent in the defence expenditure as compared to the last year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/we-need-to-overcome-mistakes-to-beat-india-says-sarfaraz-after-australia-defeat-226683">We need to overcome mistakes to beat India, says Sarfaraz after Australia defeat</a>

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said his side's needs to raise their fielding standards ahead of a crucial World Cup match against arch-rivals India at Old Trafford on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-state-media-blames-hong-kong-protests-on-lawlessness-226680">China state media blames Hong Kong protests on 'lawlessness'</a>

Protests in Hong Kong&nbsp;over planned new extradition laws with China are "hammering" the city`s reputation, with outbreaks of "lawlessness" undermining rule of law, Chinese state media said in editorials published on Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/modi-hai-to-mumkin-hai-says-pompeo-ahead-of-india-visit-226682">Modi 'hai to mumkin hai', says Pompeo ahead of India visit</a>

Citing the popular election slogan "Modi hai to mumkin hai", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has sought to take the bilateral relationship with India to the next level and said the Trump and Modi administrations have a "unique opportunity" to make it happen.

Eye on China: US government seeks more funding from Congress to bolster Bay of Bengal military security With an eye on countering increasing Chinese influence in key South Asian countries, the Trump administration has sought $30 million for what it has described as "Bay of Bengal" security initiative to provide foreign military financing to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives.

Eye on China: US government seeks more funding from Congress to bolster Bay of Bengal military security With an eye on countering increasing Chinese influence in key South Asian countries, the Trump administration has sought $30 million for what it has described as "Bay of Bengal" security initiative to provide foreign military financing to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives. Pakistan's defence budget 'unchanged', says minister; documents show 4.5% increase The Pakistan government claimed that its defence budget was kept unchanged at Rs 1,152,535 million for next fiscal (2019-20), but the official documents showed that there was nominal increase of 4.5 per cent in the defence expenditure as compared to the last year. We need to overcome mistakes to beat India, says Sarfaraz after Australia defeat Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said his side's needs to raise their fielding standards ahead of a crucial World Cup match against arch-rivals India at Old Trafford on Sunday. China state media blames Hong Kong protests on 'lawlessness' Protests in Hong Kong over planned new extradition laws with China are "hammering" the city`s reputation, with outbreaks of "lawlessness" undermining rule of law, Chinese state media said in editorials published on Thursday. Modi 'hai to mumkin hai', says Pompeo ahead of India visit Citing the popular election slogan "Modi hai to mumkin hai", US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has sought to take the bilateral relationship with India to the next level and said the Trump and Modi administrations have a "unique opportunity" to make it happen.

News brief: Big stories of the day

PM Modi arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday afternoon to attend the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sco-summit-pm-modi-set-to-meet-president-xi-putin-today-226707">Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)</a> summit to be held here on June 13 and 14.

The prime minister&nbsp;had left for Bishkek in the morning at around 7:30 am.

His aircraft reached Kyrgyzstan by flying over Oman, Iran and several central Asian countries avoiding Pakistan's airspace.

If PM Modi had flown over Pakistan it would have taken three-and-a-half hours to reach Bishkek. His flight now took six hours to reach the destination.

The decision to avoid Pak's airspace was made on Wednesday even as Pakistan said it will "specially" open its airspace for the flight of Prime Minister Modi to Bishkek to attend the SCO summit.

The decision also came over a week after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi wrote separate letters to their Indian counterparts, pushing for restarting bilateral talks.

During his visit to the country, PM Modi will hold meeting&nbsp;with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov.

This is the first multilateral summit PM Modi will be attending after the elections.

The SCO represents 42 per cent of the world’s population, 22 per cent of its land area and 20 per cent of its GDP and New Delhi sees it as a platform to engage with central Asian countries.

&nbsp;

PM Modi arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday afternoon to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to be held here on June 13 and 14. The prime minister had left for Bishkek in the morning at around 7:30 am.

PM Modi arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Thursday afternoon to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit to be held here on June 13 and 14. The prime minister had left for Bishkek in the morning at around 7:30 am. His aircraft reached Kyrgyzstan by flying over Oman, Iran and several central Asian countries avoiding Pakistan's airspace. If PM Modi had flown over Pakistan it would have taken three-and-a-half hours to reach Bishkek. His flight now took six hours to reach the destination. The decision to avoid Pak's airspace was made on Wednesday even as Pakistan said it will "specially" open its airspace for the flight of Prime Minister Modi to Bishkek to attend the SCO summit. The decision also came over a week after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi wrote separate letters to their Indian counterparts, pushing for restarting bilateral talks. During his visit to the country, PM Modi will hold meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. This is the first multilateral summit PM Modi will be attending after the elections. The SCO represents 42 per cent of the world’s population, 22 per cent of its land area and 20 per cent of its GDP and New Delhi sees it as a platform to engage with central Asian countries.

PM Modi reaches Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan for 2-day SCO summit

Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s zero tolerance towards corruption, India’s record in checking graft at various levels leaves much scope for concerted action.

He could begin by abolishing the MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which has tarnished the reputation of MPs of all political parties.

According to the annual index released by a global anti-graft watchdog, the Transparency International in January this year, India improved its ranking in Corruption Perceptions Index for 2018 by just three points to 78 in the list of 180 countries in the world.

The watchdog noted: “Despite spectacular public mobilisation in 2011, where citizens demanded that the government take action against corruption and advocated for the passage of the comprehensive Jan Lokpal Act, these efforts ultimately fizzled and fell flat, with little to no movement on the ground to build the specialist anti-corruption infrastructure required.”

Though retired Supreme Court judge, Pinaki Chandra Ghose, was appointed the first Lokpal of India in March this year, the need for a relentless war against graft from top to bottom cannot be overemphasised.

With the new NDA government enjoying a more-than-comfortable majority and Narendra Modi at the pinnacle of his glory, he can probably afford to fix ethical deficits of yesterday, to leave behind a rich legacy.

Under MPLADS, a sum of Rs five crore per year is granted to every MP for undertaking development works of his/her choice, but the scheme has degenerated into being a byword for corruption.

It is an open secret in Bihar that a majority of MPs extract a cut of up to 40 per cent in the execution of works from their fund. This loot by the lawmaker-officer-contractor nexus is now prevalent across the country, with difference of degree only. Exceptions are very few. In states, the story of fund for legislators is no different.

A ‘surgical strike’ on this Gangotri of graft by scrapping the MP Local Area Development Scheme, or MP fund in common parlance, lock, stock and barrel is needed.

Having compromised themselves by claiming their pound of flesh, most MPs lack the moral authority to take officials to task for loot in implementation of dozens, or hundreds, of other welfare and development schemes of the Union and state governments.

The scheme was started way back in 1993 under dubious circumstances. A Joint Parliamentary Committee’s interim report in this regard was tabled in the Parliament on December 23, 1993, and accepted in apparent haste the same day, at a time when the then Union finance minister, Manmohan Singh, was abroad. The then Narasimha Rao government lacked a clear majority in Parliament!

The initial allocation of Rs 1 crore per year for every MP was increased to Rs 2 crore in 2003 by the Vajpayee government and to Rs 5 crore in 2011 by the Manmohan government.

It is perhaps not a coincidence that both were alliance governments. Incidentally, Manmohan Singh, the then leader of Congress parliamentary party in Rajya Sabha, had stoutly opposed the move to hike the amount to Rs 2 crore in 2003. But he, later, himself succumbed to pressure, to raise the amount.

In fact, a number of MPs had met Vajpayee during his prime ministership, urging him to scrap the fund. Getting wind of the move, a larger number of MPs met him, seeking not only continuation of the scheme, but also a hike in allocation. Vajpayee developed cold feet on the abolition move and ended up raising the allocation!

In sharp contrast to high percentage of expenditure under MPLADS, PM Modi’s Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana has not quite taken off, because there is no separate allocation under the latter, and MPs are expected to make model villages by monitoring effective and proper utilisation of funds allotted under various other schemes of the Centre. 
 
The Administrative Reforms Commission, helmed by Veerappa Moily, had in 2011 recommended scrapping of MP fund. But the recommendation has been gathering dust.

The scheme has sullied the image of MPs and also corrupted the country’s ‘steel frame’ — the bureaucracy. With rampant cuts, poor quality of the physical assets built under the scheme is no surprise.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-for-probity-in-public-life-mplads-needs-to-go-2757968">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s zero tolerance towards corruption, India’s record in checking graft at various levels leaves much scope for concerted action.

Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s zero tolerance towards corruption, India’s record in checking graft at various levels leaves much scope for concerted action. He could begin by abolishing the MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which has tarnished the reputation of MPs of all political parties. According to the annual index released by a global anti-graft watchdog, the Transparency International in January this year, India improved its ranking in Corruption Perceptions Index for 2018 by just three points to 78 in the list of 180 countries in the world. The watchdog noted: “Despite spectacular public mobilisation in 2011, where citizens demanded that the government take action against corruption and advocated for the passage of the comprehensive Jan Lokpal Act, these efforts ultimately fizzled and fell flat, with little to no movement on the ground to build the specialist anti-corruption infrastructure required.” Though retired Supreme Court judge, Pinaki Chandra Ghose, was appointed the first Lokpal of India in March this year, the need for a relentless war against graft from top to bottom cannot be overemphasised. With the new NDA government enjoying a more-than-comfortable majority and Narendra Modi at the pinnacle of his glory, he can probably afford to fix ethical deficits of yesterday, to leave behind a rich legacy. Under MPLADS, a sum of Rs five crore per year is granted to every MP for undertaking development works of his/her choice, but the scheme has degenerated into being a byword for corruption. It is an open secret in Bihar that a majority of MPs extract a cut of up to 40 per cent in the execution of works from their fund. This loot by the lawmaker-officer-contractor nexus is now prevalent across the country, with difference of degree only. Exceptions are very few. In states, the story of fund for legislators is no different. A ‘surgical strike’ on this Gangotri of graft by scrapping the MP Local Area Development Scheme, or MP fund in common parlance, lock, stock and barrel is needed. Having compromised themselves by claiming their pound of flesh, most MPs lack the moral authority to take officials to task for loot in implementation of dozens, or hundreds, of other welfare and development schemes of the Union and state governments. The scheme was started way back in 1993 under dubious circumstances. A Joint Parliamentary Committee’s interim report in this regard was tabled in the Parliament on December 23, 1993, and accepted in apparent haste the same day, at a time when the then Union finance minister, Manmohan Singh, was abroad. The then Narasimha Rao government lacked a clear majority in Parliament! The initial allocation of Rs 1 crore per year for every MP was increased to Rs 2 crore in 2003 by the Vajpayee government and to Rs 5 crore in 2011 by the Manmohan government. It is perhaps not a coincidence that both were alliance governments. Incidentally, Manmohan Singh, the then leader of Congress parliamentary party in Rajya Sabha, had stoutly opposed the move to hike the amount to Rs 2 crore in 2003. But he, later, himself succumbed to pressure, to raise the amount. In fact, a number of MPs had met Vajpayee during his prime ministership, urging him to scrap the fund. Getting wind of the move, a larger number of MPs met him, seeking not only continuation of the scheme, but also a hike in allocation. Vajpayee developed cold feet on the abolition move and ended up raising the allocation! In sharp contrast to high percentage of expenditure under MPLADS, PM Modi’s Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana has not quite taken off, because there is no separate allocation under the latter, and MPs are expected to make model villages by monitoring effective and proper utilisation of funds allotted under various other schemes of the Centre. The Administrative Reforms Commission, helmed by Veerappa Moily, had in 2011 recommended scrapping of MP fund. But the recommendation has been gathering dust. The scheme has sullied the image of MPs and also corrupted the country’s ‘steel frame’ — the bureaucracy. With rampant cuts, poor quality of the physical assets built under the scheme is no surprise. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

There's a need for a relentless war against corruption from top to bottom

Prime Minister Modi reiterated the importance of nature on the occasion of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/world-environment-day-indian-missions-create-awareness-across-the-world-223976">World Environment Day</a>.

In a tweet on Wednesday PM Modi said, "Our planet and environment is something we all cherish greatly. Today on #WorldEnvironmentDay, we reiterate our commitment to ensure a cleaner planet."

"Living in harmony with nature will lead to better future".

The prime minister also posted a video where he emphasised on the importance of planting saplings.

In the video, he said planting saplings is not enough and people have to take care of it till it becomes a tree.

President Ram Nath Kovind also reaffirmed the commitment to a cleaner and sustainable planet, adding that living in harmony with nature is a part of the Indian ethos.

"On World Environment Day, we reaffirm our commitment to a cleaner and sustainable planet. Living in harmony with nature is a part of the Indian ethos. India is committed to addressing climate change and bequeathing a greener, eco-friendly habitat to our children," President Kovind wrote on his Twitter handle.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, BJP leader and former finance minister Arun Jaitley appealed people to plant trees."Plant trees on this World," he tweeted along with an image saying everyone must act as an agent of change and save the Earth and environment for future generations.

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5.&nbsp;It is the United Nation's principal vehicle for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of our environment. It is organised around a theme in order to draw attention towards pressing environmental issues.

The theme for this year is "Beat Air Pollution" and the host nation is China.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Modi reiterated the importance of nature on the occasion of World Environment Day. In a tweet on Wednesday PM Modi said, "Our planet and environment is something we all cherish greatly.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated the importance of nature on the occasion of World Environment Day. In a tweet on Wednesday PM Modi said, "Our planet and environment is something we all cherish greatly. Today on #WorldEnvironmentDay, we reiterate our commitment to ensure a cleaner planet." "Living in harmony with nature will lead to better future". The prime minister also posted a video where he emphasised on the importance of planting saplings. In the video, he said planting saplings is not enough and people have to take care of it till it becomes a tree. President Ram Nath Kovind also reaffirmed the commitment to a cleaner and sustainable planet, adding that living in harmony with nature is a part of the Indian ethos. "On World Environment Day, we reaffirm our commitment to a cleaner and sustainable planet. Living in harmony with nature is a part of the Indian ethos. India is committed to addressing climate change and bequeathing a greener, eco-friendly habitat to our children," President Kovind wrote on his Twitter handle. Meanwhile, BJP leader and former finance minister Arun Jaitley appealed people to plant trees."Plant trees on this World," he tweeted along with an image saying everyone must act as an agent of change and save the Earth and environment for future generations. World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5. It is the United Nation's principal vehicle for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of our environment. It is organised around a theme in order to draw attention towards pressing environmental issues. The theme for this year is "Beat Air Pollution" and the host nation is China. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi, President Kovind commit for cleaner and sustainable planet on World Environment Day

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended their greetings and best wishes to Indian citizens and the Muslim community around the world on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims around the globe to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan.

President Kovind said that the festival of Idu`l Fitr strengthens people`s belief in charity, fraternity and compassion.

"Eid Mubarak to all fellow citizens, especially to our Muslim brothers and sisters in India and abroad. The festival of Idu`l Fitr strengthens our belief in charity, fraternity and compassion. May this happy occasion bring joy and prosperity to everyone`s lives," he wrote on his Twitter handle.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Modi wished happiness for everyone, saying this special day may ignite the spirit of harmony, compassion and peace in our society.

Union Minister of Textiles and Women and Child Development Smriti Irani also extended wishes to the Muslim community.

"May the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr deepen the spirit of brotherhood and bring happiness and peace to all. #EidMubarak," she tweeted.

Meanwhile, BJP leader and former finance minister Arun Jaitley too took to Twitter and sent heartfelt greetings to all. "Eid greetings. EidMubarak," he wrote.

The festival is celebrated by sharing a delightful dish Seviyan (Vermicelli) that comes under different varieties like Hath Ka Seviyan, Nammak Ka Seviyan, Chakle Ka Seviyan and Laddu Seviyan. All these variants can be used in the dish called Sheerkurma, which is also made on Eid and distributed among friends and relatives.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended their greetings and best wishes to Indian citizens and the Muslim community around the world on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended their greetings and best wishes to Indian citizens and the Muslim community around the world on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims around the globe to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan. President Kovind said that the festival of Idu`l Fitr strengthens people`s belief in charity, fraternity and compassion. "Eid Mubarak to all fellow citizens, especially to our Muslim brothers and sisters in India and abroad. The festival of Idu`l Fitr strengthens our belief in charity, fraternity and compassion. May this happy occasion bring joy and prosperity to everyone`s lives," he wrote on his Twitter handle. On the other hand, Prime Minister Modi wished happiness for everyone, saying this special day may ignite the spirit of harmony, compassion and peace in our society. Union Minister of Textiles and Women and Child Development Smriti Irani also extended wishes to the Muslim community. "May the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr deepen the spirit of brotherhood and bring happiness and peace to all. #EidMubarak," she tweeted. Meanwhile, BJP leader and former finance minister Arun Jaitley too took to Twitter and sent heartfelt greetings to all. "Eid greetings. EidMubarak," he wrote. The festival is celebrated by sharing a delightful dish Seviyan (Vermicelli) that comes under different varieties like Hath Ka Seviyan, Nammak Ka Seviyan, Chakle Ka Seviyan and Laddu Seviyan. All these variants can be used in the dish called Sheerkurma, which is also made on Eid and distributed among friends and relatives.

Eid-ul-Fitr 2019: President Kovind, PM Modi extend greetings to nation

How does the U.S. and the world see PM Modi's thumping win in the Indian Elections? We ask the man who steered U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign in 2014. Listen to this exclusive conversation between Steve Bannon and WION's Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary.

Gravitas: How Does The World See Modi's Win? An Exclusive Interview With Steve Bannon

Diplomacy was the top focus of the first day of Modi government's second term with the prime minister holding bilateral meetings with five foreign leaders who had arrived in Delhi for his oath-taking ceremony. &nbsp;

PM Modi's first bilateral was with Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid. During the meet, PM "noted that the bilateral relationship, forged in Bangladesh’s War of Liberation, remained of the highest priority to India", a &nbsp; read out by the Ministry of External Affairs stated.&nbsp;

Both sides plan to commemorate the centenary of the birth of founding father of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 2020 and the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Liberation, in 2021.

In the first tenure of Modi government, the two countries were able to resolve a number of issues including demarcation of the land boundary.&nbsp;

During the bilateral with PM of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, both leaders agreed to work together to achieve the "shared vision of security and growth of the two countries and the Indian Ocean region", MEA readout said.

In his first term, PM Modi had visited Mauritius in 2015 and was the chief guest at the Mauritian National Day celebrations. The country's location in the Indian ocean is key, as it saddles between crucial trade lanes connecting Asia with Africa.

Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli, gifted PM Modi, "Rudraksha mala" during his bilateral.&nbsp;

In the meet with Bhutan PM Dr. Lotay Tshering, co-operation in the hydro-power sector was discussed. &nbsp;India has constructed three Hydroelectric Projects (HEP) in Bhutan totalling 1416 MW (336 MW Chukha HEP, 60 MW Kurichhu HEP and 1020 MW Tala HEP).&nbsp;

PM Modi is expected to visit both Nepal and Bhutan this year.&nbsp;

During his bilateral with Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena, both sides focused in "peace and security in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region" and "noted that terrorism and extremism continue to pose threat to humanity". Remember on April 21, more than 250 people died in terror attacks in the Indian Ocean island country, whose responsibility was taken by Islamic extremist groups.

