<p>Rahul Gandhi on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for running the country by looking just in the rear view mirror, &quot;which will cause accidents&quot;.</p>

<p>The Congress president was referring to PM Modi&#39;s criticism of the erstwhile Congress governments.</p>

<p>&quot;...You (Modi) drive the vehicle by just looking in the rear-view mirror, which will cause accidents. This country cannot be run by looking in the rear-view mirror,&quot; Rahul Gandhi said at a rally in Karnataka&#39;s Hosapet ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state.</p>

<p>The Congress president advised the prime minister &quot;to learn governance&quot; from state chief minister Siddaramaiah &quot;who runs the government looking forward&quot;.</p>

<p>Also read - <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-gave-rafale-contract-to-his-friend-rahul-gandhi-32416">PM Modi gave Rafale contract to his friend: Rahul Gandhi</a><br />
<br />
Rahul Gandhi earlier alleged that in his speech in Parliament this week which lasted for an hour, PM Modi did not speak about the burning issues such as the agrarian problem, unemployment, tribals and Dalits.</p>

<p>Rather, he chose to speak about the past.</p>

<p>&quot;Modiji, this country has not made you prime minister to talk only about the past. This country wants to know your future plans for the country,&quot; the Congress president said.</p>

<p>Gandhi also said Modi spoke about corruption but his party government in Karnataka had set a &quot;world record&quot; in corruption under the rule of BS Yeddyurappa, who was sacked from the post on the charge of corruption.</p>

<p>He promised the people that the Congress would double the amount of work it had done in the last five years if given another opportunity to govern the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Assembly elections in Karnataka are due early this year.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Rahul Gandhi today said PM Modi is running the country by looking just in the rear-view mirror, 'which will cause accidents'

Rahul Gandhi on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for running the country by looking just in the rear view mirror, "which will cause accidents". The Congress president was referring to PM Modi's criticism of the erstwhile Congress governments. "...You (Modi) drive the vehicle by just looking in the rear-view mirror, which will cause accidents. This country cannot be run by looking in the rear-view mirror," Rahul Gandhi said at a rally in Karnataka's Hosapet ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state. The Congress president advised the prime minister "to learn governance" from state chief minister Siddaramaiah "who runs the government looking forward". Also read - PM Modi gave Rafale contract to his friend: Rahul Gandhi Rahul Gandhi earlier alleged that in his speech in Parliament this week which lasted for an hour, PM Modi did not speak about the burning issues such as the agrarian problem, unemployment, tribals and Dalits. Rather, he chose to speak about the past. "Modiji, this country has not made you prime minister to talk only about the past. This country wants to know your future plans for the country," the Congress president said. Gandhi also said Modi spoke about corruption but his party government in Karnataka had set a "world record" in corruption under the rule of BS Yeddyurappa, who was sacked from the post on the charge of corruption. He promised the people that the Congress would double the amount of work it had done in the last five years if given another opportunity to govern the state. The Assembly elections in Karnataka are due early this year.

Modi drives by just looking in rear-view mirror: Rahul Gandhi

<p>Congress President Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Karnataka&#39;s Bellary district.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-attacks-jaitley-sitaraman-with-facts-over-rafale-deal-32340">again raised the issue of the Rafale jet deal </a>with France and accused PM Modi of changing the contract. He claimed that the contract had earlier been given to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited but was given by PM Modi to &quot;his friend.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;Modi government bought Rafale from a France company. Modi<em> </em><em>ji</em> went to Paris, changed the contract himself. The Rafale contract was earlier given to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. He seized the contract from HAL and gave it to his friend,&quot; Rahul Gandhi said.</p>

<p>&quot;We have asked three questions to Modi - Modiji on what basis did you give the contract to your friend after taking it away from HAL, for what reason? Why did you take away the future of its youth from Bangalore? Why did you do this to profit your friend?<br />
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&quot;Second question, did the price of the aircraft increase or decrease in your new contract?<br />
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&quot;Third question- when you took this decision in Paris and when India&#39;s defence minister was buying fish in Goa- did you take permission from the Cabinet Committee on Security? Yes or no.&quot;</p>

<p>The Rafale contract is held by the Anil Ambani-backed Reliance Group.<br />
<br />
Rahul Gandhi also accused PM Modi of failing to discuss the future of the country, employment to the youth or helping farmers and instead focussing on targetting the Congress party in Parliament.</p>

<p>&quot;Narendra Modi didn&#39;t speak about future, or giving employment to youth, or help to farmers in his one-hour long speech in Parliament. He spent one hour talking about Congress party and the past. The country wants to listen about future from the PM,&quot; the Congress president said.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi said the prime minister made false promises to the people.</p>

<p>There is nothing to be gained by trusting those who make false promises and show you false dreams. The Congress party does what it says. Narendra Modi&#39;s words are hollow. He does not do what he says,&quot; the Congress president said.</p>

<p>He also said that the relationship between his mother Sonia Gandhi, the party and the people of Karnataka went back in time and that the state&#39;s people had helped her when she needed them.</p>

<p>&quot;The relation between Sonia&nbsp;<em>ji</em>, us and you goes back in time, when she needed it you helped her and accepted her,&quot; the Congress President said.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Congress President Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Karnataka's Bellary district

Congress President Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Karnataka's Bellary district. Rahul Gandhi again raised the issue of the Rafale jet deal with France and accused PM Modi of changing the contract. He claimed that the contract had earlier been given to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited but was given by PM Modi to "his friend." "Modi government bought Rafale from a France company. Modi ji went to Paris, changed the contract himself. The Rafale contract was earlier given to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. He seized the contract from HAL and gave it to his friend," Rahul Gandhi said. "We have asked three questions to Modi - Modiji on what basis did you give the contract to your friend after taking it away from HAL, for what reason? Why did you take away the future of its youth from Bangalore? Why did you do this to profit your friend? "Second question, did the price of the aircraft increase or decrease in your new contract? "Third question- when you took this decision in Paris and when India's defence minister was buying fish in Goa- did you take permission from the Cabinet Committee on Security? Yes or no." The Rafale contract is held by the Anil Ambani-backed Reliance Group. Rahul Gandhi also accused PM Modi of failing to discuss the future of the country, employment to the youth or helping farmers and instead focussing on targetting the Congress party in Parliament. "Narendra Modi didn't speak about future, or giving employment to youth, or help to farmers in his one-hour long speech in Parliament. He spent one hour talking about Congress party and the past. The country wants to listen about future from the PM," the Congress president said. Rahul Gandhi said the prime minister made false promises to the people. There is nothing to be gained by trusting those who make false promises and show you false dreams. The Congress party does what it says. Narendra Modi's words are hollow. He does not do what he says," the Congress president said. He also said that the relationship between his mother Sonia Gandhi, the party and the people of Karnataka went back in time and that the state's people had helped her when she needed them. "The relation between Sonia ji, us and you goes back in time, when she needed it you helped her and accepted her," the Congress President said.

PM Modi gave Rafale contract to his friend: Rahul Gandhi

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hope-palestine-will-soon-become-a-free-country-pm-modi-in-palestine-32412">Hope Palestine will soon become a free country: PM Modi</a></p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi today arrived in Palestine&#39;s Ramallah, the headquarters of the Palestine National Authority, as a part of his three-nation tour. The Indian PM and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas signed six memoranda of understanding (MOUs) that includes the setting up of a USD 30 million super speciality hospital in Beit Sahur.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-arrives-in-palestine-on-a-historic-visit-32399">&#39;Historic visit&#39;, tweets PM Modi in Palestine</a></p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in Ramallah on the first leg of his three-nation tour. Soon after his arrival, the prime minister tweeted that the &quot;historic visit&quot; would improve bilateral ties between the two countries.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/charges-made-by-tdp-members-a-propaganda-says-narasimha-rao-32413">Charges made by TDP members a &#39;propaganda&#39;, says BJP</a></p>

<p>The BJP today dismissed as &quot;propaganda&quot; claims that the Centre has not done much for Andhra Pradesh&#39;s development, and asked its ally TDP to sort out its issues with the government &quot;amicably&quot;. At a press conference, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao and state party president and Visakhapatnam MP K Hari Babu presented a list of institutions, projects and funds sanctioned for the state by the NDA government and asserted that the Centre has taken utmost care of the state.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/8-yr-old-indian-origin-schoolgirl-enters-uks-mathletics-hall-of-fame-32419">8-yr-old Indian-origin schoolgirl enters UK&#39;s Mathletics Hall of Fame</a></p>

<p>An eight-year-old Indian-origin school girl has entered the UK&#39;s Mathletics Hall of Fame, an online mathematics-based competitive tool aimed at primary school pupils. Sohini Roy Chowdhury competed with pupils from across Britain and other countries to also make it into the top 100 World Hall of Fame after solving mathematical puzzles with speed and accuracy.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/four-injured-as-jaish-militants-attack-army-camp-32387">Two Army men killed, 6 injured as militants attack Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir</a></p>

<p>Two Army men were killed and six others sustained injuries in a pre-dawn attack by a group of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists at Sunjwan Army camp in Jammu city, officials said. One of the terrorists has been killed.</p>


Hope Palestine will soon become a free country: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi today arrived in Palestine's Ramallah, the headquarters of the Palestine National Authority, as a part of his three-nation tour. The Indian PM and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas signed six memoranda of understanding (MOUs) that includes the setting up of a USD 30 million super speciality hospital in Beit Sahur. 'Historic visit', tweets PM Modi in Palestine Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in Ramallah on the first leg of his three-nation tour. Soon after his arrival, the prime minister tweeted that the "historic visit" would improve bilateral ties between the two countries. Charges made by TDP members a 'propaganda', says BJP The BJP today dismissed as "propaganda" claims that the Centre has not done much for Andhra Pradesh's development, and asked its ally TDP to sort out its issues with the government "amicably". At a press conference, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao and state party president and Visakhapatnam MP K Hari Babu presented a list of institutions, projects and funds sanctioned for the state by the NDA government and asserted that the Centre has taken utmost care of the state. 8-yr-old Indian-origin schoolgirl enters UK's Mathletics Hall of Fame An eight-year-old Indian-origin school girl has entered the UK's Mathletics Hall of Fame, an online mathematics-based competitive tool aimed at primary school pupils. Sohini Roy Chowdhury competed with pupils from across Britain and other countries to also make it into the top 100 World Hall of Fame after solving mathematical puzzles with speed and accuracy. Two Army men killed, 6 injured as militants attack Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir Two Army men were killed and six others sustained injuries in a pre-dawn attack by a group of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists at Sunjwan Army camp in Jammu city, officials said. One of the terrorists has been killed.

WION Evening News Brief, February 10, 2018

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday arrived in Jordan as a part of his three-nation tour.</p>

<p>The Indian PM was received by Jordan Prime Minister Hani Al-Mulki on his arrival in Amman and subsequently held talks with Jordan&#39;s King Abdullah II.</p>

<p>PM Modi tweeted about his visit, thanking King Abdullah II for facilitating his transit to Palestine. The prime minister wrote that his discussions would give &quot;great strength to India-Jordan bilateral relations.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Landed in Amman. I thank His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan for facilitating the transit: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> <a href="https://t.co/padkgjKAR9">pic.twitter.com/padkgjKAR9</a></p>
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/961955139786625025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Had a wonderful meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan. Our discussions today will give great strength to India-Jordan bilateral relations. <a href="https://t.co/PgavBb7RXe">pic.twitter.com/PgavBb7RXe</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/961977231554707456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The prime minister was given a rousing welcome by the Indian diaspora in Amman.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jordan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jordan</a>: The lobby of Four Seasons Hotel in Amman echoes with chants of &#39;Bharat Mata ki Jai&#39; as members of Indian community welcome PM Narendra Modi. <a href="https://t.co/XzJIZESKbN">pic.twitter.com/XzJIZESKbN</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/961978781165604864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi, whose next stopover is Palestine, will be the first Indian prime minister to visit the west Asian country. He will visit the UAE on February 10-11 and undertake his first visit to Oman as Prime Minister on February 11-12.</p>

<p><br />
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PM Modi tweeted about his visit, thanking King Abdullah II for facilitating his transit to Palestine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday arrived in Jordan as a part of his three-nation tour. The Indian PM was received by Jordan Prime Minister Hani Al-Mulki on his arrival in Amman and subsequently held talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II. PM Modi tweeted about his visit, thanking King Abdullah II for facilitating his transit to Palestine. The prime minister wrote that his discussions would give "great strength to India-Jordan bilateral relations." Landed in Amman. I thank His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan for facilitating the transit: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/padkgjKAR9 — PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 9, 2018 × Had a wonderful meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan. Our discussions today will give great strength to India-Jordan bilateral relations. pic.twitter.com/PgavBb7RXe — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2018 × The prime minister was given a rousing welcome by the Indian diaspora in Amman. #Jordan: The lobby of Four Seasons Hotel in Amman echoes with chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' as members of Indian community welcome PM Narendra Modi. pic.twitter.com/XzJIZESKbN — ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2018 × PM Modi, whose next stopover is Palestine, will be the first Indian prime minister to visit the west Asian country. He will visit the UAE on February 10-11 and undertake his first visit to Oman as Prime Minister on February 11-12.

