<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Tuesday in this temple town and hold talks with his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth after the inaugural session.</p>

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indians-leading-the-world-today-sushma-swaraj-on-pravasi-bharatiya-divas-191776">Swaraj inaugurated the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas</a> on Monday, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and said the Indian diaspora has dramatically changed the world's perception of Indians and India.</p>

<p>Mauritian Premier Jugnauth arrived here in the afternoon and was received by Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh. Later, Swaraj called on the Mauritian PM and exchanged views on a range of issues, including strengthening bilateral cooperation.</p>

<p>For the first time, the three-day-long convention is being organised from January 21 to 23 instead of January 9 to allow participants to visit the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad and attend the Republic Day parade here.</p>

<p>The theme of this year's convention is 'role of the Indian diaspora in building new India', a statement from the prime minister's office said.<br />
Varanasi in Modi's parliamentary constituency.</p>

<p>Jugnauth will be the chief guest of the convention, while Himanshu Gulati, member of the Parliament of Norway, will be the special guest. Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, member of Parliament of New Zealand, will be the guest of honour.</p>

<p>President Ram Nath Kovind will address the concluding function on January 23.</p>

<p>Over 4,000 NRI delegates from about 85 countries are attending the event and many of them will be staying in the tent city, built specially for them.?</p>

<p>After Pravasi Divas, the guests will be taken for a visit to the Kumbh Mela on January 24 where also a tent city has been set up.</p>

<p>A cultural village has been developed in Prayagraj, showing the history from the Indus Valley Civilisation. The 'pravasis' will be taken to New Delhi on the night of January 24 and will have a "Delhi darshan" the next day.</p>

<p>They will also witness the Republic Day Parade on January 26.</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh is the partner state for the event and a novel feature this year is the concept of 'Varanasi hospitality' under which local people are hosting the Indians living abroad at their homes as "family guests".</p>

<p>The First Plenary Session on 'Engagement with younger members of Indian Diaspora', co-chaired by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Rathore and Singh, was held on Monday.?</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas was also held on Monday where renowned NRIs with family roots in the state took part.</p>

<p>The decision to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was taken by the late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the first event was celebrated on January 9, 2003, here.</p>

<p>January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas as it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi had returned to India from South Africa.</p>

<p>The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is now celebrated once every two years and provides a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and reconnect with their roots, the statement said.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Tuesday in this temple town and hold talks with his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth after the inaugural session.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Tuesday in this temple town and hold talks with his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth after the inaugural session. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj inaugurated the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Monday, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and said the Indian diaspora has dramatically changed the world's perception of Indians and India. Mauritian Premier Jugnauth arrived here in the afternoon and was received by Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh. Later, Swaraj called on the Mauritian PM and exchanged views on a range of issues, including strengthening bilateral cooperation. For the first time, the three-day-long convention is being organised from January 21 to 23 instead of January 9 to allow participants to visit the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad and attend the Republic Day parade here. The theme of this year's convention is 'role of the Indian diaspora in building new India', a statement from the prime minister's office said. Varanasi in Modi's parliamentary constituency. Jugnauth will be the chief guest of the convention, while Himanshu Gulati, member of the Parliament of Norway, will be the special guest. Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, member of Parliament of New Zealand, will be the guest of honour. President Ram Nath Kovind will address the concluding function on January 23. Over 4,000 NRI delegates from about 85 countries are attending the event and many of them will be staying in the tent city, built specially for them.? After Pravasi Divas, the guests will be taken for a visit to the Kumbh Mela on January 24 where also a tent city has been set up. A cultural village has been developed in Prayagraj, showing the history from the Indus Valley Civilisation. The 'pravasis' will be taken to New Delhi on the night of January 24 and will have a "Delhi darshan" the next day. They will also witness the Republic Day Parade on January 26. Uttar Pradesh is the partner state for the event and a novel feature this year is the concept of 'Varanasi hospitality' under which local people are hosting the Indians living abroad at their homes as "family guests". The First Plenary Session on 'Engagement with younger members of Indian Diaspora', co-chaired by Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Rathore and Singh, was held on Monday.? Uttar Pradesh Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas was also held on Monday where renowned NRIs with family roots in the state took part. The decision to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was taken by the late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the first event was celebrated on January 9, 2003, here. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas as it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi had returned to India from South Africa. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is now celebrated once every two years and provides a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and reconnect with their roots, the statement said.

PM Modi to inaugurate 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas; to hold talks with Mauritian PM 

<p>The proposed rally of Narendra Modi at the Brigade Parade Grounds here next month has been cancelled, the BJP said Monday, adding that the prime minister would initially attend three rallies in West Bengal starting next week.</p>

<p>The historic ground, also known as the Maidan, was the venue for the mega Opposition rally organised by West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee last Saturday.</p>

<p>"Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address three rallies in West Bengal. On January 28 (Monday), he will address a rally at Thakurnagar in Bongaon. On February 2, he will address a rally at Siliguri in north Bengal," state Bharatiya Janata Party president Dilip Ghosh said.</p>

<p>Modi's scheduled rally at the Brigade Parade Grounds on February 8 has been cancelled, instead, he will be addressing a rally at Asansol -- represented by party MP Babul Supriyo -- on the same day, Ghosh said. "So far, this is the schedule."</p>

<p>Asked why the BJP was not organising the Kolkata rally as scheduled, Ghosh said as the party would be holding three rallies in various parts of the state, that was why they had decided to call off the rally. "We will organise a rally at the Brigade Parade Grounds later," he added.</p>

<p>The state BJP will kick-start its Lok Sabha polls campaign in the state from Tuesday, with a rally of party president Amit Shah in Malda district. Shah will be addressing two other rallies at Jhargram and Suri in Birbhum district on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The saffron party has set a target to win 22 out of the total 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state for the upcoming general election.&nbsp;</p>


The proposed rally of Narendra Modi at the Brigade Parade Grounds here next month has been cancelled, the BJP said Monday, adding that the prime minister would initially attend three rallies in West Bengal starting next week.

The proposed rally of Narendra Modi at the Brigade Parade Grounds here next month has been cancelled, the BJP said Monday, adding that the prime minister would initially attend three rallies in West Bengal starting next week. The historic ground, also known as the Maidan, was the venue for the mega Opposition rally organised by West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee last Saturday. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address three rallies in West Bengal. On January 28 (Monday), he will address a rally at Thakurnagar in Bongaon. On February 2, he will address a rally at Siliguri in north Bengal," state Bharatiya Janata Party president Dilip Ghosh said. Modi's scheduled rally at the Brigade Parade Grounds on February 8 has been cancelled, instead, he will be addressing a rally at Asansol -- represented by party MP Babul Supriyo -- on the same day, Ghosh said. "So far, this is the schedule." Asked why the BJP was not organising the Kolkata rally as scheduled, Ghosh said as the party would be holding three rallies in various parts of the state, that was why they had decided to call off the rally. "We will organise a rally at the Brigade Parade Grounds later," he added. The state BJP will kick-start its Lok Sabha polls campaign in the state from Tuesday, with a rally of party president Amit Shah in Malda district. Shah will be addressing two other rallies at Jhargram and Suri in Birbhum district on Wednesday. The saffron party has set a target to win 22 out of the total 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state for the upcoming general election.

West Bengal: BJP cancels PM Modi's Brigade rally in Kolkata

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described NRIs as India's brand ambassadors and said they were the symbols of the country's capabilities.</p>

<p>The prime minister was inaugurating the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas convention in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi.</p>

<p>"I consider NRIs India's brand ambassadors. They are the symbols of our capacities and capabilities," he told the gathering.</p>

<p>"People of Indian origin are in leadership roles in countries such as Mauritius, Portugal and Ireland," he said.</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">PM Narendra Modi at Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Varanasi: In past 4.5 years, our government has given around Rs. 5 lakh 78 thousand crores directly to people through different schemes. We have transferred it to their bank accounts. <a href="https://t.co/tAEBm7zfq1">pic.twitter.com/tAEBm7zfq1</a></p>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1087606049241223168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Modi also alluded to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's comment that only 15 paise of Re 1 reaches masses and said the Congress government had done nothing to stop the leakage.</p>

<p>The prime minister added that his government had stepped in to rectify the situation. The "85 per cent loot" taking place during the Congress regime had been plugged "100 per cent" through technology, he said.</p>

<p>"We have given about Rs 5,80,000 crore to people, transferred to their bank accounts through various schemes. Imagine, if the country was being run on the older system? Then Rs 4,50,000 crore would have vanished," Modi said.</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">PM Modi at Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, Varanasi: Our Embassies&amp;Consulates across the world are being connected with Passport Sewa Project. It will prepare a centralized system for passport related services for all. Now taking a step forward,work is on to issue chip-based e-passports <a href="https://t.co/dZlNbfA3T9">pic.twitter.com/dZlNbfA3T9</a></p>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1087608420298121216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Continuing his attack on the Congress, he said efforts to stop the "leakage" could have been made earlier as well but there was no intention and will power.</p>

<p>"Our government is moving towards ensuring that the aid given by government is directly transferred to beneficiary accounts through direct benefit schemes," he said.</p>

<p>Mauritian Premier Pravind Jugnauth, who is the chief guest for the three-day event, also spoke on the occasion.</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">PM Narendra Modi at Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Varanasi: In past 4.5 years, our government has given around Rs. 5 lakh 78 thousand crores directly to people through different schemes. We have transferred it to their bank accounts. <a href="https://t.co/tAEBm7zfq1">pic.twitter.com/tAEBm7zfq1</a></p>
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1087606049241223168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>He hailed the prime minister for India's transformation through initiatives such as the Skill India and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao schemes.</p>

<p>He also praised Modi's global stewardship in promoting clean energy and for setting up the International Solar Alliance.</p>

<p>Jugnauth announced that his country will hold a Bhagwad Gita Mahotsav next month and a Bhojpuri Festival next year.</p>

<p>For the first time, the three-day convention is being organised from January 21 to 23 instead of January 9 to allow participants to visit the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad and attend the Republic Day parade in the national capital.</p>

<p>The theme of this year's convention is 'Role of Indian diaspora in building new India'.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described NRIs as India's brand ambassadors and said they were the symbols of the country's capabilities. The prime minister was inaugurating the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas convention in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described NRIs as India's brand ambassadors and said they were the symbols of the country's capabilities. The prime minister was inaugurating the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas convention in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi. "I consider NRIs India's brand ambassadors. They are the symbols of our capacities and capabilities," he told the gathering. "People of Indian origin are in leadership roles in countries such as Mauritius, Portugal and Ireland," he said. PM Narendra Modi at Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Varanasi: In past 4.5 years, our government has given around Rs. 5 lakh 78 thousand crores directly to people through different schemes. We have transferred it to their bank accounts. pic.twitter.com/tAEBm7zfq1 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 22, 2019 × Modi also alluded to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's comment that only 15 paise of Re 1 reaches masses and said the Congress government had done nothing to stop the leakage. The prime minister added that his government had stepped in to rectify the situation. The "85 per cent loot" taking place during the Congress regime had been plugged "100 per cent" through technology, he said. "We have given about Rs 5,80,000 crore to people, transferred to their bank accounts through various schemes. Imagine, if the country was being run on the older system? Then Rs 4,50,000 crore would have vanished," Modi said. PM Modi at Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, Varanasi: Our Embassies&Consulates across the world are being connected with Passport Sewa Project. It will prepare a centralized system for passport related services for all. Now taking a step forward,work is on to issue chip-based e-passports pic.twitter.com/dZlNbfA3T9 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 22, 2019 × Continuing his attack on the Congress, he said efforts to stop the "leakage" could have been made earlier as well but there was no intention and will power. "Our government is moving towards ensuring that the aid given by government is directly transferred to beneficiary accounts through direct benefit schemes," he said. Mauritian Premier Pravind Jugnauth, who is the chief guest for the three-day event, also spoke on the occasion. PM Narendra Modi at Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Varanasi: In past 4.5 years, our government has given around Rs. 5 lakh 78 thousand crores directly to people through different schemes. We have transferred it to their bank accounts. pic.twitter.com/tAEBm7zfq1 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 22, 2019 × He hailed the prime minister for India's transformation through initiatives such as the Skill India and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao schemes. He also praised Modi's global stewardship in promoting clean energy and for setting up the International Solar Alliance. Jugnauth announced that his country will hold a Bhagwad Gita Mahotsav next month and a Bhojpuri Festival next year. For the first time, the three-day convention is being organised from January 21 to 23 instead of January 9 to allow participants to visit the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad and attend the Republic Day parade in the national capital. The theme of this year's convention is 'Role of Indian diaspora in building new India'.

