<p>Canadian journalist Candice Malcolm told WION&nbsp;Thursday that &quot;Canadians are surprised that Trudeau&#39;s reception (in India) hasn&#39;t been very welcoming.&quot; &nbsp;</p>

<p>She added that &quot;Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not meet Trudeau at the airport and that it looks like the trip is more like a family vacation for Trudeau as opposed to official business.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The story that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canada-seems-to-think-india-is-snubbing-trudeau-govt-says-no-33354" target="_blank">Indian government might be &quot;snubbing&quot; Trudeau</a> has been picked up by both the Indian and international media.</p>

<p>Trudeau after all tends to generate a large amount of buzz wherever he goes but that hasn&#39;t been the case here in India.</p>

<p>The problem is that the Canadian prime minister has four Sikh MPs in his cabinet, some of whom India says have links to Khalistani terrorists. And Trudeau has in the past said that they are entitled to support the idea of a free Khalistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Things got worse on Thursday when it was discovered that a convicted Khalistani terrorist had been invited to a dinner -- to be held Thursday night -- hosted by the Canadian high commissioner to Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Canadian officials ran to do some damage control; the invite was rescinded and the Canadian PMO said Jaspal Atwal should <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/khalistani-terrorist-should-never-have-been-invited-to-our-event-canada-33696" target="_blank">never have been invited</a>.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Canadian Minister Kirsty Duncan speaks about dinner reception invite to Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal, says, &#39;this person of course shouldn&#39;t have been invited.Invitation has now been rescinded. We are looking into how it happened.&#39; Refuses to answer further questions. <a href="https://t.co/oR1QD9Q69C">pic.twitter.com/oR1QD9Q69C</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/966587001339367424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;This story that an extreme, radical and convicted criminal being invited as part of Trudeau&#39;s entourage is very disturbing, very upsetting for Canadians. The judgement of our PM is being called into question as to why he would invite such an individual,&quot; Malcom told WION&#39;s Ramesh Ramachandran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;I don&#39;t think it&#39;s necessarily expected,&quot; Malcom said when she was asked about the alleged &quot;cold shoulder&quot; given to Trudeau. (The Indian government has refuted the allegation, saying it is not possible for the prime minister to accompany every visiting head of state.) &nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;When our PM goes somewhere, it&#39;s expected that people get excited. But in India, his political activities in Canada are catching up with him and it&#39;s totally reasonable for the Indian government to have issues with the way that Trudeau is acting by having partisan political events with his Liberal Party that include Khalistani radicals and separatists that are causing problems in India,&quot; Malcolm added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Malcolm was asked why Trudeau might be reluctant to call out the Khalistani leaders on their separatism.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Canadians can express their own political views but as the PM, Trudeau has a higher responsibility and it&#39;s irresponsible for him to be pandering and seemingly associating with extremists and terrorists by going to events where he is pictured with so-called murderers or extremists and terrorists. This is very divisive and our PM should have better judgement and should stay away from those types of events,&quot; she answered.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She also offered an answer as to why that might be the case, saying: &quot;Justin Trudeau has a large Sikh constituency in Canada. He relies on Sikh votes, especially in Toronto and Vancouver. Most Sikhs in Canada are not extremists, not terrorists. They don&#39;t believe in this idea of an independent Khalistan but some members do. And Trudeau doen&#39;s seem to have the right judgement in drawing that distinction. And it&#39;s not right for Canadians to get involved in other countries&#39; internal politics. Canadians wouldn&#39;t like world leaders, say PM Modi, spending time and supporting Quebec separatists in our country. So we should have that respect for India and Trudeau and the Liberal Party should stay away from extremists like the Khalistani groups.</p>


Canadian journalist Candice Malcolm spoke with WION's Ramesh Ramachandran

Canadian journalist Candice Malcolm told WION Thursday that "Canadians are surprised that Trudeau's reception (in India) hasn't been very welcoming." She added that "Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not meet Trudeau at the airport and that it looks like the trip is more like a family vacation for Trudeau as opposed to official business." The story that the Indian government might be "snubbing" Trudeau has been picked up by both the Indian and international media. Trudeau after all tends to generate a large amount of buzz wherever he goes but that hasn't been the case here in India. The problem is that the Canadian prime minister has four Sikh MPs in his cabinet, some of whom India says have links to Khalistani terrorists. And Trudeau has in the past said that they are entitled to support the idea of a free Khalistan. Things got worse on Thursday when it was discovered that a convicted Khalistani terrorist had been invited to a dinner -- to be held Thursday night -- hosted by the Canadian high commissioner to Delhi. Canadian officials ran to do some damage control; the invite was rescinded and the Canadian PMO said Jaspal Atwal should never have been invited. #WATCH Canadian Minister Kirsty Duncan speaks about dinner reception invite to Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal, says, 'this person of course shouldn't have been invited.Invitation has now been rescinded. We are looking into how it happened.' Refuses to answer further questions. pic.twitter.com/oR1QD9Q69C — ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2018 × "This story that an extreme, radical and convicted criminal being invited as part of Trudeau's entourage is very disturbing, very upsetting for Canadians. The judgement of our PM is being called into question as to why he would invite such an individual," Malcom told WION's Ramesh Ramachandran. "I don't think it's necessarily expected," Malcom said when she was asked about the alleged "cold shoulder" given to Trudeau. (The Indian government has refuted the allegation, saying it is not possible for the prime minister to accompany every visiting head of state.) "When our PM goes somewhere, it's expected that people get excited. But in India, his political activities in Canada are catching up with him and it's totally reasonable for the Indian government to have issues with the way that Trudeau is acting by having partisan political events with his Liberal Party that include Khalistani radicals and separatists that are causing problems in India," Malcolm added. Malcolm was asked why Trudeau might be reluctant to call out the Khalistani leaders on their separatism. "Canadians can express their own political views but as the PM, Trudeau has a higher responsibility and it's irresponsible for him to be pandering and seemingly associating with extremists and terrorists by going to events where he is pictured with so-called murderers or extremists and terrorists. This is very divisive and our PM should have better judgement and should stay away from those types of events," she answered. She also offered an answer as to why that might be the case, saying: "Justin Trudeau has a large Sikh constituency in Canada. He relies on Sikh votes, especially in Toronto and Vancouver. Most Sikhs in Canada are not extremists, not terrorists. They don't believe in this idea of an independent Khalistan but some members do. And Trudeau doen's seem to have the right judgement in drawing that distinction. And it's not right for Canadians to get involved in other countries' internal politics. Canadians wouldn't like world leaders, say PM Modi, spending time and supporting Quebec separatists in our country. So we should have that respect for India and Trudeau and the Liberal Party should stay away from extremists like the Khalistani groups.

'Canadians surprised Trudeau's reception hasn't been welcoming'

<p>The nation on Tuesday remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his 70th death anniversary with President Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the country in paying homage to the Father of the Nation.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On Martyrs&rsquo; Day, we gratefully remember Mahatma Gandhi and the countless freedom fighters who sacrificed their all for our Independence <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PresidentKovind?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PresidentKovind</a></p>
&mdash; President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/958150269723791360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und">पूज्य बापू की पुण्यतिथि पर उन्हें श्रद्धांजलि. Remembering Bapu on his Punya Tithi.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/958160026190991360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MahatmaGandhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MahatmaGandhi</a> at Rajghat on his 70th death anniversary. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, General Bipin Rawat, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba &amp; Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa also present. <a href="https://t.co/2rmw4E6Gm7">pic.twitter.com/2rmw4E6Gm7</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958209924634300417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Prime Minister Modi in his last &lsquo;Mann ki Baat&rsquo; address said, &ldquo;The path of peace and non-violence, is the path of Bapu and this is applicable not only for India or the world but also for a person or a family or a society. The ideals which Bapu practiced in his life, things that he imparted are relevant even today.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;What can be a bigger tribute than taking a vow that we shall tread the path of Bapu &ndash; and walk, as far as possible?&rdquo; he added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Smriti on his 70th death anniversary <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MartyrsDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MartyrsDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/9nBrfbyPKA">pic.twitter.com/9nBrfbyPKA</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958176344717668352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Gujarat&#39;s Porbandar district. He was assassinated on this day in the year 1948 by Nathuram Godse at Birla House in Delhi.</p>

<p>Nathuram Godse fired three bullets into Mahatma Gandhi&#39;s chest while he was standing on the steps of the Birla House, where a prayer meeting was scheduled to take place.</p>

<p>Tributes poured in from leaders, politicians and citizens from across the country on his 70th death anniversary.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ahmedabad: People pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram on his 70th death anniversary <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MartyrsDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MartyrsDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/Yz1T7t15Ro">pic.twitter.com/Yz1T7t15Ro</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/958190483074723841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Tributes poured in from leaders, politicians and citizens from across the country on his 70th death anniversary

