News Analysis India

Tag: PM Modi

  • hd kumaraswamy: PM Modi acted immediately to safeguard students’ interests: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on NEET exam row

    Amid the row over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday said that “acting immediately” Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the concerned minister to safeguard the interest of the students.

    “According to my knowledge, PM Modi acted immediately after it came to his notice. In the first cabinet itself, he advised the concerned minister how to…safeguard the interest of the students. He has given the direction,” Kumaraswamy told reporters.

    The former Karnataka CM also performed yoga on the 10th International Yoga Day here in the national capital on Friday.”PM Modi encouraged citizens of nearly 124 countries to do Yoga every day and keep good health. I congratulate him,” he said after the event.

    Earlier on Thursday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Modi and said he is ‘silent’ on the entire issue because he is “crippled” and he has “psychologically collapsed” post-elections and will struggle to run a government like this.

    Rahul Gandhi further said that it seems PM Modi is not bothered about NEET and is instead more concerned regarding the election of the Speaker.”The silence (of government) is because the Prime Minister is crippled. Right now, the PM’s main agenda is the (election of) Speaker. He is not bothered about NEET or all these things. He is bothered about his government and Speaker. That is where his mind is,” Rahul Gandhi said at a press conference on Thursday.Speaking about the people who have been arrested from Bihar in the “paper leak” case, he said, “Regarding Bihar, we have said that there should be an inquiry and action should be taken against those who have leaked the paper.”

    Rahul Gandhi also said that the Congress party will raise the issue in the Parliament.

    Recently, Patna Police arrested several people including some candidates who had taken the NEET exam in recent days.

    Meanwhile, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the government is working to further strengthen the National Testing Agency (NTA) by “reconsidering important things.” He also assured action against those responsible for the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the examinations.

    Speaking to ANI, Pradhan said, “In a democracy, everyone has their views. It is our job to listen to everyone. Our responsibility is to run a process-driven government, it is our responsibility to speak the truth and accept truth. Few students have doubts about NTA (National Testing Agency) and we will have to accept this.”

    “The government has decided to form a committee and experts will be part of that committee. All the important things will be reconsidered and the NTA will be strengthened further. Those who are responsible for it (discrepancies) will be held accountable,” he said.

    The Education Minister earlier announced the formation of a high-level committee to probe into the issues pertaining to the functioning of NTA.

    The NEET-UG 2024 exam was conducted on May 5 and the results were declared on June 4, ahead of its scheduled announcement date of June 14. Protests were held alleging irregularities and paper leaks as the results showed that as many as 67 students had topped the exam with a perfect score of 720.

    The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), paves the way for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.

  • PM Modi On International Yoga Day: ‘World Is Seeing A New Yoga Economy Going Forward’ |

    Yoga Day: Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads the celebrations of the 10th International Day of Yoga at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar on Friday. At the event, PM Modi says, “I have got an opportunity to come to the land of ‘yoga’ and ‘sadhna’. In Srinagar, we can feel the ‘shakti’ that we get from yoga. I extend my wishes on the occasion of Yoga Day from the land of Kashmir to people performing yoga all across India and the world.”

    #WATCH | Srinagar, J&K: On International Day of Yoga, PM Narendra Modi says, “This year in India, a 101-year-old woman Yoga teacher from France was accorded the Padma Shri. She had never come to India but she dedicated her entire life to creating awareness about Yoga. Today,… pic.twitter.com/t0BYVB7V8R


    — ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2024

    International Yoga Day

    This year’s event underscores Yoga’s profound impact on young minds and bodies. The celebration aims to unite thousands in the practice of Yoga, promoting health and wellness on a global scale.

    On the occasion, the Prime Minister addresses the gathering and participate in the Common Yoga Protocol session, highlighting Yoga’s significance in nurturing physical, mental, and spiritual growth.

    #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs Yoga at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar on J&K, on International Day of Yoga. pic.twitter.com/7rzgZfXOpg


    — ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2024

    Lieutenant Governor of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav among others will join the program led by the Prime Minister.

    Over 7,000 people from various walks of life will gather with the Prime Minister on the banks of Dal Lake, Srinagar to mark this special occasion.

    Since 2015, the Prime Minister has led the International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations at various iconic locations, including Kartavya Path in Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Ranchi, Lucknow, Mysuru and even the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

    Yoga Day: Theme

    This year’s theme, ‘Yoga for Self and Society’, emphasizes yoga’s vital role in fostering both individual well-being and societal harmony.