Friday also saw, the new External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs V. Muraleedharan taking charge.&nbsp;

S. Jaishankar, who was the former foreign secretary, had played a crucial role in India US Nuclear deal of 2006 and served as envoy to several countries including the US and China.

Diplomacy was the top focus of the first day of Modi government's second term with the prime minister holding bilateral meetings with five foreign leaders who had arrived in Delhi for his oath-taking ceremony.

Diplomacy was the top focus of the first day of Modi government's second term with the prime minister holding bilateral meetings with five foreign leaders who had arrived in Delhi for his oath-taking ceremony. PM Modi's first bilateral was with Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid. During the meet, PM "noted that the bilateral relationship, forged in Bangladesh’s War of Liberation, remained of the highest priority to India", a read out by the Ministry of External Affairs stated. Both sides plan to commemorate the centenary of the birth of founding father of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 2020 and the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Liberation, in 2021. In the first tenure of Modi government, the two countries were able to resolve a number of issues including demarcation of the land boundary. During the bilateral with PM of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, both leaders agreed to work together to achieve the "shared vision of security and growth of the two countries and the Indian Ocean region", MEA readout said. In his first term, PM Modi had visited Mauritius in 2015 and was the chief guest at the Mauritian National Day celebrations. The country's location in the Indian ocean is key, as it saddles between crucial trade lanes connecting Asia with Africa. Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli, gifted PM Modi, "Rudraksha mala" during his bilateral. In the meet with Bhutan PM Dr. Lotay Tshering, co-operation in the hydro-power sector was discussed. India has constructed three Hydroelectric Projects (HEP) in Bhutan totalling 1416 MW (336 MW Chukha HEP, 60 MW Kurichhu HEP and 1020 MW Tala HEP). PM Modi is expected to visit both Nepal and Bhutan this year. During his bilateral with Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena, both sides focused in "peace and security in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region" and "noted that terrorism and extremism continue to pose threat to humanity". Remember on April 21, more than 250 people died in terror attacks in the Indian Ocean island country, whose responsibility was taken by Islamic extremist groups. Friday also saw, the new External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs V. Muraleedharan taking charge. S. Jaishankar, who was the former foreign secretary, had played a crucial role in India US Nuclear deal of 2006 and served as envoy to several countries including the US and China.

Diplomacy remains the top focus of Modi 2.0's first day

PM Narendra Modi will visit Sri Lanka on June 9 in his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modis-first-foreign-visit-in-second-term-will-be-to-maldives-221777">first foreign visit after taking charge</a> as the prime minister for the second consecutive term. 
The news was confirmed by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.

During the two day visit PM Modi will&nbsp;be going to the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Maithripala Sirisena, who was in India for the oath-taking ceremony of PM Modi at Rashtrapati Bhawan said, "PM Modi will be coming to Sri Lanka as part of his visit to the Maldives. As for the information we have received so far, PM Modi will be coming to Sri Lanka on the 9th. "

During the first term of his government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Island country twice, first in 2015 and then in 2017 when he was the Chief Guest at the International Day of Vesak celebrations in Sri Lanka.

Reacting to the WION's question, during a presser in Delhi on the recently concluded Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India, Sri Lanka and Japan to develop the East Container Terminal (ECT) in Colombo port, Sirisena, said, "it is not an agreement, it is a memorandum of understanding in order to start a discussion about getting into an agreement" and through the discussion "Sri Lanka intends to come to an agreement which is economically and trade wise favourable to Sri Lanka."

The development comes even as China has been trying to increase its influence in South Asia especially with the development of ports like Gwadar in Pakistan and Hambantota port in Sri Lanka.

In 2017, unable to pay its debts, SriLanka handed over the Hambantota to China for a 99 year period lease.&nbsp;

On the recent terror attack in Sri Lanka on April 21 that killed more than 250 people, he said his government was able to bring the situation to normal within three weeks.&nbsp;

He dismissed, reports of any of the nine suicide bombers of Easter Sunday attack visiting India.

He said, "I have not received any reports which say that they have travelled to India. My officers have not reported any connection to India up to now"

India had provided intelligence to Sri Lanka on April 4 but the country failed to act on information. The President later removed the defence secretary and inspector general of police for failing to "inform him" about the intelligence.&nbsp;

The Sri Lankan President had a bilateral meeting with PM Modi on Friday during which the "leaders noted that terrorism and extremism continue to pose threat to humanity", a readout from Ministry of External Affairs said.

PM Narendra Modi will visit Sri Lanka on June 9 in his first foreign visit after taking charge as the prime minister for the second consecutive term. The news was confirmed by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.

PM Narendra Modi will visit Sri Lanka on June 9 in his first foreign visit after taking charge as the prime minister for the second consecutive term. The news was confirmed by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena. During the two day visit PM Modi will be going to the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Maithripala Sirisena, who was in India for the oath-taking ceremony of PM Modi at Rashtrapati Bhawan said, "PM Modi will be coming to Sri Lanka as part of his visit to the Maldives. As for the information we have received so far, PM Modi will be coming to Sri Lanka on the 9th. " During the first term of his government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Island country twice, first in 2015 and then in 2017 when he was the Chief Guest at the International Day of Vesak celebrations in Sri Lanka. Reacting to the WION's question, during a presser in Delhi on the recently concluded Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India, Sri Lanka and Japan to develop the East Container Terminal (ECT) in Colombo port, Sirisena, said, "it is not an agreement, it is a memorandum of understanding in order to start a discussion about getting into an agreement" and through the discussion "Sri Lanka intends to come to an agreement which is economically and trade wise favourable to Sri Lanka." The development comes even as China has been trying to increase its influence in South Asia especially with the development of ports like Gwadar in Pakistan and Hambantota port in Sri Lanka. In 2017, unable to pay its debts, SriLanka handed over the Hambantota to China for a 99 year period lease. On the recent terror attack in Sri Lanka on April 21 that killed more than 250 people, he said his government was able to bring the situation to normal within three weeks. He dismissed, reports of any of the nine suicide bombers of Easter Sunday attack visiting India. He said, "I have not received any reports which say that they have travelled to India. My officers have not reported any connection to India up to now" India had provided intelligence to Sri Lanka on April 4 but the country failed to act on information. The President later removed the defence secretary and inspector general of police for failing to "inform him" about the intelligence. The Sri Lankan President had a bilateral meeting with PM Modi on Friday during which the "leaders noted that terrorism and extremism continue to pose threat to humanity", a readout from Ministry of External Affairs said.

PM Modi to visit Sri Lanka on June 9

In this exclusive interview with WION's Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary; Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist, and media moghul speaks on India-US future relations after Indian PM Narendra Modi's landslide victory.

Steve Bannon to WION: On India-US ties after PM Modi's Victory for second term

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pulled off an electoral victory this year which resonated across the world. Many global leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, congratulated him for the massive mandate in India's general elections. Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist, and media moghul has said that the western media is absolutely stunned by PM Modi's victory. In an exclusive interview with WION's Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, Bannon, the former executive chairman of Breitbart News, said he has been incredibly impressed with Modi.

Impressed with Modi, his victory bodes well for India-US ties: Steve Bannon to WION

In the first decision taken after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-union-cabinet-to-meet-this-evening-223031">assuming charge of the new government</a>, Prime Minister Modi on Friday approved a major change in the ‘Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme’ under the National Defence Fund.&nbsp;

PM Modi approved the increased rates of scholarship from Rs. 2000 per month to Rs. 2500 per month for boys and from Rs. 2250 per month to Rs. 3000 per month for girls.

The PM also extended the ambit of the Scholarship Scheme to the wards of State Police officials who are/were martyred during terror/naxal attacks.&nbsp;

The quota of new scholarships for children of state police officials will be 500 in a year.

The first meeting of the new Union Cabinet was held today at 5:30 pm.

The meeting was scheduled a day after Prime Minister&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-time-222847">Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers were sworn in</a>&nbsp;at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Watch: PM Modi approves changes to ‘PM’s Scholarship Scheme’ under National Defence Fund

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The Union Cabinet for the 17th Lok Sabha includes 24 cabinet ministers, 9 ministers of state with independent charge and 24 Ministers of State (MoS).

In the first decision taken after assuming charge of the new government, Prime Minister Modi on Friday approved a major change in the ‘Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme’ under the National Defence Fund.

In the first decision taken after assuming charge of the new government, Prime Minister Modi on Friday approved a major change in the ‘Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme’ under the National Defence Fund. PM Modi approved the increased rates of scholarship from Rs. 2000 per month to Rs. 2500 per month for boys and from Rs. 2250 per month to Rs. 3000 per month for girls. The PM also extended the ambit of the Scholarship Scheme to the wards of State Police officials who are/were martyred during terror/naxal attacks. The quota of new scholarships for children of state police officials will be 500 in a year. The first meeting of the new Union Cabinet was held today at 5:30 pm. The meeting was scheduled a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers were sworn in at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Watch: PM Modi approves changes to ‘PM’s Scholarship Scheme’ under National Defence Fund × The Union Cabinet for the 17th Lok Sabha includes 24 cabinet ministers, 9 ministers of state with independent charge and 24 Ministers of State (MoS).

PM Modi approves major change to scholarship scheme, extends quota to wards of martyrs

Known for his corporate network developed during his days as an investment banker, BJP's go-to man Piyush Goyal has been given the charge of Railways, Commerce and Industry ministries in Modi's new cabinet. Goyal first made his mark in BJP as a treasurer and held portfolios in coal, power, railways and finance.

Piyush Goyal takes charge, Retains as Railways and Commerce Minister

The JD(U), BJP`s crucial ally in Bihar, on Friday ruled out joining the Modi government at the Centre, notwithstanding Amit Shah`s telephonic call to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar this morning in a bid to persuade the party to reconsider its decision.