PM Modi arrives in Jordan as part of 3-nation tour

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked BJP MPs to take welfare schemes announced in the budget to the masses, saying that popularising them would lead to the party winning in the polls, according to leaders present at the meeting.</p>

<p>The MPs&#39; success is linked to the party&#39;s performance, the prime minister told the BJP parliamentary meeting, the leaders said.</p>

<p>Party president Amit Shah also spoke at the meeting and blamed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi&#39;s &quot;undemocratic&quot; politics for his party members heckling the prime minister during his speech in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.</p>

<p>PM Modi dwelt at length on the Union budget, calling it especially positive for farmers and the poor while citing the announcement of a health insurance scheme for 10 crore families, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters.</p>

<p>PM Modi asked MPs to inform the masses about various pro-people features of the budget.</p>

<p>The prime minister also asked the gathering to hold meetings at booths to take various welfare schemes announced in the budget to people and run intensive campaigns to propagate them, Kumar said.</p>

<p>Some leaders present at the meeting later said the prime minister underlined the importance of popularising these schemes for winning polls and told them that their win was linked to the party&#39;s victory.</p>

<p>He asked them to hold mock parliaments in various places to discuss the budget and praised Finance Minister Arun Jaitley&#39;s reply in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on it.</p>

<p>PM Modi also heaped praise on Shah for his maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;prime minister made a reference to his rally in Tripura, which goes to the polls on February 18, yesterday and said a huge crowd had arrived despite attempts of the state&#39;s Left government to prevent people from attending it.</p>

<p>Shah hit out at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in his address, Kumar said.</p>

<p>Never before in the parliamentary history was a prime minister&#39;s reply to the president&#39;s address disrupted by the Oppositon, Shah said, referring to Congress protests in the well of the Lok Sabha during PM Modi&#39;s over 90-minute speech on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Gandhi&#39;s mindset is &quot;undemocratic&quot; and that is why the prime minister had to speak amid disruptions, he said.</p>

<p>When Manmohan Singh was prime minister for over 10 years, such a situation never occurred, he said.</p>

<p>Shah also touched on the Congress&#39; attack on the government over the Rafale aircraft deal, saying Jaitley in his speech had touched on its various aspects.</p>

<p>&quot;The broader details of the deal have been shared in Parliament. But every detail, including those about its weapons and their cost, cannot be made public,&quot; Kumar quoted Shah as saying.</p>


Party president Amit Shah also spoke at the meeting and blamed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's 'undemocratic' politics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked BJP MPs to take welfare schemes announced in the budget to the masses, saying that popularising them would lead to the party winning in the polls, according to leaders present at the meeting. The MPs' success is linked to the party's performance, the prime minister told the BJP parliamentary meeting, the leaders said. Party president Amit Shah also spoke at the meeting and blamed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's "undemocratic" politics for his party members heckling the prime minister during his speech in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. PM Modi dwelt at length on the Union budget, calling it especially positive for farmers and the poor while citing the announcement of a health insurance scheme for 10 crore families, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters. PM Modi asked MPs to inform the masses about various pro-people features of the budget. The prime minister also asked the gathering to hold meetings at booths to take various welfare schemes announced in the budget to people and run intensive campaigns to propagate them, Kumar said. Some leaders present at the meeting later said the prime minister underlined the importance of popularising these schemes for winning polls and told them that their win was linked to the party's victory. He asked them to hold mock parliaments in various places to discuss the budget and praised Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's reply in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on it. PM Modi also heaped praise on Shah for his maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha. The prime minister made a reference to his rally in Tripura, which goes to the polls on February 18, yesterday and said a huge crowd had arrived despite attempts of the state's Left government to prevent people from attending it. Shah hit out at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in his address, Kumar said. Never before in the parliamentary history was a prime minister's reply to the president's address disrupted by the Oppositon, Shah said, referring to Congress protests in the well of the Lok Sabha during PM Modi's over 90-minute speech on Wednesday. Gandhi's mindset is "undemocratic" and that is why the prime minister had to speak amid disruptions, he said. When Manmohan Singh was prime minister for over 10 years, such a situation never occurred, he said. Shah also touched on the Congress' attack on the government over the Rafale aircraft deal, saying Jaitley in his speech had touched on its various aspects. "The broader details of the deal have been shared in Parliament. But every detail, including those about its weapons and their cost, cannot be made public," Kumar quoted Shah as saying.

Taking welfare schemes to masses will lead to poll win: PM Modi

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who began his<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-begins-4-day-visit-to-palestine-uae-and-oman-today-32267"> three-nation visit</a> to Palestine, United Arab Emirates and Oman today, reached Jordan&#39;s Amman in the evening.</p>

<p>The prime minister met&nbsp;King Abdullah II in Jordan.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="it">Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s arrival in Jordan&#39;s Amman. <a href="https://t.co/mw1zkfvqyb">pic.twitter.com/mw1zkfvqyb</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/961950921973526528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="nl">Jordan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets King of Jordan, Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein in Amman. <a href="https://t.co/3ysmQMC9RR">pic.twitter.com/3ysmQMC9RR</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/961962155728875521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Indian prime minister shared his itinerary and details of the trip on Facebook.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said he was &quot;happy to visit the Gulf and West Asian region for the fifth time since 2015&quot;, calling it a is a &quot;key priority in our external engagement.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;This will be the first-ever Prime Ministerial visit to Palestine from India. I am looking forward to my discussions with President Mahmoud Abbas and reaffirming our support for the Palestinian people and the development of Palestine,&quot; PM Modi wrote on Facebook.</p>

<p>PM Modi will visit Palestine on February 10 after transiting through Jordan.</p>

<p>PM Modi will visit the UAE on February 10-11. He will address the 6th edition of the World Government Summit in Dubai, where India is the Guest Country of Honour. The same day he will also meet leading UAE and Arab CEOs in Dubai on the vast economic opportunities in India.</p>

<p>&quot;UAE is a valued strategic partner with whom we have fast-tracked cooperation in all major spheres including economy, energy, high technology and security. I will be discussing our progress in these areas and more in my meetings with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi,&quot; the prime minister wrote on Facebook.</p>

<p>PM Modi said he would undertake his first visit to Oman as Prime Minister on February 11-12. He will meet the Sultan of Oman on February 12 and also hold bilateral talks with Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers HH Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said and Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs HH Sayyid Asa&#39;ad bin Tariq Al Said.</p>

<p>On February 12, PM Modi said he will interact with leading businesspersons of Oman before returning to Delhi the same day.</p>

<p>During his visit, the prime minister will also meet Indian diaspora in the UAE and in Oman.</p>

<p>Read PM Modi&#39;s Facebook posts:</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The prime minister wrote on Facebook that he was 'looking forward to my discussions with President Mahmoud Abbas and reaffirming our support for the Palestinian people'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who began his three-nation visit to Palestine, United Arab Emirates and Oman today, reached Jordan's Amman in the evening. The prime minister met King Abdullah II in Jordan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Jordan's Amman. pic.twitter.com/mw1zkfvqyb — ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2018 × Jordan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets King of Jordan, Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein in Amman. pic.twitter.com/3ysmQMC9RR — ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2018 × The Indian prime minister shared his itinerary and details of the trip on Facebook. He said he was "happy to visit the Gulf and West Asian region for the fifth time since 2015", calling it a is a "key priority in our external engagement." "This will be the first-ever Prime Ministerial visit to Palestine from India. I am looking forward to my discussions with President Mahmoud Abbas and reaffirming our support for the Palestinian people and the development of Palestine," PM Modi wrote on Facebook. PM Modi will visit Palestine on February 10 after transiting through Jordan. PM Modi will visit the UAE on February 10-11. He will address the 6th edition of the World Government Summit in Dubai, where India is the Guest Country of Honour. The same day he will also meet leading UAE and Arab CEOs in Dubai on the vast economic opportunities in India. "UAE is a valued strategic partner with whom we have fast-tracked cooperation in all major spheres including economy, energy, high technology and security. I will be discussing our progress in these areas and more in my meetings with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi," the prime minister wrote on Facebook. PM Modi said he would undertake his first visit to Oman as Prime Minister on February 11-12. He will meet the Sultan of Oman on February 12 and also hold bilateral talks with Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers HH Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said and Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs HH Sayyid Asa'ad bin Tariq Al Said. On February 12, PM Modi said he will interact with leading businesspersons of Oman before returning to Delhi the same day. During his visit, the prime minister will also meet Indian diaspora in the UAE and in Oman. Read PM Modi's Facebook posts: × × × ×

PM Modi's 3-nation trip begins, to visit Palestine tomorrow

<p>The UAE&nbsp;is all set to get its first Hindu temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his second visit to the UAE, will lay the foundation of a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi had sought land for the purpose during his last to the country in the year 2015.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The crown prince of UAE allotted 13.6 acres of land for the construction of the temple.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The temple will be designed, constructed and managed by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The temple will not just be a place to worship, its premises will also have a visitors&rsquo; centre, prayer halls, learning areas, sports area, thematic gardens, water features, food court and other facilities to celebrate various festivals.</p>

<p>&quot;It will be built at Abu Mureikhah, off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Highway, and will incorporate all aspects and features of a traditional Hindu temple as part of a fully functional, social, cultural and spiritual complex. The stones will be carved by temple artisans in India and assembled in the UAE,&quot; noted the official release.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The temple is likely to get completed by 2020.</p>

<p>PM Modi will reach UAE tomorrow from Palestine and will engage in bilateral engagements in Abu Dhabi followed by a banquet.&nbsp;</p>


The temple is likely to get completed by 2020.

The UAE is all set to get its first Hindu temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his second visit to the UAE, will lay the foundation of a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. PM Modi had sought land for the purpose during his last to the country in the year 2015. The crown prince of UAE allotted 13.6 acres of land for the construction of the temple. The temple will be designed, constructed and managed by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The temple will not just be a place to worship, its premises will also have a visitors’ centre, prayer halls, learning areas, sports area, thematic gardens, water features, food court and other facilities to celebrate various festivals. "It will be built at Abu Mureikhah, off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Highway, and will incorporate all aspects and features of a traditional Hindu temple as part of a fully functional, social, cultural and spiritual complex. The stones will be carved by temple artisans in India and assembled in the UAE," noted the official release. The temple is likely to get completed by 2020. PM Modi will reach UAE tomorrow from Palestine and will engage in bilateral engagements in Abu Dhabi followed by a banquet.

