PM Modi-President Xi Jinping: A study in contrast

The Chinese President Xi Jinping will be on Tamil Nadu visit from October 11-12 for the second Informal Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Watch this video to know more.

WION Dispatch: PM Modi and Xi Jinping to meet in Mahabalipuram tomorrow

WION Playlist: Modi-Xi Summit on 11-12th October

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday pleaded not guilty in a defamation case against him over his "why all thieves share the Modi surname" remark.

The former party president appeared before a Surat magisterial court and filed an application for a permanent exemption.

The court fixed the matter for hearing on December 10, 2019. The case was filed against Gandhi for stating, "why " during the Lok Sabha election campaign earlier this year.

The Gandhi scion had made the remarks during campaigning for Lok Sabha elections earlier this year.

His party colleague Shaktisinh Gohil defended Gandhi and said that the party in power should tolerate criticism by the opposition.

"In a democracy, the party in power should tolerate criticism by the opposition. Rahul ji had said Lalit Modi and Nirav Modi are thieves and Narendra Modi is a failure. BJP connected his statement to the Modi community and insulted them," said Shaktisinh Gohil, a Congress leader. Senior party leader Ahmed Patel also backed Gandhi and said, "Let the law takes its own course."&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday pleaded not guilty in a defamation case against him over his "why all thieves share the Modi surname" remark. The former party president appeared before a Surat magisterial court and filed an application for a permanent exemption.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday pleaded not guilty in a defamation case against him over his "why all thieves share the Modi surname" remark. The former party president appeared before a Surat magisterial court and filed an application for a permanent exemption. The court fixed the matter for hearing on December 10, 2019. The case was filed against Gandhi for stating, "why " during the Lok Sabha election campaign earlier this year. The Gandhi scion had made the remarks during campaigning for Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. His party colleague Shaktisinh Gohil defended Gandhi and said that the party in power should tolerate criticism by the opposition. "In a democracy, the party in power should tolerate criticism by the opposition. Rahul ji had said Lalit Modi and Nirav Modi are thieves and Narendra Modi is a failure. BJP connected his statement to the Modi community and insulted them," said Shaktisinh Gohil, a Congress leader. Senior party leader Ahmed Patel also backed Gandhi and said, "Let the law takes its own course."

Rahul pleads not guilty in 'why all thieves share Modi surname' defamation case

The historic town of Mahabalipuram <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-president-to-visit-chennai-for-second-informal-summit-with-pm-modi-253244">is all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping</a> for the second informal summit in Tamil Nadu. 
 
The arrangements are in full swing with administration working round the clock to ensure adequate security and cleanliness across the city for the summit. 
 
"We are happy that our area got cleaned as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to visit soon. This is a historic place and now with the expected visit of the two leaders, the city has got cleaner, roads have been repaired and security arrangements have been made," a sculptor told ANI. 
 
"We are happy that our Mahabalipuram will be known globally and tourism will increase because of this visit," he added. 
 
Xi is expected to visit Mahabalipuram for his second informal summit with PM Modi in the coming days. 
 
Earlier in the day, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin expressed happiness over the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu for an informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modiam comprising BJP president Amit Shah in both the states.

The historic town of Mahabalipuram is all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second informal summit in Tamil Nadu.

The historic town of Mahabalipuram is all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second informal summit in Tamil Nadu. The arrangements are in full swing with administration working round the clock to ensure adequate security and cleanliness across the city for the summit. "We are happy that our area got cleaned as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to visit soon. This is a historic place and now with the expected visit of the two leaders, the city has got cleaner, roads have been repaired and security arrangements have been made," a sculptor told ANI. "We are happy that our Mahabalipuram will be known globally and tourism will increase because of this visit," he added. Xi is expected to visit Mahabalipuram for his second informal summit with PM Modi in the coming days. Earlier in the day, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin expressed happiness over the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu for an informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modiam comprising BJP president Amit Shah in both the states.

Mahabalipuram: Preparations in full swing for informal summit between Modi, Jinping

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iaf-continues-to-serve-india-with-utmost-dedication-excellence-pm-modi-on-87th-air-force-day-254363">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> is slated to address election rallies in Haryana and Maharashtra, the two states which will go to polls shortly. 
 
Assembly polls in both Haryana and Maharashtra will be held on October 21 and the results will be announced on October 24. 
 
In Maharashtra, Modi will carry out nine rallies from October 14 and is slated to address four rallies in Haryana from October 17. 
 
"BJP is confident about its report card. The work done by the party like abrogation of article 370, triple talaq, NRC, an airstrike is still in people's mind, so we have no tension," said a source. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamallapuram-gets-a-facelift-ahead-of-modi-xi-informal-summit-254322">The Prime Minister will start the rallies</a> just four days before the last date of election campaigning - October 19. 
 
Scores of BJP star campaigners like Piyush Goyal, Prakash Javadekar, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Yogi Adityanath and others will also carry out rallies and election programs, the source revealed. 
 
"Apart from this, around 10,000 BJP workers are working on this platform", the source revealed. 
 
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had bagged 23 seats in Maharashtra, while the Sena emerged victorious in 18 constituencies. 
 
Whereas in Haryana, the BJP has set a target of bagging over 75 seats in the 90-member Assembly. 
 
"PM will not do any campaigning this week. He will start it after meeting and greeting the President of China," a source privy to the development said. 
 
Xi Jinping is slated to visit the country for an informal summit with Prime Minister Modi in the coming days. 
 
Unlike the last time, both the chief ministers -&nbsp;Devendra Fadnavis and Manohar Lal Khattar -&nbsp;have a good image among the people, the source added. 
 