The nation on Tuesday remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his 70th death anniversary with President Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the country in paying homage to the Father of the Nation. On Martyrs’ Day, we gratefully remember Mahatma Gandhi and the countless freedom fighters who sacrificed their all for our Independence #PresidentKovind — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 30, 2018 × पूज्य बापू की पुण्यतिथि पर उन्हें श्रद्धांजलि. Remembering Bapu on his Punya Tithi. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 30, 2018 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to #MahatmaGandhi at Rajghat on his 70th death anniversary. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, General Bipin Rawat, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba & Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa also present. pic.twitter.com/2rmw4E6Gm7 — ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2018 × Prime Minister Modi in his last ‘Mann ki Baat’ address said, “The path of peace and non-violence, is the path of Bapu and this is applicable not only for India or the world but also for a person or a family or a society. The ideals which Bapu practiced in his life, things that he imparted are relevant even today.” “What can be a bigger tribute than taking a vow that we shall tread the path of Bapu – and walk, as far as possible?” he added. Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Smriti on his 70th death anniversary #MartyrsDay pic.twitter.com/9nBrfbyPKA — ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2018 × Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Gujarat's Porbandar district. He was assassinated on this day in the year 1948 by Nathuram Godse at Birla House in Delhi. Nathuram Godse fired three bullets into Mahatma Gandhi's chest while he was standing on the steps of the Birla House, where a prayer meeting was scheduled to take place. Tributes poured in from leaders, politicians and citizens from across the country on his 70th death anniversary. Ahmedabad: People pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram on his 70th death anniversary #MartyrsDay pic.twitter.com/Yz1T7t15Ro — ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2018 ×

Nation pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 70th death anniversary

<p>Since 1985, Government of India has been celebrating Swami Vivekananda&#39;s birthday which falls on January 12 as the National Youth Day.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Ministers of India across party lines, from Manmohan Singh to Narendra Modi recently, have commented upon the energy that Vivekananda personified. He was the youth icon, both while he was alive and more so after his death. In Vivekananda&#39;s fiery speeches, the revolutionary youths of India found the self-esteem which the brutality of the colonial regime left completely mauled.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The &quot;indomitable energy&quot; of Indian youth as Prime Minister Modi pointed out in his tweet or the &quot;eternal energy&quot; that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh referred to while inaugurating the 150th birth anniversary of Vivekananda in 2013 are actually very much the traits of the &quot;cyclone monk&quot; as he came to be called after his Chicago speech in 1893.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Vivekananda himself was pretty much aware of the appeal he held for the youth of his country. Very much distressed by the contemporary state of India, Vivekananda constantly harped on the spiritual and physical degradation of his countrymen. His staunch belief was India&#39;s political subjugation was the result of degeneration on these fronts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Vivekananda would, therefore, constantly, urge his &quot;countrymen&quot; to be &quot;strong&quot;; &quot;weakness&quot; was an anathema to him. He even went to the extent of commenting that a person will be &quot;nearer to Heaven through football than through the study of the Gita.&quot; He played football himself.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I bow to Swami Vivekananda on his Jayanti. Today, on National Youth Day I salute the indomitable energy and enthusiasm of our youngsters, who are the builders of New India. <a href="https://t.co/1aXEqvVRgY">pic.twitter.com/1aXEqvVRgY</a></p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/951638227072536577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Vivekananda believed that there is &quot;salvation only for the brave&quot; and equated &quot;weakness to death&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Seventy-odd years have passed since the British left India, however, the task of building a &quot;New India&quot; is not yet done. It never will be because nation-building is an ongoing process. The political leadership sees the youth of India as playing a crucial role in this process.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But what kind of character should our youth have? In determining that, Vivekananda&#39;s words and messages are considered crucial.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the question that refuses to leave my mind is why would a nation-state take so much interest in a monk. As a &quot;sanyasi&quot;, Vivekananda has to be a renouncer; his connection with all forms of earthly power has to be remote. But, yet, here we have the highest votaries of state power celebrating the life of a man who, ideally, should have nothing to do with the State but with humanity in general.</p>

<p>Vivekananda, despite, being a sannyasi was never remote from political power. He stayed with major Hindu kings of India as he was traveling the country, often influencing them and preaching them about his ideas of Hinduism.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Vivekananda was a nationalist, and his was cultural nationalism which was deeply moored in the ethos of Hinduism. But not the regressive, superstitious Hinduism that came to be the object of western ridicule but more of a reformed Hinduism that was anchored in Ramakrishna&#39;s Paramhansa&#39;s principles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Much of what Vivekananda said can well be accommodated within the ideological folds of a modern nation-state. Vivekananda is religious without being communal; he plead for the poor without accusing the rich; he was a sannyasi without being a recluse.&nbsp;</p>

<p>More than anything else, it is the amazing contradictions of Vivekananda which make him so valuable for the votaries of modern India. It gives them the opportunity to pick and choose from the corpus of Swamiji&#39;s work to suit our national needs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
<em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).</em></p>


Much of what Vivekananda said can well be accommodated within the ideological folds of a modern nation-state. Vivekananda is religious without being communal; he pleaded for the poor without accusing the rich; he was a sannyasi without being a recluse.

Since 1985, Government of India has been celebrating Swami Vivekananda's birthday which falls on January 12 as the National Youth Day. Prime Ministers of India across party lines, from Manmohan Singh to Narendra Modi recently, have commented upon the energy that Vivekananda personified. He was the youth icon, both while he was alive and more so after his death. In Vivekananda's fiery speeches, the revolutionary youths of India found the self-esteem which the brutality of the colonial regime left completely mauled. The "indomitable energy" of Indian youth as Prime Minister Modi pointed out in his tweet or the "eternal energy" that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh referred to while inaugurating the 150th birth anniversary of Vivekananda in 2013 are actually very much the traits of the "cyclone monk" as he came to be called after his Chicago speech in 1893. Vivekananda himself was pretty much aware of the appeal he held for the youth of his country. Very much distressed by the contemporary state of India, Vivekananda constantly harped on the spiritual and physical degradation of his countrymen. His staunch belief was India's political subjugation was the result of degeneration on these fronts. Vivekananda would, therefore, constantly, urge his "countrymen" to be "strong"; "weakness" was an anathema to him. He even went to the extent of commenting that a person will be "nearer to Heaven through football than through the study of the Gita." He played football himself. I bow to Swami Vivekananda on his Jayanti. Today, on National Youth Day I salute the indomitable energy and enthusiasm of our youngsters, who are the builders of New India. pic.twitter.com/1aXEqvVRgY — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2018 × Vivekananda believed that there is "salvation only for the brave" and equated "weakness to death". Seventy-odd years have passed since the British left India, however, the task of building a "New India" is not yet done. It never will be because nation-building is an ongoing process. The political leadership sees the youth of India as playing a crucial role in this process. But what kind of character should our youth have? In determining that, Vivekananda's words and messages are considered crucial. But the question that refuses to leave my mind is why would a nation-state take so much interest in a monk. As a "sanyasi", Vivekananda has to be a renouncer; his connection with all forms of earthly power has to be remote. But, yet, here we have the highest votaries of state power celebrating the life of a man who, ideally, should have nothing to do with the State but with humanity in general. Vivekananda, despite, being a sannyasi was never remote from political power. He stayed with major Hindu kings of India as he was traveling the country, often influencing them and preaching them about his ideas of Hinduism. Vivekananda was a nationalist, and his was cultural nationalism which was deeply moored in the ethos of Hinduism. But not the regressive, superstitious Hinduism that came to be the object of western ridicule but more of a reformed Hinduism that was anchored in Ramakrishna's Paramhansa's principles. Much of what Vivekananda said can well be accommodated within the ideological folds of a modern nation-state. Vivekananda is religious without being communal; he plead for the poor without accusing the rich; he was a sannyasi without being a recluse. More than anything else, it is the amazing contradictions of Vivekananda which make him so valuable for the votaries of modern India. It gives them the opportunity to pick and choose from the corpus of Swamiji's work to suit our national needs. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: Why Swami Vivekananda is significant for the Indian state

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting with top BJP leaders at his official residence tonight.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The guess list inludes BJP President Amit Shah, the party&#39;s general secretaries, and the partymen in charge of different states.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The dinner meet comes two weeks before the government presents its last full calendar year budget and before Tripura, Meghalaya, and Karnataka go to the polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The two northeastern states are expected to go to the polls next month while the Karnataka elections are expected to take place in May.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the meet is being held over dinner, the bigwigs are expected to discuss the 2019 elections and how the party can let the people know what it has been able to do in the three and a half years it has been in power.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reports said the the party has already decided on a few programme and that only the final touches are to be given to them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opinion-rahul-is-the-man-of-the-match-modi-is-the-man-of-the-series-27149" target="_blank">Rahul is the Man of the Match. Modi is the Man of the Series</a></p>