Abu Dhabi to get a taste of PM Modi's 'temple diplomacy'

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India&#39;s energy security and infrastructural investments from the UAE will be the key topics of his discussions with the Gulf nation&#39;s top leadership this week.</p>

<p>In an interview to a press ahead of his two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates from Saturday, Modi said that he will meet Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.</p>

<p>Modi said energy security and infrastructural investments in India will be the key topics that he will discuss with the UAE&#39;s leadership.</p>

<p>The investment from UAE to India exceeds $11 billion.</p>

<p>A number of initiatives taken during his earlier visit to the UAE in August 2015 and during the visit of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed last year when he was the Chief Guest at India&#39;s Republic Day celebrations have come to fruition, he said.</p>

<p>&quot;It is a matter of even greater happiness that new Government-to-Government and business-to-business initiatives promise to add even more strength and depth to the bilateral cooperation in various areas of economic activity,&quot; Modi said.</p>

<p>The prime minister noted that the UAE was home to over three million people of Indian origin. &quot;The Indian community has acted as a bridge between the two countries and I hope my visit will further strengthen these ties,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>When asked whether he has had a holiday, Modi told the paper: &quot;I have not been on a holiday either as Chief Minister or now as Prime Minister. However, my work does require me to travel across India and interact with people, learn about their joys, sorrows and aspirations. This is refreshing and rejuvenating for me.&quot;</p>

<p>On a question about his sleep habits and daily routine, the 67-year-old prime minister said, &quot;My sleep cycle varies from four to six hours, depending on the workload. But I get a sound sleep every night. In fact, I fall asleep minutes after hitting the bed.</p>

<p>&quot;I do not take any worry with me and wake up fresh every morning and welcome the new day in my life,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Modi said his day begins with yoga.</p>

<p>&quot;It refreshes me and keeps me agile through the day,&quot; he said, adding that he scans the newspapers, checks e-mails and makes a round of phone calls.</p>

<p>&quot;I also spend time reading some comments and feedback shared by citizens on the &#39;Narendra Modi Mobile App&#39; which he said was &quot;a wonderful way to remain connected with people across India.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;Before hitting the bed, I read the documents sent to me during the day. I also prepare for the next day meetings and engagements,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Asked about his favourite dish, Modi said, &quot;I am not much of a foodie. I enjoy a simple vegetarian meal every day.&quot;</p>

<p>On his favourite day of the week, he said, &quot;Today is my favourite day of the week! I believe in a simple tenet, make the most of today, live life to the fullest. Today is the only day on our hands to work hard and make things happen.&quot;</p>

<p>He said he was a firm believer in the power of technology as it empowers people.</p>

<p>When asked the one person who inspires him the most, the prime minister replied that several people inspired him and listed Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhagat Singh, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar as well as Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States.</p>


A number of initiatives taken during his earlier visit to the UAE in August 2015 and during the visit of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed last year when he was the Chief Guest at India's Republic Day celebrations have come to fruition, he said

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India's energy security and infrastructural investments from the UAE will be the key topics of his discussions with the Gulf nation's top leadership this week. In an interview to a press ahead of his two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates from Saturday, Modi said that he will meet Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Modi said energy security and infrastructural investments in India will be the key topics that he will discuss with the UAE's leadership. The investment from UAE to India exceeds $11 billion. A number of initiatives taken during his earlier visit to the UAE in August 2015 and during the visit of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed last year when he was the Chief Guest at India's Republic Day celebrations have come to fruition, he said. "It is a matter of even greater happiness that new Government-to-Government and business-to-business initiatives promise to add even more strength and depth to the bilateral cooperation in various areas of economic activity," Modi said. The prime minister noted that the UAE was home to over three million people of Indian origin. "The Indian community has acted as a bridge between the two countries and I hope my visit will further strengthen these ties," he said. When asked whether he has had a holiday, Modi told the paper: "I have not been on a holiday either as Chief Minister or now as Prime Minister. However, my work does require me to travel across India and interact with people, learn about their joys, sorrows and aspirations. This is refreshing and rejuvenating for me." On a question about his sleep habits and daily routine, the 67-year-old prime minister said, "My sleep cycle varies from four to six hours, depending on the workload. But I get a sound sleep every night. In fact, I fall asleep minutes after hitting the bed. "I do not take any worry with me and wake up fresh every morning and welcome the new day in my life," he said. Modi said his day begins with yoga. "It refreshes me and keeps me agile through the day," he said, adding that he scans the newspapers, checks e-mails and makes a round of phone calls. "I also spend time reading some comments and feedback shared by citizens on the 'Narendra Modi Mobile App' which he said was "a wonderful way to remain connected with people across India." "Before hitting the bed, I read the documents sent to me during the day. I also prepare for the next day meetings and engagements," he said. Asked about his favourite dish, Modi said, "I am not much of a foodie. I enjoy a simple vegetarian meal every day." On his favourite day of the week, he said, "Today is my favourite day of the week! I believe in a simple tenet, make the most of today, live life to the fullest. Today is the only day on our hands to work hard and make things happen." He said he was a firm believer in the power of technology as it empowers people. When asked the one person who inspires him the most, the prime minister replied that several people inspired him and listed Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhagat Singh, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar as well as Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States.

Modi to leave for UAE tomorrow; energy security, infrastructure investments top of agenda

<p>Sonia Gandhi has said that his son Rahul, who took over ar Congress president in December, is her boss too.</p>

<p>&quot;We have a new Congress president and on your behalf and my own I wish him all the best. He is now my boss too. Let there be no doubt about that,&quot; she said at the party&#39;s parliamentary party meeting on Thursday.</p>

<p>Sounding an upbeat note, Sonia told party MPs to work with dedication, loyalty and enthusiasm with Rahul Gandhi to strengthen the party.</p>

<p>Seventy-one-year-old Sonia served as Congress president for nearly two decades, but has taken a backseat now.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-meets-party-delegation-at-aicc-headqurters-32079"><strong>Also Read: Rahul Gandhi meets party delegation at AICC headquarters</strong></a></p>

<p>She also said that the process to revive the party&#39;s fortunes had begun and she would work with &quot;like-minded parties&quot; to ensure the BJP&#39;s defeat in the next elections.</p>

<p>&quot;We performed very creditably under tough circumstances in Gujarat and recent by-election results in Rajasthan were huge. This shows winds of change are coming. I am sure Karnataka too will underline resurgence of Congress,&quot; Sonia Gandhi said lauding party workers&#39; efforts in the recently-held Gujarat assembly elections.</p>

<p>Attacking the Centre, Sonia said that government indulges in &#39;maximum publicity, minimum government&#39; and &#39;maximum marketing, minimum delivery&#39;.</p>

<p>&quot;It has been almost 4 years since this government came to power. This has been a period in which institutions like Parliament, judiciary, media and civil society have come under assault. Investigative agencies have been let loose against political opponents,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>She had slammed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-continues-attack-on-opposition-says-congress-mukt-bharat-was-gandhis-idea-32115">PM Modi&#39;s hard hitting speech</a> in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday asserting there was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-has-not-said-anything-new-says-sonia-gandhi-32088">&quot;nothing new&quot; in what he said</a>.</p>

<p>&quot;People of India want to know what the PM will do about jobs,&quot; she said while taking a dig at PM Modi.</p>

<p>PM Modi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-takes-on-opposition-during-parliament-speech-highlights-32083">during an address to Parliament</a> on the motion of thanks to the President on the Budget had said his government was faster than the UPA in implementing infrastructure projects.</p>

<p>The PM repeatedly attacked the Congress saying the party should rise above &quot;chest-thumping&quot;, adding that the Congress takes &quot;credit&quot; for NDA&#39;s projects.</p>


Seventy-one-year-old Sonia served as Congress president for nearly two decades, but has taken a backseat now.

Sonia Gandhi has said that his son Rahul, who took over ar Congress president in December, is her boss too. "We have a new Congress president and on your behalf and my own I wish him all the best. He is now my boss too. Let there be no doubt about that," she said at the party's parliamentary party meeting on Thursday. Sounding an upbeat note, Sonia told party MPs to work with dedication, loyalty and enthusiasm with Rahul Gandhi to strengthen the party. Seventy-one-year-old Sonia served as Congress president for nearly two decades, but has taken a backseat now. Also Read: Rahul Gandhi meets party delegation at AICC headquarters She also said that the process to revive the party's fortunes had begun and she would work with "like-minded parties" to ensure the BJP's defeat in the next elections. "We performed very creditably under tough circumstances in Gujarat and recent by-election results in Rajasthan were huge. This shows winds of change are coming. I am sure Karnataka too will underline resurgence of Congress," Sonia Gandhi said lauding party workers' efforts in the recently-held Gujarat assembly elections. Attacking the Centre, Sonia said that government indulges in 'maximum publicity, minimum government' and 'maximum marketing, minimum delivery'. "It has been almost 4 years since this government came to power. This has been a period in which institutions like Parliament, judiciary, media and civil society have come under assault. Investigative agencies have been let loose against political opponents," she said. She had slammed PM Modi's hard hitting speech in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday asserting there was "nothing new" in what he said. "People of India want to know what the PM will do about jobs," she said while taking a dig at PM Modi. PM Modi during an address to Parliament on the motion of thanks to the President on the Budget had said his government was faster than the UPA in implementing infrastructure projects. The PM repeatedly attacked the Congress saying the party should rise above "chest-thumping", adding that the Congress takes "credit" for NDA's projects.

Rahul now my boss too, let there be no doubt: Sonia Gandhi

<p>After <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-has-not-said-anything-new-says-sonia-gandhi-32088">UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi slammed</a> PM&#39;s speech in Parliament, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the&nbsp;PM didn&#39;t speak about jobs for the youth</p>

<p>While <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-heckles-pm-modi-as-he-speaks-in-lok-sabha-32078">addressing the Parliament the PM</a> had asked, &quot;In December, did we witness an election or coronation?&quot; while taking a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi.</p>

<p>Taking a jibe at the Gandhi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-takes-on-opposition-during-parliament-speech-highlights-32083">family, the PM said: &quot;You used</a> paid machinery for promoting family, adding,&quot;the Congress served only one family.&quot;</p>

<p>The Congress president had earlier&nbsp;alleged that there is corruption in the&nbsp;Rafale jet fighter deal&nbsp;and the Prime Minister was responsible as &quot;Modiji personally got the deal done&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rahul repeated the message after the PM&#39;s address saying: &quot;PM Modi must answer the Rafale deal.&quot;</p>


Taking a jibe at the Gandhi family, the PM said: "You used paid machinery for promoting family, adding,"the Congress served only one family."

After UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi slammed PM's speech in Parliament, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the PM didn't speak about jobs for the youth While addressing the Parliament the PM had asked, "In December, did we witness an election or coronation?" while taking a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Taking a jibe at the Gandhi family, the PM said: "You used paid machinery for promoting family, adding,"the Congress served only one family." The Congress president had earlier alleged that there is corruption in the Rafale jet fighter deal and the Prime Minister was responsible as "Modiji personally got the deal done". Rahul repeated the message after the PM's address saying: "PM Modi must answer the Rafale deal."

Watch: PM didn't speak about jobs for the youth, says Rahul Gandhi

<p>UPA&nbsp;chairperson Sonia Gandhi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-heckles-pm-modi-as-he-speaks-in-lok-sabha-32078">slammed PM Modi&#39;s speech in</a> Parliament asserting that the PM has not said &quot;anything&nbsp;new&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;People of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-takes-on-opposition-during-parliament-speech-highlights-32083">India want to know what the PM</a> will do about jobs,&quot; she said while taking a dig at PM Modi.</p>

<p>PM Modi during an address to Parliament on the motion of thanks to the President on the Budget had said his&nbsp;government was faster than the UPA in implementing infrastructure projects.</p>

<p>The PM repeatedly attacked the Congress saying the party should rise above &quot;chest-thumping&quot;, adding that the Congress takes &quot;credit&quot; for NDA&#39;s projects.</p>

<p>&quot;India wants good governance,&quot; he told Parliament.</p>


The PM repeatedly attacked the Congress saying the party should rise above 'chest-thumping'.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi slammed PM Modi's speech in Parliament asserting that the PM has not said "anything new". "People of India want to know what the PM will do about jobs," she said while taking a dig at PM Modi. PM Modi during an address to Parliament on the motion of thanks to the President on the Budget had said his government was faster than the UPA in implementing infrastructure projects. The PM repeatedly attacked the Congress saying the party should rise above "chest-thumping", adding that the Congress takes "credit" for NDA's projects. "India wants good governance," he told Parliament.