Unhappy leaders, who did not get the tickets, will be sorted by the team comprising BJP president Amit Shah in both the states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to address election rallies in Haryana and Maharashtra, the two states which will go to polls shortly. Assembly polls in both Haryana and Maharashtra will be held on October 21 and the results will be announced on October 24.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to address election rallies in Haryana and Maharashtra, the two states which will go to polls shortly. Assembly polls in both Haryana and Maharashtra will be held on October 21 and the results will be announced on October 24. In Maharashtra, Modi will carry out nine rallies from October 14 and is slated to address four rallies in Haryana from October 17. "BJP is confident about its report card. The work done by the party like abrogation of article 370, triple talaq, NRC, an airstrike is still in people's mind, so we have no tension," said a source. The Prime Minister will start the rallies just four days before the last date of election campaigning - October 19. Scores of BJP star campaigners like Piyush Goyal, Prakash Javadekar, Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Irani, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Yogi Adityanath and others will also carry out rallies and election programs, the source revealed. "Apart from this, around 10,000 BJP workers are working on this platform", the source revealed. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had bagged 23 seats in Maharashtra, while the Sena emerged victorious in 18 constituencies. Whereas in Haryana, the BJP has set a target of bagging over 75 seats in the 90-member Assembly. "PM will not do any campaigning this week. He will start it after meeting and greeting the President of China," a source privy to the development said. Xi Jinping is slated to visit the country for an informal summit with Prime Minister Modi in the coming days. Unlike the last time, both the chief ministers - Devendra Fadnavis and Manohar Lal Khattar - have a good image among the people, the source added. Unhappy leaders, who did not get the tickets, will be sorted by the team comprising BJP president Amit Shah in both the states.

PM Modi to address nine election rallies in Maharashtra, four in Haryana

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that Prime Minister visualises Railways as a lifeline to achieve the goal of making India a $5 trillion economy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-flagged-off-vande-bharat-express-between-new-delhi-katra-253394">Flagging off Vande Bharat Express train</a> from here, Shah said modernisation of railways was taking place at a fast pace under the leadership of Prime Minister and various initiatives such as gauge conversion and laying of tracks was taking place at twice the speed compared to the UPA government.

He congratulated Railway Minister Piyush Goyal over the speed at which the Railways have adopted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/finance-minister-nirmala-sitharamans-announcement-to-boost-make-in-india-250764">'Make in India'</a>&nbsp;initiative of the Prime Minister.

Noting that Mahatma Gandhi had used the Railways to give the country freedom, he said the Prime Minister has taken inspiration from Bapu and wants to make Railways a "lifeline" in the target of making India a five trillion dollar economy.

The minister said that 'Vande Bharat'&nbsp;was a hallmark of the success of 'Make in India'&nbsp;and the potential that it holds in giving a boost to the economy.

"The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/india-gets-its-fastest-train-vande-bharat-express-197645">Railways</a> should keep increasing its passenger and freight traffic. Railways must keep a fast-paced development and achieve Prime Minister's vision of US $ 5 trillion economy&nbsp;in the same way as Railways played a major role in the success of Bapu's freedom struggle," he said.

Shah said it was an incident in a railway coach in South Africa that shaped Gandhi's transformation into a leader of the freedom movement.

He said it was during a train journey that he decided against wearing full clothes seeing the poverty of countrymen.

Shah said Modi has given a big gift to Jammu and Kashmir in the form of Vande Bharat Express and it was also a gift during Navratri.

"For the development of Jammu and Kashmir, religious tourism will play a big part, there cannot be any village in India where people do not want to go to Mata Vaishno Devi temple and this will help in the development of the region," Shah said.

He said the first Vande Bharat Express train between Delhi and Varanasi started on February 17.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi put forth his dream of a high-speed train network across India to the Railways and it is working hard to achieve that," he said.

The first commercial run of Vande Bharat will start from October 5 and the bookings have started on the IRCTC website.

The minimum fare for travelling between New Delhi (NDLS) to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) will be Rs 1,630 and the maximum will be Rs 3,015.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that Prime Minister visualises Railways as a lifeline to achieve the goal of making India a $5 trillion economy. Flagging off Vande Bharat Express train from here, Shah said modernisation of railways was taking place at a fast pace under the leadership of Prime Minister and various initiatives such as gauge conversion and laying of tracks was taking place at twice the speed compared to the UPA government.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that Prime Minister visualises Railways as a lifeline to achieve the goal of making India a $5 trillion economy. Flagging off Vande Bharat Express train from here, Shah said modernisation of railways was taking place at a fast pace under the leadership of Prime Minister and various initiatives such as gauge conversion and laying of tracks was taking place at twice the speed compared to the UPA government. He congratulated Railway Minister Piyush Goyal over the speed at which the Railways have adopted 'Make in India' initiative of the Prime Minister. Noting that Mahatma Gandhi had used the Railways to give the country freedom, he said the Prime Minister has taken inspiration from Bapu and wants to make Railways a "lifeline" in the target of making India a five trillion dollar economy. The minister said that 'Vande Bharat' was a hallmark of the success of 'Make in India' and the potential that it holds in giving a boost to the economy. "The Railways should keep increasing its passenger and freight traffic. Railways must keep a fast-paced development and achieve Prime Minister's vision of US $ 5 trillion economy in the same way as Railways played a major role in the success of Bapu's freedom struggle," he said. Shah said it was an incident in a railway coach in South Africa that shaped Gandhi's transformation into a leader of the freedom movement. He said it was during a train journey that he decided against wearing full clothes seeing the poverty of countrymen. Shah said Modi has given a big gift to Jammu and Kashmir in the form of Vande Bharat Express and it was also a gift during Navratri. "For the development of Jammu and Kashmir, religious tourism will play a big part, there cannot be any village in India where people do not want to go to Mata Vaishno Devi temple and this will help in the development of the region," Shah said. He said the first Vande Bharat Express train between Delhi and Varanasi started on February 17. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi put forth his dream of a high-speed train network across India to the Railways and it is working hard to achieve that," he said. The first commercial run of Vande Bharat will start from October 5 and the bookings have started on the IRCTC website. The minimum fare for travelling between New Delhi (NDLS) to Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) will be Rs 1,630 and the maximum will be Rs 3,015.