    To maximize the inclusiveness of Yoga benefits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also written a letter to all the Gram Pradhans stating, “At the grassroots level, I urge you to make holistic health, a people-led movement by spreading more awareness about Yoga and millet.”

    This year’s celebrations will span across the Nation, with a notable event termed as “Yoga for Space”, wherein all the centres and units of ISRO will have programs on the practice of CYP or common Yoga Protocol. ISRO among other autonomous bodies will also participate in the CYP practice on June 21. Along with this active participation from the Gaganyaan project team is also scheduled for June 21. Observance of IDY at Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari is also in full swing.

    Globally, Embassies and Indian Missions abroad will join the celebrations, reflecting yoga’s widespread influence. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of Ayush, recently in a gathering highlighted the journey of IDY, emphasizing its role in promoting health, social values, and a sense of community.

    The ‘Whole of Government’ approach to IDY celebrations includes coordinated efforts across various government departments and active participation from state governments and union territories. The National Ayush Mission team is also organizing events nationwide, demonstrating yoga’s impact on holistic health.

    Mass Yoga Events 

    In Delhi, the Ministry of Ayush has partnered with NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Corporation), ASI (Archaeological Survey of India), and DDA (Delhi Development Authority) to organize mass yoga events.

    To engage the masses, the Ministry of Ayush has launched several contests and activities, including the “Yoga with Family” Video Contest in partnership with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) on the MyGov and MyBharat platforms. This contest encourages families worldwide to showcase the joy of yoga and reinforce family bonds, with submissions due by June 30, 2024

  • Viral Video: Bihar CM Catches PM Modi Off Guard As He Checks His Hand |

    Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar found himself in the spotlight yet again for his viral social media antics. This time, during the inauguration of the new Nalanda University campus in Rajgir, Bihar, he was caught on camera playfully inspecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s index finger. The incident quickly became fodder for internet memes and discussions across various social media platforms. 

    In the video, the Bihar CM seems to grasp PM Modi’s index finger and then gestures with his own left index finger towards the Prime Minister. Unexpectedly, Bihar’s Chief Minister suddenly grabs the Prime Minister’s left hand, surprising him. This action also captures the attention of the security personnel seated behind them 

    A video released by news agency PTI shows Arvind Panagariya, Chancellor of Nalanda University, addressing the audience. The camera then moves to Prime Minister Modi and Kumar. 

    कुछ खास नही तीन दशको से राजनीतिक पहचान है हम सभी भी चुनाव के इतने दिन बाद भी मिलते है तब मतदान की वो स्याही देखते है कि अभी तक इसका रंग नही उतरा। मा0 @NitishKumar जी वही मा0 प्रधानमंत्री @narendramodi जी की हाथों को देखकर पूछ रहे है। बाकी जिसको जो आंकलन करनी है करते रहे। pic.twitter.com/VHlOY5wr3t
    — अमन सिंह कुशवाहा (@appuaman) June 19, 2024

    Today, the Prime Minister inaugurated the 455-acre campus of Nalanda University. Located at the historic site of the ancient Nalanda University, the central university features two academic blocks housing 40 classrooms, accommodating approximately 1900 students. It also includes two auditoriums and a student hostel with a capacity for about 550 individuals.

  • PM Modi to Release ₹20,000 Crore for Farmers in Varanasi Today – Full Details |

    PM Modi In Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on June 18 and 19, Tuesday and Wednesday. According to PMO press release, the Prime Minister will participate in PM Kisan Samman Sammelan in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi at around 5 pm. 

    PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 

    During the event, the Prime Minister will grant certificates to more than 30,000 women from self-help groups (SHGs) Krishi Sakhis. PM Modi, after being sworn in as Prime Minister for the third time, signed his first file authorising the release of the 17th installment of PM Kisan Nidhi, reflecting the commitment of the government towards farmer welfare. In continuation of this commitment, the Prime Minister will release the 17th installment amounting to more than Rs 20,000 crore, to around 9.26 crore beneficiary farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) through Direct Benefit Transfer today.

    So far, more than 11 crore eligible farmer families have received benefits of more than Rs. 3.04 lakh crore under PM-KISAN. Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program (KSCP) aims to transform rural India through the empowerment of rural women as Krishi Sakhi, by imparting training and certification of Krishi Sakhis as Para-extension Workers. This certification course also aligns with the objectives of the “Lakhpati Didi” Program.