<p>And that the programmes planned by the BJP include a blood donation camp, and a college connect,&nbsp;a booth connect, and a millennium voters campaign.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The college connect campaign will target college-goers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The blood donation campaign will be launched on Vivekananda&#39;s birth anniversary, January 12, and will culminate on Subhash Chandra Bose&#39;s birth anniversary on January 23. The reports said the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha has been asked to prepare a list of donors.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The reports added that to appeal to Dalit voters, the BJP will organise a &quot;harmony feast&quot; on BR Ambedkar&#39;s birth anniversary on April 14.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The most important of all the campaigns though is expected to be the millennium voters campaign.</p>

<p>Reports said the party will be launching a mobile app called the &quot;Millennium Vote Campaign&quot; sometime in the coming days. The app, the reports said, is ostensibly meant to help first-time voters get voter ID cards but that the party also hopes to be able to use it to carry its message to young voters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Interestingly, Modi had recently talked about in a &quot;Mann ki Baat&quot; address the young people who would become eligible to vote in 2018.</p>

<p>It is estimated that there are more than 2 crore people who were born in 2000.</p>


The guess list included BJP President Amit Shah, general secretaries of the BJP, and the partymen in charge of various states

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting with top BJP leaders at his official residence tonight. × The guess list inludes BJP President Amit Shah, the party's general secretaries, and the partymen in charge of different states. The dinner meet comes two weeks before the government presents its last full calendar year budget and before Tripura, Meghalaya, and Karnataka go to the polls. The two northeastern states are expected to go to the polls next month while the Karnataka elections are expected to take place in May. While the meet is being held over dinner, the bigwigs are expected to discuss the 2019 elections and how the party can let the people know what it has been able to do in the three and a half years it has been in power. Reports said the the party has already decided on a few programme and that only the final touches are to be given to them. Also read: Rahul is the Man of the Match. Modi is the Man of the Series And that the programmes planned by the BJP include a blood donation camp, and a college connect, a booth connect, and a millennium voters campaign. The college connect campaign will target college-goers. The blood donation campaign will be launched on Vivekananda's birth anniversary, January 12, and will culminate on Subhash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary on January 23. The reports said the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha has been asked to prepare a list of donors. The reports added that to appeal to Dalit voters, the BJP will organise a "harmony feast" on BR Ambedkar's birth anniversary on April 14. The most important of all the campaigns though is expected to be the millennium voters campaign. Reports said the party will be launching a mobile app called the "Millennium Vote Campaign" sometime in the coming days. The app, the reports said, is ostensibly meant to help first-time voters get voter ID cards but that the party also hopes to be able to use it to carry its message to young voters. Interestingly, Modi had recently talked about in a "Mann ki Baat" address the young people who would become eligible to vote in 2018. It is estimated that there are more than 2 crore people who were born in 2000.

BJP's road to 2019 elections kicks off with dinner meet at Modi's home

<p>A probe has been ordered into a major security breach during Prime Minister Modi&#39;s recent visit to Noida to inaugurate the Magenta line of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). &nbsp;</p>

<p>Two police officers have been pulled up for the incident.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi&#39;s convoy lost its way on the Noida-Greater Noida expressway while going to the helipad at Botanical Garden from Amity University.</p>

<p>The report quoting Gautam Budh Nagar Superintendent of Police Love Kumar said that the convoy left Amity University at 2.35 pm and used the service road at the expressway to proceed towards Botanical Garden.</p>

<p>One of the security vehicles, which was leading the convoy, took a turn before the designated one to proceed on the expressway. There was no security arrangement in that patch considering the Prime Minister was travelling.</p>

<p>The convoy had to be later stopped for at least two minutes following the wrong turn.</p>

<p>According to Kumar, departmental proceedings have been initiated against police personnel responsible for the lapse.</p>

<p>PM Modi on Monday flagged off the much-awaited Delhi Metro&#39;s Magenta line connecting Noida to South Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Prime Minister boarded the metro train at the Botanical station and deboarded at Okhla Bird Sanctuary metro station.</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also accompanied the Prime Minister during the maiden trip of the Magenta line, defying a 29-year-old &#39;Noida&#39; superstition of no serving UP chief minister visiting Noida.</p>

<p>BJP member Mahendra Nath Pandey and state Governor Ram Naik too attended the inauguration ceremony.</p>

<p>Following this, the Prime Minister went to Amity University where he addressed a public gathering.</p>


Modi's convoy lost its way on the Noida-Greater Noida expressway while going to the helipad at Botanical Garden from Amity University.

A probe has been ordered into a major security breach during Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Noida to inaugurate the Magenta line of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Two police officers have been pulled up for the incident. Modi's convoy lost its way on the Noida-Greater Noida expressway while going to the helipad at Botanical Garden from Amity University. The report quoting Gautam Budh Nagar Superintendent of Police Love Kumar said that the convoy left Amity University at 2.35 pm and used the service road at the expressway to proceed towards Botanical Garden. One of the security vehicles, which was leading the convoy, took a turn before the designated one to proceed on the expressway. There was no security arrangement in that patch considering the Prime Minister was travelling. The convoy had to be later stopped for at least two minutes following the wrong turn. According to Kumar, departmental proceedings have been initiated against police personnel responsible for the lapse. PM Modi on Monday flagged off the much-awaited Delhi Metro's Magenta line connecting Noida to South Delhi. The Prime Minister boarded the metro train at the Botanical station and deboarded at Okhla Bird Sanctuary metro station. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also accompanied the Prime Minister during the maiden trip of the Magenta line, defying a 29-year-old 'Noida' superstition of no serving UP chief minister visiting Noida. BJP member Mahendra Nath Pandey and state Governor Ram Naik too attended the inauguration ceremony. Following this, the Prime Minister went to Amity University where he addressed a public gathering.

Probe ordered into security breach during Modi's recent Noida visit

<p>While Prime Minister Modi finalised the last day&nbsp;before the second phase of election in Gujarat by visiting the Ambaji temple, Congress President Rahul Gandhi paid a visit to Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="et"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>: Congress President Rahul Gandhi visits Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad <a href="https://t.co/SoqixFK74a">pic.twitter.com/SoqixFK74a</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940446313283330048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="et"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>: Congress President Rahul Gandhi visits Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad <a href="https://t.co/Rxv33VdI0i">pic.twitter.com/Rxv33VdI0i</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940447432357191681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>PM Modi&nbsp;boarded a seaplane to reach the Sabarmati Front, and from there&nbsp;road to reach the temple.&nbsp;His seaplane visit drew much attention and was called a &quot;historic&quot; move by his party leaders.</p>

<p>In over one month of the Election campaign in the state, Rahul Gandhi had paid visit to several temples including Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda&#39;s Dakor, Somnath temple,&nbsp;Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar,&nbsp; Ambaji temple.</p>

<p>His frequent visit to the temples had attracted huge criticism from the opposition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A controversy over his&nbsp;religion erupted after Gandhi visited the Somnath temple in Gujarat.</p>

<p>In a recent attack, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has said that the Gujarat polls have taught Rahul Gandhi &quot;visiting temples&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also added that the polls have also taught Manmohan Singh to speak up.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Gujarat ki janta ne do kaam iss chunaav mein achhe se kara diye. Dr Manmohan Singh ji ka mooh khulwa diya, aur doosra Rahul Gandhi ko mandir jaana sikha diya: UP CM Yogi Adityanath <a href="https://t.co/Db3plqEFSQ">pic.twitter.com/Db3plqEFSQ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940458188469497856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


In over one month of the Election campaign in the state, Rahul Gandhi has paid the visit to several temples including Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor, Somnath temple,?Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar,? Ambaji temple

While Prime Minister Modi finalised the last day before the second phase of election in Gujarat by visiting the Ambaji temple, Congress President Rahul Gandhi paid a visit to Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad. #Gujarat: Congress President Rahul Gandhi visits Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/SoqixFK74a — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × #Gujarat: Congress President Rahul Gandhi visits Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/Rxv33VdI0i — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × PM Modi boarded a seaplane to reach the Sabarmati Front, and from there road to reach the temple. His seaplane visit drew much attention and was called a "historic" move by his party leaders. In over one month of the Election campaign in the state, Rahul Gandhi had paid visit to several temples including Shree Ranchhodji Temple in Kheda's Dakor, Somnath temple, Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar, Ambaji temple. His frequent visit to the temples had attracted huge criticism from the opposition. A controversy over his religion erupted after Gandhi visited the Somnath temple in Gujarat. In a recent attack, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has said that the Gujarat polls have taught Rahul Gandhi "visiting temples". He also added that the polls have also taught Manmohan Singh to speak up. Gujarat ki janta ne do kaam iss chunaav mein achhe se kara diye. Dr Manmohan Singh ji ka mooh khulwa diya, aur doosra Rahul Gandhi ko mandir jaana sikha diya: UP CM Yogi Adityanath pic.twitter.com/Db3plqEFSQ — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 ×