Railways vital to achieve PM Modi's vision of $5 trillion economy: Amit Shah

Remembering Gandhi has turned into a political contest between liberal parties and RSS-BJP combine in India. Unlike in the past when RSS stayed away from open appropriation&nbsp;of Gandhi, the Congress and other like-minded parties did whatever they wanted to do with the national icon.&nbsp;

In my observation, he got confined to classrooms and the lecture circuit. Gandhi ended up becoming a political tool for the protection of political constituency which he made during his lifetime but was inherited by existing leadership of the Congress Party.&nbsp;

Narendra Modi’s appropriation of Gandhi with his Swachh Bharat campaign opened the pandora’s box. It resulted in an intense debate on who owes Gandhi? Can RSS even appropriate Gandhi? Does&nbsp;RSS even have the right to appropriate Gandhi when it was intensely opposed to Gandhi’s worldview of the nation, faith, religion, and freedom struggle. In fact, it is an open secret that the RSS stayed away from Gandhi’s call of the Quit India movement. The ideologues of RSS and Hindu Mahasabha like VD Savarkar were intensely opposed to Gandhi. Even in the recent general election, BJP fielded Pragya Singh Thakur who openly praised Nathuram Godse. The question then arises as to how the pendulum has swung the other way and how come the Indian ‘Right’ has appropriated a part of Gandhi.

The biggest battle of RSS has been the charge that their ideology was complicit in the assassination of Gandhi. The charge was that even if Godse was not part of RSS, he represented RSS’s hatred towards Gandhi. What happened post-2014 elections, turned things upside down. Modi not only identified Gandhi as the icon for Swachh Bharat but turned it into a public connect event. It led to the participation of children and civil society groups and re-imagination of Gandhi which was not associated with the tense relationship of Gandhi with RSS during India's Independence and partition.

The failure of the Congress was to confine Gandhi to bhajan sessions and lecture circuit which was devoid of public resonance and participation. Gandhi was appropriated by the Congress as a political ideology devoid of public participation and current issues which concerned the people.

The best critique of this approach did not flow from Modi. It started from films like Munna Bhai MBBS and the Anna Hazare agitation. The former imagined Gandhi in the context of love, violence, and sense of coolness and the second movement was about corruption in public life. The truth was in everyone’s face. Gandhi is not an end-to-end programme like Apple. You can appropriate what you like, and you would not be labeled a heretic. The beauty of Gandhi is that his philosophy is like an open source software which has demonstrated the ability to absorb new trends again and again.

It is for this reason, the debate on who owes Gandhi is meaningless. If you can follow any aspect of Gandhi, it is enough as it is not mandatory to be him or follow him in toto. Politicians have different reasons to imbibe him, but the truth is that Gandhi will be seen differently by people at different points of time. This re-interpretation of Gandhi must be allowed. Whether people find BJP’s move genuine or not will be decided by the electorate, but it is foolish to grudge Narendra Modi that he has wiped the worst stigma around RSS and that being their ideology behind the assassination of Gandhi.

Unlike other parties, Modi did not participate in the lecture circuit. He took to the broom and here lies the answer as to why historical figures and their legacy cannot be cast in stone. Their legacy will always be seen in the context of present circumstances. Today, plastic and waste makes&nbsp;society anxious. It connects rich with poor the way Gandhi’s Dandi Yatra connected every Indian when the Mahatama picked up the issue of salt satyagraha. By taking up the issue of sanitation and the problem of plastic, Modi has taken a leaf from Gandhi’s political campaign tool.&nbsp;

Social problems can only be resolved through public participation. A participation that does not disrupt life dramatically but even a minimum contribution allows a sense being part of a bigger deal. This was the beauty or one of the beauties of Gandhi’s philosophy. It is in play even today. Let’s not grudge who appropriates him and how is in play today. 
&nbsp;

Remembering Gandhi has turned into a political contest between liberal parties and RSS-BJP combine in India. Unlike in the past when RSS stayed away from open appropriation of Gandhi, the Congress and other like-minded parties did whatever they wanted to do with the national icon.

Remembering Gandhi has turned into a political contest between liberal parties and RSS-BJP combine in India. Unlike in the past when RSS stayed away from open appropriation of Gandhi, the Congress and other like-minded parties did whatever they wanted to do with the national icon. In my observation, he got confined to classrooms and the lecture circuit. Gandhi ended up becoming a political tool for the protection of political constituency which he made during his lifetime but was inherited by existing leadership of the Congress Party. Narendra Modi’s appropriation of Gandhi with his Swachh Bharat campaign opened the pandora’s box. It resulted in an intense debate on who owes Gandhi? Can RSS even appropriate Gandhi? Does RSS even have the right to appropriate Gandhi when it was intensely opposed to Gandhi’s worldview of the nation, faith, religion, and freedom struggle. In fact, it is an open secret that the RSS stayed away from Gandhi’s call of the Quit India movement. The ideologues of RSS and Hindu Mahasabha like VD Savarkar were intensely opposed to Gandhi. Even in the recent general election, BJP fielded Pragya Singh Thakur who openly praised Nathuram Godse. The question then arises as to how the pendulum has swung the other way and how come the Indian ‘Right’ has appropriated a part of Gandhi. The biggest battle of RSS has been the charge that their ideology was complicit in the assassination of Gandhi. The charge was that even if Godse was not part of RSS, he represented RSS’s hatred towards Gandhi. What happened post-2014 elections, turned things upside down. Modi not only identified Gandhi as the icon for Swachh Bharat but turned it into a public connect event. It led to the participation of children and civil society groups and re-imagination of Gandhi which was not associated with the tense relationship of Gandhi with RSS during India's Independence and partition. The failure of the Congress was to confine Gandhi to bhajan sessions and lecture circuit which was devoid of public resonance and participation. Gandhi was appropriated by the Congress as a political ideology devoid of public participation and current issues which concerned the people. The best critique of this approach did not flow from Modi. It started from films like Munna Bhai MBBS and the Anna Hazare agitation. The former imagined Gandhi in the context of love, violence, and sense of coolness and the second movement was about corruption in public life. The truth was in everyone’s face. Gandhi is not an end-to-end programme like Apple. You can appropriate what you like, and you would not be labeled a heretic. The beauty of Gandhi is that his philosophy is like an open source software which has demonstrated the ability to absorb new trends again and again. It is for this reason, the debate on who owes Gandhi is meaningless. If you can follow any aspect of Gandhi, it is enough as it is not mandatory to be him or follow him in toto. Politicians have different reasons to imbibe him, but the truth is that Gandhi will be seen differently by people at different points of time. This re-interpretation of Gandhi must be allowed. Whether people find BJP’s move genuine or not will be decided by the electorate, but it is foolish to grudge Narendra Modi that he has wiped the worst stigma around RSS and that being their ideology behind the assassination of Gandhi. Unlike other parties, Modi did not participate in the lecture circuit. He took to the broom and here lies the answer as to why historical figures and their legacy cannot be cast in stone. Their legacy will always be seen in the context of present circumstances. Today, plastic and waste makes society anxious. It connects rich with poor the way Gandhi’s Dandi Yatra connected every Indian when the Mahatama picked up the issue of salt satyagraha. By taking up the issue of sanitation and the problem of plastic, Modi has taken a leaf from Gandhi’s political campaign tool. Social problems can only be resolved through public participation. A participation that does not disrupt life dramatically but even a minimum contribution allows a sense being part of a bigger deal. This was the beauty or one of the beauties of Gandhi’s philosophy. It is in play even today. Let’s not grudge who appropriates him and how is in play today.