Kumar, who is also the JD(U) chief, made it clear that his does not want to join the new Cabinet just for the sake of "symbolic" representation but would fully support the government from outside.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/what-is-in-store-for-ndas-alliance-in-modi-20-cabinet-222843">NDA's allies who are part of the Modi 2.0 Cabinet</a>

The BJP has full majority on its own and there should be no worry about JD(U)`s support, he added.&nbsp;

"This morning the BJP President called me and I told him that I have already communicated my decision to Bhupendraji (Bhupendra Yadav, BJP General Secretary) yesterday itself" he told reporters as having told Shah.

JD(U) refused to accept one ministerial berth for each ally as proposed by the BJP and declined to join the government. Other allies like LJSP headed by Ram Vilas Paswan, Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and RPI(A) joined the new Cabinet yesterday.&nbsp;

"We communicated our decision to them in the day. Then in the night BJP`s general secretary in-charge came to me. We have communicated our decision in the day but they came in the night again. We have decided, We are together. Our alliance is for Bihar`s development. We do not wish for symbolic representation," Kumar said referring Yadav`s meeting with him last night after the swearing in.

He said if at all necessary for JD(U)`s participation then it should be on the basis of "proportion" in Bihar, suggesting the party should get more ministerial berths.

However, when pressed for the number of ministerial berths the party was interested in, the chief minister said the issue has not yet come to that stage.

"We only said one is not alright. There should be proportional representation. What that proportion is, we have not come to that stage."

Referring to the discussions with the BJP on joining the government, Kumar said, "After the NDA meeting in Parliament (last Saturday), BJP president Amit Shah asked me to come on May 30. In the meeting, he said that an MP from each NDA ally would be inducted into the cabinet. They want to give symbolic representation to each NDA ally. I have said that it is not needed," Kumar told reporters here.

"When I discussed the proposal with my core team, they said that it is not appropriate. There is no need of symbolic representation but proportional representation is needed. We have not said anything about the seats we needed. We are in alliance and are together. We don`t have any problem in that," he said.

Speaking further, Nitish said, "There should be proportional representation. We are in the government then what is the need of symbolic representation. When a party has majority government then it is their decision to make ministers."

"We are with NDA without any of our MP as Cabinet Minister. During Atal ji`s time, BJP did not get full majority but today is different," he said adding that the sharing of ministries then was different.

To a reporter`s question about the BJP inducting five ministers from Bihar, four of them from upper castes, Kumar said he did not want to comment on the issue because it was BJP`s prerogative to do what it wants to do about their ministers.

He said everyone should remember the long queues of poor and those deprived sections, who voted in Bihar and that should be kept in mind during times of cabinet formation.&nbsp;

The JD(U), BJP`s crucial ally in Bihar, on Friday ruled out joining the Modi government at the Centre, notwithstanding Amit Shah`s telephonic call to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar this morning in a bid to persuade the party to reconsider its decision.

The JD(U), BJP`s crucial ally in Bihar, on Friday ruled out joining the Modi government at the Centre, notwithstanding Amit Shah`s telephonic call to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar this morning in a bid to persuade the party to reconsider its decision. Kumar, who is also the JD(U) chief, made it clear that his does not want to join the new Cabinet just for the sake of "symbolic" representation but would fully support the government from outside. Also read: NDA's allies who are part of the Modi 2.0 Cabinet The BJP has full majority on its own and there should be no worry about JD(U)`s support, he added. "This morning the BJP President called me and I told him that I have already communicated my decision to Bhupendraji (Bhupendra Yadav, BJP General Secretary) yesterday itself" he told reporters as having told Shah. JD(U) refused to accept one ministerial berth for each ally as proposed by the BJP and declined to join the government. Other allies like LJSP headed by Ram Vilas Paswan, Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and RPI(A) joined the new Cabinet yesterday. "We communicated our decision to them in the day. Then in the night BJP`s general secretary in-charge came to me. We have communicated our decision in the day but they came in the night again. We have decided, We are together. Our alliance is for Bihar`s development. We do not wish for symbolic representation," Kumar said referring Yadav`s meeting with him last night after the swearing in. He said if at all necessary for JD(U)`s participation then it should be on the basis of "proportion" in Bihar, suggesting the party should get more ministerial berths. However, when pressed for the number of ministerial berths the party was interested in, the chief minister said the issue has not yet come to that stage. "We only said one is not alright. There should be proportional representation. What that proportion is, we have not come to that stage." Referring to the discussions with the BJP on joining the government, Kumar said, "After the NDA meeting in Parliament (last Saturday), BJP president Amit Shah asked me to come on May 30. In the meeting, he said that an MP from each NDA ally would be inducted into the cabinet. They want to give symbolic representation to each NDA ally. I have said that it is not needed," Kumar told reporters here. "When I discussed the proposal with my core team, they said that it is not appropriate. There is no need of symbolic representation but proportional representation is needed. We have not said anything about the seats we needed. We are in alliance and are together. We don`t have any problem in that," he said. Speaking further, Nitish said, "There should be proportional representation. We are in the government then what is the need of symbolic representation. When a party has majority government then it is their decision to make ministers." "We are with NDA without any of our MP as Cabinet Minister. During Atal ji`s time, BJP did not get full majority but today is different," he said adding that the sharing of ministries then was different. To a reporter`s question about the BJP inducting five ministers from Bihar, four of them from upper castes, Kumar said he did not want to comment on the issue because it was BJP`s prerogative to do what it wants to do about their ministers. He said everyone should remember the long queues of poor and those deprived sections, who voted in Bihar and that should be kept in mind during times of cabinet formation.

Proportional representation in cabinet needed: Nitish Kumar

BJP president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-pm-modis-right-hand-man-is-indias-new-home-minister-223085">Amit Shah </a>and former Foreign Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/s-jaishankar-is-the-new-foreign-minister-will-replace-sushma-swaraj-223083">S. Jaishankar </a>are the most prominent faces in the considerable number of first-timers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s Cabinet.

While Shah got hold of the Home Ministry, Jaishankar will helm External Affairs.

Modi`s Cabinet has six new Cabinet ministers and close to 15 new Ministers of State.

Here`s how the new faces have fared -Former Uttrakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal will be handling the HRD ministry.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-20-rajnath-singh-is-defence-minister-amit-shah-home-nirmala-sitharaman-gets-finace-223084">Modi 2.0: Rajnath Singh is Defence Minister, Amit Shah Home; Nirmala Sitharaman gets Finance</a>

Popular tribal leader and former chief minister of Jharkhand, Arjun Munda, made it to the big league and will take care of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Shiv Sena`s Arvind Ganpat Sawant, the MP from Mumbai-South, will now be the in-charge of Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.

A lawmaker from Karnataka, Pralhad Joshi, who won with one of the highest margins in Karnataka, will head the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs along with the charge of Coal and Mines.

BJP MP from Chandauli, Mahendra Nath Pandey has been given the post of Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the 17th Lok Sabha.

Under the category of Ministers of State, new-inductee Anurag Thakur will be part of the Finance Ministry.

Debasree Chaudhuri from West Bengal will be the MoS in Women and Child Development Ministry.

Talked about for his austere lifestyle, BJP MP from Odisha Pratap Chandra Sarangi will look after MSMEs and Ministry of Animal Husbandry.

Other new Ministers of State are - Prahalad Singh Patel G Kishan Reddy, Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre, Debasree Chaudhuri, Kailash Choudhary, Rameswar Teli Nityanand Rai, Rattan Lal Kataria, V Muraleedharan, Renuka Singh Saruta, Som Parkash and Angadi Suresh Channabasappa.&nbsp;

BJP president Amit Shah and former Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar are the most prominent faces in the considerable number of first-timers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s Cabinet.

BJP president Amit Shah and former Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar are the most prominent faces in the considerable number of first-timers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s Cabinet. While Shah got hold of the Home Ministry, Jaishankar will helm External Affairs. Modi`s Cabinet has six new Cabinet ministers and close to 15 new Ministers of State. Here`s how the new faces have fared -Former Uttrakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal will be handling the HRD ministry. Also read: Modi 2.0: Rajnath Singh is Defence Minister, Amit Shah Home; Nirmala Sitharaman gets Finance Popular tribal leader and former chief minister of Jharkhand, Arjun Munda, made it to the big league and will take care of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Shiv Sena`s Arvind Ganpat Sawant, the MP from Mumbai-South, will now be the in-charge of Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. A lawmaker from Karnataka, Pralhad Joshi, who won with one of the highest margins in Karnataka, will head the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs along with the charge of Coal and Mines. BJP MP from Chandauli, Mahendra Nath Pandey has been given the post of Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in the 17th Lok Sabha. Under the category of Ministers of State, new-inductee Anurag Thakur will be part of the Finance Ministry. Debasree Chaudhuri from West Bengal will be the MoS in Women and Child Development Ministry. Talked about for his austere lifestyle, BJP MP from Odisha Pratap Chandra Sarangi will look after MSMEs and Ministry of Animal Husbandry. Other new Ministers of State are - Prahalad Singh Patel G Kishan Reddy, Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre, Debasree Chaudhuri, Kailash Choudhary, Rameswar Teli Nityanand Rai, Rattan Lal Kataria, V Muraleedharan, Renuka Singh Saruta, Som Parkash and Angadi Suresh Channabasappa.

Modi Cabinet 2.0: First-timers and their portfolios

Modi 2.0: Prominent faces of the 58-member ministerial team

Sushma Swaraj may not be part of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-time-222847">Modi government this time</a>, but she leaves a legacy of an easily-accessible External Affairs Minister who helped the diaspora in distress by her revolutionary social media outreach.

From being the youngest cabinet minister in the Haryana government to becoming the first woman Delhi chief minister, Swaraj has been a politician with many firsts.

Some of the key ministers in the previous Modi government, including Swaraj, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Maneka Gandhi were not part of the new dispensation.

Swaraj had opted out of fighting the Lok Sabha elections due to health reasons.