15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas: NRIs are India's brand ambassadors, says PM Modi

<p>It is not everyday that Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi takes time out to respond to posts on Twitter. After inaugurating the cinema museum in Mumbai on Saturday, the Prime Minister took to Twitter to interact and reply to some of the celbrities who he had met at the event.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
During his inaugural speech, he surprised the Who`s Who of Indian cinema, in Bollywood-esque fashion: "How`s the Josh?"- a line that has nbow become popular thanks to the film 'Uri: The Surgical Strike'. His Bollywood reference welcomed with vociferous applause, and an unequivocal "High Sir."</p>

<p>On Sunday, Prime Minister Modi took time out to reply to many bigwigs of Indian cinema, who took to Twitter to describe their experience of meeting the PM, while some described his speech, and others posted selfies with 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">The wonderful city of Mumbai is now home to the excellent National Museum of Indian Cinema.<br />
<br />
Here are some pictures. <a href="https://t.co/F9Jb9tM8IB">pic.twitter.com/F9Jb9tM8IB</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1086678936015097856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p><br />
<img alt="modi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f327c7d1-1780-4b9a-8a46-901d9cfc895d" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/modi2.jpg" /></p>

<p><img alt="modi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36fcf8b0-6298-4271-b814-dd107dd0611c" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/modi1.jpg" /></p>

<p>Expressing her happiness post the event, singer Asha Bhosle wrote: "With the PM of our beloved country and the President of my house. What a beautiful function today-the inauguration of India`s 1st museum of cinema spanning 100 years of Indian film making."</p>

<p>Replying to her post, PM Modi Tweeted, "Asha Ji, thank you for gracing the programme with your presence. The entire nation looks up to you for your stupendous contribution to the film world."</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">Asha Ji, thank you for gracing the programme with your presence. The entire nation looks up to you for your stupendous contribution to the film world. <a href="https://twitter.com/ashabhosle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ashabhosle</a> <a href="https://t.co/wE77ZtZSD0">https://t.co/wE77ZtZSD0</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1086841555250499584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>TV anchor and comedian Kapil Sharma, who was also present at the event tweeted, "Respected pm Sh @narendramodi ji,it was nice meeting u n great knowing ur inspiring ideas and progressive views about our film industry and our nation. N sir I must say u have a great sense of humor too! regards(sic)"</p>

<p>To which Modi replied, "When @KapilSharmaK9 appreciates somebody's humour, it sure makes that person happy and I am no exception. Thank you for the kind words Kapil."</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">When <a href="https://twitter.com/KapilSharmaK9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KapilSharmaK9</a> appreciates somebody's humour, it sure makes that person happy and I am no exception. :)<br />
<br />
Thank you for the kind words Kapil. <a href="https://t.co/SHVTH6vI8p">https://t.co/SHVTH6vI8p</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1086840330035519495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Music composer A.R. Rahman tweeted a picture with the PM Modi. Replying to the tweet, the Prime Minister wrote, "Happy to have met you."</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">Happy to have met you, <a href="https://twitter.com/arrahman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@arrahman</a>. <a href="https://t.co/QGQSRmMmnU">https://t.co/QGQSRmMmnU</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1086840061851623424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Veteran actor Jeetendra also shared a happy selfie with the Prime Minister post the event. Jeetendra`s daughter Ekta Kapoor later took to her Twitter to share the picture and wrote, "JAI HIND ! my dad`s fan moment !my dad is a big fan of the honourable PRIME MINISTER n today he met him."</p>

<p><img alt="modi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="df207f88-ab9a-4f95-b9e3-e6442b46bb77" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/modi3.jpg" /></p>

<p>Replying to Ekta`s post, PM Modi wrote, "The entire nation admires Jeetendra Ji for his acting. And, as I said yesterday, he is full of energy!"</p>

<p>Quoting a portion from Narendra Modi`s address veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai tweeted, "Cinema (and) animation universities are the need of the hour Said our PM Narendra Modi today in Mumbai while inaugurating National Museum of Indian Cinema. Attended by best of bests of Mumbai film industry. It made me proud n humbled."<br />
Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the tweet by writing that India has several talented youngsters and also many talented film personalities who can mentor these youth. He added that channelising this talent through such universities can be extremely beneficial.</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">We have several talented youngsters and we also have so many talented film personalities who can mentor these youth.<br />
<br />
Channelising this talent through such universities can be extremely beneficial. <a href="https://t.co/o8kxe5wLdw">https://t.co/o8kxe5wLdw</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1086839936001531904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>While going through all these posts directed towards him, Prime Minister Modi stumbled upon a funny picture tweeted by actor Kartik Aaryan.In the picture captioned "Losers` backfie with the Honorable PM!" Kartik, along with filmmaker Imtiaz Ali and Karan Johar can be seen posing for a selfie with the Prime Minister`s back visible in the background. The actor called it a `backfie.`Not to be outdone, Modi was at his wittiest best in his reply: "Not losers but Rockstars! No selfie Jab We Met but there will always be another occasion." Prime Minister Modi ended the tweet with a smiley.</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">Not losers but Rockstars!<br />
<br />
No selfie Jab We Met but there will always be another occasion. :) <a href="https://t.co/1Ud7D5jIvd">https://t.co/1Ud7D5jIvd</a></p>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1086976920842051585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi also responded to tweets from Bhushan Kumar, Kunal Kohli, Siddharth Kannan, Manoj Joshi, Divya Dutta and R Madhavan.&nbsp;</p>


It is not everyday that Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi takes time out to respond to posts on Twitter. After inaugurating the cinema museum in Mumbai on Saturday, the Prime Minister took to Twitter to interact and reply to some of the celbrities who he had met at the event.

It is not everyday that Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi takes time out to respond to posts on Twitter. After inaugurating the cinema museum in Mumbai on Saturday, the Prime Minister took to Twitter to interact and reply to some of the celbrities who he had met at the event. During his inaugural speech, he surprised the Who`s Who of Indian cinema, in Bollywood-esque fashion: "How`s the Josh?"- a line that has nbow become popular thanks to the film 'Uri: The Surgical Strike'. His Bollywood reference welcomed with vociferous applause, and an unequivocal "High Sir." On Sunday, Prime Minister Modi took time out to reply to many bigwigs of Indian cinema, who took to Twitter to describe their experience of meeting the PM, while some described his speech, and others posted selfies with him. The wonderful city of Mumbai is now home to the excellent National Museum of Indian Cinema. Here are some pictures. pic.twitter.com/F9Jb9tM8IB — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 19, 2019 × Expressing her happiness post the event, singer Asha Bhosle wrote: "With the PM of our beloved country and the President of my house. What a beautiful function today-the inauguration of India`s 1st museum of cinema spanning 100 years of Indian film making." Replying to her post, PM Modi Tweeted, "Asha Ji, thank you for gracing the programme with your presence. The entire nation looks up to you for your stupendous contribution to the film world." Asha Ji, thank you for gracing the programme with your presence. The entire nation looks up to you for your stupendous contribution to the film world. @ashabhosle https://t.co/wE77ZtZSD0 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2019 × TV anchor and comedian Kapil Sharma, who was also present at the event tweeted, "Respected pm Sh @narendramodi ji,it was nice meeting u n great knowing ur inspiring ideas and progressive views about our film industry and our nation. N sir I must say u have a great sense of humor too! regards(sic)" To which Modi replied, "When @KapilSharmaK9 appreciates somebody's humour, it sure makes that person happy and I am no exception. Thank you for the kind words Kapil." When @KapilSharmaK9 appreciates somebody's humour, it sure makes that person happy and I am no exception. :) Thank you for the kind words Kapil. https://t.co/SHVTH6vI8p — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2019 × Music composer A.R. Rahman tweeted a picture with the PM Modi. Replying to the tweet, the Prime Minister wrote, "Happy to have met you." Happy to have met you, @arrahman. https://t.co/QGQSRmMmnU — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2019 × Veteran actor Jeetendra also shared a happy selfie with the Prime Minister post the event. Jeetendra`s daughter Ekta Kapoor later took to her Twitter to share the picture and wrote, "JAI HIND ! my dad`s fan moment !my dad is a big fan of the honourable PRIME MINISTER n today he met him." Replying to Ekta`s post, PM Modi wrote, "The entire nation admires Jeetendra Ji for his acting. And, as I said yesterday, he is full of energy!" Quoting a portion from Narendra Modi`s address veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai tweeted, "Cinema (and) animation universities are the need of the hour Said our PM Narendra Modi today in Mumbai while inaugurating National Museum of Indian Cinema. Attended by best of bests of Mumbai film industry. It made me proud n humbled." Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the tweet by writing that India has several talented youngsters and also many talented film personalities who can mentor these youth. He added that channelising this talent through such universities can be extremely beneficial. We have several talented youngsters and we also have so many talented film personalities who can mentor these youth. Channelising this talent through such universities can be extremely beneficial. https://t.co/o8kxe5wLdw — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2019 × While going through all these posts directed towards him, Prime Minister Modi stumbled upon a funny picture tweeted by actor Kartik Aaryan.In the picture captioned "Losers` backfie with the Honorable PM!" Kartik, along with filmmaker Imtiaz Ali and Karan Johar can be seen posing for a selfie with the Prime Minister`s back visible in the background. The actor called it a `backfie.`Not to be outdone, Modi was at his wittiest best in his reply: "Not losers but Rockstars! No selfie Jab We Met but there will always be another occasion." Prime Minister Modi ended the tweet with a smiley. Not losers but Rockstars! No selfie Jab We Met but there will always be another occasion. :) https://t.co/1Ud7D5jIvd — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2019 × Prime Minister Modi also responded to tweets from Bhushan Kumar, Kunal Kohli, Siddharth Kannan, Manoj Joshi, Divya Dutta and R Madhavan.

