<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in US on Sunday for a two-day visit aimed at boosting bilateral ties, was given a warm welcome by officials from the Indian and the US embassies as soon as he touched down at the Joint Base Andrews Air Force base.</p>

<p>The Indian diaspora, who had gathered at Joint Base Andrews, Washington DC to welcome the Indian prime minister, chanted &quot;Modi-Modi&quot; and &quot;Bharat Mata ki jai&quot; upon his arrival.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> Indians gather at Joint Base Andrews, Washington DC to welcome PM Narendra Modi chant &quot;Modi- Modi&quot; and &quot;Bharat Mata ki jai&quot; <a href="https://t.co/wuKz0gv0fI">pic.twitter.com/wuKz0gv0fI</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/878774410106200068">June 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> PM Narendra Modi meets people from Indian community at the Joint Base Andrews, Washington DC <a href="https://t.co/0wWvF1tD1e">pic.twitter.com/0wWvF1tD1e</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/878792434775281664">June 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>US President Donald Trump followed suit on Twitter, stating that he looked forward to welcoming the Indian PM at the White House. &quot;Important strategic issues to discuss with a true friend&quot;, he added.</p>

<p>PM Modi thanked President Trump for the &quot;warm personal welcome&quot;&nbsp;and said he &quot;greatly looked forward to my meeting and discussions with you.&quot;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS">@POTUS</a> for the warm personal welcome. Greatly look forward to my meeting and discussions with you <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a>. <a href="https://t.co/lOfxlLI7v0">https://t.co/lOfxlLI7v0</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/878811948703293440">June 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p><br />
&quot;Old partnerships, new friendships,&quot; tweeted Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Old partnerships, new friendships - PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a> arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Washington DC for 1st meeting with President Trump <a href="https://t.co/pjOj5pNsU1">pic.twitter.com/pjOj5pNsU1</a></p>
&mdash; Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/878795534466789376">June 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">USA: PM Modi reaches Hotel Willard InterContinental, Washington DC <a href="https://t.co/tkTqnHAWYF">pic.twitter.com/tkTqnHAWYF</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/878798250202890240">June 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Indian prime minister will meet top business leaders and Indian diaspora in Washington today.</p>

<p>On Monday, PM Modi will hold talks with Trump on a range of issues including of visas for skilled workers, ways to deepen defence ties and bolster counter-militancy cooperation.</p>

<p>Officials were eager to downplay expectations of the visit, describing it as &quot;no frills&quot; -- in contrast to Modi&#39;s first US visit in 2014, when he basked in a rock star welcome at the Madison Square Garden arena in New York and addressed the United Nations, AFP reported.</p>

<p>&quot;If there&#39;s one thing we want (from the visit), it&#39;s chemistry,&quot;&nbsp;one senior Indian official told AFP. &quot;If the chemistry is good then frankly everything else gets sorted.&quot;</p>

<p>Some commentators have argued that Modi and Trump should have a natural affinity as political outsiders who have risen to power in part by castigating the traditional ruling elite on a nationalist platform.</p>

<p>One US official said the two leaders had a &quot;lot in common&quot; and noted Modi would be the first foreign dignitary to have a working dinner at the White House under the new administration.</p>

<p>&quot;We are really seeking to roll out the red carpet,&quot; said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Indian diaspora, who had gathered at Joint Base Andrews, Washington DC to welcome the Indian prime minister, chanted 'Modi-Modi'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in US on Sunday for a two-day visit aimed at boosting bilateral ties, was given a warm welcome by officials from the Indian and the US embassies as soon as he touched down at the Joint Base Andrews Air Force base. The Indian diaspora, who had gathered at Joint Base Andrews, Washington DC to welcome the Indian prime minister, chanted "Modi-Modi" and "Bharat Mata ki jai" upon his arrival. #WATCH Indians gather at Joint Base Andrews, Washington DC to welcome PM Narendra Modi chant "Modi- Modi" and "Bharat Mata ki jai" pic.twitter.com/wuKz0gv0fI — ANI (@ANI_news) June 25, 2017 × #WATCH PM Narendra Modi meets people from Indian community at the Joint Base Andrews, Washington DC pic.twitter.com/0wWvF1tD1e — ANI (@ANI_news) June 25, 2017 × US President Donald Trump followed suit on Twitter, stating that he looked forward to welcoming the Indian PM at the White House. "Important strategic issues to discuss with a true friend", he added. PM Modi thanked President Trump for the "warm personal welcome" and said he "greatly looked forward to my meeting and discussions with you." Thank you @POTUS for the warm personal welcome. Greatly look forward to my meeting and discussions with you @realDonaldTrump. https://t.co/lOfxlLI7v0 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2017 × "Old partnerships, new friendships," tweeted Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay. Old partnerships, new friendships - PM @narendramodi arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Washington DC for 1st meeting with President Trump pic.twitter.com/pjOj5pNsU1 — Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) June 25, 2017 × USA: PM Modi reaches Hotel Willard InterContinental, Washington DC pic.twitter.com/tkTqnHAWYF — ANI (@ANI_news) June 25, 2017 × The Indian prime minister will meet top business leaders and Indian diaspora in Washington today. On Monday, PM Modi will hold talks with Trump on a range of issues including of visas for skilled workers, ways to deepen defence ties and bolster counter-militancy cooperation. Officials were eager to downplay expectations of the visit, describing it as "no frills" -- in contrast to Modi's first US visit in 2014, when he basked in a rock star welcome at the Madison Square Garden arena in New York and addressed the United Nations, AFP reported. "If there's one thing we want (from the visit), it's chemistry," one senior Indian official told AFP. "If the chemistry is good then frankly everything else gets sorted." Some commentators have argued that Modi and Trump should have a natural affinity as political outsiders who have risen to power in part by castigating the traditional ruling elite on a nationalist platform. One US official said the two leaders had a "lot in common" and noted Modi would be the first foreign dignitary to have a working dinner at the White House under the new administration. "We are really seeking to roll out the red carpet," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Modi in US: Cheering Indians greet Indian PM with 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Washington DC on Sunday morning for his much-anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Hours after arriving in the US capital, Modi thanked Trump for his &ldquo;warm welcome&rdquo; and said he looks forward to meeting him.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS">@POTUS</a> for the warm personal welcome. Greatly look forward to my meeting and discussions with you <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a>. <a href="https://t.co/lOfxlLI7v0">https://t.co/lOfxlLI7v0</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/878811948703293440">June 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;Modi touched down at the Andrews Air Force base hours back to a warm welcome by expat Indians waving flags and the customary &quot;Modi Modi Modi Modi&quot; chant.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Modi was received by the Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna, and his wife, Aveena.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The Prime Minister will meet top American CEOs of global giants later today, including Apple, Microsoft and Google, in Washington, with issues ranging from visas, investment and job creation expected to occupy centre-stage during the discussions.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Regional security is expected to be high on the agenda for the talks as Washington considers deploying up to 5,000 extra troops in Afghanistan to help local forces fighting the Taliban and other insurgent groups.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Ahead of Modi&rsquo;s arrival in Washington, Trump had said he looked forward to discussing important strategic issues with a &ldquo;true friend&rdquo;.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Look forward to welcoming India&#39;s PM Modi to <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse">@WhiteHouse</a> on Monday. Important strategic issues to discuss with a true friend!</p>
&mdash; President Trump (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/878695978601254913">June 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">&nbsp;Modi would be the first world leader to have a working dinner with Trump at the White House on Monday.</p>


Modi was received by Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna, and his wife, Aveena at the Andrews Air Force base in Washington DC

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Washington DC on Sunday morning for his much-anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday. Hours after arriving in the US capital, Modi thanked Trump for his “warm welcome” and said he looks forward to meeting him. Thank you @POTUS for the warm personal welcome. Greatly look forward to my meeting and discussions with you @realDonaldTrump. https://t.co/lOfxlLI7v0 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2017 × Modi touched down at the Andrews Air Force base hours back to a warm welcome by expat Indians waving flags and the customary "Modi Modi Modi Modi" chant. Modi was received by the Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna, and his wife, Aveena. The Prime Minister will meet top American CEOs of global giants later today, including Apple, Microsoft and Google, in Washington, with issues ranging from visas, investment and job creation expected to occupy centre-stage during the discussions. Regional security is expected to be high on the agenda for the talks as Washington considers deploying up to 5,000 extra troops in Afghanistan to help local forces fighting the Taliban and other insurgent groups. Ahead of Modi’s arrival in Washington, Trump had said he looked forward to discussing important strategic issues with a “true friend”. Look forward to welcoming India's PM Modi to @WhiteHouse on Monday. Important strategic issues to discuss with a true friend! — President Trump (@POTUS) June 24, 2017 × Modi would be the first world leader to have a working dinner with Trump at the White House on Monday.

PM Modi thanks Trump for warm welcome, looks forward to discussions

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday&nbsp;held talks with his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa and signed a number of agreements to intensify co-operation&nbsp;&nbsp;in the fields of taxation,&nbsp;science,&nbsp;space, youth affairs and sports.</p>

<p>The two countries signed MOUs on space alliance and a protocol amending the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.</p>

<p>Also signed were MoUs on nano technology, public administration and governance reforms, cultural cooperation, and biotechnology.</p>

<p>PM Modi thanked the Portuguese prime minister for his consistent support for India&#39;s permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, and of the Multilateral Export Control Regime.</p>

<p>India and Portugal also agreed&nbsp;to cooperate in fighting terrorism and violent extremism, and also to set up a joint science and technology fund of four million euros, PM Modi said.</p>

<p>The Portuguese PM&nbsp;said that science will be one of the most important areas for cooperation between the two countries in future.</p>

<p>The Indian prime minister condoled the loss of lives in the forest fires last week that killed 64 people.</p>

<p>Modi, who arrived here on the first leg of his three- nation tour, said his brief visit will further strengthen relations between India and Portugal.</p>

<p>The Portuguese Prime Minister&nbsp;arranged a special Gujarati meal that included the delicacies &quot;Shrikhand&#39; and &quot;Rotli&quot;&nbsp;at the lunch hosted for PM Modi, who hails from&nbsp;Gujarat.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa arranged a special Gujarati meal at the lunch hosted for PM Narendra Modi in Portugal. <a href="https://t.co/Zh8a7plNbW">pic.twitter.com/Zh8a7plNbW</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/878609358250057729">June 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A relationship marked by historical ties and strong partnership. PM <a href="https://twitter.com/antoniocostapm">@antoniocostapm</a> welcomes PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a> at Palacio das Necessidades <a href="https://t.co/Pqvkvrcttn">pic.twitter.com/Pqvkvrcttn</a></p>
&mdash; Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/878594228569243648">June 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Advancing bilateral engagements. PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi">@narendramodi</a> &amp; PM <a href="https://twitter.com/antoniocostapm">@antoniocostapm</a> discuss ways to further intensify bilateral relations <a href="https://t.co/zGaBkYNUq8">pic.twitter.com/zGaBkYNUq8</a></p>
&mdash; Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/878594791725858816">June 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>In a departure from protocol, Portuguese foreign minister Augusto Santos Silva received PM Modi at the airport earlier in the day.<br />
<br />
Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Portugal on a bilateral trip.<br />
<br />
Portuguese Prime Minister Costa&nbsp;had visited India in January this year.<br />
<br />
The highlight of Modi&#39;s three-nation tour will be his visit to US where he will meet&nbsp;President Donald Trump for the first time on June 26 in Washington.</p>

<p>From the US, he will travel to the Netherlands.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Portuguese Prime Minister?arranged a special Gujarati meal at the lunch hosted for PM Modi, who hails from Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held talks with his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa and signed a number of agreements to intensify co-operation in the fields of taxation, science, space, youth affairs and sports. The two countries signed MOUs on space alliance and a protocol amending the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement. Also signed were MoUs on nano technology, public administration and governance reforms, cultural cooperation, and biotechnology. PM Modi thanked the Portuguese prime minister for his consistent support for India's permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, and of the Multilateral Export Control Regime. India and Portugal also agreed to cooperate in fighting terrorism and violent extremism, and also to set up a joint science and technology fund of four million euros, PM Modi said. The Portuguese PM said that science will be one of the most important areas for cooperation between the two countries in future. The Indian prime minister condoled the loss of lives in the forest fires last week that killed 64 people. Modi, who arrived here on the first leg of his three- nation tour, said his brief visit will further strengthen relations between India and Portugal. The Portuguese Prime Minister arranged a special Gujarati meal that included the delicacies "Shrikhand' and "Rotli" at the lunch hosted for PM Modi, who hails from Gujarat. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa arranged a special Gujarati meal at the lunch hosted for PM Narendra Modi in Portugal. pic.twitter.com/Zh8a7plNbW — ANI (@ANI_news) June 24, 2017 × A relationship marked by historical ties and strong partnership. PM @antoniocostapm welcomes PM @narendramodi at Palacio das Necessidades pic.twitter.com/Pqvkvrcttn — Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) June 24, 2017 × Advancing bilateral engagements. PM @narendramodi & PM @antoniocostapm discuss ways to further intensify bilateral relations pic.twitter.com/zGaBkYNUq8 — Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) June 24, 2017 × In a departure from protocol, Portuguese foreign minister Augusto Santos Silva received PM Modi at the airport earlier in the day. Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Portugal on a bilateral trip. Portuguese Prime Minister Costa had visited India in January this year. The highlight of Modi's three-nation tour will be his visit to US where he will meet President Donald Trump for the first time on June 26 in Washington. From the US, he will travel to the Netherlands.

Gujarati delicacies on menu as PM Modi holds talks with Portuguese PM in Lisbon

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off Kerala&#39;s first metro in Kochi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KochiMetro?src=hash">#KochiMetro</a> <a href="https://t.co/yo1zYhzL4y">pic.twitter.com/yo1zYhzL4y</a></p>
&mdash; CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMOKerala/status/875963242283020292">June 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 13-km long stretch spans across Aluva and Palarivattom areas of the port city and will start operating from June 19.</p>

<p>PM Modi, took a brief ride in the metro prior to the official launch with dignitaries including Governor P Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and India&#39;s &quot;Metro Man&quot; E Sreedharan.</p>

<p>Modi, who cut the ribbon at the Palarivattom station, shook hands with Vijayan and Sreedharan before proceeding to board the metro train.</p>

<p>During the journey, the PM waved at the crowd as Sreedharan and Kochi Metro Rail Ltd Managing Director Elias George interacted with him.</p>

<p>He later tweeted that the metro had &quot;several significant features, which make it a state-of-the-art project that will enhance Kochi&rsquo;s economic growth.&quot;</p>

<p>Hailed as India&#39;s first integrated multi-mode transport system, the inaugural ceremony was held at Kochi&#39;s Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium.</p>

<p>In his address, PM Modi stressed the need to bring about a &quot;paradigm shift&quot; in urban planning by adopting a people-centric approach and integrating land use and transport.</p>

<p>The prime minister, who began his speech in Malayalam, said he was happy to be part of the inauguration of the project. He said Kochi was selected as a Smart City in January 2016.<br />
<br />
&quot;I hope it will do even better in the days to come,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Kochi, the queen of the Arabian Sea, was once an important spice trading centre. Today it is known as the commercial capital of Kerala, the prime minister said.<br />
Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is a 50-50 joint venture of the Centre and the state government.</p>

<p>The Centre has so far released over Rs 2,000 crore for the project. The coaches reflected &#39;Make in India&#39; vision. They have been built by Alstom near Chennai and have an Indian component of around 70 per cent, he said.</p>

<p>The Kochi Metro Rail System has collaborated with Kudumbashree, the women empowerment self-help group initiated by the state government. It has also appointed as many as 23 transgenders for customer service operations and as ground staff.</p>

<p>Apart from a fleet of low-floor buses and autos plying as metro feeders,&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;water metro will soon join the Kochi Metro giving the city a multi-dimension mobility network, especially for people living in the backwaters.</p>

<p>The rooftops of all metro stations have been set up with solar panels in order to generate power.</p>

<p>A special provision for wheelchairs, special coaches for people with disabilities, multiple USB ports for charging mobile phones, and cushioned seats for the disabled and pregnant women are some key features of the metro.</p>

<p>The minimum fare has been capped at Rs&nbsp;10, while an end-to-end ride, from Aluva and Palarivattom or vice-versa costs Rs 40.<br />
<br />
Considered the fasted completed metro project in the country, the estimated cost of completion&nbsp;of the Kochi Metro is Rs 5,181.79 crore.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The 13-km long stretch spans across Aluva and Palarivattom areas of the port city

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off Kerala's first metro in Kochi. #KochiMetro pic.twitter.com/yo1zYhzL4y — CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) June 17, 2017 × The 13-km long stretch spans across Aluva and Palarivattom areas of the port city and will start operating from June 19. PM Modi, took a brief ride in the metro prior to the official launch with dignitaries including Governor P Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and India's "Metro Man" E Sreedharan. Modi, who cut the ribbon at the Palarivattom station, shook hands with Vijayan and Sreedharan before proceeding to board the metro train. During the journey, the PM waved at the crowd as Sreedharan and Kochi Metro Rail Ltd Managing Director Elias George interacted with him. He later tweeted that the metro had "several significant features, which make it a state-of-the-art project that will enhance Kochi’s economic growth." Hailed as India's first integrated multi-mode transport system, the inaugural ceremony was held at Kochi's Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium. In his address, PM Modi stressed the need to bring about a "paradigm shift" in urban planning by adopting a people-centric approach and integrating land use and transport. The prime minister, who began his speech in Malayalam, said he was happy to be part of the inauguration of the project. He said Kochi was selected as a Smart City in January 2016. "I hope it will do even better in the days to come," he said. Kochi, the queen of the Arabian Sea, was once an important spice trading centre. Today it is known as the commercial capital of Kerala, the prime minister said. Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is a 50-50 joint venture of the Centre and the state government. The Centre has so far released over Rs 2,000 crore for the project. The coaches reflected 'Make in India' vision. They have been built by Alstom near Chennai and have an Indian component of around 70 per cent, he said. The Kochi Metro Rail System has collaborated with Kudumbashree, the women empowerment self-help group initiated by the state government. It has also appointed as many as 23 transgenders for customer service operations and as ground staff. Apart from a fleet of low-floor buses and autos plying as metro feeders, a water metro will soon join the Kochi Metro giving the city a multi-dimension mobility network, especially for people living in the backwaters. The rooftops of all metro stations have been set up with solar panels in order to generate power. A special provision for wheelchairs, special coaches for people with disabilities, multiple USB ports for charging mobile phones, and cushioned seats for the disabled and pregnant women are some key features of the metro. The minimum fare has been capped at Rs 10, while an end-to-end ride, from Aluva and Palarivattom or vice-versa costs Rs 40. Considered the fasted completed metro project in the country, the estimated cost of completion of the Kochi Metro is Rs 5,181.79 crore.