    PM Modi’s Visit To Varanasi 

    At around 7 pm today, PM Modi will witness the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, and later, at around 8 pm, he will perform puja and darshan at Kashi Vishwanath temple.

    PM’s Action In Bihar 

    In Bihar, the Prime Minister will visit the Ruins of Nalanda at around 9.45 am. The ruins of Nalanda were declared a UN Heritage Site in 2016. At around 10.30 am, he will inaugurate the new campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir. The Prime Minister will also address the gathering on occasion.

    The university is conceived as a collaboration between India and East Asia Summit (EAS) countries. The inauguration ceremony will be attended by several eminent people, including the heads of missions from 17 countries.
    The campus has two academic blocks with 40 classrooms, with a total seating capacity of around 1900. It has two auditoriums with a capacity of 300 seats each. It has a student hostel with a capacity of around 550 students. It also has various other facilities, including an international center, an amphitheatre that can accommodate up to 2000 individuals, a faculty club, and a sports complex, among others.

    The Campus is a ‘Net Zero’ Green Campus. It is self-sustaining with solar plants, domestic and drinking water treatment plants, a water recycling plant for reusing wastewater, 100 acres of water bodies, and many other environment-friendly facilities.

    The University has a deep connection with history. The original Nalanda University, established around 1600 years ago, is considered to be among the first residential universities in the world. 

  • PM Modi, Italian PM Meloni’s ‘Team Melodi’ Video Goes Viral – WATCH |

    Melodi At G7: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni captioned a small selfie video showing her friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Italian PM can be heard saying, “Hi friends, from #Melodi”. The two leaders met on Friday towards the end of Prime Minister Modi’s day-long visit to Apulia, southern Italy, during which he thanked the Italian Prime Minister for the invitation to attend the G7 Summit. This was his first foreign visit after assuming charge for a historic third term as the prime minister.

    The five-second video was shared by Meloni on her X account on Saturday. “Hello from the Melodi team,” the 47-year-old Italian leader, the country’s first woman prime minister, said in the video, in which Modi, 73, was seen laughing behind her. Prime Minister Modi re-shared the video and wrote, “Long live India-Italy friendship!” Earlier on Saturday, a selfie of the two leaders at the G7 Summit went viral.

    Hi friends, from #Melodi pic.twitter.com/OslCnWlB86
    — Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) June 15, 2024

    In December last year, the two leaders had clicked a selfie on the sidelines of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai. Sharing the picture, Meloni wrote in the caption, “Good friends at COP28, #Melodi.”

    During their bilateral talks here on Friday, the two leaders reviewed the progress of the bilateral strategic partnership and agreed to strengthen cooperation in global fora and multilateral initiatives, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. “Had a very good meeting with PM @GiorgiaMeloni,” Prime Minister Modi wrote on X. “We discussed ways to further cement India-Italy relations in areas like commerce, energy, defence, telecom and more. Our nations will work together in futuristic areas like biofuels, food processing and critical minerals,” he said after the meeting.

  • Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai clarifies after video of Amit Shah ‘Reprimanding’ Soundararajan goes viral – The Economic Times Video

    On the viral video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s conversation with BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan, Tamil Nadu party chief K Annamalai says, ” Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National President JP Nadda, they are all BJP workers, that’s what they tell us…the conversation that you saw was a friendly conversation between Amit Shah and a senior leader of the party Tamilisai Soundararajan. Some mysterious social media people twisted and made it out of context…Tamilisai Soundararajan is a valued member of BJP…it was a gentle conversation and she also clarified it…today I went to her house also. she is continuing to do her work at the ground level…”

  • Kuwait Building Fire Latest Updates | More than 40 Indians dead in Mangaf, at least 19 were from Kerala, 5 from Tamil Nadu | India News

    Latest Updates On Kuwait Building Fire: More than 40 Indians – some reports say 42 – died in a fire that engulfed a building housing foreign workers in Kuwait on Wednesday. Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-priority meeting last night with a team from the Ministry of External Affairs and other ministers concerned. To ensure the assistance of Indians affected by the fire incident and to take stock of the situation, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, is travelling to Kuwait today.

    19 Victims Identified From Kerala; 5 From TN

    Tamil Nadu Minister Gingee KS Masthan said based on information from Tamil associations five Tamils ​​died in the fire incident in Kuwait, reported PTI.

