News Analysis India

Tag: PM Narendra Modi

  • Didi, if you want, put your foot on my head and kick me, but not Bengal’s development: PM Modi in  Bankura

    Express News Service
    KOLKATA: Unleashing a blistering attack on West Bengal CM on Sunday, Prime Minister Narandra Modi castigated Mamata Banerjee for Trinamool Congress’s poll graffiti showing a broken leg in a cast on a head and playing football with it having resemblance with the PM.

    Modi, while addressing a rally in Bankura during his Bengal visit for the second consecutive day, said if the Bengal CM wants, can put her foot on his head and kick him but not the state’s development.

    “Didi’s people are making graffiti on the streets wherein her leg is visible on my head and playing football with it. Are you not insulting Bengal’s culture and tradition? Didi if you want, can put your foot on my head and kick me. But I will not let you kick Bengal’s development and dreams of the people living here,’’ said Modi in his speech.

    Modi’s attack is believed to be in backdrop of Mamata’s slogan Khela Hobe (there will be a game) that she is raising in her all poll campaigns.

    Modi’s speech on Sunday centered around the West Bengal Chief minister as he hit out at her on several issues. 

    “Didi, you have made only false announcements in past 10 years. Had people known about your poor governance, they would not have elected you 10 years ago. You keep saying Khela Hobe when people of Bengal decided to Khela Shesh Hobe (the game will be over),” said Modi.

    Referring to Mamata’s repeated allegation questioning the functioning of EVM, Modi said it was a reflection of her fear of defeat. 

    “You are questioning about EVM’s functioning. These EVMs gifted you 10 years in power. Now you are questioning because you are anticipating your defeat,” the PM said. 

    Reiterating attack on cut-money and corruption issues, Modi said after wresting power in Bengal, the BJP-led government will drag all those, who are involved in the malpractice, to the court of law. 

    “TMC runs on scam and BJP runs on schemes. The more I question Didi, she gets angry. Now she says that she doesn’t like my face. Didi, in democracy, it is the public service and not the face which is put to test,” he lashed out. 

    The saffron camp engaged its heavy artillery in south Bengal as Union Home minister Amit Shah also addressed a rally in East Midnapore district and came down heavily on the Bengal CM.

    Hitting out at her on the aunt-nephew issue, which has BJP’s one of the key political tools to attack the ruling TMC, Shah said, “corruption and cut-money have shattered dreams of the poor in the state. The cut-money that your nephew earns reaches you too. The electorates of the state will give a befitting reply to it in the upcoming Assembly elections,” said Shah in his speech.

  • Mamata Banerjee calls PM Modi ‘TMC thief’, Suvendu Adhikari a ‘traitor’

    By ANI
    EAST MEDINIPUR: After several Trinamool Congress leaders including Suvendu Adhikari joined the Bharatiya Janata Party this year ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said they were “traitors” and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a “TMC thief.”

    Addressing a public meeting in West Bengal’s East Medinipur, Mamata said, “Those who have fled have betrayed. Ask who took how much. TMC thief? Narendra Modi. Chief of robbers. And those who keep in touch with the BJP, we do not communicate with them. I don’t care if they come or go. I used to have a lot of respect. Loved them so much. I drew a picture of Goddess Maa Tara myself and gave it to them (Suvendu Adhikari) and today, they are traitors. Remember there can be no greater traitor than these. The people of Medinipur have to liberate themselves from such people,” said the TMC supremo.

    Suvendu Adhikari, former TMC Minister, is contesting against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram, which goes to polls on April 1.

    Elections to the 294-member state Assembly will be held in eight phases starting from March 27 with the final round of voting taking place on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2. 

  • PM Modi meets kin of BJP workers killed in violent incidents in West Bengal

    By ANI
    PURULIA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met the kin of Bharatiya Janata Party workers who were killed in several violent incidents that took place in West Bengal.

    The Prime Minister was addressing a political rally in West Bengal’s Purulia ahead of the state assembly elections.

    PM Modi during the rally accused the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government of crime, violence and corruption, questioned her governance and assured the people of the poll-bound state of West Bengal that rule of law will be re-established in the state as soon as the BJP government is elected to power.

    He said, “Didi bole khela hobe, BJP bole chaakri hobe. Didi bole khela hobe, BJP bole vikas hobe. Didi bole khela hobe, BJP bole shiksha hobe. Khela shesh hobe, vikas aarambh hobe.”