PM Modi inaugurates Kerala's first metro service in Kochi

<p>India&#39;s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington on June 26, the Indian foreign ministry said on Monday,&nbsp;the first meeting between the leaders.</p>

<p>Ties between the two big democracies grew rapidly under the Obama administration which saw India as a partner to balance China&#39;s growing weight in Asia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But Trump has focused on building ties with China,&nbsp;seeing it as key to tackling regional problems such as North Korea&#39;s nuclear programme.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Indian ministry said Modi&#39;s talks with Trump would lay the ground for a further expansion in ties, allaying some of the anxiety that had crept in about a drift in relations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Their discussions will provide a new direction for deeper bilateral engagement on issues of mutual interest and consolidation of multi-dimensional strategic partnership between India and the US,&quot; the ministry said in a statement.</p>

<p>The United States has emerged as a top arms supplier to India and the two sides will be looking to move forward with deals such as unarmed drones that India wants for its navy, sources said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One issue that the two leaders face is resolving conflict arising out of the push they are both making at home to boost industry and create jobs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi has been driving a Make-in-India campaign to press foreign arms suppliers to set up factories in India and transfer technology instead of selling off-the-shelf, which has made India one of the world`s biggest arms importers without any domestic production base.</p>

<p>Trump, on the other hand, has railed against firms moving factories outside the United States and has demanded US companies invest at home as part of his &quot;America First&quot; campaign.</p>

<p>Trump&#39;s review of a visa programme under which thousands of skilled Indian workers go to the United States is also a top concern for India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(Reuters)</p>


Ties between the two democracies grew rapidly under the Obama administration

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington on June 26, the Indian foreign ministry said on Monday, the first meeting between the leaders. Ties between the two big democracies grew rapidly under the Obama administration which saw India as a partner to balance China's growing weight in Asia. But Trump has focused on building ties with China, seeing it as key to tackling regional problems such as North Korea's nuclear programme. The Indian ministry said Modi's talks with Trump would lay the ground for a further expansion in ties, allaying some of the anxiety that had crept in about a drift in relations. "Their discussions will provide a new direction for deeper bilateral engagement on issues of mutual interest and consolidation of multi-dimensional strategic partnership between India and the US," the ministry said in a statement. The United States has emerged as a top arms supplier to India and the two sides will be looking to move forward with deals such as unarmed drones that India wants for its navy, sources said. One issue that the two leaders face is resolving conflict arising out of the push they are both making at home to boost industry and create jobs. Modi has been driving a Make-in-India campaign to press foreign arms suppliers to set up factories in India and transfer technology instead of selling off-the-shelf, which has made India one of the world`s biggest arms importers without any domestic production base. Trump, on the other hand, has railed against firms moving factories outside the United States and has demanded US companies invest at home as part of his "America First" campaign. Trump's review of a visa programme under which thousands of skilled Indian workers go to the United States is also a top concern for India. (Reuters)

PM Modi to hold first talks with Trump on June 26 in Washington

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who held bilateral talks with Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev after reaching Astana earlier today, happened to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Leaders&#39; Lounge at the Astana Opera before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) concert.</p>

<p>They reportedly exchanged greetings even as it was the first occasion when the two leaders came across each other after Sharif&#39;s operation. Prime Minister Modi, hence, enquired about Sharif&#39;s health and also asked about his mother and family.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi is in the Kazakh capital to attend the two-day summit of SCO, which is a consortium focussing on security and trade.</p>

<p>India and Pakistan, which so far have had an observer status till now, will be formally inducted in the six-nation bloc that includes China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi is also set to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.</p>

<p>The chance meeting of Prime Minister Modi and PM Sharif comes amidst a highly-strained atmosphere between the two neighbouring nations following the death sentence awarded to former Indian Naval Officer Kulbhushan Jadhav.</p>

<p>India moved the ICJ against the death penalty awarded to Jadhav by a Pakistan military court on May 8 for espionage.</p>

<p>Pakistan claims its security forces arrested Jadhav from its restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy.</p>

<p>During the last trial on May 18, the ICJ had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(ANI)</p>


PM Modi happened to meet Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif at the Leaders' Lounge at the Astana Opera ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation concert

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who held bilateral talks with Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev after reaching Astana earlier today, happened to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Leaders' Lounge at the Astana Opera before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) concert. They reportedly exchanged greetings even as it was the first occasion when the two leaders came across each other after Sharif's operation. Prime Minister Modi, hence, enquired about Sharif's health and also asked about his mother and family. Prime Minister Modi is in the Kazakh capital to attend the two-day summit of SCO, which is a consortium focussing on security and trade. India and Pakistan, which so far have had an observer status till now, will be formally inducted in the six-nation bloc that includes China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Prime Minister Modi is also set to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The chance meeting of Prime Minister Modi and PM Sharif comes amidst a highly-strained atmosphere between the two neighbouring nations following the death sentence awarded to former Indian Naval Officer Kulbhushan Jadhav. India moved the ICJ against the death penalty awarded to Jadhav by a Pakistan military court on May 8 for espionage. Pakistan claims its security forces arrested Jadhav from its restive Balochistan province on March 3 last year after he reportedly entered from Iran. However, India maintains he was kidnapped from Iran where he had business interests after retiring from the Indian Navy. During the last trial on May 18, the ICJ had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav. (ANI)

PM Modi, Nawaz Sharif exchange greetings in Kazakhstan

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra&nbsp;Modi&nbsp;on Thursday (May 11) reached Sri Lanka on a two-day visit.</p>

<p>During his visit,&nbsp;Modi&nbsp;will preside over the celebrations of the 14th International Vesak Day, biggest Buddhist festival, in Colombo.</p>

<p>Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment and the passing of the Buddha. It was officially recognised by the United Nations in 1999. Sri Lanka had played an essential role in the recognition of this day, and India too had supported its neighbouring country in the initiative.</p>

<p>This will be&nbsp;Modi&#39;s second bilateral visit to Sri Lanka in two years. He last visited the island nation in March 2015.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)</p>


PM Modi was received by his counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Colombo airport

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (May 11) reached Sri Lanka on a two-day visit. During his visit, Modi will preside over the celebrations of the 14th International Vesak Day, biggest Buddhist festival, in Colombo. Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment and the passing of the Buddha. It was officially recognised by the United Nations in 1999. Sri Lanka had played an essential role in the recognition of this day, and India too had supported its neighbouring country in the initiative. This will be Modi's second bilateral visit to Sri Lanka in two years. He last visited the island nation in March 2015. (Reuters)

PM Modi arrives in Sri Lanka for two-day visit

<p>25 leaders from the Muslim Community, under the umbrella of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Welcoming the delegation, national security advisor Ajit Doval said that the whole world is looking at India today, and it is the responsibility of all segments of Indian society to take the nation forward.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Noting that terrorism is a major challenge, they expressed resolve to combat terrorism with all their might. They added that it is the Muslim community&rsquo;s responsibility that under no circumstances should anyone compromise the nation&rsquo;s security or well-being. They said that the Muslim community would never allow any conspiracy against India to succeed.</p>

<p>They appreciated the Prime Minister&rsquo;s stand on the issue of Triple Talaq. On Triple Talaq, the Prime Minister reiterated that the Muslim community should not allow this issue to be politicised, and urged the leaders to take responsibility for initiating reforms.</p>

<p>The members of the delegation included Maulana Qari Syed Mohammad Usman Mansurpuri - President of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind; Maulana Mahmood A Madani - General Secretary of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind; Dr Zahir I Kazi, President - Anjuman-i-Islam, Mumbai; Prof Akhtarul Wasey; and Maulana Badaruddin Ajmal.</p>

<p>On the issue of Triple Talaq, The Allahabad High Court today said the rights of Muslim women, cannot be violated in the name of &#39;personal law&#39;.</p>

<p>&quot;A Muslim husband cannot give divorce in such a manner which would put a question mark on equal rights,&quot; the court observed.</p>

<p>The court also said basic and human rights cannot be exploited on the basis of gender.</p>

<p>It held that personal law may be applicable only within the purview of the Constitution and that fatwa, which is contrary to the justice system, is not valid.</p>

<p>&quot;No fatwa can be contrary to someone&#39;s rights,&quot; the court said.</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


Noting that terrorism is a major challenge, they expressed resolve to combat terrorism with all their might

25 leaders from the Muslim Community, under the umbrella of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Welcoming the delegation, national security advisor Ajit Doval said that the whole world is looking at India today, and it is the responsibility of all segments of Indian society to take the nation forward. Noting that terrorism is a major challenge, they expressed resolve to combat terrorism with all their might. They added that it is the Muslim community’s responsibility that under no circumstances should anyone compromise the nation’s security or well-being. They said that the Muslim community would never allow any conspiracy against India to succeed. They appreciated the Prime Minister’s stand on the issue of Triple Talaq. On Triple Talaq, the Prime Minister reiterated that the Muslim community should not allow this issue to be politicised, and urged the leaders to take responsibility for initiating reforms. The members of the delegation included Maulana Qari Syed Mohammad Usman Mansurpuri - President of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind; Maulana Mahmood A Madani - General Secretary of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind; Dr Zahir I Kazi, President - Anjuman-i-Islam, Mumbai; Prof Akhtarul Wasey; and Maulana Badaruddin Ajmal. On the issue of Triple Talaq, The Allahabad High Court today said the rights of Muslim women, cannot be violated in the name of 'personal law'. "A Muslim husband cannot give divorce in such a manner which would put a question mark on equal rights," the court observed. The court also said basic and human rights cannot be exploited on the basis of gender. It held that personal law may be applicable only within the purview of the Constitution and that fatwa, which is contrary to the justice system, is not valid. "No fatwa can be contrary to someone's rights," the court said. (WION)

Leaders of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind call on PM Modi

<p>Today is International Labour Day, also known as International Worker&#39;s Day or May Day. It is observed on this day every year to promote and encourage the international labour associations.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to give a message to mark the day.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today, on Labour Day we salute the determination &amp; hardwork of countless workers who play a big role in India&#39;s progress. Shrameva Jayate!</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/858878885139795968">May 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The day marks the victory of workers&#39; movement for eight hours of work. It also aims to pay tribute to workers sacrifices in achieving economic and social rights all over the world.</p>

<p>Labour and Employment Minister Bandaru Dattatreya will chair International Labour Day function in New Delhi today. Several Trade Union Organisations are observing the Day with commitment of welfare of the Labourers.</p>

<p>Rallies, symposiums, seminars have been organised at different parts of the country to celebrate the Day.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(ANI)</p>


Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to give a message to mark the day

Today is International Labour Day, also known as International Worker's Day or May Day. It is observed on this day every year to promote and encourage the international labour associations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to give a message to mark the day. Today, on Labour Day we salute the determination & hardwork of countless workers who play a big role in India's progress. Shrameva Jayate! — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2017 × The day marks the victory of workers' movement for eight hours of work. It also aims to pay tribute to workers sacrifices in achieving economic and social rights all over the world. Labour and Employment Minister Bandaru Dattatreya will chair International Labour Day function in New Delhi today. Several Trade Union Organisations are observing the Day with commitment of welfare of the Labourers. Rallies, symposiums, seminars have been organised at different parts of the country to celebrate the Day. (ANI)

International Labour Day: PM Modi salutes Indian workers

<p>The decision to get rid of red beacons is aimed at removing the VIP culture from the mindset of certain people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today and added that the concept should be replaced with &quot;EPI&quot;, meaning &quot;Every Person is Important&quot;.</p>

<p>A day before the government decision on red beacons comes into effect, he underlined that all the 125 crore people of the country have equal value and importance.</p>

<p>&quot;I did not know that people have so much contempt for the VIP culture before we took the decision recently banning use of red beacons on vehicles of ministers and others,&quot; he said in his monthly radio programme &#39;Mann Ki Baat&#39;.</p>

<p>He said the red beacon had become a symbol of VIP culture which had creeped the mindset of those using it.<br />
&quot;Experience shows that though the red beacon would be used atop a vehicle, gradually the VIP culture would go to the head of those using it and it would lead to a mindset of VIP culture.</p>

<p>&quot;Although the &#39;lal batti&#39; is gone now, nobody can claim that because of this, the VIP culture which has gone into the mindset would have also gone,&quot; Modi said.</p>

<p>He said getting rid of red beacon was an administrative decision but efforts have to be made to remove the VIP culture from the mindset also.</p>

<p>&quot;If we all make concerted efforts jointly, this also can go (from the mindset),&quot; he added.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister said his government&#39;s concept of &#39;New India&#39; is that instead of &#39;VIP&#39;, importance to &#39;EPI&#39; culture should increase.</p>

<p>&quot;When I say EPI instead of VIP, the meaning is clear -- Every Person is Important. Every person has value and importance. If we recognise the importance of 123 crore citizens of the country, imagine the big strength that the country will have in fulfilling the grand dreams. We all have to do it together,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>


He underlined that all the 125 crore people of the country have equal value and importance

The decision to get rid of red beacons is aimed at removing the VIP culture from the mindset of certain people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today and added that the concept should be replaced with "EPI", meaning "Every Person is Important". A day before the government decision on red beacons comes into effect, he underlined that all the 125 crore people of the country have equal value and importance. "I did not know that people have so much contempt for the VIP culture before we took the decision recently banning use of red beacons on vehicles of ministers and others," he said in his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'. He said the red beacon had become a symbol of VIP culture which had creeped the mindset of those using it. "Experience shows that though the red beacon would be used atop a vehicle, gradually the VIP culture would go to the head of those using it and it would lead to a mindset of VIP culture. "Although the 'lal batti' is gone now, nobody can claim that because of this, the VIP culture which has gone into the mindset would have also gone," Modi said. He said getting rid of red beacon was an administrative decision but efforts have to be made to remove the VIP culture from the mindset also. "If we all make concerted efforts jointly, this also can go (from the mindset)," he added. The Prime Minister said his government's concept of 'New India' is that instead of 'VIP', importance to 'EPI' culture should increase. "When I say EPI instead of VIP, the meaning is clear -- Every Person is Important. Every person has value and importance. If we recognise the importance of 123 crore citizens of the country, imagine the big strength that the country will have in fulfilling the grand dreams. We all have to do it together," he said. (PTI)

Ban on red beacons aimed at ending VIP culture mindset: PM Modi

<p>India&#39;s opposition Saturday charged the prime minister with politicising the triple talaq issue to gain electoral mileage&nbsp;even as a BJP minister in Uttar Pradesh said Muslim men use it to change wives and satisfy their &quot;lust&quot;.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi had this morning urged the Muslim community to ensure that the triple&nbsp;talaq issue was not &quot;politicised&quot;, and hoped that intellectuals from the community would come forward&nbsp;to fight the practice.</p>

<p>Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said no other political party except the BJP and its&nbsp;ideological mentor, the RSS, was&nbsp;trying to politicise the issue.</p>

<p>The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said no Muslim believes in triple talaq while moving around&nbsp;and the practice is adhered to as per the holy Quran in which certain norms and time-frame has been&nbsp;laid.</p>

<p>&quot;When the society is already discussing this issue of triple talaq and the court (the Supreme Court) is&nbsp;looking into it, then why is the BJP unnecessarily coming in between Muslim women and their Muslim&nbsp;husbands. The BJP should not make attempts at creating a new vote bank,&quot; he told reporters here.</p>