When PM Modi indulged in some Twitter conversations with Bollywood stars

<p>Bollywood star Anil Kapoor opened up about his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the trailer launch event of his latest film 'Total Dhamaal' on Monday in Mumbai.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/anil-kapoor-meets-pm-modi-says-i-stand-humbled-and-inspired-190908">Kapoor said his meeting with the PM </a>was destined to happen and it was inspirational for him to meet someone who has been working hard for the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It was absolutely wonderful meeting Modiji. I wanted to meet him for the last couple of years. But it never happened. I think some meetings are destined. It was my privilege and honour to meet him. He is an&nbsp;inspirational figure and I do not think I have seen an individual who is working so hard for the nation."</p>

<p>While Kapoor was all praises for the PM, he steered clear of answering questions about the upcoming elections. Kapoor was asked whether he thought Modi should get another term at the office and the actor said, "Obviously that is for all of us to see what happens in the elections. But this is not a platform where we can discuss politics."</p>

<p>PM Modi has met and interacted with a spate of Bollywood stars in recent times. A <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/ranveer-singh-vicky-kaushal-alia-bhatt-and-others-feature-in-selfie-of-the-year-with-pm-modi-189416">14 member delegation of young Bollywood stars</a> had recently met the PM in New Delhi and discussed how cinema could help in nation building. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/when-pm-modi-indulged-in-some-twitter-conversations-with-bollywood-stars-191728">Modi also interacted with Bollywood stalwarts</a> like Asha Bhosle, Aamir Khan, Manoj Kumar at the opening ceremony of cinema museum in Mumbai on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>


Bollywood star Anil Kapoor opened up about his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the trailer launch event of his latest film 'Total Dhamaal' on Monday in Mumbai.

Bollywood star Anil Kapoor opened up about his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the trailer launch event of his latest film 'Total Dhamaal' on Monday in Mumbai. Kapoor said his meeting with the PM was destined to happen and it was inspirational for him to meet someone who has been working hard for the country. "It was absolutely wonderful meeting Modiji. I wanted to meet him for the last couple of years. But it never happened. I think some meetings are destined. It was my privilege and honour to meet him. He is an inspirational figure and I do not think I have seen an individual who is working so hard for the nation." While Kapoor was all praises for the PM, he steered clear of answering questions about the upcoming elections. Kapoor was asked whether he thought Modi should get another term at the office and the actor said, "Obviously that is for all of us to see what happens in the elections. But this is not a platform where we can discuss politics." PM Modi has met and interacted with a spate of Bollywood stars in recent times. A 14 member delegation of young Bollywood stars had recently met the PM in New Delhi and discussed how cinema could help in nation building. Modi also interacted with Bollywood stalwarts like Asha Bhosle, Aamir Khan, Manoj Kumar at the opening ceremony of cinema museum in Mumbai on Saturday.

Anil Kapoor on meeting PM Modi: Never seen anyone work so hard for the nation

<p>Prime Minister of Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, on Sunday appreciated India's trade strategy and lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' campaign, adding that Czech companies should now consider investing in India.</p>

<p>While speaking at the inaugural event of a Center for European Studies at Symbiosis University in western India's Pune, Babiš said, "to make better relations, we need Czech companies to coming here (in India) and invest."</p>

<p>Babiš is on an official visit to India, wherein he and Modi earlier met on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2019 event and have had talks on enhancing bilateral relations.</p>

<p>Babiš also remarked jokingly about the meeting, saying he asked the Indian Prime Minister on how did he manage a country of 1.3 billion people with a cabinet of nearly 70 ministers, while he has a hard time with his own smaller fraction.</p>


Prime Minister of Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, on Sunday appreciated India's trade strategy and lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' campaign, adding that Czech companies should now consider investing in India.

Prime Minister of Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, on Sunday appreciated India's trade strategy and lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' campaign, adding that Czech companies should now consider investing in India. While speaking at the inaugural event of a Center for European Studies at Symbiosis University in western India's Pune, Babiš said, "to make better relations, we need Czech companies to coming here (in India) and invest." Babiš is on an official visit to India, wherein he and Modi earlier met on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2019 event and have had talks on enhancing bilateral relations. Babiš also remarked jokingly about the meeting, saying he asked the Indian Prime Minister on how did he manage a country of 1.3 billion people with a cabinet of nearly 70 ministers, while he has a hard time with his own smaller fraction.

Czech PM wants home companies to invest in India

<p>On a day when many opposition parties came together on a common platform in Kolkata, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at their proposed 'mahagathbandhan' or grand alliance, saying it is a combination of those who are angry at his stringent action against corruption as they have been stopped from looting public money.</p>

<p>"The '<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mahagathbandhan-is-not-against-me-but-people-of-india-pm-modi-in-gujarat-191429">mahagathbandhan</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mahagathbandhan-is-not-against-me-but-people-of-india-pm-modi-in-gujarat-191429">' or grand alliance</a> is not just against Narendra Modi but also against the people of India... They can make any number of gathbandhan to save their parivars, their sultanates... But they will never be able to win hearts of the people," the prime minister said on Saturday while addressing a public function at Silvassa, the capital of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.</p>

<p>In a dig at the opposition rally organised by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Kolkata, he said the BJP has only one MLA in West Bengal, "but still they are so afraid of us because we follow the path of truth that they have gathered parties from across the country and are crying 'bachao, bachao, bachao' (save us)".</p>

<p>"... Their world is centred around the progress of their families, their kith and kin. In their world, there is no vision for India," Modi said, adding the countrymen are his family and his sole aim is the progress of the nation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They are troubled as to why Modi is taking stringent action against corruption. Should I not fight against corruption...They are troubled as to why Modi has banished the middlemen from the corridors of power."</p>

<p>"They are so angry that I prevented them from looting public money that they are trying to form the 'mahagathbandhan'," Modi said, adding that these leaders have come together out of fear.</p>

<p>"They can make any number of gathbandhan to save their parivars, their sultanates, but they cannot run away from their karmas. Their karmas are following them on each and every step," Modi said.</p>

<p>"Their politics, which is centred around hatred for Modi, can get traction in newspapers and television channels, but it will never be able to win hearts of the people who are watching their every move," the prime minister said, after laying a foundation stone for a medical college.</p>

<p>Against the backdrop of the West Bengal government denying permission to BJP to organise yatras in West Bengal, the PM said political parties in the TMC-ruled state are not even allowed to carry out their programmes.</p>

<p>"Party workers are killed there during elections and they talk about saving democracy. When those involved in suffocating democracy talk of saving it, then people will say 'wah kya baat hai...'," he said, mocking the parties opposing the BJP.</p>

<p>Leaders of an array of opposition parties are taking part in the 'United India Rally' in Kolkata, where Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee gave a call for changing the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.</p>

<p>Modi said all these parties once used to abuse the Congress, but now their leaders are together as the ground is slipping beneath their feet.</p>

<p>"Their world starts with hatred for Modi and ends by hurling abuses at Modi. Their world is centred around the progress of their families, their kith and kin. In their world, there is no vision for India," Modi said.</p>

<p>"While my world starts with how to bring changes to the life of 125 crore people of the country without any focus on family and with a vision to make India the foremost developed country in the 21st century," Modi said.</p>

<p>In the 60-year rule of one party, not much work was done as they gave more importance to names instead of work, he said. In the last four-and-half years many new schemes have been launched but none of them is associated with the name Modi, he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This shows that our intention is to ensure the progress of the people and not just one family... This is not our culture... For me the 1.25 crore countrymen are my family," Modi said.</p>


On a day when many opposition parties came together on a common platform in Kolkata, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at their proposed 'mahagathbandhan' or grand alliance, saying it is a combination of those who are angry at his stringent action against corruption as they have been stopped from looting public money.

On a day when many opposition parties came together on a common platform in Kolkata, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at their proposed 'mahagathbandhan' or grand alliance, saying it is a combination of those who are angry at his stringent action against corruption as they have been stopped from looting public money. "The 'mahagathbandhan' or grand alliance is not just against Narendra Modi but also against the people of India... They can make any number of gathbandhan to save their parivars, their sultanates... But they will never be able to win hearts of the people," the prime minister said on Saturday while addressing a public function at Silvassa, the capital of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. In a dig at the opposition rally organised by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Kolkata, he said the BJP has only one MLA in West Bengal, "but still they are so afraid of us because we follow the path of truth that they have gathered parties from across the country and are crying 'bachao, bachao, bachao' (save us)". "... Their world is centred around the progress of their families, their kith and kin. In their world, there is no vision for India," Modi said, adding the countrymen are his family and his sole aim is the progress of the nation. "They are troubled as to why Modi is taking stringent action against corruption. Should I not fight against corruption...They are troubled as to why Modi has banished the middlemen from the corridors of power." "They are so angry that I prevented them from looting public money that they are trying to form the 'mahagathbandhan'," Modi said, adding that these leaders have come together out of fear. "They can make any number of gathbandhan to save their parivars, their sultanates, but they cannot run away from their karmas. Their karmas are following them on each and every step," Modi said. "Their politics, which is centred around hatred for Modi, can get traction in newspapers and television channels, but it will never be able to win hearts of the people who are watching their every move," the prime minister said, after laying a foundation stone for a medical college. Against the backdrop of the West Bengal government denying permission to BJP to organise yatras in West Bengal, the PM said political parties in the TMC-ruled state are not even allowed to carry out their programmes. "Party workers are killed there during elections and they talk about saving democracy. When those involved in suffocating democracy talk of saving it, then people will say 'wah kya baat hai...'," he said, mocking the parties opposing the BJP. Leaders of an array of opposition parties are taking part in the 'United India Rally' in Kolkata, where Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee gave a call for changing the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Modi said all these parties once used to abuse the Congress, but now their leaders are together as the ground is slipping beneath their feet. "Their world starts with hatred for Modi and ends by hurling abuses at Modi. Their world is centred around the progress of their families, their kith and kin. In their world, there is no vision for India," Modi said. "While my world starts with how to bring changes to the life of 125 crore people of the country without any focus on family and with a vision to make India the foremost developed country in the 21st century," Modi said. In the 60-year rule of one party, not much work was done as they gave more importance to names instead of work, he said. In the last four-and-half years many new schemes have been launched but none of them is associated with the name Modi, he said. "This shows that our intention is to ensure the progress of the people and not just one family... This is not our culture... For me the 1.25 crore countrymen are my family," Modi said.