Unbundling Gandhi: Claiming the Mahatma's Legacy

PM Narendra Modi will formally declare India, with over 5.6 lakh villages, as Open Defecation Free (ODF) on October 2, 2019.

It will take place during a mega convention of more than 20,000 sarpanchs from across the country at the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Interestingly, more than 60 per cent&nbsp;attendees will be women.

That Modi received the annual ‘Global Goalkeeper Award’ on September 24 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for his exemplary leadership in making universal sanitation accessible in a country of over 1.3 billion people is a ringing vindication of the social messaging of the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’, one of the world’s largest cleanliness drives.

With over 3 million government employees and students participating in 4,043 cities, towns and rural areas, this campaign is now a huge, result-oriented, mass movement.

The number of “swachhagrahi” volunteers working across urban local bodies has risen to 20,000 and those working in rural India to more than a lakh. The number of schools with separate toilet facilities for girls is up from 0.4 million (37 per cent) to over one million (over 91 per cent).

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has in its last report stated that at least 1,80,000 diarrhoeal deaths were averted in rural India since the launch of the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’.

So far, over 110 million toilets have been built to eliminate open defecation and currently over 98 per cent&nbsp;of India’s villages have rural sanitation coverage instead of just 38 per cent&nbsp;in 2013.

In previous years, speakers at the Goalkeepers’ event have included former US president Barack Obama, French President Emmanuel Macron, Deputy UN Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad and the likes of Lily Allen and Ed Sheeran.

Hence, apart from the 74th UNGA session where Modi exhorted “sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas”, his address at the Goalkeepers’ event is equally relevant, as over the last four years, it has relentlessly championed the cause of the poor and underprivileged. 
Democracy, demography, demand and a decisive government are the four Ds that have helped India chart a trailblazing path in reducing global inequality, which is the very foundation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Goalkeeper awards.

Modi’s relentless commitment to global environmental goals was evident both at his UNESCO address in Paris and again at the G7 Summit in the French town of Biarritz in August this year, where he highlighted India’s large scale efforts towards eliminating single-use plastic, conserving water, harnessing solar energy, protecting flora and fauna, enhancing biodiversity and addressing water stress and ocean pollution.

India has already achieved about 50 per cent&nbsp;of its ambitious 175 GW renewable energy (RE) target so far as it moves towards ‘Green Power’. Setting up another 38 GW of solar rooftop, 32 GW of solar utility and 23 GW of wind power capacity in the next two-three years, by having standard power purchase agreements (PPAs) for wind and solar projects amidst strict penalties for defaulting states, is something the government is working on. 
Modi has even reaffirmed that India will achieve some of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the United Nations climate change goals set for 2030, in the next 18 months itself.

The 195 nations who participated in COP21 adopted the Paris Agreement, in which India made four commitments, including that of reducing greenhouse gas emission intensity of its GDP by 33-35 per cent&nbsp;below 2005 levels by 2030 under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).

India also pledged that 40 per cent&nbsp;of its power capacity would be based on non-fossil fuel sources and that the country will create an additional ‘carbon sink’ of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030. 
Also, after joining hands with Macron to form the International Solar Alliance, India ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2016, becoming the 62nd nation to join the deal.

Besides preventive healthcare movements like the ‘Fit India Movement’, the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ and the ‘Ayushman Bharat Yojna’, one of the biggest healthcare programmes in the world, is yet another example of how Prime Minister Modi has been a global goalkeeper in more ways than one.

With annual health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per family, this scheme that covers 50 crore Indians, has till date issued over 10 crore e-cards with more than 45 lakh people being treated at a cost of roughly Rs 7,500 crore to the public exchequer. And all this, despite the Ayushman scheme being in existence for barely a year! 
Global equality cannot co-exist with cronyism and corruption. A study by The Economist in 2016 found that post Modi at the helm, crony sector wealth accounted for just 3.4 per cent&nbsp;of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as against 18 per cent in 2008 under a rent-seeking Congress-led UPA regime.

In its second term, to further reduce inequality, the Modi government in the monsoon session of Parliament this year, passed the ‘Code on Wages Bill’ that replaces four laws — the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 and the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. Earlier labour laws left out 62 per cent&nbsp;of the casual labour and largely covered only those earning less than Rs 24,000 per month, which the new code seeks to reverse.