<p>Leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, said Modi was speaking of such issues&nbsp;with an eye on the Karnataka assembly elections slated next year.</p>

<p>&quot;The prime minister spoke all such things, eyeing the upcoming election in Karnataka,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Criticising Modi for his comments on triple talaq, SP leader Mohd Azam Khan said the prime minister&nbsp;should also&nbsp;speak on other problems being faced by Muslim women.</p>

<p>&quot;Modi should speak about the other problems (besides triple talaq) of Muslims women,&quot; Khan said.</p>

<p>He said the prime minister should also show sympathy with those Muslim women who have lost their sons&nbsp;or husbands due to violence by cow vigilantes.</p>

<p>Referring to Gujarat riots of 2002, he said Modi should also talk about the violence in the state that&nbsp;destroyed the homes of many Muslim women.</p>

<p>JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said Modi should not speak on issues which are pending in the court.</p>

<p>&quot;First you bring improvement within yourself (community), then you talk of betterment of Muslims,&quot; he&nbsp;said.</p>

<p>BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli, however, defended the prime minister, saying the Modi government is&nbsp;working for the dignity of every Indian.</p>

<p>&quot;The comments have to be seen as a benchmark of women rights in terms of constitutional right of&nbsp;equality,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>In Uttar Pradesh&#39;s Basti district, state minister Swami Prasad Maurya alleged last night that Muslims&nbsp;use triple talaq to change wives and satisfy their &quot;lust&quot;, remarks that are likely to spur a&nbsp;controversy.</p>

<p>The BJP minister&#39;s comments come at a time when there is a raging debate over the issue of triple&nbsp;talaq.</p>

<p>&quot;The BJP stands with Muslim women who have been given talaq unreasonably and arbitrarily,&quot; Maurya told&nbsp;reporters.</p>

<p>&quot;These talaqs have no basis... If someone only for satisfying his lust keeps changing his wives and&nbsp;forces his own wife and children on the streets to beg...No one will call this as right&quot;, he said.</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said no other political party except the BJP and its?ideological mentor, the RSS, was?trying to politicise the issue

India's opposition Saturday charged the prime minister with politicising the triple talaq issue to gain electoral mileage even as a BJP minister in Uttar Pradesh said Muslim men use it to change wives and satisfy their "lust". Prime Minister Narendra Modi had this morning urged the Muslim community to ensure that the triple talaq issue was not "politicised", and hoped that intellectuals from the community would come forward to fight the practice. Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said no other political party except the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, was trying to politicise the issue. The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said no Muslim believes in triple talaq while moving around and the practice is adhered to as per the holy Quran in which certain norms and time-frame has been laid. "When the society is already discussing this issue of triple talaq and the court (the Supreme Court) is looking into it, then why is the BJP unnecessarily coming in between Muslim women and their Muslim husbands. The BJP should not make attempts at creating a new vote bank," he told reporters here. Leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, said Modi was speaking of such issues with an eye on the Karnataka assembly elections slated next year. "The prime minister spoke all such things, eyeing the upcoming election in Karnataka," he said. Criticising Modi for his comments on triple talaq, SP leader Mohd Azam Khan said the prime minister should also speak on other problems being faced by Muslim women. "Modi should speak about the other problems (besides triple talaq) of Muslims women," Khan said. He said the prime minister should also show sympathy with those Muslim women who have lost their sons or husbands due to violence by cow vigilantes. Referring to Gujarat riots of 2002, he said Modi should also talk about the violence in the state that destroyed the homes of many Muslim women. JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said Modi should not speak on issues which are pending in the court. "First you bring improvement within yourself (community), then you talk of betterment of Muslims," he said. BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli, however, defended the prime minister, saying the Modi government is working for the dignity of every Indian. "The comments have to be seen as a benchmark of women rights in terms of constitutional right of equality," he said. In Uttar Pradesh's Basti district, state minister Swami Prasad Maurya alleged last night that Muslims use triple talaq to change wives and satisfy their "lust", remarks that are likely to spur a controversy. The BJP minister's comments come at a time when there is a raging debate over the issue of triple talaq. "The BJP stands with Muslim women who have been given talaq unreasonably and arbitrarily," Maurya told reporters. "These talaqs have no basis... If someone only for satisfying his lust keeps changing his wives and forces his own wife and children on the streets to beg...No one will call this as right", he said. (PTI)

PM Modi politicising triple talaq for electoral gains: Opposition

<p>Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the BJP&#39;s landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh and for the completion of longest tunnel of South Asia, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said that he supported her and her government during troubled times. She was referring to the violence that gripped the Valley after militant Burhan Wani was shot dead by security forces last year.<br />
<br />
&quot;We are thankful to our Prime Minister. The tunnel inaugurated will bridge distances, be it in travel or between people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congratulations to the Prime Minister for the mandate in Uttar Pradesh. Last year, during very troubled times you supported me and my government,&quot; Mehbooba Mufti said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Asserting that the tunnel inaugurated will bridge distances, be it in travel or between people, the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said that a lot has improved and a lot more needs to be done in Jammu and Kashmir.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;Mufti s<em>ahab </em>had faith in the people and in <em>Jamhuriyat</em>,&quot; she added.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi on his part thanked the chief minister. He said that the Centre announced package for the state, adding the work has begun in this regard.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister earlier in the day inaugurated India`s longest tunnel Chenani-Nashri, on the Jammu-Srinagar highway amid high security.</p>

<p>The tunnel is expected to give sigh of relief to travellers on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, as it will reduce the travel time on National Highway 44 between Jammu and Srinagar by about 2 hours by shortening the distance between the cities by 31 km.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
(ANI)<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Jammu and Kashmir CM was referring to the violence which gripped the Valley after the death of militant Burhan Wani last year

Hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the BJP's landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh and for the completion of longest tunnel of South Asia, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said that he supported her and her government during troubled times. She was referring to the violence that gripped the Valley after militant Burhan Wani was shot dead by security forces last year. "We are thankful to our Prime Minister. The tunnel inaugurated will bridge distances, be it in travel or between people. Congratulations to the Prime Minister for the mandate in Uttar Pradesh. Last year, during very troubled times you supported me and my government," Mehbooba Mufti said. Asserting that the tunnel inaugurated will bridge distances, be it in travel or between people, the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said that a lot has improved and a lot more needs to be done in Jammu and Kashmir." "Mufti sahab had faith in the people and in Jamhuriyat," she added. Prime Minister Modi on his part thanked the chief minister. He said that the Centre announced package for the state, adding the work has begun in this regard. The Prime Minister earlier in the day inaugurated India`s longest tunnel Chenani-Nashri, on the Jammu-Srinagar highway amid high security. The tunnel is expected to give sigh of relief to travellers on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, as it will reduce the travel time on National Highway 44 between Jammu and Srinagar by about 2 hours by shortening the distance between the cities by 31 km. (ANI)

Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti thanks PM Modi for supporting J&K govt during 'troubled times'

<p>Prime Minister&nbsp;Narendra Modi&nbsp;today reviewed the progress towards handling and resolution of grievances related to Railways. The PM noted&nbsp;that a&nbsp;large number of complaints were related to corrupt practices of officials, he called for strict&nbsp;action against Railway officials found guilty of corruption.</p>

<p>PM Modi directed the Indian Railways to work towards a unified single telephone number for all grievances and queries, including helpline in the case of an accident.</p>

<p>The PM was charing&nbsp;his eighteenth interaction through PRAGATI - the ICT-based, multi-modal platform for pro-active governance and timely implementation.</p>

<p>In the meeting, Prime Minister reviewed the progress of vital infrastructure projects in the railway, road and power sectors&nbsp;spread over several states including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Nagaland.</p>

<p>Among the projects reviewed today were&nbsp;the Mumbai Metro, the Tirupati-Chennai Highway, long-pending road projects in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand&nbsp;and Manipur&nbsp;and important power transmission lines in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East.</p>

<p>Reviewing the implementation of Swachhta action plan, the Prime Minister said that events such as Swachhta fortnights should be converted into movements towards permanent solutions. On the AMRUT mission, the Prime Minister asked officials to quantify and document the gains achieved with the latest technology, such as LED bulbs&nbsp;so that the benefits could be quantified.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister urged all secretaries in the government&nbsp;and all chief secretaries of states&nbsp;to come up with concrete plans and objectives for transformative change&nbsp;to be achieved by the 75th anniversary of Independence in 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


Prime Minister urged all secretaries in the government and chief secretaries of states?to come up with concrete plans for transformative change

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reviewed the progress towards handling and resolution of grievances related to Railways. The PM noted that a large number of complaints were related to corrupt practices of officials, he called for strict action against Railway officials found guilty of corruption. PM Modi directed the Indian Railways to work towards a unified single telephone number for all grievances and queries, including helpline in the case of an accident. The PM was charing his eighteenth interaction through PRAGATI - the ICT-based, multi-modal platform for pro-active governance and timely implementation. In the meeting, Prime Minister reviewed the progress of vital infrastructure projects in the railway, road and power sectors spread over several states including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Nagaland. Among the projects reviewed today were the Mumbai Metro, the Tirupati-Chennai Highway, long-pending road projects in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Manipur and important power transmission lines in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East. Reviewing the implementation of Swachhta action plan, the Prime Minister said that events such as Swachhta fortnights should be converted into movements towards permanent solutions. On the AMRUT mission, the Prime Minister asked officials to quantify and document the gains achieved with the latest technology, such as LED bulbs so that the benefits could be quantified. The Prime Minister urged all secretaries in the government and all chief secretaries of states to come up with concrete plans and objectives for transformative change to be achieved by the 75th anniversary of Independence in 2022. (WION)

Create single telephone line to address grievances: PM to Railways

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that mobile phones were banned from his meetings because he often found officers checking social media sites in the midst of official discussions.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I see these days that district-level officers are so busy, busy, that most of their time goes into it (social media). I have stopped the entry (of mobile phones) in my meetings as they (officers) would take them out and start (checking out social media sites),&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The social media should be used for the welfare of the people and not for self-praise, Modi, who has 29.3 million followers on Twitter, told bureaucrats at a meeting in New Delhi to mark Civil Services Day.</p>

<p>The world was moving from e-governance to mobile- governance and the best equipment needed to be used for the welfare of people, he added.</p>

<p>Social media sites were helpful when they were used for spreading information about the good work being done.</p>

<p>&ldquo;If I am informing the people about dates of polio vaccination through social media, saying that they should come out on a particular date for the vaccination, then it (social media) is helpful. But if during vaccination-related work, I am praising my own photograph on facebook, then it puts a question mark (on the work done by civil servants),&rdquo; he said.</p>

<p>Modi, whose speech was often met with cheers and laughter, said that he was not a part of the bureaucracy because he did not get the chance &ldquo;to attend coaching&rdquo;.</p>

<p>The reference was to tuition classes which many would-be bureaucrats join to be able to qualify for the civil services.</p>

<p>If he had, he said, he would have become a bureaucrat of the rank of a director after serving the people for 16 years.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is my good luck that I am in public service for the past 16 years&hellip;I did not get the chance to attend coaching,&rdquo; he said.</p>

<p>As his audience applauded, he turned to Nripendra Misra, principal secretary in the PMO and asked him what rank he would have reached after 16 years in service.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Deputy secretary? Director,&rdquo; he said, after consulting Misra.</p>

<p>&ldquo;So I should have come in the director category.&rdquo; Modi added that there had been several committees and commissions on administrative reforms, comprising officers from central and state governments.</p>

<p>&ldquo;But all those who made all these reports, they must not have read them completely,&rdquo; he said.</p>

<p>&ldquo;I feel that those working in this system have enormous experience. What you (bureaucrats) have, the kind of suggestions you have, no reform can be bigger than that. But we don&rsquo;t value this (experience),&rdquo; the Prime Minister said.</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>


Social media sites were helpful when they were used for spreading information about the good work being done, Modi said

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that mobile phones were banned from his meetings because he often found officers checking social media sites in the midst of official discussions. “I see these days that district-level officers are so busy, busy, that most of their time goes into it (social media). I have stopped the entry (of mobile phones) in my meetings as they (officers) would take them out and start (checking out social media sites),” he said. The social media should be used for the welfare of the people and not for self-praise, Modi, who has 29.3 million followers on Twitter, told bureaucrats at a meeting in New Delhi to mark Civil Services Day. The world was moving from e-governance to mobile- governance and the best equipment needed to be used for the welfare of people, he added. Social media sites were helpful when they were used for spreading information about the good work being done. “If I am informing the people about dates of polio vaccination through social media, saying that they should come out on a particular date for the vaccination, then it (social media) is helpful. But if during vaccination-related work, I am praising my own photograph on facebook, then it puts a question mark (on the work done by civil servants),” he said. Modi, whose speech was often met with cheers and laughter, said that he was not a part of the bureaucracy because he did not get the chance “to attend coaching”. The reference was to tuition classes which many would-be bureaucrats join to be able to qualify for the civil services. If he had, he said, he would have become a bureaucrat of the rank of a director after serving the people for 16 years. “It is my good luck that I am in public service for the past 16 years…I did not get the chance to attend coaching,” he said. As his audience applauded, he turned to Nripendra Misra, principal secretary in the PMO and asked him what rank he would have reached after 16 years in service. “Deputy secretary? Director,” he said, after consulting Misra. “So I should have come in the director category.” Modi added that there had been several committees and commissions on administrative reforms, comprising officers from central and state governments. “But all those who made all these reports, they must not have read them completely,” he said. “I feel that those working in this system have enormous experience. What you (bureaucrats) have, the kind of suggestions you have, no reform can be bigger than that. But we don’t value this (experience),” the Prime Minister said. (PTI)

PM Modi to bureaucrats: Use social media for welfare, not self-praise

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi today assured Bangladesh of an &quot;early solution&quot; to the emotive Teesta water sharing issue, a pact on which has remained elusive for nearly seven years.</p>

<p>The two sides inked nearly two dozen pacts in key areas of defence and civil nuclear cooperation after &quot;productive&quot; talks between Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina here.</p>

<p>Modi held extensive discussions with Hasina on ways to strengthen ties between the two countries after which he announced a line of concessional credit of USD 4.5 billion for implementation of projects in Bangladesh.</p>

<p>Announcing an additional line of credit of USD 500 million to Bangladesh for military supplies, Modi said it will be driven by the requirement of that country.</p>

<p>However, the much-delayed pact on Teesta water sharing remained elusive for the two sides. Stressing that the deal was &quot;important&quot; for India-Bangladesh ties, Modi assured India&#39;s commitment to the issue.</p>

<p>He said an &quot;early solution can and will be found&quot; to the Teesta water sharing issue.</p>

<p>The Teesta deal was set to be signed during the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh&#39;s visit to Bangladesh in September, 2011 but was postponed at the last minute due to objections by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.</p>

<p>Teesta water is crucial for Bangladesh especially in the leanest period from December to March when the water flow often temporarily comes down to less than 1,000 cusecs from 5,000 cusecs.<br />
<br />
(PTI)</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


India and Bangladesh inked nearly two dozen pacts in key areas of defence and civil nuclear cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today assured Bangladesh of an "early solution" to the emotive Teesta water sharing issue, a pact on which has remained elusive for nearly seven years. The two sides inked nearly two dozen pacts in key areas of defence and civil nuclear cooperation after "productive" talks between Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina here. Modi held extensive discussions with Hasina on ways to strengthen ties between the two countries after which he announced a line of concessional credit of USD 4.5 billion for implementation of projects in Bangladesh. Announcing an additional line of credit of USD 500 million to Bangladesh for military supplies, Modi said it will be driven by the requirement of that country. However, the much-delayed pact on Teesta water sharing remained elusive for the two sides. Stressing that the deal was "important" for India-Bangladesh ties, Modi assured India's commitment to the issue. He said an "early solution can and will be found" to the Teesta water sharing issue. The Teesta deal was set to be signed during the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Bangladesh in September, 2011 but was postponed at the last minute due to objections by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Teesta water is crucial for Bangladesh especially in the leanest period from December to March when the water flow often temporarily comes down to less than 1,000 cusecs from 5,000 cusecs. (PTI)

PM Modi assures Bangladesh PM of solution to Teesta water sharing issue, pact still elusive

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known to politically surprise political adversaries but what happened today (April 7)&nbsp;surprised the Prime Minister Office itself. Highly placed sources confirmed that the prime minister travelled to the Technical terminal of the Indira Gandhi international airport to receive Bangladesh&rsquo;s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina without any traffic restrictions. Sources say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi left Lok Kalyan Marg in a truncated cavalcade to the airport an hour before the arrival of Sheikh Hasina.</p>

<p>Sources told DNA-WION that the truncated cavalcade of the prime minister had to stop at Sardar Patel Marg&rsquo;s red light and his cavalcade slowed down considerably near RR Hospital but people travelling around could not realise that the Prime Minister Modi was travelling inside one of the sedans. Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s plane touched down around 12.14 pm&nbsp;and PM Modi reached the venue around 12.09 pm. Sources say that it is a message from the prime minister that VVIP movement should not cause public inconvenience. &nbsp;Though the protocol was in place when the prime minister returned to his residence. A highly-placed source said, &quot;Since protocol was in place for Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister in a gap of six minutes took the same route.&quot;</p>