PM has not said anything new, says Sonia Gandhi

<p>As Prime minister Modi began speaking in the Lok&nbsp;Sabha today, the Opposition leaders started shouting slogans against the PM.</p>

<p>The PM&nbsp;speaking on the motion of thanks to the President&#39;s address on&nbsp;the Budget&nbsp;attacked the Congress on the floor of the House, saying that the Congress &quot;divided&quot;&nbsp;the nation.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-takes-on-opposition-during-parliament-speech-highlights-32083">Also Read: Highlights of PM&#39;s attack on Congress in Parliament</a></p>

<p>&quot;If Vallabhbhai Patel was the first prime minister, J&amp;K solution would have been easier,&quot; the PM said, adding that PM Nehru robbed Patel of the PM post.</p>

<p>&quot;How can Congress claim Nehru gave us democracy,&quot; he asked.</p>

<p>&quot;You divided Andhra Pradesh for politics,&quot; the PM said during his address.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The PM attacked&nbsp;Congress on the partition, saying crores still suffer due to partition.</p>

<p>&quot;You attempted to divide the country,&quot; the PM said even as Opposition leader continued to raise slogans.</p>

<p>&quot;TDP was formed due to Congress insults,&quot; the PM said, adding,&quot; Nation is still paying for Congress&#39;&nbsp;sins.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Rajiv Gandhi insulted Dalit CMs of Andhra Pradesh,&quot;&nbsp;the PM said. &quot;NTR was born out of this insult,&quot; he declared.</p>

<p>Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday had alleged a &quot;scam&quot; in the Rafael deal, after defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman refused to disclose details of the deal on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taking a jibe at the Gandhi family, the PM said: &quot;You used paid machinery for promoting family, adding,&quot;the Congress served only one family.&quot;</p>

<p>The Opposition raised slogans of &quot;match-fixing <em>bandh karo&quot;(s</em>top match-fixing).</p>

<p>&quot;In December, did we witness an election or coronation?&quot;&nbsp;the PM asked while taking a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi.</p>

<p>&quot;For Congress, Democracy=Dynasty,&quot;&nbsp;the PM said, adding that Congress served only one family. &quot;Don&#39;t lecture us on democracy,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;Congress legacy is dividing the nation,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;Our government is faster at implementing infrastructure&nbsp;projects,&quot;&nbsp;the PM added.</p>

<p>&quot;Congress never allowed the nation to progress,&quot; he said as the Opposition continued to raise slogans. &quot;Congress never worked on the ground level,&quot; he said. &quot;Is this Congress&#39;s brand of democracy,&quot;&nbsp;he asked</p>

<p>&quot;You can&#39;t ignore the government&#39;s efforts in the last three years,&quot;&nbsp;he said. &quot;Nation&#39;s longest tunnel and the fastest train has come under the NDA government,&quot; he pointed out as Congress and Opposition leaders continued to raise slogans against the prime minister.</p>

<p>&quot;We created states, Congress divided the nation,&quot; he asserted. &quot;Congress should rise above chest-thumping,&quot; he said, adding that the Congress takes &quot;credit&quot;&nbsp;for NDA&#39;s projects. &quot;India wants good governance,&quot; he told Parliament.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;There was no aviation policy under UPA,&quot;&nbsp;he said,&nbsp;&quot;You abused democracy in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Punjab,&quot; he said while attacking the Congress.</p>

<p>&quot;We are giving wings to middle-class aspirations,&quot; he said,&quot;We showed scientific&nbsp;benefits of Aadhaar,&quot;&nbsp;the PM said. The government is trying to provide &quot;ease of living&quot; to the middle class, the PM told Parliament.</p>

<p>&quot;70 lakhs names have been enrolled in EPF in one year,&quot; he said, saying that the Congress is trying to find holes in the Aadhaar scheme.</p>

<p>&quot;Aadhaar has wiped out the middleman,&quot; he said, adding,&quot;you doubted our intent on Aadhaar.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;We created jobs in the informal sector,&quot; the prime minister informed Parliament, the formal sector created just 10 per cent jobs,&nbsp;he declared.</p>

<p>&quot;We made LeD blubs affordable,&quot; the prime minister said in Parliament.</p>

<p>&quot;Our power distribution scheme is unparalleled,&quot; the PM said. &quot;Schemes for farmers were unveiled in a short time,&quot; he declared, asserting that his government is working on doubling farm income by 2022.</p>

<p>&quot;Our steps against corruption has been unprecedented,&quot; he added. &quot;When the corrupt are wiped out, the Congress is unhappy,&quot; he said as the Opposition continued to raise slogans against the prime minister. The corrupt flourished under UPA, the PM said.</p>

<p>&quot;Congress also targeted the revolutionary GST move,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;Good roads and education is our only motive,&quot; he said. &quot;The Budget has great schemes for senior citizens,&quot; he observed.</p>

<p>Attacking the Congress, the PM said the party did not work on Bidar-Kalaburagi rail line.</p>

<p>&quot;Ujjawala Yogana will benefit women of below poverty line(BPL) households,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;The Congress shielded loan defaulters,&quot; he said on the floor of the house, adding that the NPA scam was unearthed during the UPA regime.&nbsp;&quot;The UPA government aided loan defaulters to flee,&quot;&nbsp;he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;There is an atmosphere of transparency,&quot; he said, but added that &quot;hit-and-run&quot; politics is being resorted to by the Opposition.</p>


The PM is speaking on the motion of the thanks to the President's address to the Budget.

As Prime minister Modi began speaking in the Lok Sabha today, the Opposition leaders started shouting slogans against the PM. The PM speaking on the motion of thanks to the President's address on the Budget attacked the Congress on the floor of the House, saying that the Congress "divided" the nation. Also Read: Highlights of PM's attack on Congress in Parliament "If Vallabhbhai Patel was the first prime minister, J&K solution would have been easier," the PM said, adding that PM Nehru robbed Patel of the PM post. "How can Congress claim Nehru gave us democracy," he asked. "You divided Andhra Pradesh for politics," the PM said during his address. The PM attacked Congress on the partition, saying crores still suffer due to partition. "You attempted to divide the country," the PM said even as Opposition leader continued to raise slogans. "TDP was formed due to Congress insults," the PM said, adding," Nation is still paying for Congress' sins." "Rajiv Gandhi insulted Dalit CMs of Andhra Pradesh," the PM said. "NTR was born out of this insult," he declared. Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday had alleged a "scam" in the Rafael deal, after defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman refused to disclose details of the deal on Monday. Taking a jibe at the Gandhi family, the PM said: "You used paid machinery for promoting family, adding,"the Congress served only one family." The Opposition raised slogans of "match-fixing bandh karo"(stop match-fixing). "In December, did we witness an election or coronation?" the PM asked while taking a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi. "For Congress, Democracy=Dynasty," the PM said, adding that Congress served only one family. "Don't lecture us on democracy," he said. "Congress legacy is dividing the nation," he said. "Our government is faster at implementing infrastructure projects," the PM added. "Congress never allowed the nation to progress," he said as the Opposition continued to raise slogans. "Congress never worked on the ground level," he said. "Is this Congress's brand of democracy," he asked "You can't ignore the government's efforts in the last three years," he said. "Nation's longest tunnel and the fastest train has come under the NDA government," he pointed out as Congress and Opposition leaders continued to raise slogans against the prime minister. "We created states, Congress divided the nation," he asserted. "Congress should rise above chest-thumping," he said, adding that the Congress takes "credit" for NDA's projects. "India wants good governance," he told Parliament. "There was no aviation policy under UPA," he said, "You abused democracy in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Punjab," he said while attacking the Congress. "We are giving wings to middle-class aspirations," he said,"We showed scientific benefits of Aadhaar," the PM said. The government is trying to provide "ease of living" to the middle class, the PM told Parliament. "70 lakhs names have been enrolled in EPF in one year," he said, saying that the Congress is trying to find holes in the Aadhaar scheme. "Aadhaar has wiped out the middleman," he said, adding,"you doubted our intent on Aadhaar." "We created jobs in the informal sector," the prime minister informed Parliament, the formal sector created just 10 per cent jobs, he declared. "We made LeD blubs affordable," the prime minister said in Parliament. "Our power distribution scheme is unparalleled," the PM said. "Schemes for farmers were unveiled in a short time," he declared, asserting that his government is working on doubling farm income by 2022. "Our steps against corruption has been unprecedented," he added. "When the corrupt are wiped out, the Congress is unhappy," he said as the Opposition continued to raise slogans against the prime minister. The corrupt flourished under UPA, the PM said. "Congress also targeted the revolutionary GST move," he said. "Good roads and education is our only motive," he said. "The Budget has great schemes for senior citizens," he observed. Attacking the Congress, the PM said the party did not work on Bidar-Kalaburagi rail line. "Ujjawala Yogana will benefit women of below poverty line(BPL) households," he said. "The Congress shielded loan defaulters," he said on the floor of the house, adding that the NPA scam was unearthed during the UPA regime. "The UPA government aided loan defaulters to flee," he said. "There is an atmosphere of transparency," he said, but added that "hit-and-run" politics is being resorted to by the Opposition.

'If Vallabhbhai Patel was the first PM, J&K solution would have been easier,' Modi in Parliament

<p>Amid noisy protests in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tore into the Congress for what he termed as &quot;dividing&quot; Andhra Pradesh and earlier the country in 1947 for political gains.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-heckles-pm-modi-as-he-speaks-in-lok-sabha-32078" target="_blank">&#39;If Vallabhbhai Patel was the first PM, J&amp;K solution would have been easier,&#39; Modi in Parliament</a></strong></p>

<p>The speech of the Prime Minister comes a day after two of NDA allies attacked the Central government in the Lower House.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Here are the highlights of his speech:</strong></p>

<ol>
	<li>I know the Government&#39;s efforts to eliminate corruption &amp; black money are hurting a select group of people.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Today, people who served as Chief Ministers are in jail. If one has been corrupt, that person will be punished. We are in an era of honesty.</li>
	<li>A government that talked about 21st century could not bring an aviation policy. Then what kind of a 21st century did they talk about, the one with bullock carts?</li>
	<li>When the corrupt and middlemen are out of work, obviously the Congress will be unhappy.</li>
	<li>If Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the first PM of the country, entire Kashmir would have been ours.</li>
	<li>NT Rama Rao was insulted (by Rajiv Gandhi) and that simmering anger led to the formation of TDP.</li>
	<li>After forming govt in 2014 we prioritised North East and worked for its development.</li>
	<li>Employment is increasing but you have closed your eyes as you are busy singing your songs.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>The impact of Start-up India, Mudra Yojana, Entrepreneurship scheme, Skill India, and Make in India reveal that the truth is far from what the Congress believes and says.</li>
	<li>You (Congress) said Modi will scrap UIDAI but we made Aadhaar more effective in terms of enabling better and effective service delivery, suddenly you are opposing Aadhaar.</li>
	<li>The governments of West Bengal, Karnataka, Odisha and Kerala where BJP or NDA is not in power have claimed with data that they have given 1 crore jobs in the last 3-4 years. Will you dispute their job claims too?</li>
	<li>Irrespective of who heads the government, the aspirations of the brimming middle-class youth should always be the top priority.</li>
	<li>How did the Congress act in Kerala, how did they treat the Akali Dal in Punjab, how did they behave in Tamil Nadu? Why did Congress dismiss so many state governments at their will? This is no commitment to democracy.</li>
	<li>You spent time ensuring that only one family is remembered and nobody else. If your (Congress&#39;) intentions were good, the country would have been far ahead of where it is now.</li>
	<li>When you divided India, when you divided the country- there is not even a single day, when, 125 crore Indians do not suffer the repercussions of your wrongdoings.</li>
	<li>Every Indian is paying the price of the poison infested by Congress.</li>
	<li>Congress was never connected to ground, never worked at ground level and it shows clearly as we look at your situation today.</li>
	<li>Stop misleading the country by false statements on jobs and employment. The truth is quite the opposite.</li>
	<li>He also questioned the conscience behind opposing just for the sake of opposing.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>President&#39;s address does not belong to a particular party. It is the representative of the aspiration of the nation.</li>
</ol>


The speech of the Prime Minister comes a day after two of NDA allies attacked the Central government in the Lower House

Amid noisy protests in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tore into the Congress for what he termed as "dividing" Andhra Pradesh and earlier the country in 1947 for political gains. Also read: 'If Vallabhbhai Patel was the first PM, J&K solution would have been easier,' Modi in Parliament The speech of the Prime Minister comes a day after two of NDA allies attacked the Central government in the Lower House. Here are the highlights of his speech: I know the Government's efforts to eliminate corruption & black money are hurting a select group of people. Today, people who served as Chief Ministers are in jail. If one has been corrupt, that person will be punished. We are in an era of honesty. A government that talked about 21st century could not bring an aviation policy. Then what kind of a 21st century did they talk about, the one with bullock carts? When the corrupt and middlemen are out of work, obviously the Congress will be unhappy. If Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the first PM of the country, entire Kashmir would have been ours. NT Rama Rao was insulted (by Rajiv Gandhi) and that simmering anger led to the formation of TDP. After forming govt in 2014 we prioritised North East and worked for its development. Employment is increasing but you have closed your eyes as you are busy singing your songs. The impact of Start-up India, Mudra Yojana, Entrepreneurship scheme, Skill India, and Make in India reveal that the truth is far from what the Congress believes and says. You (Congress) said Modi will scrap UIDAI but we made Aadhaar more effective in terms of enabling better and effective service delivery, suddenly you are opposing Aadhaar. The governments of West Bengal, Karnataka, Odisha and Kerala where BJP or NDA is not in power have claimed with data that they have given 1 crore jobs in the last 3-4 years. Will you dispute their job claims too? Irrespective of who heads the government, the aspirations of the brimming middle-class youth should always be the top priority. How did the Congress act in Kerala, how did they treat the Akali Dal in Punjab, how did they behave in Tamil Nadu? Why did Congress dismiss so many state governments at their will? This is no commitment to democracy. You spent time ensuring that only one family is remembered and nobody else. If your (Congress') intentions were good, the country would have been far ahead of where it is now. When you divided India, when you divided the country- there is not even a single day, when, 125 crore Indians do not suffer the repercussions of your wrongdoings. Every Indian is paying the price of the poison infested by Congress. Congress was never connected to ground, never worked at ground level and it shows clearly as we look at your situation today. Stop misleading the country by false statements on jobs and employment. The truth is quite the opposite. He also questioned the conscience behind opposing just for the sake of opposing. President's address does not belong to a particular party. It is the representative of the aspiration of the nation.