Again, the title of global goalkeeper is apt for Modi if one goes by the Global Findex Report, 2017, released by the World Bank, which lists how the number of bank account holders in India has risen from 35 per cent&nbsp;in 2011 and 53 per cent&nbsp;in 2014 to over 80 per cent&nbsp;in 2017, driven largely by the ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna’ policy. 
Of the 51.4 crore accounts opened globally between 2014-2017, the number of accounts opened in India was about 28.17 crore, constituting almost 55 per cent&nbsp;of the total accounts opened.

If multilateralism, plurality and inclusivity imbued with relentless efforts to mitigate global inequality are the criteria, then Narendra Modi, more than any other world leader, deserves to be the global goalkeeper.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-modi-true-global-gatekeeper-2793566">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

PM Narendra Modi will formally declare India, with over 5.6 lakh villages, as Open Defecation Free (ODF) on October 2, 2019. It will take place during a mega convention of more than 20,000 sarpanchs from across the country at the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

PM Narendra Modi will formally declare India, with over 5.6 lakh villages, as Open Defecation Free (ODF) on October 2, 2019. It will take place during a mega convention of more than 20,000 sarpanchs from across the country at the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Interestingly, more than 60 per cent attendees will be women. That Modi received the annual ‘Global Goalkeeper Award’ on September 24 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for his exemplary leadership in making universal sanitation accessible in a country of over 1.3 billion people is a ringing vindication of the social messaging of the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’, one of the world’s largest cleanliness drives. With over 3 million government employees and students participating in 4,043 cities, towns and rural areas, this campaign is now a huge, result-oriented, mass movement. The number of “swachhagrahi” volunteers working across urban local bodies has risen to 20,000 and those working in rural India to more than a lakh. The number of schools with separate toilet facilities for girls is up from 0.4 million (37 per cent) to over one million (over 91 per cent). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has in its last report stated that at least 1,80,000 diarrhoeal deaths were averted in rural India since the launch of the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’. So far, over 110 million toilets have been built to eliminate open defecation and currently over 98 per cent of India’s villages have rural sanitation coverage instead of just 38 per cent in 2013. In previous years, speakers at the Goalkeepers’ event have included former US president Barack Obama, French President Emmanuel Macron, Deputy UN Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad and the likes of Lily Allen and Ed Sheeran. Hence, apart from the 74th UNGA session where Modi exhorted “sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas”, his address at the Goalkeepers’ event is equally relevant, as over the last four years, it has relentlessly championed the cause of the poor and underprivileged. Democracy, demography, demand and a decisive government are the four Ds that have helped India chart a trailblazing path in reducing global inequality, which is the very foundation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Goalkeeper awards. Modi’s relentless commitment to global environmental goals was evident both at his UNESCO address in Paris and again at the G7 Summit in the French town of Biarritz in August this year, where he highlighted India’s large scale efforts towards eliminating single-use plastic, conserving water, harnessing solar energy, protecting flora and fauna, enhancing biodiversity and addressing water stress and ocean pollution. India has already achieved about 50 per cent of its ambitious 175 GW renewable energy (RE) target so far as it moves towards ‘Green Power’. Setting up another 38 GW of solar rooftop, 32 GW of solar utility and 23 GW of wind power capacity in the next two-three years, by having standard power purchase agreements (PPAs) for wind and solar projects amidst strict penalties for defaulting states, is something the government is working on. Modi has even reaffirmed that India will achieve some of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the United Nations climate change goals set for 2030, in the next 18 months itself. The 195 nations who participated in COP21 adopted the Paris Agreement, in which India made four commitments, including that of reducing greenhouse gas emission intensity of its GDP by 33-35 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). India also pledged that 40 per cent of its power capacity would be based on non-fossil fuel sources and that the country will create an additional ‘carbon sink’ of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030. Also, after joining hands with Macron to form the International Solar Alliance, India ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2016, becoming the 62nd nation to join the deal. Besides preventive healthcare movements like the ‘Fit India Movement’, the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ and the ‘Ayushman Bharat Yojna’, one of the biggest healthcare programmes in the world, is yet another example of how Prime Minister Modi has been a global goalkeeper in more ways than one. With annual health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per family, this scheme that covers 50 crore Indians, has till date issued over 10 crore e-cards with more than 45 lakh people being treated at a cost of roughly Rs 7,500 crore to the public exchequer. And all this, despite the Ayushman scheme being in existence for barely a year! Global equality cannot co-exist with cronyism and corruption. A study by The Economist in 2016 found that post Modi at the helm, crony sector wealth accounted for just 3.4 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as against 18 per cent in 2008 under a rent-seeking Congress-led UPA regime. In its second term, to further reduce inequality, the Modi government in the monsoon session of Parliament this year, passed the ‘Code on Wages Bill’ that replaces four laws — the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 and the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. Earlier labour laws left out 62 per cent of the casual labour and largely covered only those earning less than Rs 24,000 per month, which the new code seeks to reverse. Again, the title of global goalkeeper is apt for Modi if one goes by the Global Findex Report, 2017, released by the World Bank, which lists how the number of bank account holders in India has risen from 35 per cent in 2011 and 53 per cent in 2014 to over 80 per cent in 2017, driven largely by the ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna’ policy. Of the 51.4 crore accounts opened globally between 2014-2017, the number of accounts opened in India was about 28.17 crore, constituting almost 55 per cent of the total accounts opened. If multilateralism, plurality and inclusivity imbued with relentless efforts to mitigate global inequality are the criteria, then Narendra Modi, more than any other world leader, deserves to be the global goalkeeper. (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)

Modi, true global gatekeeper

<div class="content" itemprop="articleBody">
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke about initiating a 'Bharat Ki Laxmi' campaign to honour the girls who have brought a change in society.

Addressing the citizen of the country during 57th episode of 'Mann ki Baat', Modi announced starting this campaign during Diwali and called on citizens to outline the achievements of 'daughters' of the country using BharatKiLaxmi hashtag.