Those stopped from looting public money are forming 'mahagathbandhan': PM Modi

<p>The fifteenth Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas will begin on Monday. The three-day event from January 21 to 23 will take place in Varanasi with Prime minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurating the event on Tuesday and President Ram Nath Kovind speaking at the closing ceremony on Wednesday. Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, who is on a week-long visit to India, will be the chief guest.</p>

<p>"On the 22nd evening, there will be a program on Ganga by Hema Malini," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said ahead of the event.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The attendees will be taken to Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela on January 24, on the 25th they will be brought to Delhi for sightseeing, and on the 26th they will watch the Republic Day parade in the capital.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Uttar Pradesh government has made provisions for the stay of the attendees — they will be put up at people's homes in Varanasi and at a tent city in Prayagraj.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Under Varanasi Aatithya and to give the diaspora members the feel of Indian hospitality, families in Varanasi have opened their doors. PM wanted this and to facilitate this, people have registered and we have selected families where NRIs can stay," Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A Youth PBD will take place on the first day of the gala and at which the chief guests will be Himanshu Gulati, member of parliament from Norway, and Kamaljeet Bakshi, member of parliament from New Zealand. Thirty people will be honoured by the President with Pravasi Samman awards on the last day.</p>

<p>The decision to hold a Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas was first taken by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the first PBD took place under his prime ministership from January 9 to 11, &nbsp;2003. To honour Vajpayee, the auditorium in which PBD 2019 will take place has been named after him. An exhibition is also being organised to remember him.</p>

<p>Asked how the PBD will increase diplomatic outreach, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh — he was speaking at a curtain-raiser press conference, said, "The amount of money that our diaspora members send to India, which is not visible to everybody, the amount of remittances that we get back to India, that is not visible to everybody but their effect is not obviously visible to everybody. Whatever we spend on we do it after much deliberations and what I believe that the message that we put across through this and the way we have structured the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, it definitely improves our outreach."</p>

<p>The chief ministers of Haryana and Uttarakhand will be participating in the PBD.</p>

<p>This is the third PBD being organised by the Modi government. The first was held in January 2015 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the second in January 2017 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. In 2015, the Modi government turned the PBD into a biennial event.</p>

<p>The PBD begins every year on January 9 to mark Mahatma Gandhi's arrival back in India from South Africa in 1915. It was moved back to the January 21 this year to align it with the Kumbh Mela and Republic Day so that the diaspora could experience India's culture at Prayagraj and its grandeur at Rajpath.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The fifteenth Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas will begin on Monday. The three-day event from January 21 to 23 will take place in Varanasi with Prime minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurating the event on Tuesday and President Ram Nath Kovind speaking at the closing ceremony on Wednesday.

The fifteenth Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas will begin on Monday. The three-day event from January 21 to 23 will take place in Varanasi with Prime minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurating the event on Tuesday and President Ram Nath Kovind speaking at the closing ceremony on Wednesday. Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, who is on a week-long visit to India, will be the chief guest. "On the 22nd evening, there will be a program on Ganga by Hema Malini," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said ahead of the event. The attendees will be taken to Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela on January 24, on the 25th they will be brought to Delhi for sightseeing, and on the 26th they will watch the Republic Day parade in the capital. The Uttar Pradesh government has made provisions for the stay of the attendees — they will be put up at people's homes in Varanasi and at a tent city in Prayagraj. "Under Varanasi Aatithya and to give the diaspora members the feel of Indian hospitality, families in Varanasi have opened their doors. PM wanted this and to facilitate this, people have registered and we have selected families where NRIs can stay," Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said. A Youth PBD will take place on the first day of the gala and at which the chief guests will be Himanshu Gulati, member of parliament from Norway, and Kamaljeet Bakshi, member of parliament from New Zealand. Thirty people will be honoured by the President with Pravasi Samman awards on the last day. The decision to hold a Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas was first taken by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the first PBD took place under his prime ministership from January 9 to 11, 2003. To honour Vajpayee, the auditorium in which PBD 2019 will take place has been named after him. An exhibition is also being organised to remember him. Asked how the PBD will increase diplomatic outreach, Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh — he was speaking at a curtain-raiser press conference, said, "The amount of money that our diaspora members send to India, which is not visible to everybody, the amount of remittances that we get back to India, that is not visible to everybody but their effect is not obviously visible to everybody. Whatever we spend on we do it after much deliberations and what I believe that the message that we put across through this and the way we have structured the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, it definitely improves our outreach." The chief ministers of Haryana and Uttarakhand will be participating in the PBD. This is the third PBD being organised by the Modi government. The first was held in January 2015 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the second in January 2017 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. In 2015, the Modi government turned the PBD into a biennial event. The PBD begins every year on January 9 to mark Mahatma Gandhi's arrival back in India from South Africa in 1915. It was moved back to the January 21 this year to align it with the Kumbh Mela and Republic Day so that the diaspora could experience India's culture at Prayagraj and its grandeur at Rajpath.

Fifteenth Pravasi Bhartiya Divas to begin Monday in Varanasi, Mauritian PM Pravind Jugnauth will be chief guest

PM Modi takes a tank ride in Surat

<p>Trade, economic ties, healthcare were the major issues discussed in the meeting held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Maltese counterpart Joseph Muscat in Gandhi Nagar, ahead of the '9th Vibrant Gujarat Summit'&nbsp;on Friday.</p>

<p>The two leaders also agreed to enhance mutual cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, air connectivity and tourism.</p>

<p>Apart from Muscat, Prime Minister of Czech Republic Andrej Babis, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen have also arrived in Gujarat to attend the Summit.</p>

<p>More than 30,000 national and international delegates, including CEOs of major firms from India and abroad, are expected to attend the biennial three-day event in Gandhinagar.</p>

<p>The Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show is being held on a two lakh square metres plot of land situated in Gandhinagar. More than 20 industrial and business sectors will showcase their products at the event.</p>

<p>This mega trade show will continue till January 22 and will be open for general public on the last two days - January 21 and 22.</p>


Trade, economic ties, healthcare were the major issues discussed in the meeting held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Maltese counterpart Joseph Muscat in Gandhi Nagar, ahead of the '9th Vibrant Gujarat Summit' on Friday.

Trade, economic ties, healthcare were the major issues discussed in the meeting held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Maltese counterpart Joseph Muscat in Gandhi Nagar, ahead of the '9th Vibrant Gujarat Summit' on Friday. The two leaders also agreed to enhance mutual cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, air connectivity and tourism. Apart from Muscat, Prime Minister of Czech Republic Andrej Babis, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen have also arrived in Gujarat to attend the Summit. More than 30,000 national and international delegates, including CEOs of major firms from India and abroad, are expected to attend the biennial three-day event in Gandhinagar. The Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show is being held on a two lakh square metres plot of land situated in Gandhinagar. More than 20 industrial and business sectors will showcase their products at the event. This mega trade show will continue till January 22 and will be open for general public on the last two days - January 21 and 22.

PM Modi meets foreign dignitaries ahead of 9th Vibrant Gujarat Summit

<p>PM Modi will inaugurate National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) on Saturday in Mumbai in what is currently a 19th-century heritage bungalow.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The NMIC is being made to provide an insight into the Indian film history in order to help film students, filmmakers, fans and critics to learn and understand about cinema as a medium of artistic expression in the country and globally.</p>

<p>As per a report in the IANS, the museum will have on display artefacts like vintage cameras, projectors, editing and recording equipment, costumes, photographs and other materials portraying the journey of Indian cinema since its dawn in 1913. It will also showcase the first Indian full-length feature film, ‘Raja Harishchandra’ that was made by the legendary Dhundiraj Govind Phadke, known as Dadasaheb Phalke.</p>

<p>The museum will also have film sets, props, film tapes, soundtracks, trailers, transparencies and a rich collection of film-related literature and memorabilia depicting Indian film history in chronological order.</p>

<p>The design features include a unique front elevation designed with inclined structural glazing support by cable nets with spiders and a glass facade to provide a 3D view impression to the structure. The museum complex includes a multipurpose hall for movie previews, social events, conferences or seminars and cultural gatherings, besides incorporating several features to make it green and eco-friendly.</p>

<p>Designed by the National Council of Science Museums, it was first conceptualised in 1997 and set up in the 19th-century heritage bungalow Gulshan Mahal and in another adjacent modern five-storeyed building, spread across 12,000 sq. metres.</p>

<p>The opening ceremony of the eventful night will see stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, AR Rahman, David Dhawan, Rohit Shetty, Waheeda Rehman, Jeetendra Kapoor, Asha Parekh, Raveena Tandon, Pankaj Kapoor, Rakesh Mehra and others attending.&nbsp;</p>


PM Modi will inaugurate National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) on Saturday in Mumbai in what is currently a 19th-century heritage bungalow. The NMIC is being made to provide an insight into the Indian film history in order to help film students, filmmakers, fans and critics to learn and understand about cinema as a medium of artistic expression in the country and globally.

PM Modi will inaugurate National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) on Saturday in Mumbai in what is currently a 19th-century heritage bungalow. The NMIC is being made to provide an insight into the Indian film history in order to help film students, filmmakers, fans and critics to learn and understand about cinema as a medium of artistic expression in the country and globally. As per a report in the IANS, the museum will have on display artefacts like vintage cameras, projectors, editing and recording equipment, costumes, photographs and other materials portraying the journey of Indian cinema since its dawn in 1913. It will also showcase the first Indian full-length feature film, ‘Raja Harishchandra’ that was made by the legendary Dhundiraj Govind Phadke, known as Dadasaheb Phalke. The museum will also have film sets, props, film tapes, soundtracks, trailers, transparencies and a rich collection of film-related literature and memorabilia depicting Indian film history in chronological order. The design features include a unique front elevation designed with inclined structural glazing support by cable nets with spiders and a glass facade to provide a 3D view impression to the structure. The museum complex includes a multipurpose hall for movie previews, social events, conferences or seminars and cultural gatherings, besides incorporating several features to make it green and eco-friendly. Designed by the National Council of Science Museums, it was first conceptualised in 1997 and set up in the 19th-century heritage bungalow Gulshan Mahal and in another adjacent modern five-storeyed building, spread across 12,000 sq. metres. The opening ceremony of the eventful night will see stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, AR Rahman, David Dhawan, Rohit Shetty, Waheeda Rehman, Jeetendra Kapoor, Asha Parekh, Raveena Tandon, Pankaj Kapoor, Rakesh Mehra and others attending.