PM Modi takes on opposition during Parliament speech: Top 20 highlights

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-continues-attack-on-opposition-says-congress-mukt-bharat-was-gandhis-idea-32115" target="_blank">speech</a> in the Rajya Sabha Wednesday was&nbsp;interrupted by Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury who began laughing during his address.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reacting to her laughter, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu asked her not to indulge in such &quot;unruly behaviour&quot;. He also told her to go to a doctor &quot;if you have any problem&quot;.</p>

<p>Modi however told Naidu not to say anything to Chowdhury, adding that &quot;he had not heard such laughter since the Ramayan serial&quot;.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Sabhapati Jji meri aapse vinti hai Renuka ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan seriel ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai,&quot; Modi said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Sabhapati Ji meri aapse vinti hai Renuka Ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan serial ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai: PM Modi on Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury laughing during his speech in Rajya Sabha</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/961192558591430657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Chowdhury said the PM&#39;s &quot;personal remark&quot;&nbsp;was &quot;denigrating the status of a woman&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM made a personal remark, what else do you expect from him? I can&#39;t fall to that level to reply to him. This is actually called denigrating the status of a woman: Renuka Chowdhury,Congress <a href="https://t.co/5DIEYAOfdf">pic.twitter.com/5DIEYAOfdf</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/961229554126815232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>While Union MInister Smriti Irani said it was Chowdhury who had been making &quot;indecent remarks&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;I was present there. I heard the kind of indecent remarks she was making on PM Modi,&quot; Irani said.</p>

<p>&quot;Is it justified that she makes indecent remarks and when those remarks are met sarcastically, she makes her gender her shield?&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I was present there. I heard the kind of indecent remarks she was making on PM Modi. Is it justified that she makes indecent remarks &amp; when those remarks are met sarcastically she makes her gender her shield?: Union Minister Smriti Irani on PM Modi&#39;s remark on Renuka Chowdhury <a href="https://t.co/WeIicEjpRX">pic.twitter.com/WeIicEjpRX</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/961221794018545673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Chowdhury had started laughing during Modi's address

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in the Rajya Sabha Wednesday was interrupted by Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury who began laughing during his address. Reacting to her laughter, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu asked her not to indulge in such "unruly behaviour". He also told her to go to a doctor "if you have any problem". Modi however told Naidu not to say anything to Chowdhury, adding that "he had not heard such laughter since the Ramayan serial". "Sabhapati Jji meri aapse vinti hai Renuka ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan seriel ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai," Modi said. Sabhapati Ji meri aapse vinti hai Renuka Ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan serial ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai: PM Modi on Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury laughing during his speech in Rajya Sabha — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2018 × Chowdhury said the PM's "personal remark" was "denigrating the status of a woman". PM made a personal remark, what else do you expect from him? I can't fall to that level to reply to him. This is actually called denigrating the status of a woman: Renuka Chowdhury,Congress pic.twitter.com/5DIEYAOfdf — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2018 × While Union MInister Smriti Irani said it was Chowdhury who had been making "indecent remarks". "I was present there. I heard the kind of indecent remarks she was making on PM Modi," Irani said. "Is it justified that she makes indecent remarks and when those remarks are met sarcastically, she makes her gender her shield?" I was present there. I heard the kind of indecent remarks she was making on PM Modi. Is it justified that she makes indecent remarks & when those remarks are met sarcastically she makes her gender her shield?: Union Minister Smriti Irani on PM Modi's remark on Renuka Chowdhury pic.twitter.com/WeIicEjpRX — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2018 ×

Renuka Chowdhury interrupts Modi's speech in Rajya Sabha, spat follows

<p>Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi today saying that he would be thankful if the PM followed 12th-century social reformer Basavanna&#39;s teachings rather than just remembering him.</p>

<p>&quot;PM Narendra Modi, it was good of you to have remembered me in the Parliament today. I am glad you also remembered Basavanna,&quot; Siddaramaiah tweeted.</p>

<p>&quot;Basava said &quot;those with wealth will build temples; what do I do, a poor man? Kannadigas will thank you&nbsp;sir, if you could follow Basavanna&#39;s teachings,&quot; read Siddaramaiah&#39;s tweet.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ರವರೆ<br />
It was good of you to have remembered me in the Parliament today. I am glad you also remembered Basavanna.<br />
<br />
Basava said &ldquo;those with wealth will build temples; what do I do a poor man?&rdquo;<br />
<br />
Kannadigas will thank you sir if you could follow Basavanna&rsquo;s teachings.</p>
&mdash; Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) <a href="https://twitter.com/siddaramaiah/status/961208107324993539?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi targetted the Congress earlier today in Lok Sabha. He lashed out at the Congress for claiming credit to Jawaharlal Nehru for establishing democracy in the country.</p>

<p>PM Modi delivered his motion of thanks to President today. He noted that in the 12th century, during Jagadguru Basaveshwara&#39;s time, work had begun in the country to establish democracy.</p>

<p>&quot;Kharge Ji, you come from Karnataka, at the most, you may get a place to sit here by showing devotion towards one&#39;s family after Karnataka elections, but don&#39;t insult Jagadguru? Basaveshwara,&quot; he addressed Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjuna Kharge in the parliament today.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am glad PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> is talking about corruption. I now invite him to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WalktheTalk?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WalktheTalk</a> . For a start can you<br />
1. Appoint Lok Pal<br />
2. Investigate <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JudgeLoya?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JudgeLoya</a> &lsquo;s death<br />
3. Investigate the astronomical rise of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jayshah?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jayshah</a><br />
4. Appoint an untainted person as your CM candidate ?</p>
&mdash; Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) <a href="https://twitter.com/siddaramaiah/status/960740273151250432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>While speaking at a conference in the poll-bound state, Karnataka, the state chief minister Siddaramaiah recently noted that Prime minister Narendra Modi has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-has-hurt-pride-of-kannadigas-siddaramaiah-31853">hurt the pride of Kannadigas</a>.</p>

<p>He said, &quot; PM has hurt pride of Kannadigas by uttering lies about the state&quot;.</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah has often taken to Twitter and engaged in a&nbsp;war of words with PM Modi and leaders like Uttar Pradesh&#39;s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi targetted the Congress earlier today in Lok Sabha

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi today saying that he would be thankful if the PM followed 12th-century social reformer Basavanna's teachings rather than just remembering him. "PM Narendra Modi, it was good of you to have remembered me in the Parliament today. I am glad you also remembered Basavanna," Siddaramaiah tweeted. "Basava said "those with wealth will build temples; what do I do, a poor man? Kannadigas will thank you sir, if you could follow Basavanna's teachings," read Siddaramaiah's tweet. PM @narendramodi ರವರೆ It was good of you to have remembered me in the Parliament today. I am glad you also remembered Basavanna. Basava said “those with wealth will build temples; what do I do a poor man?” Kannadigas will thank you sir if you could follow Basavanna’s teachings. — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) February 7, 2018 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi targetted the Congress earlier today in Lok Sabha. He lashed out at the Congress for claiming credit to Jawaharlal Nehru for establishing democracy in the country. PM Modi delivered his motion of thanks to President today. He noted that in the 12th century, during Jagadguru Basaveshwara's time, work had begun in the country to establish democracy. "Kharge Ji, you come from Karnataka, at the most, you may get a place to sit here by showing devotion towards one's family after Karnataka elections, but don't insult Jagadguru? Basaveshwara," he addressed Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjuna Kharge in the parliament today. I am glad PM @narendramodi is talking about corruption. I now invite him to #WalktheTalk . For a start can you 1. Appoint Lok Pal 2. Investigate #JudgeLoya ‘s death 3. Investigate the astronomical rise of #Jayshah 4. Appoint an untainted person as your CM candidate ? — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) February 6, 2018 × While speaking at a conference in the poll-bound state, Karnataka, the state chief minister Siddaramaiah recently noted that Prime minister Narendra Modi has hurt the pride of Kannadigas. He said, " PM has hurt pride of Kannadigas by uttering lies about the state". Siddaramaiah has often taken to Twitter and engaged in a war of words with PM Modi and leaders like Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Don't only recite but also follow Basavanna's teachings: Siddaramaiah to PM Modi 

<p>After all its efforts at trying to shout down Prime Minister Narendra Modi while he delivered his speech in Parliament a few hours ago, the Congress had nothing to show but a sore throat. The more its members ranted, the more Modi revelled in tearing its arguments to pieces. And if the Prime Minister, in the immediate analysis, appeared to be the winner, it is because the Congress just did not understand one basic fact: That Modi was not really addressing the Opposition but speaking to constituents across the country, who matter electorally.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Prime Minister&rsquo;s strategy was interesting. He was aggressive in the Lok Sabha where his party had the upper hand, taking swipes across a wide arc &mdash; from Congress&rsquo;s dynasty to that party&rsquo;s failures in governance to the various schemes that his Government had initiated for public welfare. But later in the Rajya Sabha, Modi reached out to his rivals, seeking constructive feedback on issues relating to national projects &mdash; for instance, on the new healthcare insurance scheme. By asking them to form their own task forces which could offer suggestions to the Government as well as identify loopholes, the Prime Minister lobbed the ball into the Opposition&rsquo;s court. The idea was to send the message across to the larger audience outside Parliament that this Government was willing to listen and accommodate positive suggestions.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>But it would have been unrealistic to expect Prime Minister Modi to altogether resist taking swipes at the Congress. In firmly proceeding with the &lsquo;New India&rsquo; narrative which he, and his party and Government, have adopted in recent months, Modi latched on to the Congress&rsquo;s remark that the party wanted not a new India but the old India which it had left behind. Having got an opportunity on a platter, the Prime Minister dug up a slew of distasteful developments &mdash; from the Bofors scam to the Augusta Westland scandal to the massacre of Sikhs in 1980 to the Emergency &mdash; and stingingly added that all that was part of the old India which the Congress has been advocating. But the sting was in the tail: The Prime Minister said he was fully in agreement with the Congress that we must have an India that Mahatma Gandhi wanted, and reminded his rivals that the Mahatma had wanted the Congress disbanded after the country had achieved independence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Interestingly, unlike in the Lok Sabha, the Congress heard Modi&rsquo;s speech with more attention in the other House, except during the later stage. There were few half-hearted attempts from the Opposition to disrupt the proceedings but nothing came from them. The Prime Minister listed various projects which were initiated but not followed through by the previous Congress regimes, and claimed that such languishing projects had been given a fresh lease of life by his Government. Given his penchant for catchy one-liners, he said that his Government&rsquo;s focus is on the outcome and not just on (funds) outlay.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>It must be understood that the Prime Minister&rsquo;s response, which was on the Motion of Thanks to the President&rsquo;s address to Parliament, was both a formality and an occasion for Modi to push forth his Government&rsquo;s achievements and expose what he believed was the Opposition&rsquo;s failures. Similarly, the opposition parties used the opportunity to put the Government in the dock. A senior Congress leader said Modi&rsquo;s speech in the Lok Sabha was unbecoming of the occasion; that the response to the Motion of Thanks must have sobriety. There can be a debate on this contention, but it was also inappropriate for the Congress to heckle the Prime Minister throughout his address.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>And yet, there is no doubting that both the Prime Minister and his rivals are jostling for electoral advantage. Three northeastern States vote later this year. But the more important election will be in Karnataka three months from now, and later in the year in three States the BJP presently rules &mdash; Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. If Modi has yet again spoken in favour of the anti-instant triple divorce Bill, the Congress has sought to dismiss the Government&rsquo;s claims of achievement as empty talk. If the Prime Minister reminds the people of holistic and time-bound development projects that his Government has initiated, the Congress has emphasised that its regimes had begun most such projects.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>It does appear from the repeated manner in which Modi raised the Bofors controversy in the Rajya Sabha, that the BJP and its allies could possibly revive the matter in electoral campaigns, and even more so when media reports have it that the Central Bureau of Investigation has decided to reopen the case after the court&rsquo;s clearance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The question now remains: To what extent will the Prime Minister&rsquo;s address in Parliament help the BJP on the ground? The party won by a reduced margin in Gujarat, lost three recent by-polls in Rajasthan, and is facing serious rural discontent. The Union Budget with its emphasis on rural development sought to tackle the last mentioned problem. The Congress&rsquo;s challenge is to effectively discredit the Prime Minister&rsquo;s speech and build upon the momentum it has gained in recent months. Meanwhile, the battle lines are drawn and it would now be futile to expect the ruling dispensation and the Congress-led Opposition to see eye to eye on issues that are of national import.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


PM Modi was not really addressing the Opposition but speaking to constituents across the country, who matter electorally.