<p>DNA-WION spoke to Yashovardhan Azad former secretary security to government of India, who said, &quot;It can be done. It depends on the confidence of the protectee and the agency protecting him. More so unpredictability is the key. It accords security so it can be done.&rdquo; He also said that nature of route and terrain too makes a difference but if basic security remains then such feats can be achieved.</p>

<p>What was even more unusual was that Prime Minister Modi interacted with the Bangladeshi media&nbsp;after Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the venue. Sources in the Prime Minister Office confirmed that Narendra Modi stayed at the tarmac for five&nbsp;to seven&nbsp;minutes and spoke to the delegation who to their heart&rsquo;s content took selfies with him. It is rare that Indian Prime Minister goes to the tarmac to receive dignitaries. Narendra Modi in past has received former United States President Barak Obama twice and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi once. He went and received Sheikh Hasina, a sign that he accords this visit lot of importance to this visit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="videos-block">
<div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nBy6ddfYWtQ"></iframe></div>
</div>

<div class="media-description">
<p>In her 3-day visit to India from 7th-10th April, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to give the Indo-Bangladesh (WION)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>(WION)</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Sources say that it is a message from the prime minister that VVIP movement should not cause public inconvenience

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known to politically surprise political adversaries but what happened today (April 7) surprised the Prime Minister Office itself. Highly placed sources confirmed that the prime minister travelled to the Technical terminal of the Indira Gandhi international airport to receive Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina without any traffic restrictions. Sources say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi left Lok Kalyan Marg in a truncated cavalcade to the airport an hour before the arrival of Sheikh Hasina. Sources told DNA-WION that the truncated cavalcade of the prime minister had to stop at Sardar Patel Marg’s red light and his cavalcade slowed down considerably near RR Hospital but people travelling around could not realise that the Prime Minister Modi was travelling inside one of the sedans. Sheikh Hasina’s plane touched down around 12.14 pm and PM Modi reached the venue around 12.09 pm. Sources say that it is a message from the prime minister that VVIP movement should not cause public inconvenience. Though the protocol was in place when the prime minister returned to his residence. A highly-placed source said, "Since protocol was in place for Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister in a gap of six minutes took the same route." DNA-WION spoke to Yashovardhan Azad former secretary security to government of India, who said, "It can be done. It depends on the confidence of the protectee and the agency protecting him. More so unpredictability is the key. It accords security so it can be done.” He also said that nature of route and terrain too makes a difference but if basic security remains then such feats can be achieved. What was even more unusual was that Prime Minister Modi interacted with the Bangladeshi media after Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the venue. Sources in the Prime Minister Office confirmed that Narendra Modi stayed at the tarmac for five to seven minutes and spoke to the delegation who to their heart’s content took selfies with him. It is rare that Indian Prime Minister goes to the tarmac to receive dignitaries. Narendra Modi in past has received former United States President Barak Obama twice and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi once. He went and received Sheikh Hasina, a sign that he accords this visit lot of importance to this visit. In her 3-day visit to India from 7th-10th April, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to give the Indo-Bangladesh (WION) × (WION)

PM Modi breaks protocol, travels without traffic restrictions to receive Bangladesh PM

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi &nbsp;inaugurated India&#39;s longest road tunnel connecting the Kashmir Valley with Jammu on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Sunday afternoon.</p>

<p>The 10.9 km-long Chenani-Nashri tunnel&nbsp;will reduce distance between the two places&nbsp;by 31 km.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> live from J&amp;K: PM Narendra Modi takes a view of the Chenani-Nashri tunnel <a href="https://t.co/JWXgDREe5t">https://t.co/JWXgDREe5t</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/848484391328202753">April 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="et">Chenani-Nashri Tunnel - An Engineering marvel<a href="https://t.co/4PFTpc0lwR">https://t.co/4PFTpc0lwR</a></p>
&mdash; Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) <a href="https://twitter.com/nitin_gadkari/status/848530257925652481">April 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Chenani-Nashri Tunnel will have a transformative impact on Jammu &amp; Kashmir&rsquo;s progress. The tunnel is truly world class. <a href="https://t.co/JxCPl8QIdC">pic.twitter.com/JxCPl8QIdC</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/848535294676795392">April 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
The tunnel, which bypasses the snow-bound upper reaches of the Valley, will reduce the journey time between Jammu and Srinagar by two hours and provide a safe, all-weather route to commuters travelling from Jammu and Udhampur to Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar.</p>

<p>The prime minister drew a contrast between &quot;misguided&quot;&nbsp;stone-pelters who have been clashing with security forces and &quot;the youth of Kashmir who are using the same stones to build infrastructure&quot;.&nbsp;He praised the &quot;2,500 youth of Jammu and Kashmir who&nbsp;have toiled hard to make this tunnel a reality&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;On one hand, some misguided youth pelt stones in Kashmir, on the other hand, the same stones are carved by other youth to build infrastructure,&quot; PM Modi said&nbsp;while addressing a rally in&nbsp;Udhampur&#39;s Battal Balian.<br />
<br />
&quot;The path of terrorism has neither helped anyone or never will,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Measures have been taken to safeguard the Himayalas and the environment, the prime minister assured.</p>

<p>He said the tunnel would &quot;change the fortunes of the Valley&#39;s farmers&quot;, since their produce will not rot due to road closures.</p>

<p>The prime minister arrived in a special plane at the airfield at Udhampur, where the headquarters of the army&#39;s Northern Command are located. He flew in an army helicopter to Chenani where he inaugurated the tunnel&nbsp;that connects the Udhampur and Ramban districts on the highway.</p>

<p>The tunnel will save fuel worth nearly Rs 99 crores a year. &quot;Rs. 27 lakh worth of fuel is likely to be saved per day,&quot; the Prime Minister&#39;s Office said earlier.</p>

<p>The PMO added that&nbsp;the tunnel &quot;is an alternative all weather route&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;It is an alternative to the highway which often closes at the time of snow and rains. It will boost trade and increase revenue in the state. It will also help boost tourism,&quot; the PMO said.<br />
<br />
It is equipped with world-class security systems, and is expected to boost tourism and economic activities in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

<p>Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, senior ministers of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta, Council Chairman Haji Inayat Ali and top army, police and civil administration officials welcomed PM Modi when he arrived in Udhampur.</p>

<p>The Chenani-Nashri tunnel is India&#39;s first and the world&#39;s sixth tunnel to have a&nbsp;transverse ventilation system, which provides fresh air to passengers.<br />
<br />
In such long tunnels, ventilation systems are essential to maintain clean air, permissible carbon dioxide levels and expel harmful vehicle emissions.</p>

<p>The tunnel, constructed at a cost of Rs. 2,519 crore, will ensure a safe and swift passage for commuters, even in adverse weather conditions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Chenani-Nashri tunnel is among the longest highway tunnels in Asia. The tunnel, at an altitude of 1,200 meters, is a part of National Highway Authority of India&#39;s (NHAI&#39;s) project between Jammu and Srinagar, along the National Highway 44.</p>

<p>The key features of the tunnel are that it is a single-tube bi-directional tunnel, with a 9.35-metre carriageway, and a vertical clearance of 5 metres.</p>

<p>There is also a parallel escape tunnel, with &#39;Cross Passages&#39; connecting to the main tunnel at intervals of 300 metres.</p>

<p>It also has smart features such as an Integrated Traffic Control System; Surveillance, Ventilation and Broadcast Systems; Fire Fighting System; and SOS call-boxes at every 150 metres.</p>

<p>Technologically, this is one of the most advanced road tunnels built in the country, surmounting challenges of terrain and distance, Sanjeev Sharma, Managing Director, ABB India, which has built the ventilation system&nbsp;said.<br />
<br />
(WION with inputs from agencies)</p>


The Chenani-Nashri tunnel will reduce the distance between the two places from the existing 41 kms to 10.9 kms

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's longest road tunnel connecting the Kashmir Valley with Jammu on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Sunday afternoon. The 10.9 km-long Chenani-Nashri tunnel will reduce distance between the two places by 31 km. #WATCH live from J&K: PM Narendra Modi takes a view of the Chenani-Nashri tunnel https://t.co/JWXgDREe5t — ANI (@ANI_news) April 2, 2017 × Chenani-Nashri Tunnel - An Engineering marvelhttps://t.co/4PFTpc0lwR — Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) April 2, 2017 × The Chenani-Nashri Tunnel will have a transformative impact on Jammu & Kashmir’s progress. The tunnel is truly world class. pic.twitter.com/JxCPl8QIdC — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 2, 2017 × The tunnel, which bypasses the snow-bound upper reaches of the Valley, will reduce the journey time between Jammu and Srinagar by two hours and provide a safe, all-weather route to commuters travelling from Jammu and Udhampur to Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar. The prime minister drew a contrast between "misguided" stone-pelters who have been clashing with security forces and "the youth of Kashmir who are using the same stones to build infrastructure". He praised the "2,500 youth of Jammu and Kashmir who have toiled hard to make this tunnel a reality". "On one hand, some misguided youth pelt stones in Kashmir, on the other hand, the same stones are carved by other youth to build infrastructure," PM Modi said while addressing a rally in Udhampur's Battal Balian. "The path of terrorism has neither helped anyone or never will," he said. Measures have been taken to safeguard the Himayalas and the environment, the prime minister assured. He said the tunnel would "change the fortunes of the Valley's farmers", since their produce will not rot due to road closures. The prime minister arrived in a special plane at the airfield at Udhampur, where the headquarters of the army's Northern Command are located. He flew in an army helicopter to Chenani where he inaugurated the tunnel that connects the Udhampur and Ramban districts on the highway. The tunnel will save fuel worth nearly Rs 99 crores a year. "Rs. 27 lakh worth of fuel is likely to be saved per day," the Prime Minister's Office said earlier. The PMO added that the tunnel "is an alternative all weather route". "It is an alternative to the highway which often closes at the time of snow and rains. It will boost trade and increase revenue in the state. It will also help boost tourism," the PMO said. It is equipped with world-class security systems, and is expected to boost tourism and economic activities in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, senior ministers of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta, Council Chairman Haji Inayat Ali and top army, police and civil administration officials welcomed PM Modi when he arrived in Udhampur. The Chenani-Nashri tunnel is India's first and the world's sixth tunnel to have a transverse ventilation system, which provides fresh air to passengers. In such long tunnels, ventilation systems are essential to maintain clean air, permissible carbon dioxide levels and expel harmful vehicle emissions. The tunnel, constructed at a cost of Rs. 2,519 crore, will ensure a safe and swift passage for commuters, even in adverse weather conditions. The Chenani-Nashri tunnel is among the longest highway tunnels in Asia. The tunnel, at an altitude of 1,200 meters, is a part of National Highway Authority of India's (NHAI's) project between Jammu and Srinagar, along the National Highway 44. The key features of the tunnel are that it is a single-tube bi-directional tunnel, with a 9.35-metre carriageway, and a vertical clearance of 5 metres. There is also a parallel escape tunnel, with 'Cross Passages' connecting to the main tunnel at intervals of 300 metres. It also has smart features such as an Integrated Traffic Control System; Surveillance, Ventilation and Broadcast Systems; Fire Fighting System; and SOS call-boxes at every 150 metres. Technologically, this is one of the most advanced road tunnels built in the country, surmounting challenges of terrain and distance, Sanjeev Sharma, Managing Director, ABB India, which has built the ventilation system said. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Some youth pelt stones, others build infrastructure: PM Modi says as he inaugurates India's longest road tunnel in J&K

<p>Cow slaughter is now a non-bailable offence and punishable with life imprisonment in India&rsquo;s western state of Gujarat. The Gujarat assembly on Friday amended the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act of 1954 to make laws even more stringent.&nbsp;The maximum jail term under the previous law was seven years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi&rsquo;s home state&nbsp;now has the toughest law against cow slaughter in the country.</p>

<p>As per the provisions of the Bill those found guilty will face &ldquo;imprisonment for a term, which may extend to 10 years but shall not be less than seven years and with fine, which shall not be less than one lakh rupees&rdquo;.</p>

<p>Transporting of cows for the purpose of slaughter is also criminalised, where the punishment will be 10 years in jail.</p>

<p>The decision comes just ahead of the Assembly polls in the State.</p>

<p>The manufacture, storage, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages is also banned in Gujarat. It is&nbsp;the only Indian state with a death penalty for the manufacture and sale of homemade liquor that results in fatalities.</p>

<p>The Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949 is still in force in Gujarat state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


PM Modi?s home state?now has the toughest law against cow slaughter in the country

Cow slaughter is now a non-bailable offence and punishable with life imprisonment in India’s western state of Gujarat. The Gujarat assembly on Friday amended the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act of 1954 to make laws even more stringent. The maximum jail term under the previous law was seven years. Modi’s home state now has the toughest law against cow slaughter in the country. As per the provisions of the Bill those found guilty will face “imprisonment for a term, which may extend to 10 years but shall not be less than seven years and with fine, which shall not be less than one lakh rupees”. Transporting of cows for the purpose of slaughter is also criminalised, where the punishment will be 10 years in jail. The decision comes just ahead of the Assembly polls in the State. The manufacture, storage, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages is also banned in Gujarat. It is the only Indian state with a death penalty for the manufacture and sale of homemade liquor that results in fatalities. The Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949 is still in force in Gujarat state. (WION)

In Gujarat, cow slaughter now punishable by life imprisonment

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a strong pitch to party MPs to switch to digital electoral campaigns for future elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi in a breakfast meeting with members of Parliament from Telangana, Karnataka and Chattisgarh said mobile phones and social media have become the biggest interface with the people and this change has to be absorbed by the party.</p>

<p>The prime minister said that as India is moving towards a&nbsp;digital economy, the party should embrace digital campaigns as it is faster and feedback is immediate. PM Modi&nbsp;also urged BJP members of Parliament to be active and visible on social media tools like Twitter and Whatsapp.</p>

<p>Prime Minister emphasised that digital platforms will gain more significance in 2019 Lok Sabha elections and BJP should be prepared for it.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


PM Modi in a meeting with BJP MPs said said mobile phones and social media have become the biggest interface with the people

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a strong pitch to party MPs to switch to digital electoral campaigns for future elections. PM Modi in a breakfast meeting with members of Parliament from Telangana, Karnataka and Chattisgarh said mobile phones and social media have become the biggest interface with the people and this change has to be absorbed by the party. The prime minister said that as India is moving towards a digital economy, the party should embrace digital campaigns as it is faster and feedback is immediate. PM Modi also urged BJP members of Parliament to be active and visible on social media tools like Twitter and Whatsapp. Prime Minister emphasised that digital platforms will gain more significance in 2019 Lok Sabha elections and BJP should be prepared for it. (WION)

Switch to digital platform for future elections: PM Modi to BJP MPs

<p>The Indian Railways is considering ending state-owned Steel Authority of India Ltd&#39;s (SAIL) virtual monopoly on supplying steel for standard rail tracks, opening up annual purchases worth up to $700 million to the private sector, people close to the matter told news agency Reuters.</p>

<p>The vast state rail operator is undergoing a $130 billion, a five-year overhaul to modernise the world&#39;s fourth-largest network, which is blighted by ageing track and saturated capacity.</p>

<p>The government has also launched a $15 billion fund to improve rail safety. Train accidents due to track defects have risen 25 percent in the last two years, the railway ministry told parliament last week.</p>

<p>The rails shortfall has slowed Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s plans to revamp the network and highlights how his infrastructure investment drive is forcing government units to get tough on suppliers.</p>

<p>In the current fiscal year, SAIL is set to fall around 250,000 tonnes of rails short of its 850,000-tonne target, according to the company&#39;s data - its eighth shortfall in 10 years, and its biggest.</p>

<p>SAIL executives said a sudden jump in demand for steel - up 45 percent since 2015 - to replace old tracks and lay new ones meant it was struggling to meet production targets.</p>

<p>Losing even a small part of its sales to the railways - its top customer - would be a blow to SAIL, which has lost money in seven straight quarters.</p>

<p>&quot;SAIL&#39;s performance has been very poor and given that we have a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding), any failure will not be appreciated,&quot; a government official said, quoting from a Jan 11 letter from the railways to the steel ministry that oversees SAIL, threatening to sever a deal to buy rails almost exclusively from the company.</p>

<p>Two other government officials confirmed the railways&#39; threat. All three officials declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.</p>

<p>The biggest likely winner from opening up to private suppliers is Jindal Steel and Power Ltd, which has already exported rails to Iran and has tried for years to muscle in on SAIL&#39;s business.</p>

<p>Jindal Steel wrote to Indian Railways on March 6, offering to step in, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters. A spokesman for Jindal Steel said the firm was keen to help the railways with steel for its modernisation.</p>

<p>The railways are already looking at bringing in alternative suppliers gradually by issuing new tenders for rails.</p>