She was a celebrated minister in the previous cabinet after she earned the reputation of being an easily-accessible External Affairs Minister.

Her interaction with the diaspora on social media, established her as someone who can be reached in distress with just the click of a mouse.

Several path-breaking measures such as the passport infrastructure expansion and enhanced engagement with the East were the highlight of her tenure.

Swaraj, 66, became the External Affairs Minister in 2014 when Modi's first cabinet was sworn-in on May 26.&nbsp;

She is only the second woman to hold the portfolio after Indira Gandhi, who briefly kept External Affairs Ministry under her while being the Prime Minister.

Swaraj has many firsts to her credit such as being the youngest cabinet minister in the Haryana government, first woman Chief Minister of Delhi and the first woman spokesperson for any national political party in the country.

During her tenure as the External Affairs Minister, Swaraj handled several strategically-sensitive issues, including Indo-Pak and Sino-India relations.

Her role in resolving the prickly Doklam standoff between the Indian and Chinese sides will be remembered.

India's joining of the SCO was also a key achievement during her tenure as External Affairs Minister.

In 1977, at 25 years of age, Swaraj became the youngest cabinet minister -- she held the education portfolio in Haryana.

Swaraj, a law graduate who practised in Supreme Court, has been elected seven times as a Member of Parliament and three times as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

She began her political career with the ABVP in the 1970s.

Member of the Haryana Assembly from 1977 to 1982 from Ambala Cantonment, she was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister in Devi Lal government.

Swaraj has previously also held the portfolios of Information and Broadcasting, Telecommunications, Health and Family Welfare, and Parliamentary Affairs in the Union Cabinet.

Swaraj is married to Swaraj Kaushal, a designated senior advocate of Supreme Court of India who served as Governor of Mizoram from 1990 to 1993. Kaushal was also a Member of Parliament from 1998 to 2004.

She has been the recipient of the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award.

Sushma Swaraj may not be part of the Modi government this time, but she leaves a legacy of an easily-accessible External Affairs Minister who helped the diaspora in distress by her revolutionary social media outreach.

Sushma Swaraj may not be part of the Modi government this time, but she leaves a legacy of an easily-accessible External Affairs Minister who helped the diaspora in distress by her revolutionary social media outreach. From being the youngest cabinet minister in the Haryana government to becoming the first woman Delhi chief minister, Swaraj has been a politician with many firsts. Some of the key ministers in the previous Modi government, including Swaraj, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Maneka Gandhi were not part of the new dispensation. Swaraj had opted out of fighting the Lok Sabha elections due to health reasons. She was a celebrated minister in the previous cabinet after she earned the reputation of being an easily-accessible External Affairs Minister. Her interaction with the diaspora on social media, established her as someone who can be reached in distress with just the click of a mouse. Several path-breaking measures such as the passport infrastructure expansion and enhanced engagement with the East were the highlight of her tenure. Swaraj, 66, became the External Affairs Minister in 2014 when Modi's first cabinet was sworn-in on May 26. She is only the second woman to hold the portfolio after Indira Gandhi, who briefly kept External Affairs Ministry under her while being the Prime Minister. Swaraj has many firsts to her credit such as being the youngest cabinet minister in the Haryana government, first woman Chief Minister of Delhi and the first woman spokesperson for any national political party in the country. During her tenure as the External Affairs Minister, Swaraj handled several strategically-sensitive issues, including Indo-Pak and Sino-India relations. Her role in resolving the prickly Doklam standoff between the Indian and Chinese sides will be remembered. India's joining of the SCO was also a key achievement during her tenure as External Affairs Minister. In 1977, at 25 years of age, Swaraj became the youngest cabinet minister -- she held the education portfolio in Haryana. Swaraj, a law graduate who practised in Supreme Court, has been elected seven times as a Member of Parliament and three times as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. She began her political career with the ABVP in the 1970s. Member of the Haryana Assembly from 1977 to 1982 from Ambala Cantonment, she was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister in Devi Lal government. Swaraj has previously also held the portfolios of Information and Broadcasting, Telecommunications, Health and Family Welfare, and Parliamentary Affairs in the Union Cabinet. Swaraj is married to Swaraj Kaushal, a designated senior advocate of Supreme Court of India who served as Governor of Mizoram from 1990 to 1993. Kaushal was also a Member of Parliament from 1998 to 2004. She has been the recipient of the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award.

Sushma Swaraj an EAM who reached out to diaspora in distress

In a balancing act, two dominant communities of Karnataka--Lingayats and Vokkaligas-- have been accommodated in the Narendra Modi-led new council of ministers.

D V Sadananda Gowda and Pralhad Joshi, who were Karnataka BJP presidents, along with Belgaum MP Suresh Angadi have found place in the new ministry.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-time-222847">Narendra Modi takes oath as PM for second term, joined by Rajnath, Shah, others in Cabinet</a>

Induction of Joshi and Angadi is seen as a move to further consolidate the BJP's base in north Karnataka, where it is already strong.

In the recent Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had made deep inroads into the south also, which was considered the stronghold of the Congress and the JDS.

The BJP had won 25 of the 28 seats in Karnataka.

While Sadananda Gowda is a former Karnataka Chief Minister and had served as the minister in the previous Modi government, for Joshi and Angadi, both four-time MPs, it will be their first stint as ministers.

Meanwhile, Nirmala Sitharaman, who served as Defence Minister in the previous government, also was inducted into Modi's new Ministry.

She represents Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha.

With the induction of Gowda and Angadi, representation has been given to two dominant communities in the state- Vokkaligas and Lingayats respectively.

Joshi is a Brahmin, the community though does not form larger vote base has been loyal to BJP for long.

Sitharaman too is a Brahmin.

Region wise, prominence has been given to Mumbai Karnataka in the northern part of the state, considered as a strong bastion of the BJP, as both Joshi and Angadi hail from the region.

While Gowda originally belongs to coastal part of the state, he represents Bangalore North seat.

However, it is to be noted that though Lingayats were considered as the vote bank of BJP and Vokkaligas for JD(S) and to an extent Congress, what was seen in this Lok Sabha polls is larger consolidation of Hindu votes in favour of the BJP, including backward classes.

Also, region wise BJP that was considered to be strong in Mumbai Karnataka and coastal belt and to an extent in Hyderabad Karnataka, has made inroads distinctively into old Mysuru region this time, which was earlier said to be a battlefield reserved for the Congress and JD(S).

With the BJP winning 25 of the total 28 seats in the state, there was expectation in the Karnataka unit that members elected from the state would get more representation in the Narendra Modi ministry.

The state unit's feelings were clearly articulated by Karnataka chief B S Yeddyurappa a day ahead of the swearing-inof Modi as prime minister after a landslide win.

"I'm going to Delhi, I don't know what is in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mind. As 25 MPs have got elected from here, Karnataka should get more representation is the expectation of every one, 6.5 crore people of Karnataka.

I will try to convince them about this," Yeddyurappa had told reporters in response to a question.

With expectation of more representation from Karnataka, there is also feeling expecting additional ministerial berth for Lingayat community, since more number of seats were won by Lingayats- nine in all.

Also, there is no representation to the SC community for now.

D V Sadananda Gowda (Vokkaliga), G M Siddeshwara (Lingayat), along with Ananth Kumar (Brahmin) had found place in the Modi government-1 cabinet in 2014.

Later when the cabinet rejig happened, Ramesh Jigajinagi, a dalit leader, was inducted dropping Siddeshwara.

Also inducted was Ananth Kumar Hegde (Brahmin).

M Venkaiah Naidu, now Vice President of India, and Nirmala Sitharaman had also served as ministers in the previous Modi government.

All the three MPs, who were inducted into the ministry Thursday, had defeated their opponents by a huge margin.

While Gowda had defeated his opponent Congress' Krishna Byre Gowda from Bangalore North by a margin of 1,47,518 votes, Joshi won the Dharwad Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 2,05,072, defeating Congress' Vinay Kulkarni, a former minister.

Angadi too had defeated Congress' Sadhunavar in Belgaum by a margin of 3,91,304 votes.

In a balancing act, two dominant communities of Karnataka--Lingayats and Vokkaligas-- have been accommodated in the Narendra Modi-led new council of ministers. D V Sadananda Gowda and Pralhad Joshi, who were Karnataka BJP presidents, along with Belgaum MP Suresh Angadi have found place in the new ministry.