Before final phase of Gujarat election, Rahul Gandhi visits Jagannath temple

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on his re-election and said he looked forward to further strengthening the relations between the two countries.</p>

<p>Abe got a resounding victory in the snap polls held yesterday, with his LDF-led coalition winning a two-thirds majority in the lower house of Parliament.</p>

<p>&quot;Heartiest greetings to my dear friend @AbeShinzo on his big election win. Look forward to further strengthen India- Japan relations with him,&quot; Modi tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Heartiest greetings to my dear friend <a href="https://twitter.com/AbeShinzo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AbeShinzo</a> on his big election win. Look forward to further strengthen India-Japan relations with him.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/922300769432494081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Modi and Abe share a great relationship and have met several times over the last three years.</p>

<p>Abe was in India recently for the annual summit meeting with Modi.</p>


PM Modi said he looked forward to further strengthening the relations between the two countries

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on his re-election and said he looked forward to further strengthening the relations between the two countries. Abe got a resounding victory in the snap polls held yesterday, with his LDF-led coalition winning a two-thirds majority in the lower house of Parliament. "Heartiest greetings to my dear friend @AbeShinzo on his big election win. Look forward to further strengthen India- Japan relations with him," Modi tweeted. Heartiest greetings to my dear friend @AbeShinzo on his big election win. Look forward to further strengthen India-Japan relations with him. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 23, 2017 × Modi and Abe share a great relationship and have met several times over the last three years. Abe was in India recently for the annual summit meeting with Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates Shinzo Abe on re-election

<p>Terming corruption, poverty and illiteracy as the greatest challenges, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called for special initiatives to end all such ills in the next five years with the pledge of &#39;Karenge Aur Kar Ke Rahenge&#39; (We will do and surely do).<br />
<br />
Addressing the Lok Sabha on the 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement, the Prime Minister said from 2017 to 2022 when India turns 75, there is a need to create the same spirit that existed between 1942 and 1947.<br />
<br />
He said the menace of corruption has adversely impacted the development journey of the country and has eaten the polity from the inside.<br />
<br />
Corruption, poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition are the greatest challenges that India now needs to overcome and a common resolve is needed for this, he said, adding &quot;We need to bring a positive change in this regard.&quot;<br />
<br />
&quot;In 1942, the clarion call was &#39;Karenge Ya Marenge&#39; (Do or Die) - today it is &#39;Karenge Aur Kar Ke Rahenge.&#39; The next five years should also be about &#39;Sankalp Se Siddhi&#39;, a resolve which will lead us to accomplishment,&quot; Modi said.<br />
<br />
He said in the next five years till 2022, India must try to bring positive changes so that it can become inspiration for many other nations.<br />
<br />
India&#39;s freedom from colonial rule was not only about India, but a defining moment in ending colonialism in other parts of the world too, the Prime Minister said.<br />
<br />
He said from 1857 to 1942, the move towards freedom was incremental, but the years from 1942 to 1947, were transformative and delivered on the objective.<br />
<br />
&quot;In 1942, conditions internationally became favourable for India to get independence. Today again, the global conditions are favourable for India,&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
He urged the MPs to rise above differences and join in a common effort to create an India of the dreams of the freedom fighters in the next five years, from 2017 to 2022.<br />
<br />
The Prime Minister specially remembered the role of women during the freedom struggle, saying they can add immense strength to the common objectives even today.<br />
<br />
He said the Indian freedom struggle witnessed participation from a wide range of individuals over several years, specially after 1942 responding to the Mahatma Gandhi&#39;s clarion call of &#39;Do or Die&#39;.<br />
<br />
Modi recalled that even as many senior leaders like Mahatma Gandhi were jailed at the beginning of the Quit India movement, a new generation of leaders emerged to fill the vacuum and take the movement forward.<br />
<br />
&quot;The Quit India movement marked the rise of a new leadership. They supported Mahatma Gandhi during the movement,&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
Modi said the recollection of movements such as the Quit India was a source of inspiration and the current generation has a responsibility of passing on the legacy of such movements to the future generations.<br />
<br />
&quot;We remember the Quit India movement. Remembering such movements gives us strength as a nation,&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
During his nearly 30 minutes meeting, he remembered the role played by different leaders in different period of times which include Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Jai Prakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Chandrashekar Azad and Raju Guru.<br />
<br />
He said during the Quit India movement, all parts of the country, all communities, farmers, labourers, teachers and others came together with the thought of &quot;now or never&quot;.<br />
<br />
Modi said Gandhi had said that he would not be satisfied unless the country gets full freedom but never left the path of non-violence.<br />
<br />
He also referred to the enactment of the GST Act saying the way the political parties and state governments had extended support to the legislation, a similar approach would be taken by all concerned to resolve the problems of the country.<br />
<br />
The Prime Minister said the freedom struggle went through several phases and recalled various leaders and movements that emerged at various points since 1857.<br />
<br />
He said the Quit India movement that began in 1942, was a decisive movement and from political leaders to the common man, everyone was imbued with the spirit of &quot;Do or Die&quot;.<br />
<br />
&quot;Five years was all it took to achieve the objective of independence, once the entire country shared this common resolve,&quot; he said.<br />
<br />
Speaking about rights and duties, Modi said while people are well aware of their rights, they cannot forget their duties, and these too, must become the way of life.</p>

<p>He said colonialism began in India and ended here too with India gaining independence. This was soon followed by the fall of colonialism across Asia and Africa.<br />
<br />
The Prime Minister concluded with the resolve to overcome corruption, giving the poor their rights, giving the youth self-employment, ending malnutrition, the barriers towards women empowerment and illiteracy.<br />
<br />
&quot;We all will together to eliminate corruption and we will do it; We all together will empower the poor with their rights and we will do it; We all will together ensure employment to the youths and we will do it;<br />
<br />
&quot;We all will together eliminate malnutrition and we will do it; We will all together eliminate all hurdles for women empowerment and we will do it; We will all together end illiteracy and we will do it,&quot; the Prime Minister said.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Addressing the Lok Sabha on the 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement, the Prime Minister said from 2017 to 2022 when India turns 75, there is a need to create the same spirit that existed between 1942 and 1947

Terming corruption, poverty and illiteracy as the greatest challenges, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called for special initiatives to end all such ills in the next five years with the pledge of 'Karenge Aur Kar Ke Rahenge' (We will do and surely do). Addressing the Lok Sabha on the 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement, the Prime Minister said from 2017 to 2022 when India turns 75, there is a need to create the same spirit that existed between 1942 and 1947. He said the menace of corruption has adversely impacted the development journey of the country and has eaten the polity from the inside. Corruption, poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition are the greatest challenges that India now needs to overcome and a common resolve is needed for this, he said, adding "We need to bring a positive change in this regard." "In 1942, the clarion call was 'Karenge Ya Marenge' (Do or Die) - today it is 'Karenge Aur Kar Ke Rahenge.' The next five years should also be about 'Sankalp Se Siddhi', a resolve which will lead us to accomplishment," Modi said. He said in the next five years till 2022, India must try to bring positive changes so that it can become inspiration for many other nations. India's freedom from colonial rule was not only about India, but a defining moment in ending colonialism in other parts of the world too, the Prime Minister said. He said from 1857 to 1942, the move towards freedom was incremental, but the years from 1942 to 1947, were transformative and delivered on the objective. "In 1942, conditions internationally became favourable for India to get independence. Today again, the global conditions are favourable for India," he said. He urged the MPs to rise above differences and join in a common effort to create an India of the dreams of the freedom fighters in the next five years, from 2017 to 2022. The Prime Minister specially remembered the role of women during the freedom struggle, saying they can add immense strength to the common objectives even today. He said the Indian freedom struggle witnessed participation from a wide range of individuals over several years, specially after 1942 responding to the Mahatma Gandhi's clarion call of 'Do or Die'. Modi recalled that even as many senior leaders like Mahatma Gandhi were jailed at the beginning of the Quit India movement, a new generation of leaders emerged to fill the vacuum and take the movement forward. "The Quit India movement marked the rise of a new leadership. They supported Mahatma Gandhi during the movement," he said. Modi said the recollection of movements such as the Quit India was a source of inspiration and the current generation has a responsibility of passing on the legacy of such movements to the future generations. "We remember the Quit India movement. Remembering such movements gives us strength as a nation," he said. During his nearly 30 minutes meeting, he remembered the role played by different leaders in different period of times which include Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Jai Prakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Chandrashekar Azad and Raju Guru. He said during the Quit India movement, all parts of the country, all communities, farmers, labourers, teachers and others came together with the thought of "now or never". Modi said Gandhi had said that he would not be satisfied unless the country gets full freedom but never left the path of non-violence. He also referred to the enactment of the GST Act saying the way the political parties and state governments had extended support to the legislation, a similar approach would be taken by all concerned to resolve the problems of the country. The Prime Minister said the freedom struggle went through several phases and recalled various leaders and movements that emerged at various points since 1857. He said the Quit India movement that began in 1942, was a decisive movement and from political leaders to the common man, everyone was imbued with the spirit of "Do or Die". "Five years was all it took to achieve the objective of independence, once the entire country shared this common resolve," he said. Speaking about rights and duties, Modi said while people are well aware of their rights, they cannot forget their duties, and these too, must become the way of life. He said colonialism began in India and ended here too with India gaining independence. This was soon followed by the fall of colonialism across Asia and Africa. The Prime Minister concluded with the resolve to overcome corruption, giving the poor their rights, giving the youth self-employment, ending malnutrition, the barriers towards women empowerment and illiteracy. "We all will together to eliminate corruption and we will do it; We all together will empower the poor with their rights and we will do it; We all will together ensure employment to the youths and we will do it; "We all will together eliminate malnutrition and we will do it; We will all together eliminate all hurdles for women empowerment and we will do it; We will all together end illiteracy and we will do it," the Prime Minister said.