PM Modi to unveil National Film Museum in Mumbai

<p>In what seems to be a new thing among Bollywood actors, Anil Kapoor met with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and shared a picture with him on his Twitter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He captioned the photo: “I had the opportunity to meet our h’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji today &amp; I stand humbled and inspired in the wake of our conversation. His vision and his charisma are infectious &amp; I’m grateful for the chance to have witnessed it in person.”</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">I had the opportunity to meet our h'ble Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> Ji today &amp; I stand humbled and inspired in the wake of our conversation. His vision and his charisma are infectious &amp; I'm grateful for the chance to have witnessed it in person 🙏🏻 <a href="https://t.co/Tnl7JNRvT4">pic.twitter.com/Tnl7JNRvT4</a></p>
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnilKapoor/status/1085506702127046657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Before this, we saw a huge delegation of stars meet the PM in Delhi as they flew in a private jet from Mumbai and shared inside pics and videos of their crazy in-flight fun. The delegation included stars like Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Bhumi Pednekar, Sidharth Malhotra, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao, Vicky Kaushal and directors Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Rohit Shetty who looked more than happy to meet the PM.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsdDW4sjWjH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsdDW4sjWjH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsdDW4sjWjH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsdDW4sjWjH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Powerful and timely conversations can bring about change and this was one of what we hope will become a regular conversation. Meeting the Honorable Prime Minister @narendramodi today was an incredible opportunity. As a community, there is a huge interest to contribute to nation building. There is so much that we want to do. And can do and this dialogue was towards how and what ways we can do that. When the youngest country (in demography) joins hands with the largest movie industry in the world, we hope to be a force to reckon with. Together we would love to inspire and ignite positive changes to a transformative India. The film industry would also like to send a huge thanks for the GST reduction in movie ticket prices that was implemented recently! Thank you so much for your time, Sir!</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/karanjohar/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Karan Johar</a> (@karanjohar) on <time datetime="2019-01-10T12:24:54+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 10, 2019 at 4:24am PST</time></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsddAV7D6QH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsddAV7D6QH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsddAV7D6QH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsddAV7D6QH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Thank you for meeting us today sir! @narendramodi ! An incredible exchange of thoughts and ideas with the forces of the film fraternity and the honourable Prime Minister!</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/karanjohar/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Karan Johar</a> (@karanjohar) on <time datetime="2019-01-10T16:09:01+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jan 10, 2019 at 8:09am PST</time></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Meanwhile, Anil will be seen in a film titled <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/watch-trailer-sonam-kapoor-rajkummar-rao-look-refreshing-in-ek-ladki-ko-dekha-186808">‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga’</a> in which he is working with his real-life daughter Sonam Kapoor for the first time. The film also has Rajkummar Rao in a leading role.&nbsp;</p>


In what seems to be a new thing among Bollywood actors, Anil Kapoor met with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and shared a picture with him on his Twitter.

In what seems to be a new thing among Bollywood actors, Anil Kapoor met with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and shared a picture with him on his Twitter. He captioned the photo: “I had the opportunity to meet our h’ble Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji today & I stand humbled and inspired in the wake of our conversation. His vision and his charisma are infectious & I’m grateful for the chance to have witnessed it in person.” I had the opportunity to meet our h'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji today & I stand humbled and inspired in the wake of our conversation. His vision and his charisma are infectious & I'm grateful for the chance to have witnessed it in person 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Tnl7JNRvT4 — Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) January 16, 2019 × Before this, we saw a huge delegation of stars meet the PM in Delhi as they flew in a private jet from Mumbai and shared inside pics and videos of their crazy in-flight fun. The delegation included stars like Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Bhumi Pednekar, Sidharth Malhotra, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao, Vicky Kaushal and directors Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Rohit Shetty who looked more than happy to meet the PM. View this post on Instagram Powerful and timely conversations can bring about change and this was one of what we hope will become a regular conversation. Meeting the Honorable Prime Minister @narendramodi today was an incredible opportunity. As a community, there is a huge interest to contribute to nation building. There is so much that we want to do. And can do and this dialogue was towards how and what ways we can do that. When the youngest country (in demography) joins hands with the largest movie industry in the world, we hope to be a force to reckon with. Together we would love to inspire and ignite positive changes to a transformative India. The film industry would also like to send a huge thanks for the GST reduction in movie ticket prices that was implemented recently! Thank you so much for your time, Sir! A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) on Jan 10, 2019 at 4:24am PST × View this post on Instagram Thank you for meeting us today sir! @narendramodi ! An incredible exchange of thoughts and ideas with the forces of the film fraternity and the honourable Prime Minister! A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) on Jan 10, 2019 at 8:09am PST × Meanwhile, Anil will be seen in a film titled ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga’ in which he is working with his real-life daughter Sonam Kapoor for the first time. The film also has Rajkummar Rao in a leading role.

Anil Kapoor meets PM Modi, says 'I stand humbled and inspired'

Supreme Court refuses to give go ahead to BJP's Rath Yatra in West Bengal

India's Political Pulse: Justice Sikri turns down govt offer

<p>Two days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Balangir district, a row surfaced on Sunday over alleged cutting of trees to prepare a temporary helipad.</p>

<p>Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Balangir, Sameer Satpathy said several trees were felled near the railway station ground in the district to prepare a temporary helipad without obtaining prior permission.</p>

<p>Satpathy added that an inquiry in this regard has been ordered.</p>

<p>Union Petroleum Minister and senior BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan, however, claimed that people who are "afraid" of the prime minister's visit are trying to spread a false campaign by "misusing" forest officials.</p>

<p>"Following the direction of the DFO, a team will visit the site in order to ascertain the number of trees felled in the area," said Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Babaji Charan Raul.</p>

<p>Since the area happens to be under the jurisdiction of the railways, an official of the East Coast Railways (ECoR) said they are also conducting an inquiry into the matter.</p>

<p>"We are doing our own enquiry on the subject," Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of ECoR, J P Mishra said, adding, preparation of such a helipad is the task of the public works department (PWD) of the state government.</p>

<p>Pradhan added: "It is the local administration which decides as to where the prime minister's helicopter will land."</p>

<p>Modi is slated to attend an official function where he will launch a host of projects, besides addressing a BJP rally in the western Odisha town during his visit.</p>


Two days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Balangir district, a row surfaced on Sunday over alleged cutting of trees to prepare a temporary helipad.

Two days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Balangir district, a row surfaced on Sunday over alleged cutting of trees to prepare a temporary helipad. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Balangir, Sameer Satpathy said several trees were felled near the railway station ground in the district to prepare a temporary helipad without obtaining prior permission. Satpathy added that an inquiry in this regard has been ordered. Union Petroleum Minister and senior BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan, however, claimed that people who are "afraid" of the prime minister's visit are trying to spread a false campaign by "misusing" forest officials. "Following the direction of the DFO, a team will visit the site in order to ascertain the number of trees felled in the area," said Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Babaji Charan Raul. Since the area happens to be under the jurisdiction of the railways, an official of the East Coast Railways (ECoR) said they are also conducting an inquiry into the matter. "We are doing our own enquiry on the subject," Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of ECoR, J P Mishra said, adding, preparation of such a helipad is the task of the public works department (PWD) of the state government. Pradhan added: "It is the local administration which decides as to where the prime minister's helicopter will land." Modi is slated to attend an official function where he will launch a host of projects, besides addressing a BJP rally in the western Odisha town during his visit.

Felling of trees for PM's helipad sparks row in Odisha

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday derided opposition efforts to cobble up a grand alliance against the BJP and pitched for his party's re-election in the coming parliamentary election, saying these "opportunistic" alliance and "dynastic" parties "want to build their own empire while we want to empower people".</p>

<p>During an interaction with booth-level BJP workers from five parliamentary constituencies in Tamil Nadu via video-conference, Modi said, "Unlike other parties, we are not in politics for divide and rule or building vote banks. We are here to serve the country in every possible way."</p>

<p>"On one hand we have our development agenda and on the other, there are opportunistic alliance and dynastic parties. This election is an opportunity for us to take the agenda of development to new heights. On one hand, we have our development agenda and the vision of <em>sabka</em><em> </em><em>saath</em><em> </em><em>sabka</em><em> </em><em>vikas</em>. On the other hand, there are opportunistic alliance and dynasty parties," he said.</p>

<p>Such parties, the prime minister charged, "want to build their own empire while we want to empower people".</p>

<p>Modi's comments came a day after the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party announced their alliance for the coming Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh in a bid to counter the saffron party.</p>

<p>Billing his party as one that recognised the cultural diversity of the country, he also patted his party workers and exuded confidence they will once again ensure its victory in the coming elections.</p>

<p>A BJP worker is driven not by any self-interest but national interest, he said, adding only in the saffron party can a person born in the socially backward and economically poor family think of reaching the top.</p>

<p>"In the BJP one only needs hard work, not big wallets, high birth or loyalty to one family. We are proud that a party with two MPs (to start off with) is ruling so many states and is running the government at the Centre," Modi said.</p>

<p>He said that the BJP's success has "naturally angered so many people who have done nothing but done negative politics," and have been abusing both the party and himself, the prime minister said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"But they should not underestimate the people of India. Our friends in the opposition are anyway a confused lot. They leave no opportunity to say Modi is bad, the government is not working, people dislike the BJP...The first thing that they do is make opportunist alliance with parties they disliked till recently and still do perhaps," he said, without naming anyone.</p>

<p>"If Modi is so bad, the government is not working and if the people dislike the BJP then why build these alliance. Should you not be confident about yourself.</p>

<p>The truth is they know it is a working government, that the poor of India, the youth of India, the farmers of India and the women of India have a strong bond with the BJP."</p>

<p>"Hence, for their own existence they are making a short-term alliance," he said during the interaction with party workers from Mayiladuthurai, Sivaganga, Perambalur, Virudhunagar and Theni parliamentary constituencies as part of his 'Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot' (My booth is the strongest) initiative.</p>

<p>Taking a dig at the previous UPA government, he said it had built only 25 lakh houses in its last five years under housing for poor scheme, whereas the present government has constructed 1.25 crore houses in four years.</p>

<p>"In the previous government, for them the name of schemes was important, not their functioning. For them houses were means of publicity, for us they are means of poverty elimination. Earlier, whatever schemes were made were only on paper. No one knew how many real beneficiaries existed," he said.</p>

<p>Responding to a question on the MSME sector, Modi hailed the role of small industries in the nation's growth.</p>

<p>The government's commitment to MSME sector can be proved by the fact that 15 crore collateral-free Mudra loans have been provided to entrepreneurs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Many people think ease of doing business only helps big companies. This is a completely wrong perception. Ease of doing business helps the MSME sector and small businesses most," he said.</p>

<p>To a question on GST, he said that the government has from day one of its roll-out been saying that it will improve the new taxation system as "we move ahead" and recalled the various sops being given from time to time, including the latest one where the exemption for suppliers for registration and payment of GST has been raised from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This will help a large number of MSMEs. Free accounting and billing software will also be provided to taxpayers. Making business easier also means devoting special focus where it is needed," Modi said.</p>

<p>"It would be have been tough to imagine India will one day leave even China behind in attracting foreign direct investment. Let me tell you, India has already surpassed China in 2018 in FDI," the prime minister said.</p>

<p>The "tallest" Statue of Unity of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a model of India's design prowess and showed nothing is impossible, he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We are changing all the assumptions that the world had about India, we had about ourselves. If this is possible in four years after we had inherited a mess, think what we can do in the next five years," he said.</p>