    Elections to the 294-member state Assembly will be held in eight phases starting from March 27 with the final round of voting taking place on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

  • Congress workers burn effigy of Ghulam Nabi Azad for praising PM Narendra Modi

    By ANI
    JAMMU: Congress party workers on Tuesday burnt an effigy of senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and raised slogans against him in a protest in Jammu.

    This comes as Azad praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G-23 event in the state saying that he speaks frankly about his past as a tea-seller and never tried to hide his background from the world.

    Targeting Azad, Shahnawaz Choudhary, General Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee said Congress has always held him in high esteem but today when it is time to support the party, Azad forged a friendship with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    “Congress has always given him (Ghulam Nabi Azad) so much. Congress has only made him the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, but when it is time for him to pay-back to the party, he is making Congress weak by not supporting his own party,” Choudhary said.

    Another Congress worker, Aijaz Choudhary, Vice President of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee said, “Ghulam Nabi Azad praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi who took our statehood and people like him become the reason for making Congress weak.”

    “Azad should have guided the party with his experience in politics to resurrect the party and not weaken it,” Choudhary added.

    The protesters who were carrying party flags said they will fight against any force questioning the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

    At the same time, Ghulam Nabi Azad’s statement has not been liked by G-23 members too. A leader told ANI on the condition of anonymity that Azad should not have made these remarks as they can deflect attention from the G-23’s aim of strengthening the party.

    An event was organised in Jammu by the Gandhi Global Family whose national chairman is Ghulam Nabi Azad where G-23 leaders were invited. 

  • Harsh Vardhan praises PM Modi for leading by example, urges opposition to take COVID-19 vaccine

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lead by example as he took the first jab of COVID-19 vaccine the day when the vaccination of people above 60 years began, said Union Health and Family Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Monday. He also urged opposition leaders to take the COVID-19 vaccine and help in ending the vaccine hesitancy.

    Talking to ANI, the Union Minister said, “I have been saying from the beginning that both our vaccines are safe and perfect as far as immunogenicity is concerned. We are thankful to Prime Minister, he has always told us that you have to lead by example. He took the jab first when the vaccination of people above 60 years has begun.”

    Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi took the first dose of Covaxin, a coronavirus vaccine developed in India by biotechnology firm Bharat Biotech and the Indian Council of Medical Research.

    “Took my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS,” PM Modi had tweeted with his picture of receiving the jab. “Remarkable how our doctors and scientists have worked in quick time to strengthen the global fight against COVID-19,” the Prime Minister had added.

    Meanwhile, the Union Health Minister added that now we must bury all misconceptions and apprehensions over Covaxin. “Prime Minister Modi took Covaxin, against which a lot of misinformation was spread even when it was scientifically perfect. I think the Prime Minister has given a clear message to the country. All misinformation and hesitancy should be buried once and for all,” the Minister said.

    The Minister also called on the opposition leaders, elected representatives and common people to come forward and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

    “I appeal to all citizens who are above 60 years of age, those above 45 years with comorbidities, all MPs-MLAs and even Opposition MLAs to get vaccinated. This would send a message to people that they should get vaccinated at the earliest,” he said.

    “I will do the booking today and I plan to get vaccinated tomorrow,” the Minister added.

    The second phase of the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive for age-appropriate population groups began on Monday with the Union Health Ministry calling out eligible people to get an appointment at respective hospitals in the country. 

  • West Bengal has made up its mind for ‘poriborton’, says PM Modi 

    By ANI
    HOOGHLY: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that poll-bound West Bengal has made up its mind for ‘poriborton’ (change).

    During his second visit to the state this month, Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate the extension of Metro Railway from Noapara to Dakshineswar and flag off the first service on this 4.1 km stretch constructed at a cost of Rs 464 crore.

    While addressing a public meeting in Hooghly, Prime Minister said, “Today, Bengal is taking a big step to prove its resolve for fast development. Last time I came here to give you the gift of gas connectivity and infrastructure projects. Today, important works to strengthen rail and metro connectivity are going to be inaugurated,” PM Modi said.

    “Modern highways, railways, airways, infrastructure of many countries helped those nations to become modern, where it became a major cause for positive change. Our country should have done the same thing decades ago. But it did not happen,” he added.