After all its efforts at trying to shout down Prime Minister Narendra Modi while he delivered his speech in Parliament a few hours ago, the Congress had nothing to show but a sore throat. The more its members ranted, the more Modi revelled in tearing its arguments to pieces. And if the Prime Minister, in the immediate analysis, appeared to be the winner, it is because the Congress just did not understand one basic fact: That Modi was not really addressing the Opposition but speaking to constituents across the country, who matter electorally. The Prime Minister’s strategy was interesting. He was aggressive in the Lok Sabha where his party had the upper hand, taking swipes across a wide arc — from Congress’s dynasty to that party’s failures in governance to the various schemes that his Government had initiated for public welfare. But later in the Rajya Sabha, Modi reached out to his rivals, seeking constructive feedback on issues relating to national projects — for instance, on the new healthcare insurance scheme. By asking them to form their own task forces which could offer suggestions to the Government as well as identify loopholes, the Prime Minister lobbed the ball into the Opposition’s court. The idea was to send the message across to the larger audience outside Parliament that this Government was willing to listen and accommodate positive suggestions. But it would have been unrealistic to expect Prime Minister Modi to altogether resist taking swipes at the Congress. In firmly proceeding with the ‘New India’ narrative which he, and his party and Government, have adopted in recent months, Modi latched on to the Congress’s remark that the party wanted not a new India but the old India which it had left behind. Having got an opportunity on a platter, the Prime Minister dug up a slew of distasteful developments — from the Bofors scam to the Augusta Westland scandal to the massacre of Sikhs in 1980 to the Emergency — and stingingly added that all that was part of the old India which the Congress has been advocating. But the sting was in the tail: The Prime Minister said he was fully in agreement with the Congress that we must have an India that Mahatma Gandhi wanted, and reminded his rivals that the Mahatma had wanted the Congress disbanded after the country had achieved independence. Interestingly, unlike in the Lok Sabha, the Congress heard Modi’s speech with more attention in the other House, except during the later stage. There were few half-hearted attempts from the Opposition to disrupt the proceedings but nothing came from them. The Prime Minister listed various projects which were initiated but not followed through by the previous Congress regimes, and claimed that such languishing projects had been given a fresh lease of life by his Government. Given his penchant for catchy one-liners, he said that his Government’s focus is on the outcome and not just on (funds) outlay. It must be understood that the Prime Minister’s response, which was on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address to Parliament, was both a formality and an occasion for Modi to push forth his Government’s achievements and expose what he believed was the Opposition’s failures. Similarly, the opposition parties used the opportunity to put the Government in the dock. A senior Congress leader said Modi’s speech in the Lok Sabha was unbecoming of the occasion; that the response to the Motion of Thanks must have sobriety. There can be a debate on this contention, but it was also inappropriate for the Congress to heckle the Prime Minister throughout his address. And yet, there is no doubting that both the Prime Minister and his rivals are jostling for electoral advantage. Three northeastern States vote later this year. But the more important election will be in Karnataka three months from now, and later in the year in three States the BJP presently rules — Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. If Modi has yet again spoken in favour of the anti-instant triple divorce Bill, the Congress has sought to dismiss the Government’s claims of achievement as empty talk. If the Prime Minister reminds the people of holistic and time-bound development projects that his Government has initiated, the Congress has emphasised that its regimes had begun most such projects. It does appear from the repeated manner in which Modi raised the Bofors controversy in the Rajya Sabha, that the BJP and its allies could possibly revive the matter in electoral campaigns, and even more so when media reports have it that the Central Bureau of Investigation has decided to reopen the case after the court’s clearance. The question now remains: To what extent will the Prime Minister’s address in Parliament help the BJP on the ground? The party won by a reduced margin in Gujarat, lost three recent by-polls in Rajasthan, and is facing serious rural discontent. The Union Budget with its emphasis on rural development sought to tackle the last mentioned problem. The Congress’s challenge is to effectively discredit the Prime Minister’s speech and build upon the momentum it has gained in recent months. Meanwhile, the battle lines are drawn and it would now be futile to expect the ruling dispensation and the Congress-led Opposition to see eye to eye on issues that are of national import. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Not the opposition, PM Modi was addressing Indian electorates

<p>PM Modi praised the efforts of Rahul Dravid at a recent political rally in Karnataka.</p>

<p>The prime minister said, &quot;Rahul Dravid has played an important role in the recent U-19 World Cup victory. He has taught us to be honest and to live for others.&quot;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi had earlier tweeted to congratulate the Indian U-19 team after they won the World Cup on Saturday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Absolutely thrilled by the stupendous achievement of our young cricketers. Congratulations to them on winning the Under-19 World Cup. This triumph makes every Indian extremely proud.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/959713422077317120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The young guns of India played exceptionally well and clinched the trophy remaining unbeaten through the tournament.</p>

<p>Rahul Dravid the head coach of the U-19 team&nbsp;himself a commendable player had guided the Indian colts to victory.</p>

<p>His contribution towards India&#39;s victory was praised throughout the cricketing world, including Sachin Tendulkar who shared several partnerships with the former Karnataka batsmen.</p>

<p>&quot;I am really proud of the boys, proud of the effort that they have put in and proud of the support staff as well.</p>

<p>I think the effort we have put in over the last 14 months has been sensational. They really deserved this, couldn&#39;t be really happier and proud for this bunch of boys,&quot; the legendary batsman said after India won the cup.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Modi had earlier tweeted to congratulate the Indian U-19 team after they won the World Cup on Saturday

PM Modi praised the efforts of Rahul Dravid at a recent political rally in Karnataka. The prime minister said, "Rahul Dravid has played an important role in the recent U-19 World Cup victory. He has taught us to be honest and to live for others." Prime Minister Modi had earlier tweeted to congratulate the Indian U-19 team after they won the World Cup on Saturday. Absolutely thrilled by the stupendous achievement of our young cricketers. Congratulations to them on winning the Under-19 World Cup. This triumph makes every Indian extremely proud. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 3, 2018 × The young guns of India played exceptionally well and clinched the trophy remaining unbeaten through the tournament. Rahul Dravid the head coach of the U-19 team himself a commendable player had guided the Indian colts to victory. His contribution towards India's victory was praised throughout the cricketing world, including Sachin Tendulkar who shared several partnerships with the former Karnataka batsmen. "I am really proud of the boys, proud of the effort that they have put in and proud of the support staff as well. I think the effort we have put in over the last 14 months has been sensational. They really deserved this, couldn't be really happier and proud for this bunch of boys," the legendary batsman said after India won the cup.

U-19 World Cup victory: PM Modi praises Dravid in Karnataka poll rally

<p>Finance minister Arun Jaitley presented the much-anticipated Union Budget 2018 on February 1st.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the major takeaways from his speech was his high-profile plan to create the &ldquo;world&#39;s largest health insurance programme&rdquo;. The Budget allocated maximum resources towards the agriculture and rural sector in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is also being seen as a test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to maintain fiscal discipline without stifling economic growth ahead of general elections next year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But, another key pointer in the finance minister&rsquo;s speech was the allocation towards the defence sector.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An outlay of Rs 2.95 lakh crore was set aside for the defence budget for the next fiscal which is an increase of 7.81% over last year&#39;s Rs 2.74 lakh crore.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With the ever-increasing number of ceasefire violations along the LoC, the capital outlay for the three defence services &ndash; Army, Navy &amp; Air Force -&nbsp; for purchase of new weapons, aircraft, warships and other military hardware has been pegged at Rs 99,947 crore making the total amount allotted towards defence at of Rs 2,95,511 crore from Rs 2,74,114 crore last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the Indian Air Force capital budget was 46% lower than its requirements, the Indian Army&rsquo;s was 41% and the Indian Navy&rsquo;s was 32%, reports said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A measly revision in the defence sector, also considering the present situation with Pakistan and China, is a crushing reminder of the need for developing the military. Also, the defence outlay works out to just about 1.58% of the projected GDP for 2018-19 -&nbsp; the lowest figure since the 1962 war with China.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India is the fifth largest military spender in the world and also the largest importer of arms. About 13% of the world&#39;s total imports between 2012-2016 were by India, a report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute stated.</p>

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<p>India fifth-largest military spender. Source: SIPRI (Twitter)</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>A throwback to 1961 - the year before the India-China war reveals India&rsquo;s defence expenditure was Rs 266.72 crores, however, in 1962 &ndash; the year of war - the defence services budget was only increased by Rs 1.7 crore.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The year after the Sino-India war, the then Finance Minister Morarji R Desai decided to allocate a whopping amount of Rs 708.51 crore in defence out of the total revenue expenditure of Rs 1852.40 crores.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Low spending on defence has often been cited as the main reason for India&#39;s lack of defence preparedness, leading to its defeat against China in 1962.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cut to 1964, the year before Indo-Pakistan war, of the total revenue expenditure of Rs 2,041 crores, an amount of Rs 718 crores was allocated for the defence services.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 1965, the year of the war, the increase in revenue was Rs 29 crores from 1964 figure, this was the year when the National Defence Remittance Scheme was also introduced.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Honourable Members will also appreciate that while it has always been our policy to restrict expenditure on defence to the maximum extent possible so as to conserve all possible sources for securing the well-being of our people, we cannot afford to take any chances with the security of the nation, devoted though we are to the cause of peace&quot; the FM Sachindra Chaudhuri was quoted saying in his speech in 1966.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 1970, the military budget stood at 2.9% of the total GDP which drastically rose to 3.417% in 1971, the year of India-Pakistan war.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the preceding year, the military budget was 3.4% (a miniscule revision). In 1974 though, the budget drastically dropped to 2.995% of the total GDP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Military expenditure (% of GDP). Source: World Bank (Others)</p>
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<p>See a pattern?&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The usual thinking in the government is that only when there is a war the defence budget should be increased. Otherwise, no focus is laid in this sector, it is not given much priority.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Moreover, since the last three years, there has actually been a decline in budget allocation for capital investments against requirements, or &ldquo;projections&rdquo; in the official sense, a factor that could delay procurement and modernization of the armed forces, according to a report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee On Defence 2017-18.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Funds allocated (each year) under the budget estimate have been reduced at the revised estimate stage by the ministry of finance, broadly on the pretext of trend of expenditure at that point of time,&quot; the defence ministry said in its response to questions by the Parliamentary committee.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Though there has been under-utilisation of capital budget with regards to budget estimate (except in 2016-17), there has been either excess expenditure or more than 99 percent utilisation when compared to final grant,&quot; it said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>This even as India and China were close to a faceoff in Doklam. Moreover, deaths due to terrorist violence increased 30 per cent in Jammu &amp; Kashmir &mdash; from 267 in 2016 to 347 in 2017 (December).&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>With just a 7.81% increase in the defence budget, the modernisation of the services cannot be supported. It also means that the policy and acquisition decisions which have been taken will not be executed.</p>
</div>

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<p>Source: SIPRI (Twitter)</p>
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<p>The major worry for the army during a war would be a shortage of ammunition. The army faces 40% shortage of ammunition &mdash; 61 of 152 types of ammunition was in critical level &mdash; to fight a 10-day long war, according to a CAG report.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Transformation in defence production requires higher allocation. If the government is keen on promoting &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; in defence production then there has to be a proper infrastructure creation for that and that requires huge money. When you are operating under a low budget then all your mega acquisition plans become severely constrained,&rdquo; said Vikram Mahajan, Director (Defence and Aerospace), US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).</p>
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<p>Source: ChinaPower (Others)</p>
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<p>Experts added that what ultimately needs to be done is to ensure that India&#39;s military can face a high-tech Chinese Army, especially when China&#39;s 2017 defence budget stands at $152 billion (Rs 9.75 lakh crore).&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>This would naturally call for stricter action towards defence expenditure through the years but historical facts and the timelines have also proven that there has not been enough inclination towards India&rsquo;s defense needs.&nbsp;</p>
</div>