"There must be numerous daughters amongst us who, through their perseverance, diligence and talent have brought glory to their families, society and the country. This Diwali, can we arrange programmes to honour the Laxmi of India?" Modi said.

"This time, let us do campaign #Bharatkilaxmi. Encouraging the Laxmi of Bharat amounts to strengthening the paths of prosperity for the country and her citizens," he added.

The Prime Minister also said that while in Diwali every household welcomes Goddess Laxmi, the time was now ripe to honour the daughters of the nation, and also implored people to make it a social media campaign along the lines of #selfiewithdaughter.

"My dear brothers and sisters, Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, makes an entry into each and every household in the form of fortune and prosperity during Diwali... We could do something more, we could highlight the achievements of India's daughters by sharing their achievements on social media, using the hashtag #Bharatkilaxmi. The way we jointly ran a mega campaign "#Selfiwithdaughter", which spread globally," he said.

Earlier, during his address, the Prime Minister had also urged people to share the surplus goods, sweets and anything which they no longer needed with the deprived section of the society so that every family in the country gets to enjoy the festive season.

"My dear countrymen, with the advent of Navaratri today, the air is bound to be full of new hopes, new energy and new resolves, once again. After all, it's the festival season. During festivals, families come together. Homes will be filled with joy! But... you must have felt this... there are many people around us who remain deprived of these celebrations," Modi said.

"On one hand, when we experience the 'Delivery In' of sweets, and gifts let us think for a moment on the process of 'Delivery Out'. At least in our homes, items that are in excess and thus, not required anymore, could be allocated for 'Delivery Out'," he added.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
</div>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke about initiating a 'Bharat Ki Laxmi' campaign to honour the girls who have brought a change in society. Addressing the citizen of the country during 57th episode of 'Mann ki Baat', Modi announced starting this campaign during Diwali and called on citizens to outline the achievements of 'daughters' of the country using BharatKiLaxmi hashtag.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke about initiating a 'Bharat Ki Laxmi' campaign to honour the girls who have brought a change in society. Addressing the citizen of the country during 57th episode of 'Mann ki Baat', Modi announced starting this campaign during Diwali and called on citizens to outline the achievements of 'daughters' of the country using BharatKiLaxmi hashtag. "There must be numerous daughters amongst us who, through their perseverance, diligence and talent have brought glory to their families, society and the country. This Diwali, can we arrange programmes to honour the Laxmi of India?" Modi said. "This time, let us do campaign #Bharatkilaxmi. Encouraging the Laxmi of Bharat amounts to strengthening the paths of prosperity for the country and her citizens," he added. The Prime Minister also said that while in Diwali every household welcomes Goddess Laxmi, the time was now ripe to honour the daughters of the nation, and also implored people to make it a social media campaign along the lines of #selfiewithdaughter. "My dear brothers and sisters, Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, makes an entry into each and every household in the form of fortune and prosperity during Diwali... We could do something more, we could highlight the achievements of India's daughters by sharing their achievements on social media, using the hashtag #Bharatkilaxmi. The way we jointly ran a mega campaign "#Selfiwithdaughter", which spread globally," he said. Earlier, during his address, the Prime Minister had also urged people to share the surplus goods, sweets and anything which they no longer needed with the deprived section of the society so that every family in the country gets to enjoy the festive season. "My dear countrymen, with the advent of Navaratri today, the air is bound to be full of new hopes, new energy and new resolves, once again. After all, it's the festival season. During festivals, families come together. Homes will be filled with joy! But... you must have felt this... there are many people around us who remain deprived of these celebrations," Modi said. "On one hand, when we experience the 'Delivery In' of sweets, and gifts let us think for a moment on the process of 'Delivery Out'. At least in our homes, items that are in excess and thus, not required anymore, could be allocated for 'Delivery Out'," he added.

Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi calls for campaign to honour achievements of nation's daughters

It's a wrap: As PM Modi's week-long US visit ends, here's what stole the limelight

Prime Minister Narendra Modi&nbsp;hailed the government's flagship scheme, Ayushman Bharat&nbsp;while addressing&nbsp;the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday.

Speaking at the UNGA, the PM Modi said:&nbsp; "When a developing country runs successfully the world's largest health insurance scheme, provides free health check-up of five lakh to around 50 crore people of the country,&nbsp;the arrangements made with it give a motivational message to the entire world."

During his speech, the Indian prime minister also stressed that the country will be free from&nbsp;tuberculosis by 2025.

"India will&nbsp;be tuberculosis free by 2025. We have opened 5,000 special pharmacies," he said.

"India has given insurance to 5,00,000 people. 500 million poor people have been given medical facilities. Around 800 varieties of vital medicines have been made available."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Health Cover for 50 crore Indians! <a href="https://t.co/OLuUVPmHBu">pic.twitter.com/OLuUVPmHBu</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1177585853167620096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

AB-PMJAY is the flagship scheme of the government&nbsp;that provides cover of up to Rs 5 lakhs per family per year, for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over 10.74 crore vulnerable entitled families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries).

Last year on September 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched PM-JAY from Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the government's flagship scheme, Ayushman Bharat while addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the government's flagship scheme, Ayushman Bharat while addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday. Speaking at the UNGA, the PM Modi said: "When a developing country runs successfully the world's largest health insurance scheme, provides free health check-up of five lakh to around 50 crore people of the country, the arrangements made with it give a motivational message to the entire world." During his speech, the Indian prime minister also stressed that the country will be free from tuberculosis by 2025. "India will be tuberculosis free by 2025. We have opened 5,000 special pharmacies," he said. "India has given insurance to 5,00,000 people. 500 million poor people have been given medical facilities. Around 800 varieties of vital medicines have been made available." Health Cover for 50 crore Indians! pic.twitter.com/OLuUVPmHBu — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 27, 2019 × AB-PMJAY is the flagship scheme of the government that provides cover of up to Rs 5 lakhs per family per year, for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over 10.74 crore vulnerable entitled families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries). Last year on September 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched PM-JAY from Ranchi, Jharkhand.