<p>&quot;Even after giving sufficient time to SAIL if the shortfall continues, the ministry of railways may explore the possibility of outsourcing some supplies,&quot; Indian Railways spokesman Anil Kumar Saxena said.</p>

<p>PM Modi has made increased infrastructure spending a key part of his economic plans since coming to power in 2014. State expenditure on roads and rails is at a record high.</p>

<p>(Reuters)</p>


In the current fiscal year, SAIL is set to fall around 250,000 tonnes of rails short of its 850,000 tonne target

The Indian Railways is considering ending state-owned Steel Authority of India Ltd's (SAIL) virtual monopoly on supplying steel for standard rail tracks, opening up annual purchases worth up to $700 million to the private sector, people close to the matter told news agency Reuters. The vast state rail operator is undergoing a $130 billion, a five-year overhaul to modernise the world's fourth-largest network, which is blighted by ageing track and saturated capacity. The government has also launched a $15 billion fund to improve rail safety. Train accidents due to track defects have risen 25 percent in the last two years, the railway ministry told parliament last week. The rails shortfall has slowed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plans to revamp the network and highlights how his infrastructure investment drive is forcing government units to get tough on suppliers. In the current fiscal year, SAIL is set to fall around 250,000 tonnes of rails short of its 850,000-tonne target, according to the company's data - its eighth shortfall in 10 years, and its biggest. SAIL executives said a sudden jump in demand for steel - up 45 percent since 2015 - to replace old tracks and lay new ones meant it was struggling to meet production targets. Losing even a small part of its sales to the railways - its top customer - would be a blow to SAIL, which has lost money in seven straight quarters. "SAIL's performance has been very poor and given that we have a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding), any failure will not be appreciated," a government official said, quoting from a Jan 11 letter from the railways to the steel ministry that oversees SAIL, threatening to sever a deal to buy rails almost exclusively from the company. Two other government officials confirmed the railways' threat. All three officials declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter. The biggest likely winner from opening up to private suppliers is Jindal Steel and Power Ltd, which has already exported rails to Iran and has tried for years to muscle in on SAIL's business. Jindal Steel wrote to Indian Railways on March 6, offering to step in, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters. A spokesman for Jindal Steel said the firm was keen to help the railways with steel for its modernisation. The railways are already looking at bringing in alternative suppliers gradually by issuing new tenders for rails. "Even after giving sufficient time to SAIL if the shortfall continues, the ministry of railways may explore the possibility of outsourcing some supplies," Indian Railways spokesman Anil Kumar Saxena said. PM Modi has made increased infrastructure spending a key part of his economic plans since coming to power in 2014. State expenditure on roads and rails is at a record high. (Reuters)

Indian Railways considering ending SAIL virtual monopoly on supplying steel for railway tracks

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was &quot;deeply saddened&quot; by&nbsp;the terror attack in London&nbsp;that killed five and injured around 40 people Wednesday night.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">At this difficult moment, India stands with UK in the fight against terrorism. <a href="https://twitter.com/theresa_may">@theresa_may</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Number10gov">@Number10Gov</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/844733922382630912">March 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Deeply saddened by the terror attack in London. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/844733683185729537">March 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>(WION)</p>


Modi said, 'India stands with UK in the fight against terrorism'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was "deeply saddened" by the terror attack in London that killed five and injured around 40 people Wednesday night. At this difficult moment, India stands with UK in the fight against terrorism. @theresa_may @Number10Gov — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2017 × Deeply saddened by the terror attack in London. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2017 × (WION)

India PM Modi responds to London terrorist attack via Twitter

<p>The newly-appointed government in Uttar Pradesh will reportedly get directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s office, a news report has claimed.</p>

<p>PM Modi has designated a senior bureaucrat to monitor the day-to-day functioning of the state&#39;s Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government, an&nbsp;<a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/yogi-adityanath-narendra-modi-nripendra-misra/1/908092.html">India Today</a>&nbsp;report said.</p>

<p><a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/yogi-adityanath-narendra-modi-nripendra-misra/1/908092.html">India Today</a> quoted unnamed sources as saying the Principal Secretary to the PMO Nripendra Misra will be the point person between PM Modi and Yogi Adityanath.&nbsp;An Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer from the UP cadre, Nripendra Mishra was especially called by Modi in 2014, when he became the Prime Minister.</p>

<p>Further appointments in the state government will be made through Mishra who met Yogi Adityanath for a short while yesterday, the website reported.</p>

<p>Ministers have also been warned against speaking to the media except through the spokespersons for the UP government, another media report claimed.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Principal secretary to the PMO Nripendra Mishra will be doing the monitoring</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Principal secretary to the PMO Nripendra Mishra will be doing the monitoring" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>The website said they discussed the implementation of government schemes so that their benefits accrued to the poor.</p>

<p>The Uttar Pradesh bureaucracy is likely to get a &quot;change in outlook&quot; in the next few days, the report stated. Work in that direction seems to have begun already --&nbsp;government officials were administered a cleanliness pledge by the chief minister and have been told to give 100 hours annually for the cause.&nbsp;The chief minister has also asked them to be transparent in recruitments, stand up to political pressure and improve investment in the state, reports state.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">UP CM Yogi Adityanath administered a cleanliness pledge to Govt officials. Officials pledged to give their 100 hours annually for the cause <a href="https://t.co/AzisdroczS">pic.twitter.com/AzisdroczS</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/843825569666031617">March 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ministers have been asked to do away with red beacons on their vehicles.<br />
<br />
Firebrand leader Adityanath&#39;s elevation as chief minister of one of India&#39;s most populous states, has many political analysts and observers worried because of his Hindutva leanings and controversial statements against Muslims who form a minority in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The five-time Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur in eastern UP was elected by the state&#39;s legislators on Saturday, a week after the BJP won a landslide victory in the state assembly elections.</p>

<p>He has pledged to uphold Modi&#39;s slogan of &quot;sabka saath, sabka vikas&quot;&nbsp;(&#39;all together, development for all&#39;).The new Uttar Pradesh chief minister got down to business right from day one, holding a meeting with senior officials from all government departments in state capital Lucknow. The officials were directed to bring a copy of the BJP poll manifesto (Sankalp Patra) and asked to read and implement it properly.<br />
<br />
Ministers were directed to provide details of their movable and immovable properties and income tax within 15 days.</p>

<p>Deputy chief ministers KP Maurya and Dinesh Sharma were also present at the meeting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Maurya told reporters that in its first meeting, the state Cabinet would discuss all key issues mentioned in the party&#39;s poll manifesto including loan waiver to farmers and a ban on mechanised slaughter houses.&nbsp;Dinesh Sharma promised to work for the welfare of the people and &quot;ensure that the work is visible on the ground&quot;, PTI reported.</p>

<p>The ban on illegal slaughterhouses was one of the main points of the BJP&rsquo;s manifesto in the recent elections. The party has also vowed to regulate the mechanised slaughterhouses. The approximately 130 legal slaughterhouses in the state provide employment to over two lakh people. Many Muslims, who are associated with the slaughtering business, fear harassment by vigilante groups.</p>

<p>Two slaughter houses in Allahabad city were also sealed by the local administration last night. The government claimed they were illegal.</p>

<p>Yogi Adityanath also asked Director General of Police Javeed Ahmed to ensure that there was no laxity in improving the law and order situation, hours after a BSP leader was shot dead in Allahabad.</p>

<p>The UP top cop has been asked to hold video conference with the district magistrates and the superintendents of police of all the 75 districts of the state to take stock of law and order situation and other administrative issues, PTI quoted sources as saying.</p>

<p>The portfolios to the new ministers are likely to be announced soon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


India Today quoted unnamed sources as saying Modi has appointed a senior bureaucrat to monitor the day-to-day functioning of the new UP govt

The newly-appointed government in Uttar Pradesh will reportedly get directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office, a news report has claimed. PM Modi has designated a senior bureaucrat to monitor the day-to-day functioning of the state's Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government, an India Today report said. India Today quoted unnamed sources as saying the Principal Secretary to the PMO Nripendra Misra will be the point person between PM Modi and Yogi Adityanath. An Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer from the UP cadre, Nripendra Mishra was especially called by Modi in 2014, when he became the Prime Minister. Further appointments in the state government will be made through Mishra who met Yogi Adityanath for a short while yesterday, the website reported. Ministers have also been warned against speaking to the media except through the spokespersons for the UP government, another media report claimed. Principal secretary to the PMO Nripendra Mishra will be doing the monitoring × The website said they discussed the implementation of government schemes so that their benefits accrued to the poor. The Uttar Pradesh bureaucracy is likely to get a "change in outlook" in the next few days, the report stated. Work in that direction seems to have begun already -- government officials were administered a cleanliness pledge by the chief minister and have been told to give 100 hours annually for the cause. The chief minister has also asked them to be transparent in recruitments, stand up to political pressure and improve investment in the state, reports state. UP CM Yogi Adityanath administered a cleanliness pledge to Govt officials. Officials pledged to give their 100 hours annually for the cause pic.twitter.com/AzisdroczS — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 20, 2017 × Ministers have been asked to do away with red beacons on their vehicles. Firebrand leader Adityanath's elevation as chief minister of one of India's most populous states, has many political analysts and observers worried because of his Hindutva leanings and controversial statements against Muslims who form a minority in the state. The five-time Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur in eastern UP was elected by the state's legislators on Saturday, a week after the BJP won a landslide victory in the state assembly elections. He has pledged to uphold Modi's slogan of "sabka saath, sabka vikas" ('all together, development for all').The new Uttar Pradesh chief minister got down to business right from day one, holding a meeting with senior officials from all government departments in state capital Lucknow. The officials were directed to bring a copy of the BJP poll manifesto (Sankalp Patra) and asked to read and implement it properly. Ministers were directed to provide details of their movable and immovable properties and income tax within 15 days. Deputy chief ministers KP Maurya and Dinesh Sharma were also present at the meeting. Maurya told reporters that in its first meeting, the state Cabinet would discuss all key issues mentioned in the party's poll manifesto including loan waiver to farmers and a ban on mechanised slaughter houses. Dinesh Sharma promised to work for the welfare of the people and "ensure that the work is visible on the ground", PTI reported. The ban on illegal slaughterhouses was one of the main points of the BJP’s manifesto in the recent elections. The party has also vowed to regulate the mechanised slaughterhouses. The approximately 130 legal slaughterhouses in the state provide employment to over two lakh people. Many Muslims, who are associated with the slaughtering business, fear harassment by vigilante groups. Two slaughter houses in Allahabad city were also sealed by the local administration last night. The government claimed they were illegal. Yogi Adityanath also asked Director General of Police Javeed Ahmed to ensure that there was no laxity in improving the law and order situation, hours after a BSP leader was shot dead in Allahabad. The UP top cop has been asked to hold video conference with the district magistrates and the superintendents of police of all the 75 districts of the state to take stock of law and order situation and other administrative issues, PTI quoted sources as saying. The portfolios to the new ministers are likely to be announced soon. (WION)

Prime Minister's Office to keep watch on Yogi Adityanath's govt: Report

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the BJP Parliamentary Party meet directed all the MPs, ministers and workers to spend 72 hours in an area assigned to them by the party. BJP leaders and workers would connect with all the educational institutions around that area as part of the drive thereby connecting the party with &#39;new&#39;&nbsp;India. Sources in the BJP said that this drive will be completed before the government formation day -- May 26.</p>

<p>Sources also said that BJP all members including ministers have been advised by the Prime Minister to give suggestions to improve the functioning of the party and government before May 26.</p>

<p>Modi in his speech also made it clear that that next month would be dedicated to Dr BR Ambedkar. Prime Minister in his speech said that between 6th and 14th of April, BJP would organise social functions in memory of&nbsp;BR Ambedkar. April 6 is the party foundation day of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and April 14 is the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar. In order to connect with the social constituency, every BJP MP would participate in sanitation drive and it would be organised around a polling station connecting the social constituency with the electoral grid.</p>

<p>It is not without significance that after Vemulla controversy, BJP has been extremely careful when it comes to any policy response either on the Dalit issue or the legacy of Bhim Rao Ambedkar.</p>

<p>Modi also urged that party workers should campaign to popularise Diji Dhan and Bhim app which PM described as a new currency. He said that the use of Bhim app would save small enterprises from money lenders and would act as a catalyst for social transformation at the lowest level.</p>

<p>BJP has also decided to organise massive rallies across the country on Ambedkar&#39;s birthday with his photographs. Sources said that every part of the organisation would be exercised to make these rallies successful.<br />
Sources said that Prime Minister said in the meeting that the perception about the government in the country is changing. PM said, &quot; Earlier the people felt that the government is doing something but now they say that it is a performing government.&quot;</p>

<p>BJP President Amit Shah also addressed the BJP Parliamentary party. He said that the recent elections have released the democracy from the shackles of appeasement, nepotism and casteism. He said that the result of 2017 should not make BJP complacent and they should start preparing for 2019.</p>

<p>BJP also passed a resolution thanking people for giving them a good mandate. The resolution also took a dig at the Opposition as the resolution stated that Opposition should understand the real message of the verdict and will be constructive in the approach. The Parliamentary party resolution also thanked Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for the leadership.</p>

<p>The resolution also stated that though numbers are required to form a government but it is actually run through consensus and BJP is committed to that principle. PM was also thanked for initiatives like surgical strike and demonetisation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


Indian PM Modi also hopes for Bhim app to act as a catalyst for social transformation at the lowest level

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the BJP Parliamentary Party meet directed all the MPs, ministers and workers to spend 72 hours in an area assigned to them by the party. BJP leaders and workers would connect with all the educational institutions around that area as part of the drive thereby connecting the party with 'new' India. Sources in the BJP said that this drive will be completed before the government formation day -- May 26. Sources also said that BJP all members including ministers have been advised by the Prime Minister to give suggestions to improve the functioning of the party and government before May 26. Modi in his speech also made it clear that that next month would be dedicated to Dr BR Ambedkar. Prime Minister in his speech said that between 6th and 14th of April, BJP would organise social functions in memory of BR Ambedkar. April 6 is the party foundation day of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and April 14 is the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar. In order to connect with the social constituency, every BJP MP would participate in sanitation drive and it would be organised around a polling station connecting the social constituency with the electoral grid. It is not without significance that after Vemulla controversy, BJP has been extremely careful when it comes to any policy response either on the Dalit issue or the legacy of Bhim Rao Ambedkar. Modi also urged that party workers should campaign to popularise Diji Dhan and Bhim app which PM described as a new currency. He said that the use of Bhim app would save small enterprises from money lenders and would act as a catalyst for social transformation at the lowest level. BJP has also decided to organise massive rallies across the country on Ambedkar's birthday with his photographs. Sources said that every part of the organisation would be exercised to make these rallies successful. Sources said that Prime Minister said in the meeting that the perception about the government in the country is changing. PM said, " Earlier the people felt that the government is doing something but now they say that it is a performing government." BJP President Amit Shah also addressed the BJP Parliamentary party. He said that the recent elections have released the democracy from the shackles of appeasement, nepotism and casteism. He said that the result of 2017 should not make BJP complacent and they should start preparing for 2019. BJP also passed a resolution thanking people for giving them a good mandate. The resolution also took a dig at the Opposition as the resolution stated that Opposition should understand the real message of the verdict and will be constructive in the approach. The Parliamentary party resolution also thanked Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for the leadership. The resolution also stated that though numbers are required to form a government but it is actually run through consensus and BJP is committed to that principle. PM was also thanked for initiatives like surgical strike and demonetisation. (WION)

India: BJP eyes Dalit outreach through Ambedkar birth anniversary events

<p>An 11-year-old Pakistani girl wrote a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating him on his party&#39;s victory in Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and said he should now focus on peace.</p>

<p>The two-page handwritten letter, dated March 13, by Aqeedat Naveed says both countries will benefit by maintaining good relations with each other.</p>

<p>&quot;Once my father told me that winning of hearts is a marvellous job. Perhaps you have won the hearts of Indian people, therefore you won the election in UP. But I must tell you if you want to win more Indian and Pakistani hearts, you should take steps towards friendship and peace,&quot; the letter reads.</p>

<p>&quot;Both countries need good relation. Let&#39;s make a peace bridge between India and Pakistan. Let&#39;s decide that we will not buy bullets, will buy books. We will not buy the guns, will buy the medicine for the poor people.&quot;</p>

<p>She finishes the letter by congratulating the prime minister for BJP&#39;s UP win.</p>

<p>The fifth grader, who hails from Lahore, had earlier written a letter to Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj as well on the matter of peace and has also received several responses from officials in New Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from ANI)</p>


Aqeedat Naveed also congratulated the Indian prime minister on his party's win in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections

An 11-year-old Pakistani girl wrote a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating him on his party's victory in Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and said he should now focus on peace. The two-page handwritten letter, dated March 13, by Aqeedat Naveed says both countries will benefit by maintaining good relations with each other. "Once my father told me that winning of hearts is a marvellous job. Perhaps you have won the hearts of Indian people, therefore you won the election in UP. But I must tell you if you want to win more Indian and Pakistani hearts, you should take steps towards friendship and peace," the letter reads. "Both countries need good relation. Let's make a peace bridge between India and Pakistan. Let's decide that we will not buy bullets, will buy books. We will not buy the guns, will buy the medicine for the poor people." She finishes the letter by congratulating the prime minister for BJP's UP win. The fifth grader, who hails from Lahore, had earlier written a letter to Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj as well on the matter of peace and has also received several responses from officials in New Delhi. (WION with inputs from ANI)