In a balancing act, two dominant communities of Karnataka--Lingayats and Vokkaligas-- have been accommodated in the Narendra Modi-led new council of ministers. D V Sadananda Gowda and Pralhad Joshi, who were Karnataka BJP presidents, along with Belgaum MP Suresh Angadi have found place in the new ministry. Also read: Narendra Modi takes oath as PM for second term, joined by Rajnath, Shah, others in Cabinet Induction of Joshi and Angadi is seen as a move to further consolidate the BJP's base in north Karnataka, where it is already strong. In the recent Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had made deep inroads into the south also, which was considered the stronghold of the Congress and the JDS. The BJP had won 25 of the 28 seats in Karnataka. While Sadananda Gowda is a former Karnataka Chief Minister and had served as the minister in the previous Modi government, for Joshi and Angadi, both four-time MPs, it will be their first stint as ministers. Meanwhile, Nirmala Sitharaman, who served as Defence Minister in the previous government, also was inducted into Modi's new Ministry. She represents Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha. With the induction of Gowda and Angadi, representation has been given to two dominant communities in the state- Vokkaligas and Lingayats respectively. Joshi is a Brahmin, the community though does not form larger vote base has been loyal to BJP for long. Sitharaman too is a Brahmin. Region wise, prominence has been given to Mumbai Karnataka in the northern part of the state, considered as a strong bastion of the BJP, as both Joshi and Angadi hail from the region. While Gowda originally belongs to coastal part of the state, he represents Bangalore North seat. However, it is to be noted that though Lingayats were considered as the vote bank of BJP and Vokkaligas for JD(S) and to an extent Congress, what was seen in this Lok Sabha polls is larger consolidation of Hindu votes in favour of the BJP, including backward classes. Also, region wise BJP that was considered to be strong in Mumbai Karnataka and coastal belt and to an extent in Hyderabad Karnataka, has made inroads distinctively into old Mysuru region this time, which was earlier said to be a battlefield reserved for the Congress and JD(S). With the BJP winning 25 of the total 28 seats in the state, there was expectation in the Karnataka unit that members elected from the state would get more representation in the Narendra Modi ministry. The state unit's feelings were clearly articulated by Karnataka chief B S Yeddyurappa a day ahead of the swearing-inof Modi as prime minister after a landslide win. "I'm going to Delhi, I don't know what is in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mind. As 25 MPs have got elected from here, Karnataka should get more representation is the expectation of every one, 6.5 crore people of Karnataka. I will try to convince them about this," Yeddyurappa had told reporters in response to a question. With expectation of more representation from Karnataka, there is also feeling expecting additional ministerial berth for Lingayat community, since more number of seats were won by Lingayats- nine in all. Also, there is no representation to the SC community for now. D V Sadananda Gowda (Vokkaliga), G M Siddeshwara (Lingayat), along with Ananth Kumar (Brahmin) had found place in the Modi government-1 cabinet in 2014. Later when the cabinet rejig happened, Ramesh Jigajinagi, a dalit leader, was inducted dropping Siddeshwara. Also inducted was Ananth Kumar Hegde (Brahmin). M Venkaiah Naidu, now Vice President of India, and Nirmala Sitharaman had also served as ministers in the previous Modi government. All the three MPs, who were inducted into the ministry Thursday, had defeated their opponents by a huge margin. While Gowda had defeated his opponent Congress' Krishna Byre Gowda from Bangalore North by a margin of 1,47,518 votes, Joshi won the Dharwad Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 2,05,072, defeating Congress' Vinay Kulkarni, a former minister. Angadi too had defeated Congress' Sadhunavar in Belgaum by a margin of 3,91,304 votes.

Two dominant communities given representation in Modi ministry

Narendra Modi <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/live-updates-prime-minister-narendra-modi-swearing-in-ceremony-222770">took oath as the Prime Minister of India </a>for the second time on Thursday. This comes a week after the BJP's massive win in the Lok Sabha elections - the party won 303 of the 542 seats which went to polls and its NDA allies took the tally to 354.

Modi, 68, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Ram Nath Kovind at a glittering ceremony at the forecourt of majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi with approximately 8000 people in attendance. Top political leaders like Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and son Rahul, industry leaders like Mukesh Ambani, Ratan Tata and film fraternity honchos like Karan Johar, Shahid Kapoor and Kangana Raut and a galaxy of leaders from Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries were present at the occasion.

This is fourth time that swearing-in was held in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The last three occasions were - Chandrashekhar in 1990, Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998 and Narendra Modi in 2014.

Watch:&nbsp;Narendra Modi takes oath as Prime Minister for second consecutive term

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-consecutive-term-222879/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The other top leaders who were sworn-in as Union ministers included <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-bjps-chanakya-now-enters-government-222850">BJP chief Amit Shah</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajnath-singh-man-of-all-seasons-carries-vajpayees-legacy-of-ajatshatru-222854">Rajnath Singh</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/known-for-his-performance-nitin-gadkari-likely-to-have-key-ministry-in-modi-20-government-222862">Nitin Gadkari</a>, D V Sadananda Gowda, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/nirmala-sitharaman-the-first-full-time-woman-defence-minister-retained-as-union-minister-222866">Nirmala Sitharaman</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ram-vilas-paswan-master-political-craftsman-who-has-worked-under-six-prime-ministers-222873">Ram Vilas Paswan</a>. 
 
<img alt="Modi Cabinet" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="18dc4ccb-7258-4bfb-8df5-037beb0c1e73" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/N1%20Modi%20Cabinet.jpg" />

While Modi, Singh, Shah, Gadkari, Paswan took oath of office in Hindi, Gowda and Sitharaman took it in English.

Some of the key ministers in the previous Modi government, including Sushma Swaraj, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Maneka Gandhi were not part of the new dispensation.

The Delhi airport witnessed movements of high security personalities since morning as BIMSTEC leaders and dignitaries from several foreign nations arrived in the national capital for the swearing-in ceremony.

Leaders of BIMSTEC countries include President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, President of Myanmar U Win Myint and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering.

From Thailand, its Special Envoy Grisada Boonrach represented the country. Besides India, BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan as members.

Kyrgyz President and current chair of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, and Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth also attended the event.

(With inputs from agencies)

Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister of India for the second time on Thursday. This comes a week after the BJP's massive win in the Lok Sabha elections - the party won 303 of the 542 seats which went to polls and its NDA allies took the tally to 354.

Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister of India for the second time on Thursday. This comes a week after the BJP's massive win in the Lok Sabha elections - the party won 303 of the 542 seats which went to polls and its NDA allies took the tally to 354. Modi, 68, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Ram Nath Kovind at a glittering ceremony at the forecourt of majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi with approximately 8000 people in attendance. Top political leaders like Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and son Rahul, industry leaders like Mukesh Ambani, Ratan Tata and film fraternity honchos like Karan Johar, Shahid Kapoor and Kangana Raut and a galaxy of leaders from Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries were present at the occasion. This is fourth time that swearing-in was held in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The last three occasions were - Chandrashekhar in 1990, Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998 and Narendra Modi in 2014. Watch: Narendra Modi takes oath as Prime Minister for second consecutive term The other top leaders who were sworn-in as Union ministers included BJP chief Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, D V Sadananda Gowda, Nirmala Sitharaman and Ram Vilas Paswan. While Modi, Singh, Shah, Gadkari, Paswan took oath of office in Hindi, Gowda and Sitharaman took it in English. Some of the key ministers in the previous Modi government, including Sushma Swaraj, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Maneka Gandhi were not part of the new dispensation. The Delhi airport witnessed movements of high security personalities since morning as BIMSTEC leaders and dignitaries from several foreign nations arrived in the national capital for the swearing-in ceremony. Leaders of BIMSTEC countries include President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, President of Myanmar U Win Myint and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering. From Thailand, its Special Envoy Grisada Boonrach represented the country. Besides India, BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan as members. Kyrgyz President and current chair of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, and Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth also attended the event. (With inputs from agencies)

Narendra Modi takes oath as PM for second term, joined by Rajnath, Shah, others in Cabinet

As Prime Minister Modi and the new council of ministers took oath for the Modi government&nbsp;2.0 on Thursday,&nbsp;here's taking a look at the&nbsp;NDA allies who successfully&nbsp;clinched&nbsp;Cabinet portfolios for the new term.&nbsp;

JD(U) and LJP

Lok Janshakti Party (LJP)'s Ram Vilas Paswan took oath as the new Union Minister in the Modi 2.0 cabinet held in the national capital at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Paswan, one of the most veteran parliamentarians, was a Cabinet minister in the last government. His party has won all the six seats that it had contested in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

BJP's other ally JD(U) which&nbsp;clinched over 16 seats in the Lok Sabha has announced its absence from the new government.

Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony, Nitish Kumar said he was not going to be part of the new cabinet as it would just be "symbolic participation".

Speaking to reporters, Kumar said, "They (BJP) wanted only one person from JDU in the cabinet, so it would have been just symbolic participation. We informed them that it is okay we don't need it. It is not a big issue, we are fully in NDA and not upset at all. We are working together,no confusion."

PM Modi led BJP and its allies&nbsp;Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) swept away all the seats in Bihar leaving one for the Congress. The NDA got 39 out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Shiromani Akali Dal

Harsimrat Kaur Badal also took oath as the Union Minister in the new Modi led NDA government.

She was the food processing minister during the previous tenure of the government.

The BJP-SAD alliance won only four out of the 13 seats in Punjab in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Earlier reporters had suggested that&nbsp;Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal will not hold any ministerial berth in the Cabinet adding that Harsimrat Kaur Badal will be part of it.

Shiv Sena&nbsp;

Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant&nbsp;who defeated Congress heavyweight Milind Deora from Mumbai will also be part of the new Modi Cabinet. Sawant took oath as the new Union Minister in the swearing-in ceremony today.

BJP's ally from Maharashtra won 18 seats of the 48 in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Republican Party of India

BJP's other alliance from Maharashtra, Republican Party of India chief Ramdas Bandu Athawale was also inducted&nbsp;in the Modi 2.0 Cabinet. Athawala was appointed in&nbsp;the Union Minister of State.

The popular Dalit face served as the minister for social justice and empowerment in the previous Narendra Modi Cabinet.

&nbsp;

As Prime Minister Modi and the new council of ministers took oath for the Modi government 2.0 on Thursday, here's taking a look at the NDA allies who successfully clinched Cabinet portfolios for the new term.