Quit India movement marked the rise of new leadership: PM Modi

<p>The government told the Supreme Court on Friday that it was against all forms of cow vigilantism, but that it was up to state governments to act against it. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The Supreme Court was hearing a petition seeking a ban on gau raksha groups across the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The petitioner had alleged that cow vigilante groups have unleashed a reign of terror on minority and Dalit communities, ANI reported, and that the Centre has proven ineffective at reining them in.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now condemned attacks by gau raksha groups twice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In June this year he said, &quot;Killing people in the name of cow is unacceptable. No one has the right to take law into his/her hands. We belong to a land of non-violence. Violence is not the solution to any problem.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the attacks have continued.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Supreme Court&nbsp;has earlier sought responses from the Centre and other states on the issue of cow vigilantism.&nbsp;</p>


A petitioner had alleged that cow vigilante groups have unleashed a reign of terror on minority and Dalit communities

The government told the Supreme Court on Friday that it was against all forms of cow vigilantism, but that it was up to state governments to act against it. The Supreme Court was hearing a petition seeking a ban on gau raksha groups across the country. The petitioner had alleged that cow vigilante groups have unleashed a reign of terror on minority and Dalit communities, ANI reported, and that the Centre has proven ineffective at reining them in. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now condemned attacks by gau raksha groups twice. In June this year he said, "Killing people in the name of cow is unacceptable. No one has the right to take law into his/her hands. We belong to a land of non-violence. Violence is not the solution to any problem." But the attacks have continued. The Supreme Court has earlier sought responses from the Centre and other states on the issue of cow vigilantism.

Govt to Supreme Court: Against all cow vigilantism, but up to state govts to act against it

<p>Businessman Vineet Pandey has 500 housekeepers, security guards, electricians and plumbers on his books, servicing offices in India&#39;s booming financial metropolis Mumbai. He would love to hire more to keep up with demand, but cannot get a bank loan.</p>

<p>Pandey, 36, recently had to turn away an order that would have created 100 new jobs and helped his firm, Kaarya Facilities, expand its $1.6 million in annual sales, after his credit application to a state-run bank in January went unanswered.</p>

<p>&quot;We are a labour-intensive company, but if we don&#39;t get finance from banks then we won&#39;t be able to hire,&quot; Pandey said.</p>

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<h5>India has more than 45 million such enterprises, accounting for nearly 40 percent of gross domestic product. Smaller businesses also account for the bulk of job creation, so a lack of bank credit reaching them threatens Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s promise to create 250 million jobs over the next decade</h5>
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<p>A mountain of bad debt in India&#39;s banking system has led to a prolonged credit crunch that is inflicting the&nbsp;most pain on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) such as Pandey&#39;s that depend upon banks for their day-to-day working capital and longer-term borrowing needs.</p>

<p>India has more than 45 million such enterprises, accounting for nearly 40 percent of gross domestic product. Smaller businesses also account for the bulk of job creation, so a lack of bank credit reaching them threatens Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s promise to create 250 million jobs over the next decade.</p>

<p>The problem is not that Indian banks lack deposits to lend. After last November&#39;s decision by Modi to scrap high-value banknotes, a dramatic move to purge illicit or untaxed &quot;black cash&quot; from the shadow economy that forced holders to deposit high value currency with their banks, they are awash with $50 billion in excess liquidity.</p>

<p>But banks&#39; worsening asset quality has made them reluctant to grant new loans, especially to smaller businesses that are perceived as riskier.</p>

<p><strong>RISK-AVERSE</strong></p>

<p>The bulk of India&#39;s $150 billion in soured loans are owed to state-run lenders that dominate the banking system. Criminal investigations into some defaults, in which former bank bosses have been arrested, have made today&#39;s managers fearful that bad lending decisions might come back to haunt them.</p>

<p>&quot;It is a safety-first approach,&quot; said a senior official at one state-run bank. &quot;No loan officer wants a knock on his or her door later by the investigative agencies.&quot;</p>

<p>Banks can park their excess deposits safely with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or hand out smaller, less risky loans to consumers. Even as lending to industry has shrunk in seven of the past eight months, retail loans are growing at a double-digit pace, RBI data shows.</p>

<p>Private sector banks, less exposed to the bad loan problem, are more willing to service demand from corporates.</p>

<p>But since private banks account for just a third of banking assets, they cannot fully offset the credit slowdown.</p>

<p><strong>RECAPITALISATION</strong></p>

<p>In a bid to fix the loan stress, New Delhi this month empowered the central bank to push reluctant lenders towards writedowns and errant borrowers into insolvency.</p>

<p>Government and RBI officials say the measure should speed resolution and improve the flow of credit to industry.</p>

<p>Analysts are more sceptical, and expect loan growth to remain weak until banks are adequately recapitalised.</p>

<p>&quot;They do not address the lack of capital at the state-owned banks that has prevented them from writing down non-performing loans to realistic levels,&quot; said ratings agency Moody&#39;s.</p>

<p>Big companies, meanwhile, have shifted to borrowing via bonds and commercial paper.</p>

<p>The most spectacular rise has been in the domestic bond market, where corporates raised 60 percent more in the fiscal year to March 2017 than in the year before, according to Thomson Reuters data.</p>

<p>But smaller businesses seldom have the credit profile to tap the debt markets, while the amounts they generally borrow do not justify paying bankers to arrange bonds and get them rated.</p>

<p>Turned away by the banks, they are forced to borrow from non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), or even relatives and friends, at often-punitive rates of interest.</p>

<p>Manish Sharma, whose Delhi-based company manufactures electric cables, recently had to approach one NBFC for a 10 million rupee ($156,000) credit after his bank refused to provide a loan to complete a large order without matching collateral.</p>

<p>&quot;They kept insisting on collateral,&quot; said Sharma. &quot;If I had that kind of money, I would have never gone to them for the loan.&quot;</p>

<p>Credit demand from borrowers such as Sharma is driving double-digit loan growth at NBFCs. They charge higher rates than banks, but their loans are processed faster and require little paperwork.</p>

<p>Sharma is paying 16 percent interest on his loan, higher than the average 12 percent charged by state-run banks. Still, he reckons the return on his investment will outweigh the costs.</p>

<p>&quot;The order was very big and very profitable, we had to find a way to deliver it,&quot; Sharma said. &quot;The struggle to get funds has already put brakes on our growth.&quot;</p>