An outlay of Rs 2.95 lakh crore was set aside for the defence budget for the next fiscal which is an increase of 7.81% over last year's Rs 2.74 lakh crore

Finance minister Arun Jaitley presented the much-anticipated Union Budget 2018 on February 1st. One of the major takeaways from his speech was his high-profile plan to create the “world's largest health insurance programme”. The Budget allocated maximum resources towards the agriculture and rural sector in India. This is also being seen as a test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to maintain fiscal discipline without stifling economic growth ahead of general elections next year. But, another key pointer in the finance minister’s speech was the allocation towards the defence sector. An outlay of Rs 2.95 lakh crore was set aside for the defence budget for the next fiscal which is an increase of 7.81% over last year's Rs 2.74 lakh crore. With the ever-increasing number of ceasefire violations along the LoC, the capital outlay for the three defence services – Army, Navy & Air Force - for purchase of new weapons, aircraft, warships and other military hardware has been pegged at Rs 99,947 crore making the total amount allotted towards defence at of Rs 2,95,511 crore from Rs 2,74,114 crore last year. However, the Indian Air Force capital budget was 46% lower than its requirements, the Indian Army’s was 41% and the Indian Navy’s was 32%, reports said. A measly revision in the defence sector, also considering the present situation with Pakistan and China, is a crushing reminder of the need for developing the military. Also, the defence outlay works out to just about 1.58% of the projected GDP for 2018-19 - the lowest figure since the 1962 war with China. India is the fifth largest military spender in the world and also the largest importer of arms. About 13% of the world's total imports between 2012-2016 were by India, a report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute stated. India fifth-largest military spender. Source: SIPRI (Twitter) × A throwback to 1961 - the year before the India-China war reveals India’s defence expenditure was Rs 266.72 crores, however, in 1962 – the year of war - the defence services budget was only increased by Rs 1.7 crore. The year after the Sino-India war, the then Finance Minister Morarji R Desai decided to allocate a whopping amount of Rs 708.51 crore in defence out of the total revenue expenditure of Rs 1852.40 crores. Low spending on defence has often been cited as the main reason for India's lack of defence preparedness, leading to its defeat against China in 1962. Cut to 1964, the year before Indo-Pakistan war, of the total revenue expenditure of Rs 2,041 crores, an amount of Rs 718 crores was allocated for the defence services. In 1965, the year of the war, the increase in revenue was Rs 29 crores from 1964 figure, this was the year when the National Defence Remittance Scheme was also introduced. "Honourable Members will also appreciate that while it has always been our policy to restrict expenditure on defence to the maximum extent possible so as to conserve all possible sources for securing the well-being of our people, we cannot afford to take any chances with the security of the nation, devoted though we are to the cause of peace" the FM Sachindra Chaudhuri was quoted saying in his speech in 1966. In 1970, the military budget stood at 2.9% of the total GDP which drastically rose to 3.417% in 1971, the year of India-Pakistan war. In the preceding year, the military budget was 3.4% (a miniscule revision). In 1974 though, the budget drastically dropped to 2.995% of the total GDP. Military expenditure (% of GDP). Source: World Bank (Others) × See a pattern? The usual thinking in the government is that only when there is a war the defence budget should be increased. Otherwise, no focus is laid in this sector, it is not given much priority. Moreover, since the last three years, there has actually been a decline in budget allocation for capital investments against requirements, or “projections” in the official sense, a factor that could delay procurement and modernization of the armed forces, according to a report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee On Defence 2017-18. "Funds allocated (each year) under the budget estimate have been reduced at the revised estimate stage by the ministry of finance, broadly on the pretext of trend of expenditure at that point of time," the defence ministry said in its response to questions by the Parliamentary committee. "Though there has been under-utilisation of capital budget with regards to budget estimate (except in 2016-17), there has been either excess expenditure or more than 99 percent utilisation when compared to final grant," it said. This even as India and China were close to a faceoff in Doklam. Moreover, deaths due to terrorist violence increased 30 per cent in Jammu & Kashmir — from 267 in 2016 to 347 in 2017 (December). With just a 7.81% increase in the defence budget, the modernisation of the services cannot be supported. It also means that the policy and acquisition decisions which have been taken will not be executed. Source: SIPRI (Twitter) × The major worry for the army during a war would be a shortage of ammunition. The army faces 40% shortage of ammunition — 61 of 152 types of ammunition was in critical level — to fight a 10-day long war, according to a CAG report. “Transformation in defence production requires higher allocation. If the government is keen on promoting ‘Make in India’ in defence production then there has to be a proper infrastructure creation for that and that requires huge money. When you are operating under a low budget then all your mega acquisition plans become severely constrained,” said Vikram Mahajan, Director (Defence and Aerospace), US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). Source: ChinaPower (Others) × Experts added that what ultimately needs to be done is to ensure that India's military can face a high-tech Chinese Army, especially when China's 2017 defence budget stands at $152 billion (Rs 9.75 lakh crore). This would naturally call for stricter action towards defence expenditure through the years but historical facts and the timelines have also proven that there has not been enough inclination towards India’s defense needs.

Jaitley's defence outlay in Union Budget is lowest since India-China 1962 war

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Advantage Assam &ndash; Global Investors&rsquo; Summit in Guwahati on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Several Union Ministers including Nitin Gadkari, Suresh Prabhu, Smriti Irani and Kiren Rijiju, are expected to take part in the proceedings.</p>

<p>The two-day summit will witness the presence of over 2000 domestic and international industry leaders and representatives where the state will go all out to catapult itself as India&#39;s expressway to ASEAN.</p>

<p>Foreign delegations from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Myanmar will also take part in the event.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Advantage Assam will be the largest ever investment promotion and facilitation initiative by the Government of Assam. Besides, the Summit will showcase the opportunities offered by the state in terms of export-oriented manufacturing and services.</p>

<p>On its part, the government is offering 160 square kilometre industrial corridor to facilitate easy land purchases by business persons to establish firms without land conversion issues, fresh land allotments to create brand new industrial estates, labour skilling and promoting technical and industry oriented courses in colleges.</p>

<p>It is also assuring to strengthen the business ecosystem fundamentals like power distribution, road infrastructure, common facilities at industrial estates etc.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Several union ministers are expected to take part in the proceedings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Advantage Assam – Global Investors’ Summit in Guwahati on Saturday. Several Union Ministers including Nitin Gadkari, Suresh Prabhu, Smriti Irani and Kiren Rijiju, are expected to take part in the proceedings. The two-day summit will witness the presence of over 2000 domestic and international industry leaders and representatives where the state will go all out to catapult itself as India's expressway to ASEAN. Foreign delegations from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Myanmar will also take part in the event. Advantage Assam will be the largest ever investment promotion and facilitation initiative by the Government of Assam. Besides, the Summit will showcase the opportunities offered by the state in terms of export-oriented manufacturing and services. On its part, the government is offering 160 square kilometre industrial corridor to facilitate easy land purchases by business persons to establish firms without land conversion issues, fresh land allotments to create brand new industrial estates, labour skilling and promoting technical and industry oriented courses in colleges. It is also assuring to strengthen the business ecosystem fundamentals like power distribution, road infrastructure, common facilities at industrial estates etc.

PM Modi to inaugurate Assam's maiden Global Investors' summit tomorrow

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi today declared the inaugural Khelo India School Games open and said the event will highlight the country&#39;s sporting talent and its potential to the world.</p>

<p>Modi declared open the KISG at a colourful opening ceremony at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here. The ceremony showcased the rich &#39;Guru-Shishya&#39; tradition of the country in grand style.</p>

<p>Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said sports should occupy a central place in the lives of the country&#39;s youth.</p>

<p>&quot;Sports is an important means of personality development and Khelo India is not a programme, it&#39;s a mission. The Games will highlight India&#39;s young sporting talent and showcase India&#39;s sports potential,&quot; Modi said.</p>

<p>&quot;Khelo India is not only about winning medals. It is an effort to give strength to a mass movement for playing more. We want to focus on every aspect that would make sports more popular across the nation,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Modi urged the youth to take up to sports actively as it is an important tool for the development of the nation.</p>

<p>&quot;When we say India has to grow on the world stage, it does not only mean having a strong army &amp; powerful economy. It includes people of India distinguishing themselves as scientists, artists, sportspersons. And, I am confident India will scale these heights. I trust our youth,&quot; the Prime Minister said.</p>

<p>&quot;India does not lack sporting talent. We are a youthful nation and we can do even better in sports.&quot;</p>

<p>He exhorted youngsters to devote time to sports amid their busy schedules.</p>

<p>&quot;In your busy schedules, devote time to games, give priority to playing. Today, we have in our midst eminent sportspersons. I am sure they would have faced many obstacles but they did not give up and went on to distinguish themselves,&quot; Modi said, referring to the sports stars and their coaches present on the occasion.</p>

<p>Modi said it was gladdening to see youngsters from rural India and smaller cities excelling as sportspersons.</p>

<p>He called upon the need to give emphasis on the grassroots level and said his government would provide every possible help to talented youngsters.</p>

<p>&quot;These are also youngsters who need support, which we want to provide. We need to organise games at the school level on consistent basis and keep their records, select the best out of them and train them.</p>

<p>&quot;We have decided to select 1000 kids every year from different sports and provide them Rs 5 lakh per annum for 8 years,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Modi also announced that his government has decided to reward the childhood coaches of sportspersons who excel at the world stage for the country.</p>

<p>&quot;Coaches should be recognised, especially childhood coaches who have unearthed them and helped them grow in their area. So we have decided to reward every coach of a sportsperson who bring laurels for the country,&quot; the PM said.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister also read out the Khelo India Pledge before the audience.</p>

<p>Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore made the opening remarks and said from now on KISG will be an annual affair.</p>

<p>&quot;The Khelo India Games will be held every year and will be broadcast live every year,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Also present on the occasion were Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra, School Games Federation of India President Sushil Kumar, among others.</p>

<p>The KISG will be held across 16 disciplines in the Under-17 age category and 5,000 school children from 29 states and seven union territories will participate in the event from January 31 to February 8.</p>

<p>A total of 199 gold medals, 199 silver medals and 275 bronze medals will be at stake in the first KISG.</p>


Modi declared open the KISG at a colourful opening ceremony at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here. The ceremony showcased the rich 'Guru-Shishya' tradition of the country in grand style

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today declared the inaugural Khelo India School Games open and said the event will highlight the country's sporting talent and its potential to the world. Modi declared open the KISG at a colourful opening ceremony at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here. The ceremony showcased the rich 'Guru-Shishya' tradition of the country in grand style. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said sports should occupy a central place in the lives of the country's youth. "Sports is an important means of personality development and Khelo India is not a programme, it's a mission. The Games will highlight India's young sporting talent and showcase India's sports potential," Modi said. "Khelo India is not only about winning medals. It is an effort to give strength to a mass movement for playing more. We want to focus on every aspect that would make sports more popular across the nation," he added. Modi urged the youth to take up to sports actively as it is an important tool for the development of the nation. "When we say India has to grow on the world stage, it does not only mean having a strong army & powerful economy. It includes people of India distinguishing themselves as scientists, artists, sportspersons. And, I am confident India will scale these heights. I trust our youth," the Prime Minister said. "India does not lack sporting talent. We are a youthful nation and we can do even better in sports." He exhorted youngsters to devote time to sports amid their busy schedules. "In your busy schedules, devote time to games, give priority to playing. Today, we have in our midst eminent sportspersons. I am sure they would have faced many obstacles but they did not give up and went on to distinguish themselves," Modi said, referring to the sports stars and their coaches present on the occasion. Modi said it was gladdening to see youngsters from rural India and smaller cities excelling as sportspersons. He called upon the need to give emphasis on the grassroots level and said his government would provide every possible help to talented youngsters. "These are also youngsters who need support, which we want to provide. We need to organise games at the school level on consistent basis and keep their records, select the best out of them and train them. "We have decided to select 1000 kids every year from different sports and provide them Rs 5 lakh per annum for 8 years," he said. Modi also announced that his government has decided to reward the childhood coaches of sportspersons who excel at the world stage for the country. "Coaches should be recognised, especially childhood coaches who have unearthed them and helped them grow in their area. So we have decided to reward every coach of a sportsperson who bring laurels for the country," the PM said. The Prime Minister also read out the Khelo India Pledge before the audience. Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore made the opening remarks and said from now on KISG will be an annual affair. "The Khelo India Games will be held every year and will be broadcast live every year," he said. Also present on the occasion were Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra, School Games Federation of India President Sushil Kumar, among others. The KISG will be held across 16 disciplines in the Under-17 age category and 5,000 school children from 29 states and seven union territories will participate in the event from January 31 to February 8. A total of 199 gold medals, 199 silver medals and 275 bronze medals will be at stake in the first KISG.