As Prime Minister Modi and the new council of ministers took oath for the Modi government 2.0 on Thursday, here's taking a look at the NDA allies who successfully clinched Cabinet portfolios for the new term. JD(U) and LJP Lok Janshakti Party (LJP)'s Ram Vilas Paswan took oath as the new Union Minister in the Modi 2.0 cabinet held in the national capital at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Paswan, one of the most veteran parliamentarians, was a Cabinet minister in the last government. His party has won all the six seats that it had contested in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. BJP's other ally JD(U) which clinched over 16 seats in the Lok Sabha has announced its absence from the new government. Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony, Nitish Kumar said he was not going to be part of the new cabinet as it would just be "symbolic participation". Speaking to reporters, Kumar said, "They (BJP) wanted only one person from JDU in the cabinet, so it would have been just symbolic participation. We informed them that it is okay we don't need it. It is not a big issue, we are fully in NDA and not upset at all. We are working together,no confusion." PM Modi led BJP and its allies Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) swept away all the seats in Bihar leaving one for the Congress. The NDA got 39 out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Shiromani Akali Dal Harsimrat Kaur Badal also took oath as the Union Minister in the new Modi led NDA government. She was the food processing minister during the previous tenure of the government. The BJP-SAD alliance won only four out of the 13 seats in Punjab in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Earlier reporters had suggested that Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal will not hold any ministerial berth in the Cabinet adding that Harsimrat Kaur Badal will be part of it. Shiv Sena Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant who defeated Congress heavyweight Milind Deora from Mumbai will also be part of the new Modi Cabinet. Sawant took oath as the new Union Minister in the swearing-in ceremony today. BJP's ally from Maharashtra won 18 seats of the 48 in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Republican Party of India BJP's other alliance from Maharashtra, Republican Party of India chief Ramdas Bandu Athawale was also inducted in the Modi 2.0 Cabinet. Athawala was appointed in the Union Minister of State. The popular Dalit face served as the minister for social justice and empowerment in the previous Narendra Modi Cabinet.

NDA's allies who are part of the Modi 2.0 Cabinet

The display picture of Narendra Modi's Twitter handle and Facebook was updated minutes before <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-time-222847">he took oath as the prime minister for the second time</a> on Thursday.

In his new photo, the 68-year-old stalwart is wearing a light blue shirt with black half-jacket, also known as Modi jacket.

The cover photo of the Prime Minister on the micro-blogging site was also replaced with the image of his greeting the crowd with folded hands on the day he capped a landslide victory in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections and gave a victory speech from the dais of the BJP headquarters.

Narendra Modi is one of the most famous and active politicians on social media with nearly 48 million followers.

He joined Twitter in 2009 while he was the chief minister of Gujarat.

Watch:&nbsp;Narendra Modi takes oath as Prime Minister for second consecutive term

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-consecutive-term-222879/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Narendra Modi took oath as the 15th Prime Minister of India in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of a battery of dignitaries, including foreign leaders.

Minutes, after he was administered the oath by President Ram Nath Kovind, the display and cover pictures of the Prime Minister Office (PMO) Twitter handle was also changed.

In the cover photo, the PM Modi is bowing down to respectfully touch the Constitution of India with his forehead, as he walked towards the podium after he was recently elected as the leader of the NDA and BJP&nbsp;parliamentary party last week.

The main image is his close-up in which the leader is wearing a saffron jacket on a white shirt.

Riding high on the planks of muscular nationalism, BJP stormed to power with 303 seats. Along with its NDA allies, the number swelled to 353 in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

The display picture of Narendra Modi's Twitter handle and Facebook was updated minutes before he took oath as the prime minister for the second time on Thursday.

The display picture of Narendra Modi's Twitter handle and Facebook was updated minutes before he took oath as the prime minister for the second time on Thursday. In his new photo, the 68-year-old stalwart is wearing a light blue shirt with black half-jacket, also known as Modi jacket. The cover photo of the Prime Minister on the micro-blogging site was also replaced with the image of his greeting the crowd with folded hands on the day he capped a landslide victory in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections and gave a victory speech from the dais of the BJP headquarters. Narendra Modi is one of the most famous and active politicians on social media with nearly 48 million followers. He joined Twitter in 2009 while he was the chief minister of Gujarat. Watch: Narendra Modi takes oath as Prime Minister for second consecutive term Narendra Modi took oath as the 15th Prime Minister of India in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of a battery of dignitaries, including foreign leaders. Minutes, after he was administered the oath by President Ram Nath Kovind, the display and cover pictures of the Prime Minister Office (PMO) Twitter handle was also changed. In the cover photo, the PM Modi is bowing down to respectfully touch the Constitution of India with his forehead, as he walked towards the podium after he was recently elected as the leader of the NDA and BJP parliamentary party last week. The main image is his close-up in which the leader is wearing a saffron jacket on a white shirt. Riding high on the planks of muscular nationalism, BJP stormed to power with 303 seats. Along with its NDA allies, the number swelled to 353 in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

PM Modi's Twitter, Facebook profile updated minutes before he took oath

From a counsel holding the brief for the deity 'Ram Lalla' in the Ayodhya title suit to a moderniser spearheading the 'Digital India' initiative and clamping down on contentious practices like instant triple talaq, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad has worn many hats.

Winning his maiden election against colleague-turned opponent Shatrughan Sinha from Patna Sahib seat in Bihar by more than 2.84 lakh votes, 65-year-old Prasad is among the few BJP leaders who have been a minister in every NDA government that came to power at the Centre in last two decades.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/live-updates-prime-minister-narendra-modi-swearing-in-ceremony-222770">Live: Narendra Modi takes oath as PM again along with the council of ministers</a>

Hailing from an RSS background, the lawyer-turned-politician rubbed shoulders with Gandhian-Socialists during Emergency, sharing a jail cell with Lalu Prasad Yadav. The two were office bearers in the Patna University students union during the turbulent 1970s but they later ideologically drifted apart.

Years later, Prasad was the lead lawyer in the Public Interest Litigation against the former Bihar chief minister in the fodder scam case.&nbsp;

Prasad continued to practice law and politics in the BJP, rising to fame as one of the junior ministers in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cabinet. He was Minister of State in the departments of Coal and Mine and Law and Justice. But his most memorable stint was as the Information and Broadcasting minister when he initiated reforms in the radio, television and animation sectors.

When Modi first swept to power in 2014, he was first given the ministries of telecom and information technology and electronics. Later, he was divested of the telecom portfolio. He held the portfolios of law and justice as well as electronics in the outgoing government.

In Modi 2.0 government, he has again become a Cabinet minister. Prasad sworn in as Cabinet minister Thursday.

In the first stint under Modi, the government's flagship Digital India programme was implemented under his watch and drove several initiatives to galvanise electronics and mobile handset manufacturing in the country. Mobile phone manufacturing units in India increased to 120 in 2018 from just 2 in 2014. In the same period, annual production of mobile handsets increased from 60 million units to 225 million units, creating one lakh direct jobs.

He spearheaded programmes for setting up BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) units in smaller towns and cities, and steered the growth of Common Service Centres (CSCs) -- government's rural outreach network for delivery of digital services as well as the new electronics policy that aims to create a USD 400 billion electronic manufacturing ecosystem by 2025, and a separate policy for software to position India as a hub for product development.&nbsp;

An ardent social media user with over 3.2 million followers on Twitter did not stop him from taking a firm stand against social media giants like Facebook and WhatsApp on issues of fake news, data privacy, and election integrity, and has led the charge on draft data protection legislation and tightening of social media rules.

Born to Thakur Prasad, a late Bihar minister and one of the tallest Jana Sangh leaders in the state, Prasad was associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the RSS' students wing since 1970s when he was a student at the Patna University from where he did his M.A. And L.L.B.

Prasad became a member of the BJP national executive in 1995 and was elected to the Rajya Sabha five years later. The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee appointed him the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting with independent charge.

His tenure is remembered for the introduction of the Conditional Access System of satellite TV channels which is said to have dealt a body blow to unhealthy trade practices of cable TV operators.

In the decade during which the BJP-led NDA remained out of power and the country was ruled by Congress-headed UPA, Prasad remained one of the most forceful spokespersons for his party.

He represented 'Ram Lalla', one of the three petitioners in the Ayodhya title suit which was decided in September 2010 by the Allahabad High Court which ordered that the disputed site be equally distributed among the claimants the others being the Nirmohi Akhara and the Sunni Waqf Board.

After Narendra Modi's ascension to power in 2014, Prasad was made a cabinet minister with important portfolios like Law and Justice and Electronics and IT.

His tenure was marked by initiatives like a successful auction of telecom spectrum the allocation of which was mired in corruption scandals under the previous UPA dispensation, scrapping of over 100 obsolete laws, and the judicial crackdown on instant triple talaq notwithstanding reservations voiced by the opposition as well as BJP allies.

Under his watch, efforts were made to streamline judicial work through measures like installation of video conferencing facilities at courts and appointment of NyayMitras for faster disposal of pending cases.

He was serving his fourth consecutive term in the Rajya Sabha, to which he was re-elected only last year, before making a surprise Lok Sabha debut in the recent general elections.&nbsp;

From a counsel holding the brief for the deity 'Ram Lalla' in the Ayodhya title suit to a moderniser spearheading the 'Digital India' initiative and clamping down on contentious practices like instant triple talaq, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad has worn many hats.