<p>(Reuters)</p>


The businesses are not getting the loans they need to grow

Businessman Vineet Pandey has 500 housekeepers, security guards, electricians and plumbers on his books, servicing offices in India's booming financial metropolis Mumbai. He would love to hire more to keep up with demand, but cannot get a bank loan. Pandey, 36, recently had to turn away an order that would have created 100 new jobs and helped his firm, Kaarya Facilities, expand its $1.6 million in annual sales, after his credit application to a state-run bank in January went unanswered. "We are a labour-intensive company, but if we don't get finance from banks then we won't be able to hire," Pandey said. India has more than 45 million such enterprises, accounting for nearly 40 percent of gross domestic product. Smaller businesses also account for the bulk of job creation, so a lack of bank credit reaching them threatens Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise to create 250 million jobs over the next decade × A mountain of bad debt in India's banking system has led to a prolonged credit crunch that is inflicting the most pain on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) such as Pandey's that depend upon banks for their day-to-day working capital and longer-term borrowing needs. India has more than 45 million such enterprises, accounting for nearly 40 percent of gross domestic product. Smaller businesses also account for the bulk of job creation, so a lack of bank credit reaching them threatens Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise to create 250 million jobs over the next decade. The problem is not that Indian banks lack deposits to lend. After last November's decision by Modi to scrap high-value banknotes, a dramatic move to purge illicit or untaxed "black cash" from the shadow economy that forced holders to deposit high value currency with their banks, they are awash with $50 billion in excess liquidity. But banks' worsening asset quality has made them reluctant to grant new loans, especially to smaller businesses that are perceived as riskier. RISK-AVERSE The bulk of India's $150 billion in soured loans are owed to state-run lenders that dominate the banking system. Criminal investigations into some defaults, in which former bank bosses have been arrested, have made today's managers fearful that bad lending decisions might come back to haunt them. "It is a safety-first approach," said a senior official at one state-run bank. "No loan officer wants a knock on his or her door later by the investigative agencies." Banks can park their excess deposits safely with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or hand out smaller, less risky loans to consumers. Even as lending to industry has shrunk in seven of the past eight months, retail loans are growing at a double-digit pace, RBI data shows. Private sector banks, less exposed to the bad loan problem, are more willing to service demand from corporates. But since private banks account for just a third of banking assets, they cannot fully offset the credit slowdown. RECAPITALISATION In a bid to fix the loan stress, New Delhi this month empowered the central bank to push reluctant lenders towards writedowns and errant borrowers into insolvency. Government and RBI officials say the measure should speed resolution and improve the flow of credit to industry. Analysts are more sceptical, and expect loan growth to remain weak until banks are adequately recapitalised. "They do not address the lack of capital at the state-owned banks that has prevented them from writing down non-performing loans to realistic levels," said ratings agency Moody's. Big companies, meanwhile, have shifted to borrowing via bonds and commercial paper. The most spectacular rise has been in the domestic bond market, where corporates raised 60 percent more in the fiscal year to March 2017 than in the year before, according to Thomson Reuters data. But smaller businesses seldom have the credit profile to tap the debt markets, while the amounts they generally borrow do not justify paying bankers to arrange bonds and get them rated. Turned away by the banks, they are forced to borrow from non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), or even relatives and friends, at often-punitive rates of interest. Manish Sharma, whose Delhi-based company manufactures electric cables, recently had to approach one NBFC for a 10 million rupee ($156,000) credit after his bank refused to provide a loan to complete a large order without matching collateral. "They kept insisting on collateral," said Sharma. "If I had that kind of money, I would have never gone to them for the loan." Credit demand from borrowers such as Sharma is driving double-digit loan growth at NBFCs. They charge higher rates than banks, but their loans are processed faster and require little paperwork. Sharma is paying 16 percent interest on his loan, higher than the average 12 percent charged by state-run banks. Still, he reckons the return on his investment will outweigh the costs. "The order was very big and very profitable, we had to find a way to deliver it," Sharma said. "The struggle to get funds has already put brakes on our growth." (Reuters)

Small businesses suffer as India's banks sit on deposits

<p>The director general of the National Disaster Response Force said Sunday that two boats had capsized in Bihar.&nbsp;</p>

<p>RK Prachanda said that after the first boat capsized, people began to jump on to another. Because of the resulting overloading, the second boat also capsized.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;21 bodies have been recovered so far, search and rescue operation is underway. 3 NDRF teams are at the spot. We are trying our best. We have deported three teams for the operation. It is extremely tragic incident. People were taking boats one after another. When the people realised that their boat was capsizing they tried to jump to the other boat then both the boats capsized due to over load,&quot; ANI reported him as saying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The death toll now stands at 24.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a>: Dramatic visuals of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BiharBoatTragedy?src=hash">#BiharBoatTragedy</a>; 21 bodies recovered so far (Source: Amateur video) <a href="https://t.co/utiOE2SS17">pic.twitter.com/utiOE2SS17</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/820461200622223360">January 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BiharBoatTragedy?src=hash">#BiharBoatTragedy</a>: Visuals of NDRF teams conducting search and rescue operations; Death toll rises to 24. <a href="https://t.co/DX7zkHwLpx">pic.twitter.com/DX7zkHwLpx</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/820477214286180354">January 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The accidents took place at Chhapra, on the Ganga, at about 6 pm on&nbsp;Saturday evening.</p>

<p>Authorities said the two boats were carrying about 40 people in all.</p>

<p>A few minors were among the victims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>AFP reported that the youngest survivor was a toddler.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bihar chief minister NItish Kumar has ordered&nbsp;ex-gratia payments of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the victims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered ex-gratia&nbsp;payments of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the victims and Rs 50,000 to those grievously injured.</p>

<p>Authorities said the boats had been ferrying passengers back from Makar Sankranti festivities on the other side of the river.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rescue operations, which had been halted late last night, resumed on Sunday morning.</p>

<p>(WION)</p>


Authorities say two boats capsized, the second after survivors from the first tried to climb into it

The director general of the National Disaster Response Force said Sunday that two boats had capsized in Bihar. RK Prachanda said that after the first boat capsized, people began to jump on to another. Because of the resulting overloading, the second boat also capsized. "21 bodies have been recovered so far, search and rescue operation is underway. 3 NDRF teams are at the spot. We are trying our best. We have deported three teams for the operation. It is extremely tragic incident. People were taking boats one after another. When the people realised that their boat was capsizing they tried to jump to the other boat then both the boats capsized due to over load," ANI reported him as saying. The death toll now stands at 24. #WATCH: Dramatic visuals of #BiharBoatTragedy; 21 bodies recovered so far (Source: Amateur video) pic.twitter.com/utiOE2SS17 — ANI (@ANI_news) January 15, 2017 × #BiharBoatTragedy: Visuals of NDRF teams conducting search and rescue operations; Death toll rises to 24. pic.twitter.com/DX7zkHwLpx — ANI (@ANI_news) January 15, 2017 × The accidents took place at Chhapra, on the Ganga, at about 6 pm on Saturday evening. Authorities said the two boats were carrying about 40 people in all. A few minors were among the victims. AFP reported that the youngest survivor was a toddler. Bihar chief minister NItish Kumar has ordered ex-gratia payments of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered ex-gratia payments of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the victims and Rs 50,000 to those grievously injured. Authorities said the boats had been ferrying passengers back from Makar Sankranti festivities on the other side of the river. Rescue operations, which had been halted late last night, resumed on Sunday morning. (WION)

India: Death toll in Bihar boat tragedy climbs to 24

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wished all soldiers, veterans and their families on the occasion of Army Day.</p>

<p>&quot;Greetings to all soldiers, veterans &amp; their families on Army Day.&nbsp;We salute the courage &amp; invaluable service of the Indian Army,&quot; Prime Minister Modi tweeted. Applauding the Indian Army for its courage and valour, the Prime Minister said it has always protected the sovereignty of India.</p>

<p>&quot;Indian Army always leads from the front, be it in protecting the sovereignty of our nation or helping citizens during natural disasters,&quot; he tweeted.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Indian Army always leads from the front, be it in protecting the sovereignty of our nation or helping citizens during natural disasters.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/820439765732339713">January 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Remember the sacrifices made by the army, Prime Minister Modi said they put their lives at risk so that the citizens can live peacefully.</p>

<p>&quot;We remember with great pride all the sacrifices made by our Army. They put their lives at risk so that 125 crore Indians live peacefully,&quot; his tweet read.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We remember with great pride all the sacrifices made by our Army. They put their lives at risk so that 125 crore Indians live peacefully.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/820439886826074112">January 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year, in recognition of Lieutenant General KM Cariappa&#39;s taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India, on 15 January 1949.</p>

<p>(ANI)</p>


Modi said the Indian Army has always protected the sovereignty of India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wished all soldiers, veterans and their families on the occasion of Army Day. "Greetings to all soldiers, veterans & their families on Army Day. We salute the courage & invaluable service of the Indian Army," Prime Minister Modi tweeted. Applauding the Indian Army for its courage and valour, the Prime Minister said it has always protected the sovereignty of India. "Indian Army always leads from the front, be it in protecting the sovereignty of our nation or helping citizens during natural disasters," he tweeted. Indian Army always leads from the front, be it in protecting the sovereignty of our nation or helping citizens during natural disasters. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 15, 2017 × Remember the sacrifices made by the army, Prime Minister Modi said they put their lives at risk so that the citizens can live peacefully. "We remember with great pride all the sacrifices made by our Army. They put their lives at risk so that 125 crore Indians live peacefully," his tweet read. We remember with great pride all the sacrifices made by our Army. They put their lives at risk so that 125 crore Indians live peacefully. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 15, 2017 × Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year, in recognition of Lieutenant General KM Cariappa's taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India, on 15 January 1949. (ANI)

India: Prime Minister Modi salutes courage and service of soldiers on Army Day

<p>Launching a scathing attack on the Congress over its remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s photo on Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC) calendar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday accused the former of suffering from &quot;Modi-phobia&quot;, adding that it hates Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<p>&quot;Congress and other parties are bankrupt in terms of issues... Congress is suffering from Modi-phobia. They hate the Prime Minister,&quot; BJP leader Shrikant Sharma told ANI.</p>