Khelo India Games will highlight country's sporting talent: PM Modi

<p>PM Modi-led government plans to abolish all posts which have been vacant for more than five years. Various ministries and government departments have been directed to submit a comprehensive report on the matter.</p>

<p>The Finance Ministry, in an official memorandum, has asked all ministries and departments to submit a report regarding the same.</p>

<p>According to the directive, financial advisors and joint administrative secretaries of all ministries and departments are requested to identify the posts which are vacant for more than five years.</p>

<p>A comprehensive report on the abolition of such posts is to be submitted at the earliest, the office memorandum, dated January 16, 2018, said.</p>

<p>According to government estimates, several thousand central government posts have been lying vacant for five or more years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>


Various ministries and government departments have been directed to submit a comprehensive report on the matter

PM Modi-led government plans to abolish all posts which have been vacant for more than five years. Various ministries and government departments have been directed to submit a comprehensive report on the matter. The Finance Ministry, in an official memorandum, has asked all ministries and departments to submit a report regarding the same. According to the directive, financial advisors and joint administrative secretaries of all ministries and departments are requested to identify the posts which are vacant for more than five years. A comprehensive report on the abolition of such posts is to be submitted at the earliest, the office memorandum, dated January 16, 2018, said. According to government estimates, several thousand central government posts have been lying vacant for five or more years. (With inputs from PTI)

Modi government to abolish posts vacant over five years

<p>In a short speech before the commencement of Parliament&rsquo;s Budget Session, PM Narendra Modi appealed to the opposition to pass the Triple Talaq Bill, which criminalises instant divorce.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi also said the budget will add new vigour to India&#39;s development and will fulfil aspirations of people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;We should rise above politics and make most use of our healthy system of parliamentary committees and have proactive discussions,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The session started a short while ago with President Ram Nath Kovind&nbsp;addressing a joint sitting of the two houses.</p>

<p>The much-awaited economic survey will also be presented on the day 1 of the budget session.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The&nbsp;economic survey document is critical in the process of the Union Budget. It is not only an appraisal of the economy and government spending over the financial year that is coming to a close but also a roadmap that provides the rationale for Union Budget 2018, which will be tabled by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on February 1.</p>

<p>The phase 1 of the session starts today and will go on till&nbsp;February 9. The second phase will take place from March 5 to April 6.</p>

<p>The budget will be tabled by finance minister Arun Jaitley on February 1, making it a first budget to be presented after Goods and Services Tax implementation.</p>

<p>The most important bills of this session would be the commission for backward classes and Triple Talaq bill, which was passed in Lok Sabha but was stalled in the Rajya Sabha.</p>


The phase 1 of the session begins today and will wrap up on February 9. The second phase will take place from March 5 to April 6.

In a short speech before the commencement of Parliament’s Budget Session, PM Narendra Modi appealed to the opposition to pass the Triple Talaq Bill, which criminalises instant divorce. PM Modi also said the budget will add new vigour to India's development and will fulfil aspirations of people. "We should rise above politics and make most use of our healthy system of parliamentary committees and have proactive discussions," he said. The session started a short while ago with President Ram Nath Kovind addressing a joint sitting of the two houses. The much-awaited economic survey will also be presented on the day 1 of the budget session. The economic survey document is critical in the process of the Union Budget. It is not only an appraisal of the economy and government spending over the financial year that is coming to a close but also a roadmap that provides the rationale for Union Budget 2018, which will be tabled by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on February 1. The phase 1 of the session starts today and will go on till February 9. The second phase will take place from March 5 to April 6. The budget will be tabled by finance minister Arun Jaitley on February 1, making it a first budget to be presented after Goods and Services Tax implementation. The most important bills of this session would be the commission for backward classes and Triple Talaq bill, which was passed in Lok Sabha but was stalled in the Rajya Sabha.

Budget session 2018: PM Modi bats for Triple Talaq Bill to 'protect Muslim women'

<p>The government today said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s visit to Switzerland&#39;s Davos to attend the World Economic Forum will last just for 24 hours.</p>

<p>&quot;Prime Minister&#39;s upcoming visit to Davos is very short. It will be only for 24 hours and will be very focussed. This is a sign that we engage with the globe,&quot; said Vijay Gokhale, MEA Secretary (economic relations).</p>

<p>PM Modi, accompanied by six Union ministers, will be in Davos on January 22-23 and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/wefdavos-modi-to-address-opening-plenary-trump-on-final-day-29950">give the opening plenary</a>. On the sidelines of the high-profile event, Modi will hold a number of important bilateral meetings with various world leaders.</p>

<p>Modi will also meet Switzerland&#39;s President Alain Berset and the two leaders are expected to discuss the envisaged free trade agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Switzerland is a member.</p>

<p>India has framed a model Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (BIPA) and is now negotiating it with several countries. Besides, the talks have been going on for a long time for a free trade agreement between India and the four-member EFTA (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein).</p>

<p>The trade pact talks had started in October 2008 and several rounds of negotiations have taken place since then. The proposed agreement covers trade in goods and services, investments, trade facilitation, customs cooperation, protection of intellectual property and public procurement.</p>

<p>The two-way trade between the regions dropped to US $19 billion in 2016-17, from US $21.5 billion in 2015-16. The trade gap is highly in favour of the EFTA group.</p>

<p>Under an FTA, trading partners give market access to each other with a view to promoting bilateral trade in goods and services, besides investments.</p>

<p>However, Swiss government&#39;s statement released on Friday on PM Modi&#39;s visit, did not mention black money - an issue which has been central to most of the high-level deliberations between the two countries.</p>


Modi will also meet Switzerland's President Alain Berset and the two leaders are expected to discuss the envisaged free trade agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association.

The government today said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Switzerland's Davos to attend the World Economic Forum will last just for 24 hours. "Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Davos is very short. It will be only for 24 hours and will be very focussed. This is a sign that we engage with the globe," said Vijay Gokhale, MEA Secretary (economic relations). PM Modi, accompanied by six Union ministers, will be in Davos on January 22-23 and give the opening plenary. On the sidelines of the high-profile event, Modi will hold a number of important bilateral meetings with various world leaders. Modi will also meet Switzerland's President Alain Berset and the two leaders are expected to discuss the envisaged free trade agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Switzerland is a member. India has framed a model Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (BIPA) and is now negotiating it with several countries. Besides, the talks have been going on for a long time for a free trade agreement between India and the four-member EFTA (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein). The trade pact talks had started in October 2008 and several rounds of negotiations have taken place since then. The proposed agreement covers trade in goods and services, investments, trade facilitation, customs cooperation, protection of intellectual property and public procurement. The two-way trade between the regions dropped to US $19 billion in 2016-17, from US $21.5 billion in 2015-16. The trade gap is highly in favour of the EFTA group. Under an FTA, trading partners give market access to each other with a view to promoting bilateral trade in goods and services, besides investments. However, Swiss government's statement released on Friday on PM Modi's visit, did not mention black money - an issue which has been central to most of the high-level deliberations between the two countries.

PM Modi's visit short, focussed Davos visit sign that we engage with world: Government

<p>The Indian Navy&#39;s first all-women crew of Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini has&nbsp;successfully crossed the Cape Horn off the Southern tip of South America, also referred to as &quot;Mount Everest of sailing&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The six-member all-women crew hoisted the Indian flag to mark their achievement. The team had earlier started their journey from Goa in September last year.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The tri-colour hoisted with great pride &amp; josh onboard <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INSVTarini?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INSVTarini</a> as she crossed the Cape Horn (designated point by Lat/Long): Indian Navy <a href="https://t.co/sKr8yGxgq3">pic.twitter.com/sKr8yGxgq3</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/954221155652575232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NavikaSagarParikrama?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NavikaSagarParikrama</a> Position of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INSVTarini?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INSVTarini</a> at 0600h after rounding the Cape Horn through DRAKE Passage. Winds are strong gusting to ~70kmph with rough sea state . Distance to Port Stanley is 410Nm <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DefenceMinIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nsitharaman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nsitharaman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SpokespersonMoD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpokespersonMoD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HCI_London?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HCI_London</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hci_pretoria?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hci_pretoria</a> <a href="https://t.co/rTw71pnyzh">pic.twitter.com/rTw71pnyzh</a></p>
&mdash; SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) <a href="https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/954168293346062336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi also took to Twitter to congratulate the crew for their accomplishment. &quot;Wonderful news! Delighted that INSV Tarini has rounded Cape Horn in the last few hours. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments,&quot; he wrote.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wonderful news! Delighted that INSV Tarini has rounded Cape Horn in the last few hours. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments. <a href="https://t.co/edmCvfecDN">pic.twitter.com/edmCvfecDN</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/954220332843401221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>As per the Twitter handle of the Indian Navy, the sea was &quot;rough&quot; and the winds were &quot;strong gusting to 70kmph.&quot;</p>

<p>The women crew was trained in the Ocean Sailing Node at Goa.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Good weather with Sea not so bad, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INSVTarini?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INSVTarini</a> crew made the best of the opportunity.... Culinary skills at their best.....Deep fried Vadas <a href="https://t.co/APu5xzjqHj">pic.twitter.com/APu5xzjqHj</a></p>
&mdash; SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) <a href="https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/953104380248510466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>INSV Tarini is a 56-foot sailing vessel, which was inducted into the Indian Navy earlier this year and showcases the &#39;Make in India&#39; initiative on the International forum.</p>

<p>The expedition, titled &#39;Navika Sagar Parikrama&#39;, is in consonance with the national policy to empower women to attain their full potential.</p>

<p>It further aims to showcase &#39;Nari Shakti&#39; on the world platform and help revolutionalise the societal mindset towards women in India by raising the visibility of their participation in the challenging environment.</p>

<p>The vessel will return to Goa in April 2018.</p>


The six-member all-women crew hoisted the Indian flag to mark their achievement. The team started their sail from Goa in September last year.

The Indian Navy's first all-women crew of Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini has successfully crossed the Cape Horn off the Southern tip of South America, also referred to as "Mount Everest of sailing". The six-member all-women crew hoisted the Indian flag to mark their achievement. The team had earlier started their journey from Goa in September last year. The tri-colour hoisted with great pride & josh onboard #INSVTarini as she crossed the Cape Horn (designated point by Lat/Long): Indian Navy pic.twitter.com/sKr8yGxgq3 — ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2018 × #NavikaSagarParikrama Position of #INSVTarini at 0600h after rounding the Cape Horn through DRAKE Passage. Winds are strong gusting to ~70kmph with rough sea state . Distance to Port Stanley is 410Nm @DefenceMinIndia @nsitharaman @SpokespersonMoD @HCI_London @hci_pretoria pic.twitter.com/rTw71pnyzh — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 19, 2018 × PM Modi also took to Twitter to congratulate the crew for their accomplishment. "Wonderful news! Delighted that INSV Tarini has rounded Cape Horn in the last few hours. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments," he wrote. Wonderful news! Delighted that INSV Tarini has rounded Cape Horn in the last few hours. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments. pic.twitter.com/edmCvfecDN — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 19, 2018 × As per the Twitter handle of the Indian Navy, the sea was "rough" and the winds were "strong gusting to 70kmph." The women crew was trained in the Ocean Sailing Node at Goa. Good weather with Sea not so bad, #INSVTarini crew made the best of the opportunity.... Culinary skills at their best.....Deep fried Vadas pic.twitter.com/APu5xzjqHj — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 16, 2018 × INSV Tarini is a 56-foot sailing vessel, which was inducted into the Indian Navy earlier this year and showcases the 'Make in India' initiative on the International forum. The expedition, titled 'Navika Sagar Parikrama', is in consonance with the national policy to empower women to attain their full potential. It further aims to showcase 'Nari Shakti' on the world platform and help revolutionalise the societal mindset towards women in India by raising the visibility of their participation in the challenging environment. The vessel will return to Goa in April 2018.

Ahead of Republic Day, INSV Tarini crosses Cape Horn, all-women crew hoist flag

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