11-yr-old Pak girl writes to PM Modi, says focus on peace now

<p>The BJP&#39;s Parliamentary Board has authorised party president&nbsp;Amit Shah to take the final call about who will be the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Uttarakhand.</p>

<p>The party&#39;s Parliamentary Board Secretary JP Nadda said Amit Shah has been authorised to take the final decision after the observers appointed by the party submitted their reports.</p>

<p>Venkaiah Naidu and Bhupendra Yadav will be observers for Uttar Pradesh while Narendra Tomar and Saroj Pandey will be the observers for Uttarakhand, the Parliamentary Board Secretary said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Piyush Goyal and Vinay Sahasrabuddhe are observers for Manipur, the Union Minister added.</p>

<p>Amit Shah had said yesterday that the&nbsp;chief ministers would be chosen on the basis of merit and capability.<br />
<br />
The party has performed well in the assembly polls of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.</p>

<p>The BJP had not announced a chief ministerial candidate for both Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.</p>

<p>In Uttar Pradesh, there are four leaders who are in the reckoning to be the next chief minister.&nbsp;</p>

<p>State party chief Keshav Maurya, right-wing lawmaker Yogi Adityanath and Union minister Manoj Sinha are some of the those in fray. India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh&#39;s name has been mentioned as well but people close to him say he is not keen on helming the state.</p>

<p>In Uttarakhand, Satpal Maharaj, Devendra Rawat and Prakash Pant are the frontrunners to become the chief minister.</p>

<p>While these leaders are touted to be the top contenders for the CM&rsquo;s post in UP, the suspense can be put to an end only by an announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has a penchant to spring surprises.</p>

<p>Earlier Sunday,&nbsp;Prime Minister Modi delivered his victory speech to party workers emphasising that the massive&nbsp;mandate is&nbsp;to serve the people and laying the foundation for a new India. He also said that the government will not discriminate and work for all irresepective of whether they voted for the BJP or not.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Naye Hindustan ke nayi neev ke roop mein dekh raha hoon, in paanch rajyon ke chunaav ko: PM Modi at BJP HQ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElectionResults?src=hash">#ElectionResults</a> <a href="https://t.co/ds8aW1A5cQ">pic.twitter.com/ds8aW1A5cQ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/840916433756348418">March 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Vote diya na diya wo chunaav nateejon tak theek hai, sarkaar sabki hoti hai, sabke liye hoti hai, sath chalne ke liye hoti hai: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/P6uJQN4u8H">pic.twitter.com/P6uJQN4u8H</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/840922874349203456">March 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The Prime Minister said that he recognises the potential of the poor and he understands their power. He also invoked the memory of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, whose idea of Antyodaya (uplifting the weaker sections of society), the Prime Minsiter said, should be the guiding light for the new government. &nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="fi">Gareeb mein saamarth mai dekh paata hoon, unki shakti ko pehchaan paata hoon: PM Modi at BJP HQ in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/pvwv6SHZB1">pic.twitter.com/pvwv6SHZB1</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/840918157690785796">March 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">These elections are an emotional issue for us. They come when we mark the centenary celebrations of Pandit Deen Dayal Ji: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/GWDlVFJNOt">pic.twitter.com/GWDlVFJNOt</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/840918568699023360">March 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>He also said that the burden on the middle class should be&nbsp;reduced so that they can shine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Terming the victory as historic, Modi added that with every election,&nbsp;support for the BJP is increasing .</p>

<p>Earlier, the Prime Minister arrived at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi on Sunday evening following a &quot;victory walk&quot; to celebrate the party&#39;s landslide win in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand polls.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at BJP HQ in Delhi amid loud &#39;Modi Modi&#39; chants <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ElectionResults?src=hash">#ElectionResults</a> <a href="https://t.co/PguigLCp3l">pic.twitter.com/PguigLCp3l</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/840908435927400448">March 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p><br />
(WION with inputs from ANI)</p>


BJP president Amit Shah will decide the names of the chief ministers in states where the party has won

The BJP's Parliamentary Board has authorised party president Amit Shah to take the final call about who will be the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Uttarakhand. The party's Parliamentary Board Secretary JP Nadda said Amit Shah has been authorised to take the final decision after the observers appointed by the party submitted their reports. Venkaiah Naidu and Bhupendra Yadav will be observers for Uttar Pradesh while Narendra Tomar and Saroj Pandey will be the observers for Uttarakhand, the Parliamentary Board Secretary said. Piyush Goyal and Vinay Sahasrabuddhe are observers for Manipur, the Union Minister added. Amit Shah had said yesterday that the chief ministers would be chosen on the basis of merit and capability. The party has performed well in the assembly polls of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. The BJP had not announced a chief ministerial candidate for both Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In Uttar Pradesh, there are four leaders who are in the reckoning to be the next chief minister. State party chief Keshav Maurya, right-wing lawmaker Yogi Adityanath and Union minister Manoj Sinha are some of the those in fray. India's interior minister Rajnath Singh's name has been mentioned as well but people close to him say he is not keen on helming the state. In Uttarakhand, Satpal Maharaj, Devendra Rawat and Prakash Pant are the frontrunners to become the chief minister. While these leaders are touted to be the top contenders for the CM’s post in UP, the suspense can be put to an end only by an announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has a penchant to spring surprises. Earlier Sunday, Prime Minister Modi delivered his victory speech to party workers emphasising that the massive mandate is to serve the people and laying the foundation for a new India. He also said that the government will not discriminate and work for all irresepective of whether they voted for the BJP or not. Naye Hindustan ke nayi neev ke roop mein dekh raha hoon, in paanch rajyon ke chunaav ko: PM Modi at BJP HQ #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/ds8aW1A5cQ — ANI (@ANI_news) March 12, 2017 × Vote diya na diya wo chunaav nateejon tak theek hai, sarkaar sabki hoti hai, sabke liye hoti hai, sath chalne ke liye hoti hai: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/P6uJQN4u8H — ANI (@ANI_news) March 12, 2017 × The Prime Minister said that he recognises the potential of the poor and he understands their power. He also invoked the memory of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, whose idea of Antyodaya (uplifting the weaker sections of society), the Prime Minsiter said, should be the guiding light for the new government. Gareeb mein saamarth mai dekh paata hoon, unki shakti ko pehchaan paata hoon: PM Modi at BJP HQ in Delhi pic.twitter.com/pvwv6SHZB1 — ANI (@ANI_news) March 12, 2017 × These elections are an emotional issue for us. They come when we mark the centenary celebrations of Pandit Deen Dayal Ji: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/GWDlVFJNOt — ANI (@ANI_news) March 12, 2017 × He also said that the burden on the middle class should be reduced so that they can shine. Terming the victory as historic, Modi added that with every election, support for the BJP is increasing . Earlier, the Prime Minister arrived at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi on Sunday evening following a "victory walk" to celebrate the party's landslide win in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at BJP HQ in Delhi amid loud 'Modi Modi' chants #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/PguigLCp3l — ANI (@ANI_news) March 12, 2017 × (WION with inputs from ANI)

BJP's Parliamentary Board authorises Amit Shah to decide chief ministers of UP, Uttarakhand, Manipur

<p>Sensing his party&#39;s drive for votes in India&#39;s most politically prized state had stalled, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared his schedule and thrust himself into the heart of the battle.</p>

<p>&quot;Our election campaign has hit a roadblock,&quot; Modi told campaign managers and two federal ministers in Delhi last month, a week before the sixth of seven phases of voting was to begin in Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>&quot;I don&#39;t want to feel that I could have pushed myself a little more,&quot; Modi was quoted as saying by a close aide who attended the meeting.</p>

<p>For three full days the leader of the world&#39;s largest democracy camped out in the holy city of Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, walking the ancient streets and stopping at Hindu temples to seek blessings, despite warnings from aides about his security and the risk to his reputation had his party come up short.</p>

<p>On Saturday the gamble paid off: Modi&#39;s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) scored a thumping victory in Uttar Pradesh, home to one in six Indians, winning the biggest majority in the state for any party since 1977.</p>

<p>The triumph vindicates Modi&#39;s decision to turn the campaign into a referendum on his own performance after his shock decision last November to abolish high-denomination banknotes, a move he framed as a fight for the poor against the corrupt rich.</p>

<p>&quot;We were always nervous that overexposing the prime minister in the final stages of the election could make us look desperate,&quot; said Keshav Prasad Maurya, the BJP&#39;s state leader in Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>As it turned out, Modi&#39;s victory confounded even the most bullish voter surveys. The BJP won 312 of the 403 seats in the state assembly and, with 39.7 per cent of the vote, almost matched its showing in Uttar Pradesh in the 2014 general election, when it claimed the biggest parliamentary majority in three decades.</p>

<p>&quot;Modi&#39;s magic has destroyed the opposition and silenced sceptics in the party,&quot; Maurya told Reuters on Saturday, as the scale of the victory became clear.</p>

<p><strong>Two-term Modi</strong></p>

<p>The win clears a path to victory for Modi at a 2019 general election, and gives him a free hand to consolidate his grip over a state that sends the highest number of federal lawmakers to parliament.</p>

<p>That has raised hopes among investors that the BJP will embark on a round of new reforms to boost growth in Asia&#39;s third-largest economy, and try to tackle the corruption and red tape that has long undermined India&#39;s potential.</p>

<p>Economists now expect Modi to launch initiatives aimed at flushing out ill-gotten gains from real estate, gold and campaign finance.</p>

<p>But they caution that his biggest task remains transforming India&#39;s economy into one that creates enough jobs for an emerging generation that is desperate to give up life on the farm for a more prosperous future.</p>

<p>&quot;Jobs is the biggest risk,&quot; said Rajiv Kumar, an economist at the Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research. &quot;That&#39;s where he has to focus very hard and it could mean reforms as radical as demonetisation.&quot;</p>

<p>Modi&#39;s BJP now heads the government in states where more than half of Indians live, while the Congress party, which has ruled India for most of the 70 years since independence, leads in regions covering less than 8 percent of the population.</p>

<p>Success will increase the pressure on Modi to provide for an increasingly aspirational nation of 1.3 billion people, half of whom are aged 25 or under.</p>

<p>&quot;He has to do a very delicate tightrope walk between being reformist and populist,&quot; said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, a journalist and biographer of Modi. &quot;The problem in India is that people think reforms are pro-rich.&quot;</p>

<p><strong>Communal tone</strong></p>

<p>Modi relied on his own charisma to clinch crucial votes in poor and agrarian Uttar Pradesh, but his campaign manager Amit Shah also takes credit for fielding the right candidates in a region where many people vote along caste and religious lines.</p>

<p>Critics accuse Shah and Modi of &quot;social engineering&quot; and of switching to a more communally divisive tone to fire up their Hindu base as voting, staggered over the course of a month, progressed.</p>

<p>Shah vowed to construct a Hindu temple on a razed mosque site and ban the slaughter of cows, worshipped by millions of Hindus.</p>

<p>On the campaign trail, too, Modi played up religious divisions by asking why the state government ensured there were no power cuts in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan but not during the Hindu festival of Diwali.</p>

<p>Still, the BJP likely collected minority votes, including Muslim women whom he courted by questioning an Islamic practice that allows men to divorce their wives with three simple words.</p>

<p>&quot;The results prove that Muslims and backward caste groups voted for the BJP,&quot; said RK&nbsp;Mishra, a political analyst in Lucknow, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>(Reuters)</p>


The BJP won 312 of the 403 seats in the state assembly and, with 39.7% votes, almost matched its showing in UP in the 2014 general elections

Sensing his party's drive for votes in India's most politically prized state had stalled, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cleared his schedule and thrust himself into the heart of the battle. "Our election campaign has hit a roadblock," Modi told campaign managers and two federal ministers in Delhi last month, a week before the sixth of seven phases of voting was to begin in Uttar Pradesh. "I don't want to feel that I could have pushed myself a little more," Modi was quoted as saying by a close aide who attended the meeting. For three full days the leader of the world's largest democracy camped out in the holy city of Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, walking the ancient streets and stopping at Hindu temples to seek blessings, despite warnings from aides about his security and the risk to his reputation had his party come up short. On Saturday the gamble paid off: Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) scored a thumping victory in Uttar Pradesh, home to one in six Indians, winning the biggest majority in the state for any party since 1977. The triumph vindicates Modi's decision to turn the campaign into a referendum on his own performance after his shock decision last November to abolish high-denomination banknotes, a move he framed as a fight for the poor against the corrupt rich. "We were always nervous that overexposing the prime minister in the final stages of the election could make us look desperate," said Keshav Prasad Maurya, the BJP's state leader in Uttar Pradesh. As it turned out, Modi's victory confounded even the most bullish voter surveys. The BJP won 312 of the 403 seats in the state assembly and, with 39.7 per cent of the vote, almost matched its showing in Uttar Pradesh in the 2014 general election, when it claimed the biggest parliamentary majority in three decades. "Modi's magic has destroyed the opposition and silenced sceptics in the party," Maurya told Reuters on Saturday, as the scale of the victory became clear. Two-term Modi The win clears a path to victory for Modi at a 2019 general election, and gives him a free hand to consolidate his grip over a state that sends the highest number of federal lawmakers to parliament. That has raised hopes among investors that the BJP will embark on a round of new reforms to boost growth in Asia's third-largest economy, and try to tackle the corruption and red tape that has long undermined India's potential. Economists now expect Modi to launch initiatives aimed at flushing out ill-gotten gains from real estate, gold and campaign finance. But they caution that his biggest task remains transforming India's economy into one that creates enough jobs for an emerging generation that is desperate to give up life on the farm for a more prosperous future. "Jobs is the biggest risk," said Rajiv Kumar, an economist at the Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research. "That's where he has to focus very hard and it could mean reforms as radical as demonetisation." Modi's BJP now heads the government in states where more than half of Indians live, while the Congress party, which has ruled India for most of the 70 years since independence, leads in regions covering less than 8 percent of the population. Success will increase the pressure on Modi to provide for an increasingly aspirational nation of 1.3 billion people, half of whom are aged 25 or under. "He has to do a very delicate tightrope walk between being reformist and populist," said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, a journalist and biographer of Modi. "The problem in India is that people think reforms are pro-rich." Communal tone Modi relied on his own charisma to clinch crucial votes in poor and agrarian Uttar Pradesh, but his campaign manager Amit Shah also takes credit for fielding the right candidates in a region where many people vote along caste and religious lines. Critics accuse Shah and Modi of "social engineering" and of switching to a more communally divisive tone to fire up their Hindu base as voting, staggered over the course of a month, progressed. Shah vowed to construct a Hindu temple on a razed mosque site and ban the slaughter of cows, worshipped by millions of Hindus. On the campaign trail, too, Modi played up religious divisions by asking why the state government ensured there were no power cuts in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan but not during the Hindu festival of Diwali. Still, the BJP likely collected minority votes, including Muslim women whom he courted by questioning an Islamic practice that allows men to divorce their wives with three simple words. "The results prove that Muslims and backward caste groups voted for the BJP," said RK Mishra, a political analyst in Lucknow, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh. (Reuters)

India Assembly Elections: Modi's one-man show triumphs again in Uttar Pradesh

<p>Reliance Jio and Paytm have apologised for their &quot;inadvertent mistake&quot; in using Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s photograph in their advertisements without permission, the government today informed Parliament.</p>

<p>The Ministry of Consumer Affairs had sent notices to both the companies under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act of 1950, which bars use of Prime Minister&#39;s name and picture for commercial use.</p>

<p>&quot;Clarifications were sought by the Department of Consumer Affairs from Paytm and Reliance Jio wherein they have apologised for their inadvertent mistake,&quot; Minister of State for Consumer Affairs C R Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>The two companies used the photograph of the Prime Minister in their respective full page advertisements contravening the &#39;prior permission&#39; stipulated under the Act, he said.</p>

<p>Based on the department&#39;s request, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued an advisory to print medium to check-up the permission from competent authority before issuing any advertisement wherein the emblem and names specified under the Act are mentioned, he added.</p>

<p>Responding to a query whether there is any mechanism to approve use of Prime Minister&#39;s photo by private firms or if the government plans to introduce one, the minister said a committee is in place to examine such proposals.</p>

<p>The Section 3 of the Act provides that no person shall use or continue to use any name or emblem for the purpose of any trade, business, calling or profession without the previous permission of the central government.</p>

<p>The law provides that &quot;any person who contravenes the provisions of Section 3 shall be punishable with fine, which may exceed to Rs 500&quot;.</p>

<p>In September last year, Reliance Jio, through its advertisements, had dedicated the Reliance Jio 4G service to the Modi government&#39;s flagship Digital India project. Full-page &quot;Reliance Jio: Digital Life&quot; advertisements were published with a photograph of the Prime Minister, dressed in a blue jacket, triggering a political controversy.</p>