PM Modi hails Ayushman Bharat scheme at UNGA

Modi meets Rouhani: Key highlights of the bilateral meeting

India Vs Pakistan Face off in New York Today. To know more watch the video

WION USA Direct: India Vs Pakistan Face off in New York Today

Howdy, America! - Key highlights of PM Modi's US visit

In what may be considered the grand finale of Prime Minister Modi's week-long United States visit, he will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday evening. This will be his second time addressing the world body since 2014. In his last speech, he presented the idea of a 'Yoga Day', which is now celebrated annually across the world on June 21.

The Prime Minister is expected to strongly raise the issues of terrorism and climate change. Ever since he landed in the United States on Saturday, the PM has been busy attending <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-trade-to-terror-key-takeaways-from-trump-modi-bilateral-meeting-251872">bilateral meetings</a> with leaders from across the world.

During his two-city visit to Houston and New York, he reached out to the Indian diaspora, spoke at the Climate Change Summit, and met the CEOs of global conglomerates. He also won the Global Goalkeeper Award for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. He <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/this-belongs-to-crores-of-indians-who-adopted-swachh-bharat-pm-modi-on-receiving-global-goalkeeper-award-251874">dedicated the award</a> to the "130 crore people of India and the collective endeavours of our nation to improve cleanliness".

PM Modi started the week by addressing the United Nations Climate Change Summit where he highlighted the Indian government's climate action policies and called for a global movement to bring about change. He said, "We believe that an ounce of practice is worth more than a ton of preaching".

On Tuesday, he inaugurated the Gandhi Solar Park atop the UN Building and spoke at a lecture on the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi and his beliefs in the contemporary world.

He said, "Mahatma Gandhi never held positions of power. Yet, he motivates people around the world. Millions of people, several nations drew strength from his ideals and attained freedom."

The event was attended by the Secretary-General of the UN António Guterres, President of South Korea Moon Jae-in, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina, Jamaica's PM Andrew Holness, and Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/donald-trumps-endorsement-of-narendra-modis-remarks-on-kashmir-and-terrorism-a-setback-for-pakistan-251804">Modi</a> also reached out to small Island countries at the India Pacific Island Meet and the 1st India Caribbean Summit. Additionally, he has conducted bilateral meetings with more than ten global leaders including the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-howdy-modi-trump-and-pm-modi-could-sign-trade-deal-251028">US President Trump</a>&nbsp;on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

On Thursday the prime minister will meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. On Friday, he is slated to meet leaders from neighbouring countries including Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina.

In what may be considered the grand finale of Prime Minister Modi's week-long United States visit, he will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday evening.

In what may be considered the grand finale of Prime Minister Modi's week-long United States visit, he will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday evening. This will be his second time addressing the world body since 2014. In his last speech, he presented the idea of a 'Yoga Day', which is now celebrated annually across the world on June 21. The Prime Minister is expected to strongly raise the issues of terrorism and climate change. Ever since he landed in the United States on Saturday, the PM has been busy attending bilateral meetings with leaders from across the world. During his two-city visit to Houston and New York, he reached out to the Indian diaspora, spoke at the Climate Change Summit, and met the CEOs of global conglomerates. He also won the Global Goalkeeper Award for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. He dedicated the award to the "130 crore people of India and the collective endeavours of our nation to improve cleanliness". PM Modi started the week by addressing the United Nations Climate Change Summit where he highlighted the Indian government's climate action policies and called for a global movement to bring about change. He said, "We believe that an ounce of practice is worth more than a ton of preaching". On Tuesday, he inaugurated the Gandhi Solar Park atop the UN Building and spoke at a lecture on the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi and his beliefs in the contemporary world. He said, "Mahatma Gandhi never held positions of power. Yet, he motivates people around the world. Millions of people, several nations drew strength from his ideals and attained freedom." The event was attended by the Secretary-General of the UN António Guterres, President of South Korea Moon Jae-in, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina, Jamaica's PM Andrew Holness, and Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern. Modi also reached out to small Island countries at the India Pacific Island Meet and the 1st India Caribbean Summit. Additionally, he has conducted bilateral meetings with more than ten global leaders including the US President Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. On Thursday the prime minister will meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. On Friday, he is slated to meet leaders from neighbouring countries including Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina.

PM Modi's US visit to end this week, UNGA address on Friday

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/5-key-takeaways-pm-modi-trump-meeting-at-howdy-modi-event-in-houston-251337">Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump</a> share a great synergy and their second meeting within a span of two days will take the India-US relations to greater heights, said Consul General of India in New York, Sandeep Chakravarty, on Tuesday.

"There is a great deal of synergy between the two leaders. They talk on the phone, meet on sidelines, they met in Houston the day before. Our relationship is on a continuous climb. They are going to meet again in a span of two days which shows that they value each other's friendship and relationship and they will take the relationship ahead," Chakravarty told ANI here.

He also expressed hope that the meeting between Modi and Trump will help in resolving the trade issues between the two countries.

"The trade issue is one of the focal points of the current US administration. They're looking at it with renewed vision. I don't see why the US administration won't look closely at trade with India. The India-US trade relationship is also growing," said Chakravarty.

Calling the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-howdy-modi-trump-and-pm-modi-could-sign-trade-deal-251028">US-India relationship</a> most important in the world, he said that the mutual bond has been benefiting both the countries.

"This is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Several US leaders also accept this and have said publicly. For the US, I believe, this the most transformed relationship. For India, the relations have gone from nothing to where it is today in the last 20 years. The trade between India and the US stood at USD 5 billion in 2000, and today, it stands at almost USD 150 billion," Chakravarty said.

He said that Sunday's "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/diversity-foundation-of-our-vibrant-democracy-says-pm-modi-at-howdy-modi-251322">Howdy, Modi</a>" event in Houston has sent an "amazing" message across the world and hoped that it would help take the US-India relationship to new heights.