    हमारे देश में ट्रांसपोर्ट के माध्यम जितने बेहतर होंगे, आत्मनिर्भरता और आत्मविश्वास का हमारा संकल्प उतना ही सशक्त होगा।मुझे खुशी है कि कोलकाता के अलावा हुगली, हावड़ा और उत्तरी 24 परगना जिले के साथियों को भी अब मेट्रो सेवा की सुविधा का लाभ मिल रहा है: PM #BanglarBikasheRail
    — PMO India (@PMOIndia) February 22, 2021

    Addressing the huge crowd at the meeting, PM Modi said, “This enthusiasm and energy by all of you is sending a message from Kolkata to Delhi. Now West Bengal has made up its mind for ‘poriborton’ (change).”

    “This year ‘rail and metro’ connectivity is Centre’s priority. Such work should have been done decades back and now, we should not delay any projects, from broadening of rail lines to electrification work, money being invested in infrastructure projects,” he added.

    ALSO READ: Mamata unlikely to attend PM Modi’s programme in Bengal

    On February 7, he visited Haldia and dedicated to the nation the LPG import terminal built by BPCL. He also dedicated to the nation Dobhi-Durgapur Natural Gas Pipeline section of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project.

    In West Bengal, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the extension of Metro Railway from Noapara to Dakshineswar, and flag off the first service on this stretch. This 4.1 km extension has been constructed at a cost of Rs 464 crore, fully funded by the central government. It will decongest road traffic and improve urban mobility. This extension will ease out access to the two world-famous Kali temples at Kalighat and Dakshineswar, for lakhs of tourists and devotees.

    The two newly built stations namely Baranagar and Dakshineswar have modern passenger amenities and are also aesthetically designed and decorated with murals, photographs, sculptures and idols.

    Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate the third line between Kalaikunda and Jhargram over a stretch of 30 km of the 132 km long Kharagpur-Adityapur Third Line Project of South Eastern Railway, which was sanctioned with an estimated cost of Rs 1,312 crore.

    He will dedicate to the nation the doubling of Azimganj to Khargraghat Road section, which is a part of the Howrah-Bandel-Azimganj section of Eastern Railway, which has been laid at a project cost of about Rs 240 crore. 

  • Mamata unlikely to attend PM Modi’s programme in Bengal

    By ANI
    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is unlikely to attend the inauguration programme of several railway projects by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday in Hooghly, according to sources.

    Today, PM Modi will inaugurate the extension of Metro Railway from Noapara to Dakshineswar, and flag off the first service on this stretch. This 4.1 km extension has been constructed at a cost of Rs 464 crore, fully funded by the central government. It will decongest road traffic and improve urban mobility. This extension will ease access to the two Kali temples at Kalighat and Dakshineswar, for lakhs of tourists and devotees.

    The two newly built stations namely Baranagar and Dakshineswar have modern passenger amenities and are also aesthetically designed and decorated with murals, photographs, sculptures and idols.

    PM Modi will also inaugurate the third line between Kalaikunda and Jhargram over a stretch of 30 km of the 132 km long Kharagpur-Adityapur Third Line Project of South Eastern Railway, which was sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 1,312 crore.

    He will also dedicate to the nation the doubling of Azimganj to Khargraghat Road section, which is a part of the Howrah-Bandel-Azimganj section of Eastern Railway, which has been laid at a project cost of about Rs 240 crore.

    The tussle between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified ahead of the Assembly polls in Bengal.

    Notably, Mamata Banerjee did not deliver her speech “in protest” at an event at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose after ‘Jai Shree Ram’ slogans were raised when she was invited to speak.

    Elections for 294 Assembly seats in West Bengal are likely to take place in April-May this year.  

  • Despite great potential, previous govts gave stepmotherly treatment to Assam, says PM Modi

    By ANI
    DHEMAJI (ASSAM): Taking a shot at the previous governments for neglecting the state of Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that despite the state’s great potential, it was given a ‘sautela’ treatment and its development needs were overlooked in various sectors.

    Speaking at the launch of various projects in Silapathar, PM Modi said: “Centre and Assam governments working collaboratively to develop State infrastructure. Despite the State having great potential, the former governments gave it ‘sautela’ treatment by overlooking development in various sectors.”

    “Bet it, connectivity, hospitals, educational institutions were not in the priority list of the previous governments,” PM Modi said while adding that this decimation of the North-eastern states was stopped by the BJP government.

    Lauding the Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal government, PM Modi said: “With ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’, CM Sarbananda Sonowal’s govt worked on several projects. Bogibeel Bridge has been completed, Kaliabhomora Bridge on Brahmaputra will improve Assam’s connectivity. Four-lane national highway work is also in progress.”