<p>Asked about first-time voters ahead of this year's polls, Modi asked his party workers to "make them your first priority" as they decide the future. "The BJP is a natural choice for first-time voters," Modi added.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday derided opposition efforts to cobble up a grand alliance against the BJP and pitched for his party's re-election in the coming parliamentary election, saying these "opportunistic" alliance and "dynastic" parties "want to build their own empire while we want to empower people".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday derided opposition efforts to cobble up a grand alliance against the BJP and pitched for his party's re-election in the coming parliamentary election, saying these "opportunistic" alliance and "dynastic" parties "want to build their own empire while we want to empower people". During an interaction with booth-level BJP workers from five parliamentary constituencies in Tamil Nadu via video-conference, Modi said, "Unlike other parties, we are not in politics for divide and rule or building vote banks. We are here to serve the country in every possible way." "On one hand we have our development agenda and on the other, there are opportunistic alliance and dynastic parties. This election is an opportunity for us to take the agenda of development to new heights. On one hand, we have our development agenda and the vision of sabka saath sabka vikas. On the other hand, there are opportunistic alliance and dynasty parties," he said. Such parties, the prime minister charged, "want to build their own empire while we want to empower people". Modi's comments came a day after the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party announced their alliance for the coming Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh in a bid to counter the saffron party. Billing his party as one that recognised the cultural diversity of the country, he also patted his party workers and exuded confidence they will once again ensure its victory in the coming elections. A BJP worker is driven not by any self-interest but national interest, he said, adding only in the saffron party can a person born in the socially backward and economically poor family think of reaching the top. "In the BJP one only needs hard work, not big wallets, high birth or loyalty to one family. We are proud that a party with two MPs (to start off with) is ruling so many states and is running the government at the Centre," Modi said. He said that the BJP's success has "naturally angered so many people who have done nothing but done negative politics," and have been abusing both the party and himself, the prime minister said. "But they should not underestimate the people of India. Our friends in the opposition are anyway a confused lot. They leave no opportunity to say Modi is bad, the government is not working, people dislike the BJP...The first thing that they do is make opportunist alliance with parties they disliked till recently and still do perhaps," he said, without naming anyone. "If Modi is so bad, the government is not working and if the people dislike the BJP then why build these alliance. Should you not be confident about yourself. The truth is they know it is a working government, that the poor of India, the youth of India, the farmers of India and the women of India have a strong bond with the BJP." "Hence, for their own existence they are making a short-term alliance," he said during the interaction with party workers from Mayiladuthurai, Sivaganga, Perambalur, Virudhunagar and Theni parliamentary constituencies as part of his 'Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot' (My booth is the strongest) initiative. Taking a dig at the previous UPA government, he said it had built only 25 lakh houses in its last five years under housing for poor scheme, whereas the present government has constructed 1.25 crore houses in four years. "In the previous government, for them the name of schemes was important, not their functioning. For them houses were means of publicity, for us they are means of poverty elimination. Earlier, whatever schemes were made were only on paper. No one knew how many real beneficiaries existed," he said. Responding to a question on the MSME sector, Modi hailed the role of small industries in the nation's growth. The government's commitment to MSME sector can be proved by the fact that 15 crore collateral-free Mudra loans have been provided to entrepreneurs. "Many people think ease of doing business only helps big companies. This is a completely wrong perception. Ease of doing business helps the MSME sector and small businesses most," he said. To a question on GST, he said that the government has from day one of its roll-out been saying that it will improve the new taxation system as "we move ahead" and recalled the various sops being given from time to time, including the latest one where the exemption for suppliers for registration and payment of GST has been raised from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh. "This will help a large number of MSMEs. Free accounting and billing software will also be provided to taxpayers. Making business easier also means devoting special focus where it is needed," Modi said. "It would be have been tough to imagine India will one day leave even China behind in attracting foreign direct investment. Let me tell you, India has already surpassed China in 2018 in FDI," the prime minister said. The "tallest" Statue of Unity of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a model of India's design prowess and showed nothing is impossible, he said. "We are changing all the assumptions that the world had about India, we had about ourselves. If this is possible in four years after we had inherited a mess, think what we can do in the next five years," he said. Asked about first-time voters ahead of this year's polls, Modi asked his party workers to "make them your first priority" as they decide the future. "The BJP is a natural choice for first-time voters," Modi added.

They want to build their own empire, we want to empower people: PM Modi's dig at opposition 

PM Modi hails Kartarpur corridor

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress party of creating obstacles in the resolution of Ayodhya issue, saying the opposition party does not want the solution to the mandir-masjid issue.</p>

<p>"The Congress party does not want to solve the issue of Ayodhya. People must not forget this callous attitude of this party," Prime Minister said while addressing the BJP's National Council meeting at the Ram Lila Ground here.</p>

<p>Launching a multi-pronged attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Modi said, "The government before us pushed the country into darkness. It won't be wrong if I say that India lost 10 important years (2004-2014) in scams and corruption."</p>

<p>Congress-led UPA came to power at the Centre by defeating the BJP in 2004 Lok Sabha elections, the election which the BJP had fought under the leadership of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi also took on the Congress for its alleged role in the AgustaWestland chopper deal. "The Congress party is getting nervous when the probe is being conducted into the role of middleman Christian Michel in the chopper deal. 'Chowkidar'&nbsp;isn't going to stop. It is just a beginning. We will not leave anyone," added the Prime Minister.</p>

<p>He also commented on the Centre's latest move to give 10 per cent reservation to general category poor in admission in educational institutions and government jobs. "The decision will boost the confidence of people and will help India to move forward on the path of development," he said.</p>

<p>"These reservations will give a new dimension to the youths to fulfil their dreams," he added.</p>

<p>"In the 21st century, the country's young population is the biggest power. These energy-rich youths will represent India in the right manner. The young minds know that their voice has a lot of importance. Now, they know that their country's credibility is getting stronger. They also know that the economic and strategic status of India is touching new heights. They know that the government is standing with them under every circumstance," said Prime Minister Modi.</p>

<p>Talking about his government's good works and initiatives aimed at the women's empowerment, Prime Minister Modi said, "Important initiatives have been taken up in the last four and a half years for women's empowerment. People made fun of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'&nbsp;initiative for political opposition, but we have come a long way to free the society from wrong beliefs, which existed for decades."</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress party of creating obstacles in the resolution of Ayodhya issue, saying the opposition party does not want the solution to the mandir-masjid issue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress party of creating obstacles in the resolution of Ayodhya issue, saying the opposition party does not want the solution to the mandir-masjid issue. "The Congress party does not want to solve the issue of Ayodhya. People must not forget this callous attitude of this party," Prime Minister said while addressing the BJP's National Council meeting at the Ram Lila Ground here. Launching a multi-pronged attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Modi said, "The government before us pushed the country into darkness. It won't be wrong if I say that India lost 10 important years (2004-2014) in scams and corruption." Congress-led UPA came to power at the Centre by defeating the BJP in 2004 Lok Sabha elections, the election which the BJP had fought under the leadership of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Prime Minister Modi also took on the Congress for its alleged role in the AgustaWestland chopper deal. "The Congress party is getting nervous when the probe is being conducted into the role of middleman Christian Michel in the chopper deal. 'Chowkidar' isn't going to stop. It is just a beginning. We will not leave anyone," added the Prime Minister. He also commented on the Centre's latest move to give 10 per cent reservation to general category poor in admission in educational institutions and government jobs. "The decision will boost the confidence of people and will help India to move forward on the path of development," he said. "These reservations will give a new dimension to the youths to fulfil their dreams," he added. "In the 21st century, the country's young population is the biggest power. These energy-rich youths will represent India in the right manner. The young minds know that their voice has a lot of importance. Now, they know that their country's credibility is getting stronger. They also know that the economic and strategic status of India is touching new heights. They know that the government is standing with them under every circumstance," said Prime Minister Modi. Talking about his government's good works and initiatives aimed at the women's empowerment, Prime Minister Modi said, "Important initiatives have been taken up in the last four and a half years for women's empowerment. People made fun of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' initiative for political opposition, but we have come a long way to free the society from wrong beliefs, which existed for decades."

Congress obstructing justice in Ayodhya case: PM Modi

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said the bill to give <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/president-kovind-signs-off-on-bill-providing-10-quota-for-poor-among-upper-castes-it-is-now-law-189885">10 per cent reservation</a> in jobs and education to the general category poor will boost the "self-confidence of new India", asserting that existing quota policy for SCs, STs and OBCs is as strong as it was and will remain so.</p>

<p>In an apparent attack on some opposition parties at the BJP national convention here, he said that they are trying to light a "fire of discontent" by spreading "confusion" over the issue and asked party workers to foil such a conspiracy.</p>

<p>He seemed to be referring to reported claims of some BJP rivals that the general category quota may harm the reservation meant for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes besides Other Backward Classes.</p>

<p>"Without taking away the existing quota and without any tinkering with it, this 10 per cent reservation has been given," the PM said in his concluding address at the BJP convention.</p>

<p>"This will further boost the confidence of new India," he said, adding that it will give a new dimension to the aspirations of the general category poor who were not getting equal opportunity.</p>

<p>"The general category poor cannot be neglected," he said.</p>

<p>The number of seats in educational institutions will also be increased by 10 per cent, he said. It is done to ensure that the increased quota does not eat into the share of those from the unreserved category.</p>

<p>Parliament passed the constitution amendment bill in the Winter Session, with the Modi government meeting a key demand of upper castes.&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said the bill to give 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education to the general category poor will boost the "self-confidence of new India", asserting that existing quota policy for SCs, STs and OBCs is as strong as it was and will remain so.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said the bill to give 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education to the general category poor will boost the "self-confidence of new India", asserting that existing quota policy for SCs, STs and OBCs is as strong as it was and will remain so. In an apparent attack on some opposition parties at the BJP national convention here, he said that they are trying to light a "fire of discontent" by spreading "confusion" over the issue and asked party workers to foil such a conspiracy. He seemed to be referring to reported claims of some BJP rivals that the general category quota may harm the reservation meant for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes besides Other Backward Classes. "Without taking away the existing quota and without any tinkering with it, this 10 per cent reservation has been given," the PM said in his concluding address at the BJP convention. "This will further boost the confidence of new India," he said, adding that it will give a new dimension to the aspirations of the general category poor who were not getting equal opportunity. "The general category poor cannot be neglected," he said. The number of seats in educational institutions will also be increased by 10 per cent, he said. It is done to ensure that the increased quota does not eat into the share of those from the unreserved category. Parliament passed the constitution amendment bill in the Winter Session, with the Modi government meeting a key demand of upper castes.

Quota for general category poor will boost confidence of new India: PM Modi

<p>Intensifying his attack on Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi over their alleged involvement in the National Herald case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that those who are out on bail do not believe in the law of institution.</p>

<p>Addressing BJP workers on the concluding day of party's two-day national council meeting in Delhi's Ramlila ground, the Prime Minister targeted the Congress, saying, "How can those who do not believe in country's institution, will respect this country? Those who are out on bail do not believe in the law of land or the institution. When I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I was called by an agency and questioned for nine hours. They even jailed Amit Shah. But the Congress'&nbsp;first family thinks it is above the law and doesn't appear before courts despite several summons issued to them".</p>

<p>He added, "This example of how the Congress and its 'naamdar'&nbsp;family breaks the system is that Congress President and other leaders are out on bail in the National Herald case. This case shows that the Congress leaders grab the public's land and money too."</p>

<p>Continuing his tirade against the Congress, he said that now it is a fight between a sultanate and the Constitution. "For Congress, every authority such as the RBI, CAG, CBI, Army, Police, SC is incorrect. For them, only they are correct and anyone who opposes their authority is incorrect. It is now a fight between a sultanate and the Constitution," he added.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister further said, "In 2007, they tried to threaten me with a jail sentence," adding that the United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) only agenda was to implicate Narendra Modi.</p>

<p>He added that the Government, before the NDA regime, had pushed the country into darkness. "The government before us pushed the country into darkness. It would not be wrong if I say that India lost 10 important years (2004-2014) in scams and corruption," he said.&nbsp;</p>


Intensifying his attack on Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi over their alleged involvement in the National Herald case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that those who are out on bail do not believe in the law of institution.