    According to PTI, Kerala Government on Thursday said that 19 people from the State have so far been identified among those who lost their lives in the major fire that broke out in Kuwait’s Mangaf area. The Cabinet decided that Health Minsiter Veena George and an IAS officer will immediately go to Kuwait. The decision was taken in an emergency cabinet meeting this morning. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The State government has also announced Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and one lakh rupees for those injured.

    Two of the victims included Lucose (48) and Sajan George (29), both from Kollam city. Lucose was working as a supervisor at NBTC Company in Kuwait for 18 years. While, George went to Kuwait after getting a job a month ago and worked as a junior mechanical engineer. Earlier, 30-year-old Shameer, hailing from Sooranad village in Kerala’s Kollam district, was identified among the deceased.

    Union Minister Reveals Details

    Before departing for Kuwait to ensure the repatriation of those killed in the devastating fire, Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that some bodies were charred beyond recognition. “The rest of the situation will be clear the moment we reach there,” Singh said. Speaking to ANI at the Delhi Airport before flying for Kuwait, the MoS said, “We had a meeting last evening with the Prime Minister; that is the last update we have about this very sad tragedy. The rest of the situation will be clear the the moment we reach there.”

    He further told the agency that a DNA test is underway to identify the burn victims. The MoS mentioned that an Air Force plane is on standby and will bring the bodies back once they are identified and the families are informed. He added that the latest casualty figures from the previous night indicate around 48–49 deaths, with 42 or 43 believed to be Indians.

    #WATCH | Kuwait fire incident | Delhi: MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh leaves from his residence. He is travelling to Kuwait today.

    He says, “The incident in Kuwait is unfortunate. All of us including the PM are very concerned. I am going there and see the situation. People from… pic.twitter.com/SV6fLnaacm — ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2024

    PM Modi Chairs Review Meeting

    PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting and announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh for the families of deceased Indians in the Kuwait incident. Expressing deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident, Prime Minister Modi extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. He assured that the Indian government would provide all possible assistance.

    Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar was present in the meeting along with Minister of State for External Affairs Kirtivardhan Singh, PM’s Principal Secretary Pramod Kumar Mishra, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, and other senior officials, reported ANI.

    Links To Overcrowding

    Local officials said the blaze appeared to be linked to code violations, as reported by the Associated Press. Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah confirmed the death toll and ordered the arrest of the building’s owner during his visit to the site, as reported by local media.

    According to AP, Al-Sabah said, “We will address the issue of labour overcrowding. I’m now going to see what violations were committed here, and I will deal with the owner of the property.”

  • ‘PM Modi To Play Important Role’: Indian Envoy To Italy Ahead Of G7 Summit |

    Fasano (Italy): A day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Italy to attend the G7 Summit, where India has been invited as an Outreach Country, the Indian ambassador to Italy, Vani Rao said that 

    PM Modi will play an important role in one of the global platforms, to engage with other world leaders present at the G7 Summit on issues of importance to India, as well as to the Global South. 

    Speaking to ANI, Envoy Vani Rao said that PM Modi will also follow up on some of the key issues that were there during India’s G20 presidency. 

    “It is an important visit. Firstly, it is an opportunity for the prime minister to play an important role in one of the global platforms. It also marks continuity because he had participated in the G7 summit last year,” the ambassador said. 

    PM Modi is set to visit Italy to participate in the annual summit of G7 advanced economies, marking his first international trip since beginning his third consecutive term in office. The G7 summit will take place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy’s Apulia region from June 13 to 15. 

    India’s participation at this G7 Summit acquires particular salience in the context of India’s recently held, not so recent, presidency of the G20, where India took a leading role in building global consensus on several contentious issues. India has so far organized two sessions of the Voice of the Global South Summit, which have been aimed at bringing the interests, priorities, and concerns of the Global South on the global stage. 

    “It allows the prime minister to also follow up on some of the key issues that we had in the G-20 presidency, which he had chaired last year. It’s an invitation to the prime minister from the Italian prime minister. India has been selected as a partner for the G7 summit. If I’m not mistaken, India is the only Asian country to be selected as a partner. It is an opportunity also to speak on some of the issues like food security, energy, clean technologies, AI, and other aspects, which are very important to the Global South, ” she said. 
     

    This will be India’s 11th participation in the G7 Summit and Prime Minister Modi’s fifth consecutive participation at the G7 Summit. On the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy, PM Modi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings and discussions with the leaders of the G7, as well as the Outreach Countries and the international organizations. 