    He also announced that “Today, Assam is getting a gift of over Rs 3,000 crores for energy and educational institutions.”

    “Due to the efforts of the Assam government, there are more than 20 engineering colleges in the state. The government is also working on the implementation of the new National Education Policy (NEP) at the earliest. The NEP focuses on education in regional language which will benefit tea workers’ children and tribal people,” PM Modi added.

    On the state’s growth potential, PM said, “With the blessings of Brahmaputra, the land in this region has been very fertile. The farmers here can increase their potential, income with the help of modern farming facilities that the state and Central government is providing by working together for this.”

    Referring to the state’s various prosperous industries, Modi said, “Assam’s tea, tourism, handloom and handicraft will strengthen the State’s self-reliance.” 

  • Strong India-Australia partnership will play key role in shaping post-COVID world: PM Modi

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The strong India-Australia partnership will play an important role in shaping the post-COVID world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday and expressed confidence that the two countries would take the lead in providing circular economy solutions.

    Addressing the valedictory function of the India-Australia Circular Economy Hackathon, Modi said consumption-oriented economic models have put a great strain on the planet.

    “We must never forget that we are not the owners of all that Mother Earth has to offer, but merely its trustees for all the future generations to come,” he said.

    Stressing that it is not enough to make production processes more efficient and less polluting, Modi said no matter how fast or slow one drives, if the direction is wrong, then one is bound to reach the wrong destination.

    “And so, we must set the right direction,” he added.

    The prime minister called for looking at consumption patterns, and how their ecological impact can be reduced.

    Noting that this is where the concept of a circular economy comes in, Modi said the concept can be a key step in solving many of our challenges.

    Recycling and reusing things, eliminating waste, and improving resource efficiency must become part of our lifestyles, the prime minister asserted.

    Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison also felicitated the participants of the India Australia Circular Economy Hackathon(I-ACE) at a virtual award ceremony.

    The idea of the hackathon originated during the India-Australia Virtual Leaders’ Summit between the Prime Ministers of India and Australia, held on June 4, 2020.

    “This hackathon has seen innovative solutions from Indian and Australian students, start-ups and entrepreneurs.

    These innovations show your commitment to the philosophy of circular economy,” Modi said.

    “I have no doubt that your innovations will inspire our two countries to take the lead in circular economy solutions,” he said.

    Also, ways must be explored to scale-up and incubate these ideas, Modi said.

    Circular economy implies reusing waste back into the production cycle to make new products instead of wasting such materials with embedded resources.

    Modi asserted that the power of youth comes from openness to new ideas and innovations, and the ability to take risks.

    The energy and enthusiasm of today’s youthful participants is a symbol of the forward-looking partnership between India and Australia, he said.

    “I have full confidence in the energy, creativity and out-of-box thinking of our youth.

    They can offer sustainable, holistic solutions to not just our two countries but to the whole world,” the prime minister said.

    The strong India-Australia partnership will play an important role in shaping the post-COVID world, he said.

    “And our youth, our young innovators, our start-ups, will be at the forefront of this partnership,” Modi asserted.

    He noted that in June last year, Australian Prime Minister Morrison and he discussed the possibility of organising a hackathon on the circular economy, and was happy that their idea has been realised so soon.

    In his remarks, Morrison also lauded the joint initiative.

    The I-ACE Hackathon was organised jointly by the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, India and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia with the aim of enabling students and start-ups/MSMEs from both countries to present innovative solutions for the development of a circular economy across the food system value chain.

    The I-ACE Hackathon addressed four themes — Innovation in packaging – reducing packaging waste; Innovation in food supply chains – avoiding waste; Creating opportunities for plastics waste reduction; Recycling critical energy metals and e-waste.

    I-ACE Hackathon was launched on October 16, 2020 and the initial round received over 1000 registrations from India and Australia.

    The finals were held between February 9 and 11, 2021 where more than 200 participants in 39 teams from India and 33 teams from Australia took part.

    Two university teams and two start-up/MSMEs from India and Australia were declared as winners for each of the four themes.

    The winners will be supported by the innovation and incubation ecosystems of both Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog and CSIRO Australia to enable them develop their solutions into products.

     

  • PM Modi’s proposals on medical emergencies get support of 10 nations including Pakistan: Sources

    Modi suggested that the countries should consider creating a special visa scheme for doctors and nurses so that medical personnel can travel quickly within the region during emergencies.