Intensifying his attack on Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi over their alleged involvement in the National Herald case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that those who are out on bail do not believe in the law of institution. Addressing BJP workers on the concluding day of party's two-day national council meeting in Delhi's Ramlila ground, the Prime Minister targeted the Congress, saying, "How can those who do not believe in country's institution, will respect this country? Those who are out on bail do not believe in the law of land or the institution. When I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I was called by an agency and questioned for nine hours. They even jailed Amit Shah. But the Congress' first family thinks it is above the law and doesn't appear before courts despite several summons issued to them". He added, "This example of how the Congress and its 'naamdar' family breaks the system is that Congress President and other leaders are out on bail in the National Herald case. This case shows that the Congress leaders grab the public's land and money too." Continuing his tirade against the Congress, he said that now it is a fight between a sultanate and the Constitution. "For Congress, every authority such as the RBI, CAG, CBI, Army, Police, SC is incorrect. For them, only they are correct and anyone who opposes their authority is incorrect. It is now a fight between a sultanate and the Constitution," he added. The Prime Minister further said, "In 2007, they tried to threaten me with a jail sentence," adding that the United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) only agenda was to implicate Narendra Modi. He added that the Government, before the NDA regime, had pushed the country into darkness. "The government before us pushed the country into darkness. It would not be wrong if I say that India lost 10 important years (2004-2014) in scams and corruption," he said.

Those out on bail don't believe in law of institution: PM Modi attacks Sonia, Rahul

UPA pushed the country into darkness, we proved govt can run without corruption: PM Modi at BJP meet

<p>Unveiling the poll strategy for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra&nbsp;Modi on Saturday said that he was proud that his government has won the trust of the people and has a spotless image.</p>

<p>Addressing the Bhartiya Janata Party's National Convention meeting in Delhi, Modi said that&nbsp;his party's only mantra was 'sabka saath sabka vikas' and they have shown 'how it can take the nation to its peak'.</p>

<p>"It has happened for the first time in the history of the country that a government that came into power with an absolute majority has not been accused of corruption. We can take pride in the fact that there is no taint on us," Modi said.</p>

<p>He also hailed the government's decision of providing 10&nbsp;per cent quota for the poor.</p>

<p>"10&nbsp;per cent quota given to economically backward classes to meet expectations of youths who were not getting opportunities due to poverty, " Modi&nbsp;said.</p>

<p>He said his government was working for the welfare of the farmers and to double their income by 2022.</p>

<p>"Earlier governments saw annadata (farmers) as only matdata (voters), we are constantly trying to address challenges faced by them. We are working day and night to double farmers' income by 2022, ".</p>

<p>The prime minister also took aim at the opposition's effort to build&nbsp;a grand alliance against his party.</p>

<p>"These days, a campaign is going on to publicise a failed experiment in the history of Indian politics by the name of "mahagathbandhan". These people are trying to make a 'majboor sarkaar'. They don't want a 'majboot sarkar' to get formed &amp; their shop to get closed again," Modi said.</p>

<p>"Important initiatives have been taken up in last four years for women empowerment. People made fun of ' Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' for political opposition, but we have come a long way to free society of wrong beliefs that existed for decades," he said.</p>

<p>"Bank gave loans of Rs 18 lakh crore in 60 years and Rs 34 lakh crore in last six years of Congress governance. There were two means of taking loans in the country. One common process and the other Congress process. In the Congress process, banks were forced to give loans to fraudster friends," he added.</p>

<p>Targeting the UPA government, the prime minister said the previous government was tainted with corruption.</p>

<p>"The government before us pushed the country into darkness. It won't be wrong if I say that India lost ten important years (2004-2014) in scams and corruption, "he said.</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">PM Narendra Modi at BJP National Convention in Delhi: The government before us pushed the country into darkness. It won't be wrong if I say that India lost 10 important years (2004-2014) in scams and corruption. <a href="https://t.co/5Or2XzTOrW">pic.twitter.com/5Or2XzTOrW</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1084005549161701377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Unveiling the poll strategy for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that he was proud that his government has won the trust of the people and has a spotless image.

Unveiling the poll strategy for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that he was proud that his government has won the trust of the people and has a spotless image. Addressing the Bhartiya Janata Party's National Convention meeting in Delhi, Modi said that his party's only mantra was 'sabka saath sabka vikas' and they have shown 'how it can take the nation to its peak'. "It has happened for the first time in the history of the country that a government that came into power with an absolute majority has not been accused of corruption. We can take pride in the fact that there is no taint on us," Modi said. He also hailed the government's decision of providing 10 per cent quota for the poor. "10 per cent quota given to economically backward classes to meet expectations of youths who were not getting opportunities due to poverty, " Modi said. He said his government was working for the welfare of the farmers and to double their income by 2022. "Earlier governments saw annadata (farmers) as only matdata (voters), we are constantly trying to address challenges faced by them. We are working day and night to double farmers' income by 2022, ". The prime minister also took aim at the opposition's effort to build a grand alliance against his party. "These days, a campaign is going on to publicise a failed experiment in the history of Indian politics by the name of "mahagathbandhan". These people are trying to make a 'majboor sarkaar'. They don't want a 'majboot sarkar' to get formed & their shop to get closed again," Modi said. "Important initiatives have been taken up in last four years for women empowerment. People made fun of ' Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' for political opposition, but we have come a long way to free society of wrong beliefs that existed for decades," he said. "Bank gave loans of Rs 18 lakh crore in 60 years and Rs 34 lakh crore in last six years of Congress governance. There were two means of taking loans in the country. One common process and the other Congress process. In the Congress process, banks were forced to give loans to fraudster friends," he added. Targeting the UPA government, the prime minister said the previous government was tainted with corruption. "The government before us pushed the country into darkness. It won't be wrong if I say that India lost ten important years (2004-2014) in scams and corruption, "he said. PM Narendra Modi at BJP National Convention in Delhi: The government before us pushed the country into darkness. It won't be wrong if I say that India lost 10 important years (2004-2014) in scams and corruption. pic.twitter.com/5Or2XzTOrW — ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2019 × (With inputs from agencies)

We can take pride in the fact that there is no taint on us: PM Modi

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/assembly-election-results-2018-pm-narendra-modi-lost-but-rahul-gandhi-did-not-win-183412">tore into Congress president Rahul Gandhi</a> for saying he made "a woman"&nbsp;defend him in Parliament over the Rafale deal, a reference to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, terming the remark as an insult to all women in the country.</p>

<p>Mounting a fresh offensive against the Congress as well as the SP and the BSP at rallies in Solapur in Maharashtra and Agra in Uttar Pradesh, Modi also called himself a chowkidar (watchman) who can pick out a wrongdoer even in darkness in his fight against corruption.</p>

<p>Modi said his "safai" (clean-up) mission to uproot corruption has made the opposition parties scared of the chowkidar that even arch-rivals SP and the BSP are coming together to throw him out of power. Modi referred to himself by the term 'chowkidar' Rahul Gandhi often uses while targeting the prime minister.</p>

<p>Calling Modi a prime minister who claimed to have a broad chest, Gandhi said he had "run away" from the debate in Parliament on the Rafale deal last week.</p>

<p>The watchman with a 56-inch chest ran away and told a woman, Sitharaman Ji, defend me. I won't be able to defend myself, defend me, Gandhi said at a farmers' rally in Jaipur.</p>

<p>In his public meeting a few hours later in Agra, Modi accused Congress leaders of insulting all women in the country.</p>

<p>Modi said Sitharaman had floored the Opposition in the Lok Sabha by coming up with "fact after fact" on the Rafale deal.</p>

<p>"They are bent upon insulting a woman defence minister," he said, without naming Gandhi.</p>

<p>"This is not an insult to a woman, but an insult to entire India's women power, for which these irresponsible leaders will have to pay the price."</p>

<p>The prime minister said it was a matter of pride that a woman had become defence minister for the first time in the country.</p>

<p>Targeting the Congress, Modi asked it to clarify what was driving its relentless allegations on the Rafale fighter jet procurement issue.</p>

<p>Modi also latched on to media reports that claimed that alleged middleman Christian Michel, arrested in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, was lobbying for French manufacturer Rafale's rivals in the multi-role aircraft deal.</p>

<p>"During the earlier (UPA) regime, the middlemen culture had become a part of the system. They had snatched the rights of the poor and also played with the security of the nation," Modi said, adding Michel was lobbying for "some other contender" as well.</p>

<p>"He (Michel) has made a shocking revelation. As per media reports, he was not just involved in the (AgustaWestland) chopper deal but also involved in the deal relating to the fighter planes (Rafale), when the earlier government was in power," Modi said.</p>

<p>"Media says that Michel was also lobbying for some other company. Congress should answer which leader of their party, now shouting about this (Rafale deal), has a connection with Michel. They should give an account of each and every penny spent," he said. Congress did not immediately react to Modi's remark.</p>

<p>He also said that 'Michel mama' the 'confidence' is in the custody of country and that the Congress is worried that he might reveal secrets.</p>

<p>"Do you support the chowkidar," Modi asked the crowd at the Solapur rally.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Was the deal stopped then because of Michel mama's 'saudebaazi' (deals)," he said, apparently referring to the 126 jet plan that didn't materialise.</p>

<p>Calling himself a chowkidar, Modi said he has undertaken a "safai" (clean-up) mission to uproot corruption and that he cannot be bought or scared and will continue with his work relentlessly.</p>

<p>"Modi is made up of different mettle. He cannot be bought nor can anyone scare him. I will take an account of every single penny. This chowkidar doesn't sleep and can pick a wrongdoer even in darkness. They may continue abusing me but I will not stop my mission to uproot corruption," the prime minister said.</p>

<p>In Agra, Modi hit out at the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party(SP) and the Mayawati-headed Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP), which are in the process of tying up an alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, saying political rivals, who did not even like to look at each other, were now coming together just to oppose the BJP.</p>

<p>"Rivals are coming together just to oppose us. Political rivals, who didn't even like to look at each other, are now coming together just to oppose us," he told a public meeting after launching various projects worth Rs 3,907 crore.</p>

<p>"They fear the chowkidar, which is why they want to throw me out of power," Modi said, citing alleged scams in sand and gravel mining in Uttar Pradesh during the separate regimes of these two parties in the state earlier.</p>

<p>"The investigating agencies are seeking an answer from them of their misdeeds and so they are conspiring against the chowkidar...," Modi said, alleging they have now started a cooperation campaign in corruption,"...To hide their scams and corruption (they) are shaking hands...Those who were not ready to see eye to eye are shaking hands for petty political gains and are (also) ready to forget the shameful guest house case and other incidents," Modi said referring to the infamous state guest house incident in 1995. SP workers manhandled Mayawati in the state guest house in Lucknow on June 2, 1995, in a bid to obtain BSP's support for the party's coalition government.</p>