    The ambassador emphasised that issues including food security, energy, clean technologies and AI will be discussed. 

    “Issues like food security, energy, clean technologies, AI and other aspects, will be an important agenda item here for the prime minister to share his views and thoughts,” she told ANI. 

    Responding on whether there will be any bilateral agreements signed during the bilateral meeting with Italian PM Meloni, the ambassador said that “definitely”, there will be some progress in the bilateral collaboration and agenda. 

    “It would be very premature for me to mention what are the outcomes of that meeting. But definitely, the high-level meeting itself is a big signal that the two leaders are invested in the relationship and the two countries want to elevate their cooperation in many domains, ” Rao said. 

    Highlighting whether the Russia-Ukraine war and the Middle East conflict will be on the agenda during the G7 Summit, the Indian ambassador stressed that as the meeting is going to be held amid these global developments, these issues will also be on the agenda. 

    “The G7 and the partners will engage on a variety of issues. One is, the key economic issues that are on the table right now, which include food security, climate change, sustainable development, the role of artificial intelligence, energy security and others. These will be one set of issues,” she said. 

    The ambassador added, “But obviously because the meeting itself is taking amid very key global and regional developments, they will also be on the agenda of the leaders. And India’s position on many of these issues is well known and the prime minister would be articulating his thoughts on how to address these issues,” she added. 
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to leave for Italy on Thursday to participate in the 50th G7 Summit. 

    Addressing a special briefing on PM Modi’s upcoming visit, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said, “At the invitation of Prime Minister of Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling to Apulia, Italy tomorrow to participate in the 50th G7 Summit which is to be held there on June 14 where India has been invited as an Outreach Country.” 

    During the Summit, PM Modi is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Giorgia Meloni. 
    “They last met during the COP28 Summit in Abu Dhabi in December 2023,” Kwatra said. 

    In the meeting, the two Prime Ministers are expected to review the entire gamut of bilateral ties and give directions for next steps, he said. 

    Italy is the Chair of G7 this year and is hosting the Summit of the informal grouping of seven of the world’s advanced economies which also includes Canada, France, Germany Japan the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as the European Union.

  • Megastars Chiranjeevi and Rajinikanth attend Naidu’s swearing-in ceremony – The Economic Times Video

    On June 12, 2024, N. Chandrababu Naidu was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Union Ministers Amit Shah, JP Nadda, and Nitin Gadkari. Several cine stars, including megastars Chiranjeevi, Rajinikanth, and Ram Charan, were also present at the ceremony. Watch!

  • ‘People’s PMO, Not Modi’s PMO’: PM Voices Agenda In Inaugural Address |

    New Delhi: Asserting that every moment of his life is devoted to the progress of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday laid thrust on value addition while reaching goals and said his office should be “people’s PMO and cannot be Modi’s PMO”.

    In his first address to the officials of PMO after assuming office of the Prime Minister for the third time, PM Modi also laid thrust on firm resolve and hard work to achieve targets.

    “Ten years ago the image in our country was that PMO is a power centre, a very big power centre and I was not born for power. I do not think of acquiring power. For me, it is neither my wish nor my path that PMO should become a power centre. The steps we have taken since 2014, we have tried to develop it as a catalytic agent,” he said.

    “Our aim is to keep generating new energy from here that provides new light to the whole system…PMO should be people’s PMO and it cannot be Modi’s PMO,” he added.
    The Prime Minister said he is dedicated to the welfare of 140 crore citizens.

    “There is no one in my heart other than 140 crore Indians. They are not just people but a form of the Almighty. When I take any decision in the government, I believe that with this, I have worshipped the 140 crore countrymen,” he said.

    PM Modi laid thrust on India becoming a developed country by 2047.

    “Together we have just one goal -Nation First; just one intention – 2047 Viksit Bharat. I have said this publically, mera pal pal desh ke naam hai. I have also promised the country – 24 X7 for 2047. I have such expectations from the team…fulfilling the task on time is a good thing, not complete, I still want to look for value addition…if we work with this aim, I am fully aware that we can fulfil our dreams and aspirations,” he said.

    “We are not the people for whom office starts at this time and ends at this time…we are not bound by time, we have no limits to our thinking…. Those who are beyond this are my team and the country trusts that team,” he added.
    President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Narendra Modi followed by other members of his team of ministers on Sunday.

    The oath ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan was attended by leaders from India’s neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region.