<p>After the government announced the demonetisation decision on 8 November, Paytm issued an advertisement welcoming the move as it boosted use of e-wallets.</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>


Both the companies had contravened the 'prior permission' stipulated under the the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950

Reliance Jio and Paytm have apologised for their "inadvertent mistake" in using Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph in their advertisements without permission, the government today informed Parliament. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs had sent notices to both the companies under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act of 1950, which bars use of Prime Minister's name and picture for commercial use. "Clarifications were sought by the Department of Consumer Affairs from Paytm and Reliance Jio wherein they have apologised for their inadvertent mistake," Minister of State for Consumer Affairs C R Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. The two companies used the photograph of the Prime Minister in their respective full page advertisements contravening the 'prior permission' stipulated under the Act, he said. Based on the department's request, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued an advisory to print medium to check-up the permission from competent authority before issuing any advertisement wherein the emblem and names specified under the Act are mentioned, he added. Responding to a query whether there is any mechanism to approve use of Prime Minister's photo by private firms or if the government plans to introduce one, the minister said a committee is in place to examine such proposals. The Section 3 of the Act provides that no person shall use or continue to use any name or emblem for the purpose of any trade, business, calling or profession without the previous permission of the central government. The law provides that "any person who contravenes the provisions of Section 3 shall be punishable with fine, which may exceed to Rs 500". In September last year, Reliance Jio, through its advertisements, had dedicated the Reliance Jio 4G service to the Modi government's flagship Digital India project. Full-page "Reliance Jio: Digital Life" advertisements were published with a photograph of the Prime Minister, dressed in a blue jacket, triggering a political controversy. After the government announced the demonetisation decision on 8 November, Paytm issued an advertisement welcoming the move as it boosted use of e-wallets. (PTI)

Reliance Jio, Paytm apologise for using PM Narendra Modi's photo in ads

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned for the BJP for the second consecutive day in his constituency Varanasi on Sunday.</p>

<p>The prime minister embarked on a roadshow through the Muslim-dominated interiors of the city before ending his tour at the Kashi Vidyapeeth (University) where he addressed an election rally.<br />
<br />
PM Modi said development of Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh) was high on the priority of the central government, and criticised successive state governments for not doing anything to develop the region.</p>

<p>&quot;There is fertile land and hard working people but there is no good government,&quot; he said&nbsp;while addressing&nbsp;a huge gathering at the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth.</p>

<p>The prime minister said that the central government was ready to provide the required funds for development of the region but the state government must be able to properly account for the expenses.<br />
<br />
PM Modi also blamed&nbsp;previous governments for the lack of development of the the historical city of Banaras (Varanasi). He said the city needed a modern makeover and &quot;it is my dream to achieve this&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;Earlier governments did only tidbits (of development work) for Banaras with an eye on short-term electoral gains. But these tidbits won&#39;t help Banaras. The city needs a complete, modern makeover and it is my dream to turn this city into a modern world-class city,&quot; said Modi.</p>

<p>He said that if earlier governments had given proper attention, Kashi (another older name for Varanasi) could have become a tourist hot spot.</p>

<p>&quot;People would have yearned to visit Banaras at least once,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Invoking Mark Twain, the PM said the city of Varanasi was older than history itself.</p>

<p>&quot;Banaras is not a city, it is a living heritage. Every Indian considers Banaras as his own,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>He accused the BSP, Congress and the SP of rallying against the BJP after demonetisation of high value currency notes in November last year. He&nbsp;also assured the people that the honest would not be harrassed by tax authorities during his governance.</p>

<p>The prime minister also reached out to small traders who are in significant numbers in Varanasi. He said they would not be touched by his government&#39;s drive against corruption as the politicians and &#39;babus&#39; have looted the country all these years.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
PM Modi&nbsp;hit out at the Congress for emptying the exchequer through a series of scams including the 2G, coal scam, and AgustaWestland chopper scam.</p>

<p>Accusing the Congress of &quot;robbing&quot; the country for 70 years, PM Modi&nbsp;said it was time the party &quot;gave back&quot; to the people of the country.</p>

<p>&quot;I have been elected not to maintain status quo but to weed out corruption from the system and punish the guilty,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;Our motto is inclusive development but the Congress, SP and the BSP have a different culture of politics that relies on development for a few,&quot; the PM&nbsp;said.</p>

<p>He targeted the Opposition once more for politicising the surgical strikes against Pakistani militants across the Line of Control by asking for proof.</p>

<p>&quot;It is sad that those driven by politics wanted proof of surgical strikes, they asked so many died but did any of our men die,&quot; PM Modi said.</p>

<p>He also attacked the Samajwadi Party for the poor condition of the roads in the state.</p>

<p>&quot;Tourism is important for Varanasi. But see what the government has done to the roads of this place. What will the tourists feel. We wanted to build roads on different stretches. But the work is slow, the state government has no intention to build roads,&quot; PM Modi said.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister attacked the Congress on the distribution of gas cylinders and said his government had&nbsp;taken the&nbsp;initiative to provide clean fuel to millions of poor households. Under the scheme, 55 lakh connections had&nbsp;already been given in the state.</p>

<p>He also ignored the ruling Samajwadi Party government of ignoring the development-related initiatives of the central government.</p>

<p>&quot;30 lakh families in UP need houses, Centre asked the state for their list but they&#39;re sleeping; they couldn&#39;t make a list how will &nbsp;they make&nbsp;houses,&quot; Modi said.</p>

<p>Narendra Modi also took potshots at Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi as &quot;delicate&quot; people incapable of taking hard decisions while pitching himself as a grassroots leader who can develop the state.</p>

<p>&quot;They are such delicate people who cannot take hard decisions. They think what if they lose what they got. I have not got anything in inheritance.</p>

<p>&quot;Whatever I have got is due to the blessing of the people of Kashi. I can take hard decisions to rid the country of its problems. I have the courage to do so,&quot; the Prime Minister said.<br />
<br />
The second day of the roadshow commenced late afternoon from the city&#39;s Pandeypur Chauraha (crossroad) with the PM&#39;s supporters chanting &quot;Modi Modi&quot; and &quot;Vande Mataram&quot; before concluding at the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth university.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center><twitterwidget class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" data-tweet-id="838388381218443265" id="twitter-widget-0" style="position: static; visibility: visible; display: block; transform: rotate(0deg); max-width: 100%; width: 500px; min-width: 220px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"></twitterwidget><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center><twitterwidget class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" data-tweet-id="838380183015026688" id="twitter-widget-1" style="position: static; visibility: visible; display: block; transform: rotate(0deg); max-width: 100%; width: 500px; min-width: 220px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"></twitterwidget><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center><twitterwidget class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" data-tweet-id="838376952364953600" id="twitter-widget-2" style="position: static; visibility: visible; display: block; transform: rotate(0deg); max-width: 100%; width: 500px; min-width: 220px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"></twitterwidget><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center><twitterwidget class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" data-tweet-id="838348049743249412" id="twitter-widget-3" style="position: static; visibility: visible; display: block; transform: rotate(0deg); max-width: 100%; width: 500px; min-width: 220px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"></twitterwidget><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center><twitterwidget class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" data-tweet-id="838355216844062721" id="twitter-widget-4" style="position: static; visibility: visible; display: block; transform: rotate(0deg); max-width: 100%; width: 500px; min-width: 220px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"></twitterwidget><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center><twitterwidget class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" data-tweet-id="838359224728109056" id="twitter-widget-5" style="position: static; visibility: visible; display: block; transform: rotate(0deg); max-width: 100%; width: 500px; min-width: 220px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"></twitterwidget><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center><twitterwidget class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" data-tweet-id="838342960462893056" id="twitter-widget-6" style="position: static; visibility: visible; display: block; transform: rotate(0deg); max-width: 100%; width: 500px; min-width: 220px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"></twitterwidget><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the 2012 Assembly elections, the BJP had won three of the five assembly seats from Varanasi. The Samajwadi Party had won the remaining two.</p>

<p>Yesterday, at an election rally in neighbouring Jaunpur district, PM Modi said he had made Varanasi his &quot;Karya Kshetra&quot; (area of development), claiming that the area had lost its shine under the Samajwadi Party government.</p>

<p>The prime minister had also slammed Opposition parties for politicising the Indian Army&#39;s surgical strikes across the Line of Control in Pakistan last year. The prime minister claimed that the Congress government had ignored the Army&#39;s demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP) for 40 years.</p>

<p>He had also offered at the city&#39;s famous Kashi Vishwanath and Kaal Bhairav temples.</p>

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will address three rallies in Sonbhadra, Mirzapur and Jaunpur.</p>

<p>The seventh-phase of Assembly polls will be held&nbsp;on March 8, in which as many as 46 constituencies covering seven districts of Uttar Pradesh will cast their vote.</p>

<p>&nbsp;(WION with inputs from ANI)&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The prime minister blamed the previous governments for the lack of development of the region

Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned for the BJP for the second consecutive day in his constituency Varanasi on Sunday. The prime minister embarked on a roadshow through the Muslim-dominated interiors of the city before ending his tour at the Kashi Vidyapeeth (University) where he addressed an election rally. PM Modi said development of Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh) was high on the priority of the central government, and criticised successive state governments for not doing anything to develop the region. "There is fertile land and hard working people but there is no good government," he said while addressing a huge gathering at the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth. The prime minister said that the central government was ready to provide the required funds for development of the region but the state government must be able to properly account for the expenses. PM Modi also blamed previous governments for the lack of development of the the historical city of Banaras (Varanasi). He said the city needed a modern makeover and "it is my dream to achieve this". "Earlier governments did only tidbits (of development work) for Banaras with an eye on short-term electoral gains. But these tidbits won't help Banaras. The city needs a complete, modern makeover and it is my dream to turn this city into a modern world-class city," said Modi. He said that if earlier governments had given proper attention, Kashi (another older name for Varanasi) could have become a tourist hot spot. "People would have yearned to visit Banaras at least once," he said. Invoking Mark Twain, the PM said the city of Varanasi was older than history itself. "Banaras is not a city, it is a living heritage. Every Indian considers Banaras as his own," he said. He accused the BSP, Congress and the SP of rallying against the BJP after demonetisation of high value currency notes in November last year. He also assured the people that the honest would not be harrassed by tax authorities during his governance. The prime minister also reached out to small traders who are in significant numbers in Varanasi. He said they would not be touched by his government's drive against corruption as the politicians and 'babus' have looted the country all these years. PM Modi hit out at the Congress for emptying the exchequer through a series of scams including the 2G, coal scam, and AgustaWestland chopper scam. Accusing the Congress of "robbing" the country for 70 years, PM Modi said it was time the party "gave back" to the people of the country. "I have been elected not to maintain status quo but to weed out corruption from the system and punish the guilty," he said. "Our motto is inclusive development but the Congress, SP and the BSP have a different culture of politics that relies on development for a few," the PM said. He targeted the Opposition once more for politicising the surgical strikes against Pakistani militants across the Line of Control by asking for proof. "It is sad that those driven by politics wanted proof of surgical strikes, they asked so many died but did any of our men die," PM Modi said. He also attacked the Samajwadi Party for the poor condition of the roads in the state. "Tourism is important for Varanasi. But see what the government has done to the roads of this place. What will the tourists feel. We wanted to build roads on different stretches. But the work is slow, the state government has no intention to build roads," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister attacked the Congress on the distribution of gas cylinders and said his government had taken the initiative to provide clean fuel to millions of poor households. Under the scheme, 55 lakh connections had already been given in the state. He also ignored the ruling Samajwadi Party government of ignoring the development-related initiatives of the central government. "30 lakh families in UP need houses, Centre asked the state for their list but they're sleeping; they couldn't make a list how will they make houses," Modi said. Narendra Modi also took potshots at Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi as "delicate" people incapable of taking hard decisions while pitching himself as a grassroots leader who can develop the state. "They are such delicate people who cannot take hard decisions. They think what if they lose what they got. I have not got anything in inheritance. "Whatever I have got is due to the blessing of the people of Kashi. I can take hard decisions to rid the country of its problems. I have the courage to do so," the Prime Minister said. The second day of the roadshow commenced late afternoon from the city's Pandeypur Chauraha (crossroad) with the PM's supporters chanting "Modi Modi" and "Vande Mataram" before concluding at the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth university. × × × × × × × In the 2012 Assembly elections, the BJP had won three of the five assembly seats from Varanasi. The Samajwadi Party had won the remaining two. Yesterday, at an election rally in neighbouring Jaunpur district, PM Modi said he had made Varanasi his "Karya Kshetra" (area of development), claiming that the area had lost its shine under the Samajwadi Party government. The prime minister had also slammed Opposition parties for politicising the Indian Army's surgical strikes across the Line of Control in Pakistan last year. The prime minister claimed that the Congress government had ignored the Army's demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP) for 40 years. He had also offered at the city's famous Kashi Vishwanath and Kaal Bhairav temples. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will address three rallies in Sonbhadra, Mirzapur and Jaunpur. The seventh-phase of Assembly polls will be held on March 8, in which as many as 46 constituencies covering seven districts of Uttar Pradesh will cast their vote. (WION with inputs from ANI)

Indian PM Modi pitches for development of 'Purvanchal' on Day 2 of Varanasi campaign

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned for the BJP in a mega-rally held in Uttar Pradesh&#39;s Jaunpur district near his&nbsp;home constituency of Varanasi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The prime minister slammed Opposition parties for politicising the Indian Army&#39;s surgical strikes across the Line of Control in Pakistan in September last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;It is unfortunate that some political parties are questioning the Army out of political motives. For them even national security is a political tool,&quot; Modi said at the election rally in Jaunpur.</p>

<p>&quot;It is unfortunate that some parties, in their greed for power, are just focusing on politics of opposing. But the people of the nation will not forgive this...&quot; he said.</p>

<p>PM Modi also claimed that the Congress government had ignored the Army&#39;s demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP) for 40 years.</p>

<p>&quot;For 40 years our forces demanded OROP but nothing happened. I had promised a BJP government will deliver on OROP and we did,&quot; PM Modi said.</p>

<p>He also added that the Congress &quot;made fun&quot; of soldiers by sanctioning just Rs 500 crore for the OROP scheme before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.</p>

<p>&quot;They announced Rs 500 crore for OROP, and tried to cash in on it during the Lok Sabha polls. When we calculated, we found that Rs 12,000 crore is needed for OROP,&quot; Modi said. &quot;Announcing just Rs 500 crore was cheating the Army.&quot;</p>

<p>Earlier, thousands of people lined-up for PM Modi&#39;s roadshow in Varanasi which goes to polls on March 8.</p>

<p>Eastern Uttar Pradesh witnessing the sixth phase of polling today.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a>: Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s roadshow proceeds in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi <a href="https://t.co/nBirbVemSr">pic.twitter.com/nBirbVemSr</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/837944065882742784">March 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>PM Modi&#39;s roadshow was met with huge crowds including BJP workers who lined the streets as the prime minister&#39;s cavalcade moved through the city.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash">#Visuals</a> PM Modi&#39;s roadshow in Varanasi. BJP is contesting on 4, it&#39;s ally AD on 1, out of 5 assembly constituencies under Varanasi Loksabha <a href="https://t.co/Ou2oWF5998">pic.twitter.com/Ou2oWF5998</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/837924232600281089">March 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>It concluded with the prime minister offering prayers at the famous Kaal Bhairav Temple. The roadshow began from &nbsp;the main gate of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus main gate along with BJP chief Amit Shah.</p>

<p>Before beginning the roadshow, PM Modi put a garland on the statue of freedom fighter Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, who was also the founder of BHU.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There were reports of Samajwadi Pary workers erecting a stage in the middle of the prime minister&#39;s route which was removed by the police. Seven SP workers were detained by police.</p>

<p>BSP chief Mayawati also campaigned in Varanasi the same day, accusing the BJP of failing up to clean the Ganga river which remains one of the world&#39;s most polluted rivers. In 2014, Modi had famously promised to clean up the river as a part of his poll promise.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">They haven&#39;t yet cleaned mother Ganga. Along with you people, this time mother Ganga will punish them too: Mayawati in Varanasi. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPPolls?src=hash">#UPPolls</a> <a href="https://t.co/bknAGtbKRf">pic.twitter.com/bknAGtbKRf</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/837960100002177025">March 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav also held a roadshow in the city.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="in">Congress VP Rahul Gandhi and UP CM Akhilesh Yadav hold joint roadshow in Varanasi <a href="https://t.co/JbH3u69SZ3">pic.twitter.com/JbH3u69SZ3</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/837958758403821568">March 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p><br />
Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh and his wife Dimple Yadav also offered prayers at the city&#39;s Kashi Vishwanath Temple.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="in"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Watch?src=hash">#Watch</a> UP CM Akhilesh Yadav,Dimple Yadav&amp; Congress VP Rahul Gandhi offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple,Varanasi.Raj Babbar also present <a href="https://t.co/fqunSsNmld">pic.twitter.com/fqunSsNmld</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/838034010693636100">March 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party is contesting two out of five Assembly seats which fall under the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, currently held by the BJP.</p>