<p>"This is happening only because the chowkidar is awake and is standing in front of them with full honesty...To remove the chowkidar they are collecting all the 'tinkas' and 'tukdas'(straw and broken pieces)," he said.</p>

<p>Modi defended the introduction of the 10 per cent quota for the general category poor in jobs and education, adding the bill's passage in the Lok Sabha is a strong answer to those "spreading lies".</p>

<p>On the Lok Sabha's approval of the Citizenship(Amendment) Bill, seeking to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Modi assured people of Assam and the North-East their rights will not be curtailed in any way.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday tore into Congress president Rahul Gandhi for saying he made "a woman" defend him in Parliament over the Rafale deal, a reference to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, terming the remark as an insult to all women in the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday tore into Congress president Rahul Gandhi for saying he made "a woman" defend him in Parliament over the Rafale deal, a reference to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, terming the remark as an insult to all women in the country. Mounting a fresh offensive against the Congress as well as the SP and the BSP at rallies in Solapur in Maharashtra and Agra in Uttar Pradesh, Modi also called himself a chowkidar (watchman) who can pick out a wrongdoer even in darkness in his fight against corruption. Modi said his "safai" (clean-up) mission to uproot corruption has made the opposition parties scared of the chowkidar that even arch-rivals SP and the BSP are coming together to throw him out of power. Modi referred to himself by the term 'chowkidar' Rahul Gandhi often uses while targeting the prime minister. Calling Modi a prime minister who claimed to have a broad chest, Gandhi said he had "run away" from the debate in Parliament on the Rafale deal last week. The watchman with a 56-inch chest ran away and told a woman, Sitharaman Ji, defend me. I won't be able to defend myself, defend me, Gandhi said at a farmers' rally in Jaipur. In his public meeting a few hours later in Agra, Modi accused Congress leaders of insulting all women in the country. Modi said Sitharaman had floored the Opposition in the Lok Sabha by coming up with "fact after fact" on the Rafale deal. "They are bent upon insulting a woman defence minister," he said, without naming Gandhi. "This is not an insult to a woman, but an insult to entire India's women power, for which these irresponsible leaders will have to pay the price." The prime minister said it was a matter of pride that a woman had become defence minister for the first time in the country. Targeting the Congress, Modi asked it to clarify what was driving its relentless allegations on the Rafale fighter jet procurement issue. Modi also latched on to media reports that claimed that alleged middleman Christian Michel, arrested in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, was lobbying for French manufacturer Rafale's rivals in the multi-role aircraft deal. "During the earlier (UPA) regime, the middlemen culture had become a part of the system. They had snatched the rights of the poor and also played with the security of the nation," Modi said, adding Michel was lobbying for "some other contender" as well. "He (Michel) has made a shocking revelation. As per media reports, he was not just involved in the (AgustaWestland) chopper deal but also involved in the deal relating to the fighter planes (Rafale), when the earlier government was in power," Modi said. "Media says that Michel was also lobbying for some other company. Congress should answer which leader of their party, now shouting about this (Rafale deal), has a connection with Michel. They should give an account of each and every penny spent," he said. Congress did not immediately react to Modi's remark. He also said that 'Michel mama' the 'confidence' is in the custody of country and that the Congress is worried that he might reveal secrets. "Do you support the chowkidar," Modi asked the crowd at the Solapur rally. "Was the deal stopped then because of Michel mama's 'saudebaazi' (deals)," he said, apparently referring to the 126 jet plan that didn't materialise. Calling himself a chowkidar, Modi said he has undertaken a "safai" (clean-up) mission to uproot corruption and that he cannot be bought or scared and will continue with his work relentlessly. "Modi is made up of different mettle. He cannot be bought nor can anyone scare him. I will take an account of every single penny. This chowkidar doesn't sleep and can pick a wrongdoer even in darkness. They may continue abusing me but I will not stop my mission to uproot corruption," the prime minister said. In Agra, Modi hit out at the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party(SP) and the Mayawati-headed Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP), which are in the process of tying up an alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, saying political rivals, who did not even like to look at each other, were now coming together just to oppose the BJP. "Rivals are coming together just to oppose us. Political rivals, who didn't even like to look at each other, are now coming together just to oppose us," he told a public meeting after launching various projects worth Rs 3,907 crore. "They fear the chowkidar, which is why they want to throw me out of power," Modi said, citing alleged scams in sand and gravel mining in Uttar Pradesh during the separate regimes of these two parties in the state earlier. "The investigating agencies are seeking an answer from them of their misdeeds and so they are conspiring against the chowkidar...," Modi said, alleging they have now started a cooperation campaign in corruption,"...To hide their scams and corruption (they) are shaking hands...Those who were not ready to see eye to eye are shaking hands for petty political gains and are (also) ready to forget the shameful guest house case and other incidents," Modi said referring to the infamous state guest house incident in 1995. SP workers manhandled Mayawati in the state guest house in Lucknow on June 2, 1995, in a bid to obtain BSP's support for the party's coalition government. "This is happening only because the chowkidar is awake and is standing in front of them with full honesty...To remove the chowkidar they are collecting all the 'tinkas' and 'tukdas'(straw and broken pieces)," he said. Modi defended the introduction of the 10 per cent quota for the general category poor in jobs and education, adding the bill's passage in the Lok Sabha is a strong answer to those "spreading lies". On the Lok Sabha's approval of the Citizenship(Amendment) Bill, seeking to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Modi assured people of Assam and the North-East their rights will not be curtailed in any way.

Modi slams Rahul for saying he made 'a woman' defend him in Parliament

<p>In a stinging counter-attack on the Rafale issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday accused the Congress of stalling defence procurement if there was “no deal” for it. He also said the alleged middleman Christian Michel was close to the Congress first family and the people deserved to know the role played by him in the 10-year delay over the Rafale deal during UPA regime. Interacting with booth level BJP workers of Tamil Nadu through video-conferencing, he said many people think that the biggest failure of Congress was mismanagement of the economy and corruption. “But they did deep damage to our armed forces. Not many know how much damage Congress culture did to our defence sector for decades.</p>

<p>They had made the defence sector a den of Bofors and brokers and middlemen. “In their government, procurement would only happen if there was a deal. If there was no deal their approach was to simply stop buying anything for the armed forces,” Modi said in response to a question. Recalling Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s statement during the debate in Lok Sabha over the Rafale issue, Modi said when India’s neighbours were strengthening their forces with fourth and fifth generation fighters, the then Congress government stalled defence procurement. Recently, between 2004-15, one of India’s neighbours added 400 aircraft while another doubled the air force fleet strength with many of these being fourth and fifth generation fighters, he said.</p>

<p>“What was the Congress government doing at that time? It stalled Defence procurement for want of its deal while our neighbours increased capacity. Congress actually decreased ours. Such huge damage to the defence forces, all for the sake of a deal,” Modi alleged. Referring to negotiations to purchase 126 Rafale fighter jets during the UPA regime, Modi claimed Michel, being probed over the AgustaWestland chopper deal, had access to inside information like the timing of a cabinet meet on security and a government file on a related matter.</p>

<p>“Do you know who this middleman is close to? This middleman is close to the current first family of the Congress.” The reported revelations by the middleman raise several questions and people had a right to know what role did Michel “play in delaying the procurement of Rafale for 10 long years… in putting national security in danger,” he said. “The people of the country deserve to know how did middleman Michel know about the time of a meeting of the Cabinet (committee) on security…,” he said. Similarly, people should know how Michel knew about the status of a government file and how he “managed” the leadership of a party to get the deal. The prime minister’s offensive comes amid the escalating attack by Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who has been posing a series of questions to Modi over the Rafale deal for purchase of 36 fighter jets from the French manufacturer.</p>

<p>Modi said he knew that there would be relentless attacks against him and his reputation as he as he had stopped so many people’s “corrupt businesses,” asserting that he would happily “take all the mud” thrown at him if he can strengthen the hands of soldiers. He asked if it was not the duty of the government to aid the soldiers by providing them with weapons and equipment. “…These are extremely powerful people… they have their people everywhere. That is why you see such attacks against us today. But when it comes to national security, I always say India first,” Modi said. “I will take all the mud thrown at me happily if I can strengthen the hands of the soldiers. When a government is clean and not waiting for a deal to seal a defence procurement, things will move faster. I hope this answers your question,” he added.</p>


In a stinging counter-attack on the Rafale issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday accused the Congress of stalling defence procurement if there was “no deal” for it.

In a stinging counter-attack on the Rafale issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday accused the Congress of stalling defence procurement if there was “no deal” for it. He also said the alleged middleman Christian Michel was close to the Congress first family and the people deserved to know the role played by him in the 10-year delay over the Rafale deal during UPA regime. Interacting with booth level BJP workers of Tamil Nadu through video-conferencing, he said many people think that the biggest failure of Congress was mismanagement of the economy and corruption. “But they did deep damage to our armed forces. Not many know how much damage Congress culture did to our defence sector for decades. They had made the defence sector a den of Bofors and brokers and middlemen. “In their government, procurement would only happen if there was a deal. If there was no deal their approach was to simply stop buying anything for the armed forces,” Modi said in response to a question. Recalling Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s statement during the debate in Lok Sabha over the Rafale issue, Modi said when India’s neighbours were strengthening their forces with fourth and fifth generation fighters, the then Congress government stalled defence procurement. Recently, between 2004-15, one of India’s neighbours added 400 aircraft while another doubled the air force fleet strength with many of these being fourth and fifth generation fighters, he said. “What was the Congress government doing at that time? It stalled Defence procurement for want of its deal while our neighbours increased capacity. Congress actually decreased ours. Such huge damage to the defence forces, all for the sake of a deal,” Modi alleged. Referring to negotiations to purchase 126 Rafale fighter jets during the UPA regime, Modi claimed Michel, being probed over the AgustaWestland chopper deal, had access to inside information like the timing of a cabinet meet on security and a government file on a related matter. “Do you know who this middleman is close to? This middleman is close to the current first family of the Congress.” The reported revelations by the middleman raise several questions and people had a right to know what role did Michel “play in delaying the procurement of Rafale for 10 long years… in putting national security in danger,” he said. “The people of the country deserve to know how did middleman Michel know about the time of a meeting of the Cabinet (committee) on security…,” he said. Similarly, people should know how Michel knew about the status of a government file and how he “managed” the leadership of a party to get the deal. The prime minister’s offensive comes amid the escalating attack by Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who has been posing a series of questions to Modi over the Rafale deal for purchase of 36 fighter jets from the French manufacturer. Modi said he knew that there would be relentless attacks against him and his reputation as he as he had stopped so many people’s “corrupt businesses,” asserting that he would happily “take all the mud” thrown at him if he can strengthen the hands of soldiers. He asked if it was not the duty of the government to aid the soldiers by providing them with weapons and equipment. “…These are extremely powerful people… they have their people everywhere. That is why you see such attacks against us today. But when it comes to national security, I always say India first,” Modi said. “I will take all the mud thrown at me happily if I can strengthen the hands of the soldiers. When a government is clean and not waiting for a deal to seal a defence procurement, things will move faster. I hope this answers your question,” he added.

Rafale deal: PM Modi launches stinging counter-attack, questions middleman Michel’s role

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