"The Houston event has taken the India-US relations to a new height. The message which has gone across India and the world is amazing," Chakravarty said, adding that the relationship is growing in every field including people to people contact, trade, science and technology and space.

Modi and Trump jointly addressed the 'Howdy, Modi!'&nbsp;event in Houston, Texas on Sunday.

The bonhomie between the two leaders was in full display at the event where they echoed similar sentiments on several issues including "radical Islamic terrorism", trade and defence.

The two leaders are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday afternoon in New York.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump share a great synergy and their second meeting within a span of two days will take the India-US relations to greater heights, said Consul General of India in New York, Sandeep Chakravarty, on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump share a great synergy and their second meeting within a span of two days will take the India-US relations to greater heights, said Consul General of India in New York, Sandeep Chakravarty, on Tuesday. "There is a great deal of synergy between the two leaders. They talk on the phone, meet on sidelines, they met in Houston the day before. Our relationship is on a continuous climb. They are going to meet again in a span of two days which shows that they value each other's friendship and relationship and they will take the relationship ahead," Chakravarty told ANI here. He also expressed hope that the meeting between Modi and Trump will help in resolving the trade issues between the two countries. "The trade issue is one of the focal points of the current US administration. They're looking at it with renewed vision. I don't see why the US administration won't look closely at trade with India. The India-US trade relationship is also growing," said Chakravarty. Calling the US-India relationship most important in the world, he said that the mutual bond has been benefiting both the countries. "This is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Several US leaders also accept this and have said publicly. For the US, I believe, this the most transformed relationship. For India, the relations have gone from nothing to where it is today in the last 20 years. The trade between India and the US stood at USD 5 billion in 2000, and today, it stands at almost USD 150 billion," Chakravarty said. He said that Sunday's "Howdy, Modi" event in Houston has sent an "amazing" message across the world and hoped that it would help take the US-India relationship to new heights. "The Houston event has taken the India-US relations to a new height. The message which has gone across India and the world is amazing," Chakravarty said, adding that the relationship is growing in every field including people to people contact, trade, science and technology and space. Modi and Trump jointly addressed the 'Howdy, Modi!' event in Houston, Texas on Sunday. The bonhomie between the two leaders was in full display at the event where they echoed similar sentiments on several issues including "radical Islamic terrorism", trade and defence. The two leaders are scheduled to meet again on Tuesday afternoon in New York.

India-US share 'most important bilateral relationship in the world': Consul General of India in New York

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/border-security-vital-for-both-us-and-india-says-trump-at-howdy-modi-event-in-houston-251331">US President Donald Trump</a> on Sunday evening landed in New York's John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) airport for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Security beefed up outside Trump Tower in New York City for the president's visit ahead of the UNGA.

New York Police Department (NYPD) officers, some on horses, could be seen guarding the barricaded area outside the building.&nbsp;

Onlookers crowded the sidewalks behind the barricades on New York's Fifth Avenue.

Trump is expected to tout US leadership and a collective approach to challenges while at the United Nations this week, said a senior administration official on Friday, as Washington seeks to use the gathering of world leaders to build support to take on Iran and call out China over rights abuses.

Trump will meet at least a dozen leaders during his three days in New York.

India has never invested in the United States like this before: President Trump at 'Howdy, Modi' event

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-has-never-invested-in-the-united-states-like-this-before-president-trump-at-howdy-modi-event-251358/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

On Sunday, the US president attended the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/usa-loves-india-tweets-trump-after-howdy-modi-event-in-houston-251332">''Howdy, Modi'' event at Houston</a> with Indian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/5-key-takeaways-pm-modi-trump-meeting-at-howdy-modi-event-in-houston-251337">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a>.

PM Modi and President Trump came together to address the Indian-American community at "Howdy, Modi" event at the NRG stadium with both leaders pledging to further strengthen India-US ties.

(With inputs from Reuters)

US President Donald Trump on Sunday evening landed in New York's John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) airport for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

US President Donald Trump on Sunday evening landed in New York's John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) airport for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Security beefed up outside Trump Tower in New York City for the president's visit ahead of the UNGA. New York Police Department (NYPD) officers, some on horses, could be seen guarding the barricaded area outside the building. Onlookers crowded the sidewalks behind the barricades on New York's Fifth Avenue. Trump is expected to tout US leadership and a collective approach to challenges while at the United Nations this week, said a senior administration official on Friday, as Washington seeks to use the gathering of world leaders to build support to take on Iran and call out China over rights abuses. Trump will meet at least a dozen leaders during his three days in New York. India has never invested in the United States like this before: President Trump at 'Howdy, Modi' event On Sunday, the US president attended the ''Howdy, Modi'' event at Houston with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi and President Trump came together to address the Indian-American community at "Howdy, Modi" event at the NRG stadium with both leaders pledging to further strengthen India-US ties. (With inputs from Reuters)

US President Donald Trump arrives in New York ahead of UNGA

Indian PM Modi praises Donald Trump at Howdy, Modi event

Modi, Trump Bonhomie: Indian PM Modi praises Donald Trump

Here are the expectations of Indian-Americans from the grand speech of PM Modi and Donald Trump in Howdy Modi event.

Howdy Modi Event: Expectations of Indian-Americans from the grand speech of PM Modi and Trump

PM Set to have a jam-packed week in the U.S.

WION USA Direct: Stage set for 'Howdy Modi'

The Indian-American business community is hopeful for the trade deal between New Delhi and Washington. Listen in to know their expectations!

WION Speaks to the Members of Indian-American business community

12 trucks with banners of PM Modi ply on roads

WION USA Direct: Trucks with Modi's posters ply on roads

Know about 3 main pillars of Indian PM's U.S Visit.

3 main pillars of Indian PM's U.S Visit

modi

Modi, News on Modi, stories on Modi, articles on Modi, Modi stories at Wion, Modi news, Modi latest news