<p>Drawing a parallel between the ruling party and the former ruling regime, Sharma said Prime Minister Modi has always promoted Khadi and Mahatma Gandhi&#39;s views, whereas, the Congress had only insulted the Father of the Nation and used him to loot the country.</p>

<p>&quot;Prime Minister Modi has always promoted Khadi, and it is his efforts only that the sale of Khadi has increased so much...Nobody can replace Gandhiji, he is our icon. We are only pursuing Gandhiji&#39;s ideas. He wanted upliftment of the poor and that is what we are working towards. Congress used Gandhiji only to loot the nation. It is Congress which has insulted Gandhiji. We are only giving him respect,&quot; said Sharma.</p>

<p>Toeing the same sentiments, another BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain also alleged the Congress of using Mahatma Gandhi for political benefit. &quot;Earlier when other faces also appeared on the calendar then Congress didn&#39;t have a problem with it. Now, this is issue being raised for political benefit. But, people understand everything. Some people used Gandhi ji for their party benefit, but Prime Minister is using Gandhi ji&#39;s views for the betterment of the country,&quot; Hussain told ANI.</p>

<p>In a big development, Mahatma Gandhi&#39;s picture weaving khadi on a simple charkha, wearing his trademark cloth has been replaced by Prime Minister Modi&#39;s picture in the same classic pose as that of the former in the KVIC diary and calendar. However, it took a new turn on Friday as sources said the calendar never featured the picture of Father of the Nation.</p>

<p>Sources added there was no question of replacing Mahatma Gandhi&#39;s picture with that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. &quot;There was no picture of Mahatma Gandhi on KVIC diary or calendar in the year 1996, 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, so there is no question of replacing his picture with that of Modi,&quot; said sources.</p>

<p>(ANI)</p>


The party says Prime Minister Modi has always promoted khadi, and Gandhi's views

Launching a scathing attack on the Congress over its remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo on Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC) calendar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday accused the former of suffering from "Modi-phobia", adding that it hates Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Congress and other parties are bankrupt in terms of issues... Congress is suffering from Modi-phobia. They hate the Prime Minister," BJP leader Shrikant Sharma told ANI. Drawing a parallel between the ruling party and the former ruling regime, Sharma said Prime Minister Modi has always promoted Khadi and Mahatma Gandhi's views, whereas, the Congress had only insulted the Father of the Nation and used him to loot the country. "Prime Minister Modi has always promoted Khadi, and it is his efforts only that the sale of Khadi has increased so much...Nobody can replace Gandhiji, he is our icon. We are only pursuing Gandhiji's ideas. He wanted upliftment of the poor and that is what we are working towards. Congress used Gandhiji only to loot the nation. It is Congress which has insulted Gandhiji. We are only giving him respect," said Sharma. Toeing the same sentiments, another BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain also alleged the Congress of using Mahatma Gandhi for political benefit. "Earlier when other faces also appeared on the calendar then Congress didn't have a problem with it. Now, this is issue being raised for political benefit. But, people understand everything. Some people used Gandhi ji for their party benefit, but Prime Minister is using Gandhi ji's views for the betterment of the country," Hussain told ANI. In a big development, Mahatma Gandhi's picture weaving khadi on a simple charkha, wearing his trademark cloth has been replaced by Prime Minister Modi's picture in the same classic pose as that of the former in the KVIC diary and calendar. However, it took a new turn on Friday as sources said the calendar never featured the picture of Father of the Nation. Sources added there was no question of replacing Mahatma Gandhi's picture with that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "There was no picture of Mahatma Gandhi on KVIC diary or calendar in the year 1996, 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, so there is no question of replacing his picture with that of Modi," said sources. (ANI)

Modi vs Khadi: Congress suffering from 'Modi-phobia', says BJP

<p>The demonetisation of the country&#39;s 500- and 1,000-rupee notes by the Modi government has brought about a rarely-seen unity among the Opposition parties -- they have called for nationwide protests today -- but they stand divided over the way they would protest the measure.</p>

<p>The Left parties have called a 12-hour bandh (strike) in West Bengal to protest against the demonetisation&nbsp;but chief minister Mamata Banerjee&#39;s Trinamool Congress (TMC) will not join the strike; her party will only hold protests.</p>

<p>The Congress too has decided against a bandh. Senior party leader Jairam Ramesh said no &quot;Bharat Bandh&quot; (India Strike) has been called by the party, but that it will hold nationwide protests as part of a &quot;Jan Aakrosh Diwas&quot; or People&#39;s Day of Anger. A strike he said would only add to people&#39;s miseries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The JD(U) has decided not to participate in the protests after its leader and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar welcomed the demonetisation, calling it a &quot;courageous step&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mamata Banerjee&#39;s TMC and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal&#39;s AAP are the only parties which have demanded a rollback; the other parties have voiced their displeasure over the way the demonetisation&nbsp;is being implemented and the hardships that it&nbsp;is causing common people.</p>

<p>(This report first appeared in DNA)</p>


But most stop short of calling a strike, say that would only add to people's miseries

The demonetisation of the country's 500- and 1,000-rupee notes by the Modi government has brought about a rarely-seen unity among the Opposition parties -- they have called for nationwide protests today -- but they stand divided over the way they would protest the measure. The Left parties have called a 12-hour bandh (strike) in West Bengal to protest against the demonetisation but chief minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) will not join the strike; her party will only hold protests. The Congress too has decided against a bandh. Senior party leader Jairam Ramesh said no "Bharat Bandh" (India Strike) has been called by the party, but that it will hold nationwide protests as part of a "Jan Aakrosh Diwas" or People's Day of Anger. A strike he said would only add to people's miseries. The JD(U) has decided not to participate in the protests after its leader and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar welcomed the demonetisation, calling it a "courageous step". Mamata Banerjee's TMC and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's AAP are the only parties which have demanded a rollback; the other parties have voiced their displeasure over the way the demonetisation is being implemented and the hardships that it is causing common people. (This report first appeared in DNA)

Demonetisation: Opposition to hold nationwide protests today

<p>In a sarcastic take on the emotional pitch of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the demonetisation, Shiv Sena today said his decision to scrap high-value currency notes would not put his life in danger unlike his predecessors Indira and Rajiv Gandhi who were assasinated while fighting for greater goals of the country.</p>

<p>Making an emotional appeal at a function in Goa on November 13, Modi had said that there were certain forces up against him that may not let him live and destroy him completely due to his decision on demonetisation and asserted that he was ready to face any consequence but would not get bogged down even if he was burnt alive.</p>

<p>&quot;PM Modi is under a security which is impregnable, and where even a mosquito cannot bite him. Lives have been sacrificed by those innumerable freedom fighters for the nation. (Former PM) Indira Gandhi had waged a war against Khalistani anti-nationals, for which she paid by sacrificing her life,&quot; the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece &#39;Saamana&#39;.</p>

<p>&quot;Rajiv Gandhi&#39;s decision to send a peace keeping force to Sri Lanka may be questionable but he had to sacrifice his life in return,&quot; it said.</p>

<p>&quot;Modi has only changed the currency notes, which does not mean attacking Pakistan or dragging Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed to India...Hence, there is no scare to him from terrorists. It is the common man who is scared,&quot; the Sena said.</p>

<p>&quot;PM Modi need not punish himself and the government need not take to heart the hardships being faced by common man,&quot; it added.</p>

<p>It said that people are suffering silently and in a peaceful manner and thus Modi need not fear for his life.</p>

<p>Despite being a partner of the BJP-led governments in Maharashtra as well as at the Centre, unlike other NDA components the Sena has taken a strident stance against the demonetisation, holding the hardship it causes to the people is greater than its positive yield.</p>

<p>In a stinging editorial its mouthpiece yesterday dubbed demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes as &quot;demonic&quot; and one that resulted in &quot;financial anarchy&quot; in the country and said that by doing so, he had hurt citizens, who did not possess any black money.</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>


The party mouthpiece said that Modi's decision to scrap high-value currency notes would not put his life in danger unlike his predecessors