From a counsel holding the brief for the deity 'Ram Lalla' in the Ayodhya title suit to a moderniser spearheading the 'Digital India' initiative and clamping down on contentious practices like instant triple talaq, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad has worn many hats. Winning his maiden election against colleague-turned opponent Shatrughan Sinha from Patna Sahib seat in Bihar by more than 2.84 lakh votes, 65-year-old Prasad is among the few BJP leaders who have been a minister in every NDA government that came to power at the Centre in last two decades. Live: Narendra Modi takes oath as PM again along with the council of ministers Hailing from an RSS background, the lawyer-turned-politician rubbed shoulders with Gandhian-Socialists during Emergency, sharing a jail cell with Lalu Prasad Yadav. The two were office bearers in the Patna University students union during the turbulent 1970s but they later ideologically drifted apart. Years later, Prasad was the lead lawyer in the Public Interest Litigation against the former Bihar chief minister in the fodder scam case. Prasad continued to practice law and politics in the BJP, rising to fame as one of the junior ministers in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cabinet. He was Minister of State in the departments of Coal and Mine and Law and Justice. But his most memorable stint was as the Information and Broadcasting minister when he initiated reforms in the radio, television and animation sectors. When Modi first swept to power in 2014, he was first given the ministries of telecom and information technology and electronics. Later, he was divested of the telecom portfolio. He held the portfolios of law and justice as well as electronics in the outgoing government. In Modi 2.0 government, he has again become a Cabinet minister. Prasad sworn in as Cabinet minister Thursday. In the first stint under Modi, the government's flagship Digital India programme was implemented under his watch and drove several initiatives to galvanise electronics and mobile handset manufacturing in the country. Mobile phone manufacturing units in India increased to 120 in 2018 from just 2 in 2014. In the same period, annual production of mobile handsets increased from 60 million units to 225 million units, creating one lakh direct jobs. He spearheaded programmes for setting up BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) units in smaller towns and cities, and steered the growth of Common Service Centres (CSCs) -- government's rural outreach network for delivery of digital services as well as the new electronics policy that aims to create a USD 400 billion electronic manufacturing ecosystem by 2025, and a separate policy for software to position India as a hub for product development. An ardent social media user with over 3.2 million followers on Twitter did not stop him from taking a firm stand against social media giants like Facebook and WhatsApp on issues of fake news, data privacy, and election integrity, and has led the charge on draft data protection legislation and tightening of social media rules. Born to Thakur Prasad, a late Bihar minister and one of the tallest Jana Sangh leaders in the state, Prasad was associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the RSS' students wing since 1970s when he was a student at the Patna University from where he did his M.A. And L.L.B. Prasad became a member of the BJP national executive in 1995 and was elected to the Rajya Sabha five years later. The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee appointed him the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting with independent charge. His tenure is remembered for the introduction of the Conditional Access System of satellite TV channels which is said to have dealt a body blow to unhealthy trade practices of cable TV operators. In the decade during which the BJP-led NDA remained out of power and the country was ruled by Congress-headed UPA, Prasad remained one of the most forceful spokespersons for his party. He represented 'Ram Lalla', one of the three petitioners in the Ayodhya title suit which was decided in September 2010 by the Allahabad High Court which ordered that the disputed site be equally distributed among the claimants the others being the Nirmohi Akhara and the Sunni Waqf Board. After Narendra Modi's ascension to power in 2014, Prasad was made a cabinet minister with important portfolios like Law and Justice and Electronics and IT. His tenure was marked by initiatives like a successful auction of telecom spectrum the allocation of which was mired in corruption scandals under the previous UPA dispensation, scrapping of over 100 obsolete laws, and the judicial crackdown on instant triple talaq notwithstanding reservations voiced by the opposition as well as BJP allies. Under his watch, efforts were made to streamline judicial work through measures like installation of video conferencing facilities at courts and appointment of NyayMitras for faster disposal of pending cases. He was serving his fourth consecutive term in the Rajya Sabha, to which he was re-elected only last year, before making a surprise Lok Sabha debut in the recent general elections.

Ravi Shankar Prasad: The wily counsel of 'Ram Lalla' and Modi's Digital India minder

India proposes the next informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, India proposes that meeting be held on October 11 in Varanasi. Watch this video to know more.

PM Modi invites Xi Jinping to Varanasi

PM Modi's flagship health scheme 'Modicare' helped in winning votes & hearts, according to reports. Watch this video to know more.

PM Modi's health scheme 'Modicare' helped in winning votes & hearts

The BSE Sensex fell over 150 points while Nifty was reduced by nearly 50 points on Wednesday as the former finance minister Arun Jaitley announced that he will not be part of Modi government's new cabinet.

After his announcement, the Sensex reduced by 170 points while the Nifty declined by 48 points.

Jaitley wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he does not want to be a minister in his new government due to health reasons.

He has not attended office for the last three weeks and has rarely been seen in public. He, however, has been writing blogs and tweeted on Modi's victory last week. He neither attended the Cabinet meeting called Friday that recommended dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, nor the Saturday meeting of the BJP parliamentary party that elected Modi as its leader.

The domestic stock market on Wednesday opened in red with BSE Sensex dropping around 100 points and NSE Nifty struggling to maintain 11,900 mark&nbsp;after losing nearly 25 points in morning trade.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The BSE Sensex fell over 150 points while Nifty was reduced by nearly 50 points on Wednesday as the former finance minister Arun Jaitley announced that he will not be part of Modi government's new cabinet.

The BSE Sensex fell over 150 points while Nifty was reduced by nearly 50 points on Wednesday as the former finance minister Arun Jaitley announced that he will not be part of Modi government's new cabinet. After his announcement, the Sensex reduced by 170 points while the Nifty declined by 48 points. Jaitley wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he does not want to be a minister in his new government due to health reasons. He has not attended office for the last three weeks and has rarely been seen in public. He, however, has been writing blogs and tweeted on Modi's victory last week. He neither attended the Cabinet meeting called Friday that recommended dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, nor the Saturday meeting of the BJP parliamentary party that elected Modi as its leader. The domestic stock market on Wednesday opened in red with BSE Sensex dropping around 100 points and NSE Nifty struggling to maintain 11,900 mark after losing nearly 25 points in morning trade.

Sensex, Nifty falls after Jaitley announces his absence from new government

Four days before taking oath as Prime Minister for a second term, Narendra Modi on Sunday visited his mother Heeraben Modi to seek her blessings.

Modi`s convoy arrived at his mother`s residence here as scores of supporters lined up on the streets to catch a glimpse of their leader. He was greeted with thunderous applause and cheering.&nbsp;

Supporters were seen raising slogans in praise of the Prime Minister while holding placards with his pictures. Security was beefed up during the Prime Minister`s visit here.

Earlier today Modi visited Ahmedabad where he paid tributes at the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel near the airport. He later addressed a gathering of BJP workers along with party chief Amit Shah and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

On Monday, Modi is scheduled to visit his parliamentary constituency Varanasi to hold a five-kilometre-long roadshow till Kashi Vishwanath temple amidst heightened security.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister will address BJP workers at Deendayal Hastkala Sankul.In the recently concluded polls, BJP secured 303 seats, 22 more than the party got in the 2014 elections. The NDA`s total tally went up to 352 in the 17th Lok Sabha.

The Prime Minister won the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat by a huge margin of 4, 79,505 votes.

Four days before taking oath as Prime Minister for a second term, Narendra Modi on Sunday visited his mother Heeraben Modi to seek her blessings. Modi`s convoy arrived at his mother`s residence here as scores of supporters lined up on the streets to catch a glimpse of their leader.

Four days before taking oath as Prime Minister for a second term, Narendra Modi on Sunday visited his mother Heeraben Modi to seek her blessings. Modi`s convoy arrived at his mother`s residence here as scores of supporters lined up on the streets to catch a glimpse of their leader. He was greeted with thunderous applause and cheering. Supporters were seen raising slogans in praise of the Prime Minister while holding placards with his pictures. Security was beefed up during the Prime Minister`s visit here. Earlier today Modi visited Ahmedabad where he paid tributes at the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel near the airport. He later addressed a gathering of BJP workers along with party chief Amit Shah and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. On Monday, Modi is scheduled to visit his parliamentary constituency Varanasi to hold a five-kilometre-long roadshow till Kashi Vishwanath temple amidst heightened security. Thereafter, the Prime Minister will address BJP workers at Deendayal Hastkala Sankul.In the recently concluded polls, BJP secured 303 seats, 22 more than the party got in the 2014 elections. The NDA`s total tally went up to 352 in the 17th Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister won the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat by a huge margin of 4, 79,505 votes.

PM Modi visits mother Heeraben in Gandhinagar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said the next five years will be the time to regain the rightful position of India in the world order.

He was speaking at Ahmedabad&nbsp;at a function following the Lok Sabha election victory, which was kept simple and shorn of pomp because of the Surat fire tragedy.

"Next five years will be very important in the history of the country, as was the period between 1942 to 1947," Modi said addressing a huge gathering.

"Next five years will be the time to regain the rightful position of India in the world order. In the past our country had that place. I am sure India will regain its importance in the world order," he said.

Modi also expressed grief over the death of 22 students in Surat building fire tragedy.

"Till yesterday, I was in two minds whether to go for this felicitation function or not as on one hand, there was 'kartvya' (duty) and on the other hand, there was 'karuna' (compassion) for those who died in Surat. No amount of words can reduce the grief of the families who have lost their children in that tragedy," he said.

"On the other hand, I had to thank the people of the state and also take blessings of my mother as my duty," the prime minister added.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said the next five years will be the time to regain the rightful position of India in the world order. He was speaking at Ahmedabad at a function following the Lok Sabha election victory, which was kept simple and shorn of pomp because of the Surat fire tragedy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said the next five years will be the time to regain the rightful position of India in the world order. He was speaking at Ahmedabad at a function following the Lok Sabha election victory, which was kept simple and shorn of pomp because of the Surat fire tragedy. "Next five years will be very important in the history of the country, as was the period between 1942 to 1947," Modi said addressing a huge gathering. "Next five years will be the time to regain the rightful position of India in the world order. In the past our country had that place. I am sure India will regain its importance in the world order," he said. Modi also expressed grief over the death of 22 students in Surat building fire tragedy. "Till yesterday, I was in two minds whether to go for this felicitation function or not as on one hand, there was 'kartvya' (duty) and on the other hand, there was 'karuna' (compassion) for those who died in Surat. No amount of words can reduce the grief of the families who have lost their children in that tragedy," he said. "On the other hand, I had to thank the people of the state and also take blessings of my mother as my duty," the prime minister added.

Next 5 years is time to regain India's lost position in world: PM Modi

Andhra CM Elect Jagan Mohan Reddy Meets PM Elect Modi. Discusses about further projects for future. Ressy also invited Modi for his swearing-in ceremony as Andhra new CM. Watch this video for further details.

Andhra CM Elect Jagan Mohan Reddy Meets PM Elect Modi

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