<p>The Congress has fielded candidates on three of the seats which cover almost the entire city. The SP is fighting the predominantly rural Rohaniya and Sevapuri.</p>

<p>In the 2012 Assembly elections, the Congress finished as the runner-up in Varanasi South and Varanasi Cantt.</p>

<p>In Varanasi North, the SP had finished third, behind BJP and BSP, and was followed closely by the Congress.</p>

<p>(WION with agency inputs)</p>


At an election rally in neighbouring Jaunpur, PM Modi accused the Opposition of ignoring the Army's demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned for the BJP in a mega-rally held in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur district near his home constituency of Varanasi. The prime minister slammed Opposition parties for politicising the Indian Army's surgical strikes across the Line of Control in Pakistan in September last year. "It is unfortunate that some political parties are questioning the Army out of political motives. For them even national security is a political tool," Modi said at the election rally in Jaunpur. "It is unfortunate that some parties, in their greed for power, are just focusing on politics of opposing. But the people of the nation will not forgive this..." he said. PM Modi also claimed that the Congress government had ignored the Army's demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP) for 40 years. "For 40 years our forces demanded OROP but nothing happened. I had promised a BJP government will deliver on OROP and we did," PM Modi said. He also added that the Congress "made fun" of soldiers by sanctioning just Rs 500 crore for the OROP scheme before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. "They announced Rs 500 crore for OROP, and tried to cash in on it during the Lok Sabha polls. When we calculated, we found that Rs 12,000 crore is needed for OROP," Modi said. "Announcing just Rs 500 crore was cheating the Army." Earlier, thousands of people lined-up for PM Modi's roadshow in Varanasi which goes to polls on March 8. Eastern Uttar Pradesh witnessing the sixth phase of polling today. #WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow proceeds in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi pic.twitter.com/nBirbVemSr — ANI (@ANI_news) March 4, 2017 × PM Modi's roadshow was met with huge crowds including BJP workers who lined the streets as the prime minister's cavalcade moved through the city. #Visuals PM Modi's roadshow in Varanasi. BJP is contesting on 4, it's ally AD on 1, out of 5 assembly constituencies under Varanasi Loksabha pic.twitter.com/Ou2oWF5998 — ANI (@ANI_news) March 4, 2017 × It concluded with the prime minister offering prayers at the famous Kaal Bhairav Temple. The roadshow began from the main gate of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus main gate along with BJP chief Amit Shah. Before beginning the roadshow, PM Modi put a garland on the statue of freedom fighter Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, who was also the founder of BHU. There were reports of Samajwadi Pary workers erecting a stage in the middle of the prime minister's route which was removed by the police. Seven SP workers were detained by police. BSP chief Mayawati also campaigned in Varanasi the same day, accusing the BJP of failing up to clean the Ganga river which remains one of the world's most polluted rivers. In 2014, Modi had famously promised to clean up the river as a part of his poll promise. They haven't yet cleaned mother Ganga. Along with you people, this time mother Ganga will punish them too: Mayawati in Varanasi. #UPPolls pic.twitter.com/bknAGtbKRf — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 4, 2017 × Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav also held a roadshow in the city. Congress VP Rahul Gandhi and UP CM Akhilesh Yadav hold joint roadshow in Varanasi pic.twitter.com/JbH3u69SZ3 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 4, 2017 × Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh and his wife Dimple Yadav also offered prayers at the city's Kashi Vishwanath Temple. #Watch UP CM Akhilesh Yadav,Dimple Yadav& Congress VP Rahul Gandhi offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple,Varanasi.Raj Babbar also present pic.twitter.com/fqunSsNmld — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 4, 2017 × Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party is contesting two out of five Assembly seats which fall under the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, currently held by the BJP. The Congress has fielded candidates on three of the seats which cover almost the entire city. The SP is fighting the predominantly rural Rohaniya and Sevapuri. In the 2012 Assembly elections, the Congress finished as the runner-up in Varanasi South and Varanasi Cantt. In Varanasi North, the SP had finished third, behind BJP and BSP, and was followed closely by the Congress. (WION with agency inputs)

Uttar Pradesh elections: PM Modi, Rahul-Akhilesh, Mayawati converge at battleground Varanasi

<p>India&#39;s Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress for corruption and lack of development in Manipur and said the party was spreading misinforming people that the central government was compromising with the territorial sovereignity of the state.</p>

<p>The prime minister also said that if the BJP comes to power in the state, he would ensure economic blockades were put to an end in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;There will never be an economic blockade when BJP comes to power in Manipur, I assure you this,&quot; PM Modi said at an election rally in Manipur capital Imphal.</p>

<p>Accusing the Congress of &quot;ruining&quot; Manipur in the last 15 years, Modi assured that the BJP would do in 15 months what the Congress could not do all this while. He also said he was the only prime minister after Morarji Desai who attended the North East Council (NEC) meetings for the overall development of the North Eastern states.</p>

<p>&quot;It has been 15 years, Manipur has been ruined. Who is responsible? Congress did no development, do they deserve to be here now?. What they (Congress) did not do in last 15 years, I assure we will do it in 15 months,&quot; PM Modi said.</p>

<p>&quot;When Atal<em>ji </em>(former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee) formed government, he made policies for overall development of Northeast. But Congress did not carry the good work forward.</p>

<p>&quot;Since last 40 years, no PM of the country came to North-East for NEC Meeting. After Morarji Desai I am the only one who visited,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Modi also alleged that the Congress party was dividing people by saying that the Centre was compromising the territorial integrity of Manipur by signing an accord with the Naga insurgent group -- the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) (NSCN-IM). &nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;People have been talking about the accord with the Nagas. I want to ask the CM, were you sleeping for 1.5 years? You never wrote a letter to Centre seeking details. I alone revealed everything about the accord to the Congress. They are dividing the people of Manipur by spreading lies,&quot; Prime Minister Modi said.</p>

<p>&quot;Naga accord was signed one and half years ago. Was Congress asleep that time? And, now they are spreading lies,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>He also accused the state government of pitting communities against one another for their personal gain.</p>

<p>&quot;In order to win elections and they are making people fight against each other. They pitted one brother against another. They don&#39;t care about the people of Manipur, all they care about is grabbing power. They don&#39;t deserve to be in the government,&quot; Prime Minister Modi said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Targeting chief minister Ibobi Singh, the PM said, &quot;&quot;They (Congress) want votes for their 10 per cent commission... Have you ever heard about 10 per cent chief minister? Anywhere? Manipur now needs a zero per cent chief minister... We want vote for 100 per cent development...&quot;</p>

<p>Manipur goes to polls in two phases on March 4 and March 8. The results will be declared on March 11 along with that of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Goa.</p>

<p>The BJP is hoping to gain some ground in the state where the Congress is the largest party followed by the All India Trinamool Congress and Manipur State Congress Party.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Human rights activist Irom Sharmila, who has floated a new party after breaking her 16-year-long fast demanding repeal of the controversial AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act), is also in the fray.<br />
<br />
(WION with inputs from agencies)<br />
&nbsp;</p>


At an election rally in Imphal, Modi said the Congress was spreading lies about the Naga accord signed with the Naga insurgent group NSCN-IM

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress for corruption and lack of development in Manipur and said the party was spreading misinforming people that the central government was compromising with the territorial sovereignity of the state. The prime minister also said that if the BJP comes to power in the state, he would ensure economic blockades were put to an end in the state. "There will never be an economic blockade when BJP comes to power in Manipur, I assure you this," PM Modi said at an election rally in Manipur capital Imphal. Accusing the Congress of "ruining" Manipur in the last 15 years, Modi assured that the BJP would do in 15 months what the Congress could not do all this while. He also said he was the only prime minister after Morarji Desai who attended the North East Council (NEC) meetings for the overall development of the North Eastern states. "It has been 15 years, Manipur has been ruined. Who is responsible? Congress did no development, do they deserve to be here now?. What they (Congress) did not do in last 15 years, I assure we will do it in 15 months," PM Modi said. "When Atalji (former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee) formed government, he made policies for overall development of Northeast. But Congress did not carry the good work forward. "Since last 40 years, no PM of the country came to North-East for NEC Meeting. After Morarji Desai I am the only one who visited," he added. Modi also alleged that the Congress party was dividing people by saying that the Centre was compromising the territorial integrity of Manipur by signing an accord with the Naga insurgent group -- the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) (NSCN-IM). "People have been talking about the accord with the Nagas. I want to ask the CM, were you sleeping for 1.5 years? You never wrote a letter to Centre seeking details. I alone revealed everything about the accord to the Congress. They are dividing the people of Manipur by spreading lies," Prime Minister Modi said. "Naga accord was signed one and half years ago. Was Congress asleep that time? And, now they are spreading lies," he said. He also accused the state government of pitting communities against one another for their personal gain. "In order to win elections and they are making people fight against each other. They pitted one brother against another. They don't care about the people of Manipur, all they care about is grabbing power. They don't deserve to be in the government," Prime Minister Modi said. Targeting chief minister Ibobi Singh, the PM said, ""They (Congress) want votes for their 10 per cent commission... Have you ever heard about 10 per cent chief minister? Anywhere? Manipur now needs a zero per cent chief minister... We want vote for 100 per cent development..." Manipur goes to polls in two phases on March 4 and March 8. The results will be declared on March 11 along with that of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Goa. The BJP is hoping to gain some ground in the state where the Congress is the largest party followed by the All India Trinamool Congress and Manipur State Congress Party. Human rights activist Irom Sharmila, who has floated a new party after breaking her 16-year-long fast demanding repeal of the controversial AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act), is also in the fray. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Government not compromising Manipur's territorial integrity, Congress lying: PM Modi

<p>Invoking the Kanpur train accident as an example of the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the incident, in which 150 people were killed, was carried out by perpetrators &quot;sitting across the border&quot; in Nepal.</p>

<p>The prime minister was addressing an election rally in the state&#39;s Gonda district, which goes to polls on February 27.</p>

<p>&ldquo;The Kanpur rail accident in which hundreds of people were killed was a conspiracy and conspirators carried it out sitting across the border&hellip; Gonda is adjoining Nepal,&rdquo; he said referring to the arrest of alleged ISI agent and the prime suspect in the Kanpur train tragedy, Shamshul Hoda, by the Nepal Police on February 7.</p>

<p>&quot;If the cross-border foes want to carry out their work, is it not necessary that more vigil is maintained in Gonda,&quot; Modi asked people as he exhorted them to vote for the BJP. &quot;Gonda needs to elect only those who are full of patriotism, only then we can do anything good for Gonda,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Hitting out at the SP over the poor law and order situation, Modi said police stations in the state had turned into offices of the ruling party. &quot;No justice can be expected from these police stations as they are helpless as they await nod for action from SP bosses,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The PM also asked people not to make a mistake in the election by voting for the BSP or the SP and instead vote for the BJP.</p>

<p>&ldquo;There should not be any mistake in this election&hellip; be it the SP or the BSP, not a single seat should go to them&hellip;100 per cent seats should be won by the BJP,&rdquo; the prime minister said.</p>

<p>Modi also criticised the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP for the poor education system, saying the &quot;copying mafia&quot; in the state was harming the youth with their &quot;contracts&quot; of colleges and schools during exams.</p>

<p>Calling the education system in Uttar Pradesh &#39;corrupt&#39; and &#39;poor&#39;, Modi asked him &quot;You went to Australia for higher studies. What about the students studying here?&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;When I was thinking about speaking on the issue, I must honestly admit I was slightly scared as this topic heard on television by people in other parts of the country could give ideas to anti social elements to replicate the &#39;Sapa (Samajwadi Party) ka karobaar,&quot; he said to applause.</p>

<p>The prime minister said the inclusive policies of the BJP such as the Jan Dhan Yojna and the Rupay card were empowering the poor by bringing them into the banking system. He also cited the example of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) on gas connections and said millions of women had benefited under the central government scheme.</p>

<p>&quot;Till now 1.75 crore people have been given free gas connection and they have been saved from the hazardous smoke that choked their lungs,&quot; PM Modi said.<br />
<br />
He also promised small farmers that he would waive off their loans and also give them cash under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in case their crops were damaged within 15 days of reaping.</p>

<p>Modi also took a dig at the Congress&nbsp;for their poor show in Maharashtra&#39;s civic body elections.</p>

<p>&quot;The results in BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) polls are heartening for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Where on the other hand , the Congress party has been completely wiped out from Maharashtra,&quot; said Modi.</p>

<p>&quot;People of our country have &#39;third eye&#39; like Lord Shiva and can differentiate between good and bad,&quot; Modi said in context of the festival of Maha Shivaratri which is being celebrated across the country today.<br />
Elections to the state are being held in seven phases. The results will be declared on March 11.<br />
<br />
This is the second time that the BJP has brought in the issue of terrorism in Uttar Pradesh.</p>

<p>Earlier, BJP president Amit Shah had asked the people of Uttar Pradesh to get rid of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Ajmal Kasab, the Pakistani terrorist who was hanged after being convicted for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.</p>

<p>&quot;People of Uttar Pradesh get rid of &lsquo;Kasab&rsquo; in this year&rsquo;s election. I say this again, People of Uttar Pradesh get rid of &lsquo;Kasab&rsquo; in this year&rsquo;s election. Don&rsquo;t take any other meaning of &lsquo;Kasab&rsquo;. By Kasab I mean, K for Congress party, S for Samajwadi Party and B for Bahujan Samaj Party. Unless you end Kasab, Uttar Pradesh will not develop,&rdquo; Amit Shah said at an election rally on February 22.<br />
<br />
(WION with inputs from &nbsp;PTI, ANI)</p>


Narendra Modi blamed the Samajwadi Party government for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state

Invoking the Kanpur train accident as an example of the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the incident, in which 150 people were killed, was carried out by perpetrators "sitting across the border" in Nepal. The prime minister was addressing an election rally in the state's Gonda district, which goes to polls on February 27. “The Kanpur rail accident in which hundreds of people were killed was a conspiracy and conspirators carried it out sitting across the border… Gonda is adjoining Nepal,” he said referring to the arrest of alleged ISI agent and the prime suspect in the Kanpur train tragedy, Shamshul Hoda, by the Nepal Police on February 7. "If the cross-border foes want to carry out their work, is it not necessary that more vigil is maintained in Gonda," Modi asked people as he exhorted them to vote for the BJP. "Gonda needs to elect only those who are full of patriotism, only then we can do anything good for Gonda," he said. Hitting out at the SP over the poor law and order situation, Modi said police stations in the state had turned into offices of the ruling party. "No justice can be expected from these police stations as they are helpless as they await nod for action from SP bosses," he said. The PM also asked people not to make a mistake in the election by voting for the BSP or the SP and instead vote for the BJP. “There should not be any mistake in this election… be it the SP or the BSP, not a single seat should go to them…100 per cent seats should be won by the BJP,” the prime minister said. Modi also criticised the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP for the poor education system, saying the "copying mafia" in the state was harming the youth with their "contracts" of colleges and schools during exams. Calling the education system in Uttar Pradesh 'corrupt' and 'poor', Modi asked him "You went to Australia for higher studies. What about the students studying here?". "When I was thinking about speaking on the issue, I must honestly admit I was slightly scared as this topic heard on television by people in other parts of the country could give ideas to anti social elements to replicate the 'Sapa (Samajwadi Party) ka karobaar," he said to applause. The prime minister said the inclusive policies of the BJP such as the Jan Dhan Yojna and the Rupay card were empowering the poor by bringing them into the banking system. He also cited the example of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) on gas connections and said millions of women had benefited under the central government scheme. "Till now 1.75 crore people have been given free gas connection and they have been saved from the hazardous smoke that choked their lungs," PM Modi said. He also promised small farmers that he would waive off their loans and also give them cash under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in case their crops were damaged within 15 days of reaping. Modi also took a dig at the Congress for their poor show in Maharashtra's civic body elections. "The results in BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) polls are heartening for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).Where on the other hand , the Congress party has been completely wiped out from Maharashtra," said Modi. "People of our country have 'third eye' like Lord Shiva and can differentiate between good and bad," Modi said in context of the festival of Maha Shivaratri which is being celebrated across the country today. Elections to the state are being held in seven phases. The results will be declared on March 11. This is the second time that the BJP has brought in the issue of terrorism in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, BJP president Amit Shah had asked the people of Uttar Pradesh to get rid of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Ajmal Kasab, the Pakistani terrorist who was hanged after being convicted for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. "People of Uttar Pradesh get rid of ‘Kasab’ in this year’s election. I say this again, People of Uttar Pradesh get rid of ‘Kasab’ in this year’s election. Don’t take any other meaning of ‘Kasab’. By Kasab I mean, K for Congress party, S for Samajwadi Party and B for Bahujan Samaj Party. Unless you end Kasab, Uttar Pradesh will not develop,” Amit Shah said at an election rally on February 22. (WION with inputs from PTI, ANI)

Kanpur train accident was a conspiracy from across the border: PM Modi at election rally

pm-modi

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

pm modi