In a sarcastic take on the emotional pitch of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the demonetisation, Shiv Sena today said his decision to scrap high-value currency notes would not put his life in danger unlike his predecessors Indira and Rajiv Gandhi who were assasinated while fighting for greater goals of the country. Making an emotional appeal at a function in Goa on November 13, Modi had said that there were certain forces up against him that may not let him live and destroy him completely due to his decision on demonetisation and asserted that he was ready to face any consequence but would not get bogged down even if he was burnt alive. "PM Modi is under a security which is impregnable, and where even a mosquito cannot bite him. Lives have been sacrificed by those innumerable freedom fighters for the nation. (Former PM) Indira Gandhi had waged a war against Khalistani anti-nationals, for which she paid by sacrificing her life," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. "Rajiv Gandhi's decision to send a peace keeping force to Sri Lanka may be questionable but he had to sacrifice his life in return," it said. "Modi has only changed the currency notes, which does not mean attacking Pakistan or dragging Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed to India...Hence, there is no scare to him from terrorists. It is the common man who is scared," the Sena said. "PM Modi need not punish himself and the government need not take to heart the hardships being faced by common man," it added. It said that people are suffering silently and in a peaceful manner and thus Modi need not fear for his life. Despite being a partner of the BJP-led governments in Maharashtra as well as at the Centre, unlike other NDA components the Sena has taken a strident stance against the demonetisation, holding the hardship it causes to the people is greater than its positive yield. In a stinging editorial its mouthpiece yesterday dubbed demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes as "demonic" and one that resulted in "financial anarchy" in the country and said that by doing so, he had hurt citizens, who did not possess any black money. (PTI)

India: Shiv Sena needles prime minister on emotional pitch on demonetisation

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left on a four-nation visit to Africa today.<br />
<br />
Modi&#39;s first stop-over will be Mozambique where he will have talks with President Filipe Nyusi to increase cooperation.&nbsp;He will also interact with students and members of Indian community.<br />
<br />
Modi will leave for South Africa the same day where he will have a series of events in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and Pietermaritzburg, places associated with stay of Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa.<br />
<br />
Modi described &quot;South Africa as an important strategic partner, with whom our ties are historical and deep-rooted&quot; before his departure.<br />
<br />
He will have separate meetings with President Zuma and deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa aimed at boosting bilateral economic ties.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, Modi will be in Tanzania for a brief visit to give an impetus to ties with Tanzania. He will have extensive talks with President John Magufuli.&nbsp;The same evening he will fly to Kenya.<br />
<br />
His engagements in Kenya will include meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta to increase bilateral cooperation in trade and commerce.&nbsp;Modi returns home on July 11.<br />
<br />
Last year, India hosted its biggest-ever Africa summit in a bid to challenge China&#39;s dominance on a continent that is blessed with vast natural resources and has the world&#39;s fastest-growing population.<br />
<br />
New Delhi wants to project its soft power and historical ties to Africa, in contrast to China&#39;s focus on resource extraction and capital investment that has sparked a backlash in some countries against Beijing&#39;s mercantilist expansion.<br />
<br />
India&#39;s trading ties with Africa date back to antiquity and both found common cause in the struggle against colonial rule. Yet India&#39;s influence faded over the course of the Cold War as it withdrew into non-aligned isolation.<br />
<br />
Now Modi, self-styled chief salesman of a &quot;Make in India&quot; export drive, wants to capitalise on an economic slowdown in China to highlight India as an alternative partner for trade and investment.<br />
<br />
Although India&#39;s headline economic growth has overtaken China&#39;s, its economy is one-fifth the size and it lacks the financial heft to challenge Beijing in a head-to-head contest for the African market.<br />
<br />
The two-way annual trade has more than doubled to $72 billion.&nbsp;That lags trade between China and Africa, which has exploded to $200 billion as the world&#39;s number two economy sucks in oil, coal and metals to feed its industrial machine.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

Modi described 'South Africa as an important strategic partner, with whom our ties are historical and deep-rooted' before his departure

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left on a four-nation visit to Africa today. Modi's first stop-over will be Mozambique where he will have talks with President Filipe Nyusi to increase cooperation. He will also interact with students and members of Indian community. Modi will leave for South Africa the same day where he will have a series of events in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and Pietermaritzburg, places associated with stay of Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa. Modi described "South Africa as an important strategic partner, with whom our ties are historical and deep-rooted" before his departure. He will have separate meetings with President Zuma and deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa aimed at boosting bilateral economic ties. On Sunday, Modi will be in Tanzania for a brief visit to give an impetus to ties with Tanzania. He will have extensive talks with President John Magufuli. The same evening he will fly to Kenya. His engagements in Kenya will include meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta to increase bilateral cooperation in trade and commerce. Modi returns home on July 11. Last year, India hosted its biggest-ever Africa summit in a bid to challenge China's dominance on a continent that is blessed with vast natural resources and has the world's fastest-growing population. New Delhi wants to project its soft power and historical ties to Africa, in contrast to China's focus on resource extraction and capital investment that has sparked a backlash in some countries against Beijing's mercantilist expansion. India's trading ties with Africa date back to antiquity and both found common cause in the struggle against colonial rule. Yet India's influence faded over the course of the Cold War as it withdrew into non-aligned isolation. Now Modi, self-styled chief salesman of a "Make in India" export drive, wants to capitalise on an economic slowdown in China to highlight India as an alternative partner for trade and investment. Although India's headline economic growth has overtaken China's, its economy is one-fifth the size and it lacks the financial heft to challenge Beijing in a head-to-head contest for the African market. The two-way annual trade has more than doubled to $72 billion. That lags trade between China and Africa, which has exploded to $200 billion as the world's number two economy sucks in oil, coal and metals to feed its industrial machine. (Reuters)

Indian Prime Minister begins four-nation Africa tour

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena inaugurated a stadium in Jaffna - renovated by New Delhi - via video conferencing on Saturday.<br />
<br />
While Sirisena was present at the Duraiappah Stadium for the inauguration, Modi, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and foreign secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar joined the event through video-conferencing from New Delhi.<br />
<br />
The stadium, which is named after former Mayor of Jaffna, late Alfred Thambirajah Duraiappah, has been renovated by India at a cost of over $1,043,646.80.<br />
<br />
Modi said that the stadium embodied the spirit of cooperation between the two countries.<br />
<br />
&quot;Our relations are not limited to the confines of our two governments. They reside in the rich context of our history, culture, language, art and geography. India strongly believes that economic growth must drive and bring benefits to its neighbours. Duraiappah Stadium embodies the spirit of our cooperation,&quot; said Modi.<br />
<br />
Stating that India desired to see an economically prosperous Sri Lanka with unity and integrity, Modi said that New Delhi would walk side by side with Colombo in its path to progress.<br />
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Meanwhile, Sirisena lauded India&#39;s &quot;fullest&quot; cooperation in its development process.<br />
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&quot;I have to mention here specifically that Indian government has been extending fullest cooperation for the development of Sri Lanka for quite a long period,&quot; Sirisena said.<br />
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The Duraiappah Stadium has a seating capacity of 1,850 and will provide the necessary infrastructure to promote sports and recreational activities, and assist the overall development of the youth of the Northern Province in Sri Lanka. The stadium has not been in use since 1997.<br />
<br />
The renovated stadium will provide the necessary infrastructure to promote sports and recreation activities and benefit more than 50 thousand students from different schools and educational institutions in the northern province.<br />
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Modi and Sirisena also witnessed the first major event at the renovated stadium which was the celebration of the second International Day of Yoga.<br />
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While 8,000 people performed yoga on the ground, around 1500 to 1800 people watched the event from the stands.

Modi said New Delhi would walk side by side with Colombo in its path to progress and desired to see an economically prosperous Sri Lanka

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena inaugurated a stadium in Jaffna - renovated by New Delhi - via video conferencing on Saturday. While Sirisena was present at the Duraiappah Stadium for the inauguration, Modi, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and foreign secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar joined the event through video-conferencing from New Delhi. The stadium, which is named after former Mayor of Jaffna, late Alfred Thambirajah Duraiappah, has been renovated by India at a cost of over $1,043,646.80. Modi said that the stadium embodied the spirit of cooperation between the two countries. "Our relations are not limited to the confines of our two governments. They reside in the rich context of our history, culture, language, art and geography. India strongly believes that economic growth must drive and bring benefits to its neighbours. Duraiappah Stadium embodies the spirit of our cooperation," said Modi. Stating that India desired to see an economically prosperous Sri Lanka with unity and integrity, Modi said that New Delhi would walk side by side with Colombo in its path to progress. Meanwhile, Sirisena lauded India's "fullest" cooperation in its development process. "I have to mention here specifically that Indian government has been extending fullest cooperation for the development of Sri Lanka for quite a long period," Sirisena said. The Duraiappah Stadium has a seating capacity of 1,850 and will provide the necessary infrastructure to promote sports and recreational activities, and assist the overall development of the youth of the Northern Province in Sri Lanka. The stadium has not been in use since 1997. The renovated stadium will provide the necessary infrastructure to promote sports and recreation activities and benefit more than 50 thousand students from different schools and educational institutions in the northern province. Modi and Sirisena also witnessed the first major event at the renovated stadium which was the celebration of the second International Day of Yoga. While 8,000 people performed yoga on the ground, around 1500 to 1800 people watched the event from the stands.

Modi, Sirisena inaugurate Jaffna stadium, renovated by India