Drawing a parallel with Friday’s social media outage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said while everybody was worried when platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook were down for just 50-55 minutes, West Bengal’s development has been down for past 50-55 years.
Speaking at a public rally in Bengal’s Kharagpur ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state, he said, “Yesterday WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook were down for 50-55 minutes, everybody got worried. But in Bengal, development and dreams have been down for 50-55 years. First, it was Congress, then Left, and now Trinamool Congress, who have blocked state’s development.”
He claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee government stands like a wall to block the central schemes and blamed her for wasting “precious ten years” of the youth. “Didi’s government is reluctant to implement the new National Education Policy. She is not worried about the future of millions of youth of West Bengal, their career. I assure them that didi will not be allowed to play with their future,” he said.
Modi also said that Banerjee runs a ‘pathshala’ (school) of brutality in Bengal, the syllabus of which comprises ‘tolabaji‘ (extortion), cut money, syndicate and anarchy. He claimed, “Didi gets angry if asked to give an account of Amphan cyclone funds. If you ask for answers to the theft in ration rice, you are put in jail. Raise questions on the coal scam, the police gets you killed. If you ask for answers on jobs, then your house is burnt.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd James Austin III Saturday held delegation-level talks at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. During their meeting, the leaders spoke about wide-ranging defence cooperation, expanding military to military engagement, information sharing and cooperation in emerging areas of defence, and mutual logistics support, Singh said.
Issuing a joint statement, Singh said, “We’re determined to realise the full potential of comprehensive global strategic partnership.”
Singh said the two sides reviewed many bilateral, multilateral exercises and agreed to increase cooperation between the Indian and US militaries. “We reviewed many bilateral and multilateral exercises, and agreed to increase cooperation between the Indian military, US Indo-Pacific command, Centre Command & Africa Command. We’ve signed LEMOA, COMCASA & BECA agreements and we’ve agreed to realise their full potential,” he said.
US Defence Secretary James Austin said, “Our relationship is a stronghold of free and open Indo-Pacific region. PM Narendra Modi stated India stands for freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce in adherence to international law. This reaffirms our shared vision for regional security.”
Austin reaffirmed the US’ commitment to a forward-looking defense partnership with India and said, “India is an increasingly important partner in rapidly shifting international dynamics. I reaffirm our commitment to a comprehensive forward-looking defense partnership with India as a central pillar of our approach to the Indo-Pacific region.”
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and the three Services Chiefs were also present at the meeting.
Singh said he had fruitful talks with US Defence Secretary James Austin and his delegation. (PTI Photo)
Earlier on Saturday, James Austin visited the National War Memorial at India Gate and was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour.
Austin’s arrival in New Delhi marks the first visit by a senior official of the Biden administration which came to power in January.
Austin arrived in New Delhi on Friday and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and conveyed Washington’s “strong desire” to further enhance the strategic partnership for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. He also conveyed the Biden administration’s “commitment towards strengthening the bilateral defence relations between the two countries”.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Modi “outlined his vision for the strategic partnership between the two countries and emphasized the important role of bilateral defence cooperation in India-US ties”.
The visit comes days after the first-ever summit of the leaders of the Quadrilateral grouping, the Quad. The March 12 summit was attended by Biden, Modi, Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morison.
Austin’s visit to India will be part of his first international tour after taking charge as Secretary of Defense. In a statement last week, the Ministry of Defence said: “Austin’s visit to India as part of his first overseas travel emphasizes the strength of the India-US strategic partnership”.
It stated that “both sides are expected to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and exchange views on regional security challenges and common interests in maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region”.
In his January 27 phone call to Rajnath Singh, Austin had also noted the “great strides” made in the US-India defence relationship, and had pledged to work with the Defence Minister to sustain progress.
CHANDIGARH: Jannayak Janta Party MLA Ram Kumar Gautam on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold dialogue with protesting farmers, saying people like him are unable to enter villages despite supporting the withdrawal of farm law. “I request Modiji to get this agitation ended at the earliest through dialogue. If it prolongs, it can be dangerous,” Gautam said in the Haryana assembly while participating in a debate on the state Budget. Referring to protests faced by the BJP-JJP MLAs in several villages, Gautam said, “People are unable to enter villages, even like me who are in favour of farmers, support their agitation and seek withdrawal of the farm laws.” The Narnaund MLA also raised the issue of alleged corruption in the food and civil supplies department, which is headed by JJP leader and deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala. Taking part in the debate, Independent MLA Sombir Sangwan, who had withdrawn support to the Khattar government over the farmers’ issue, alleged that corruption was rampant in various spheres. On the farmers’ issue, he said the assembly should bring a resolution to demand from the Centre a fourth law to guarantee the minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the government wants to reach a target of opening 10,000 Janaushadhi Kendras very soon and added that these centres are helping people from poor and middle-class families save around Rs 3,600 crores annually. Addressing Janaushadhi Diwas celebrations and interacting with beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, through video conferencing, the Prime Minister said this scheme is helping to provide cheap medicines to the citizens living in tribal areas in the Northeast and in the mountainous areas. “Today when the 7500th centre has been inaugurated in Shillong. It is clear from this how much public health centres are expanding in the Northeast. We had less than 100 Janaushadhi centres till 2014. We want to reach the target of opening 10,000 centres very soon. I want to request state governments to take a pledge for 75 Janaushadhi centres each in 75 districts on the 75th year of our independence. We should also set a target of double the beneficiaries of Janaushadhi centres,” he said. “Janaushadhi scheme is supporting poor and middle-class families. This scheme is becoming a medium of service and employment. At Janaushadhi Kendras, people are getting affordable medicines and youth are getting employment there. Rs 2.5 sanitary pads are being made available to girls at Janaushadhi Kendras. More than 11,000 crore sanitary napkins have been sold at Janaushadhi Kendras,” he added. PM Modi said more than 1,000 Janaushadhi Kendras are being run by women. This Janaushadhi scheme is empowering self-reliance among women, he added. “Janaushadhi centres are helping people from poor and middle-class families save around Rs 3,600 crores annually. With an aim to expand the Janaushadhi scheme, the incentive of these centres has been increased from Rs 2.5 lakhs to Rs 5 lakhs. Besides this, an additional incentive of Rs 2 lakhs is being given to Dalits, tribals, women and people of the Northeast. This money helps them to make their store and purchase the required furniture,” he said. The Prime Minister informed that a decision has been taken to make available 75 Ayush medicines across Janaushadhi centres in the country. “This scheme has opened new possibilities in the pharma sector. Today demand for Made in India medicines and surgical have increased. With this, the production is also increasing. It is generating new employment opportunities. Now a decision has been taken to make available 75 Ayush medicines across Janaushadhi centres in the country,” he said. The Prime Minister said that the government is highly focused on developing infrastructure to provide affordable and effective treatment to all. “For a long time, in the government’s thinking of the country, health was considered to be the only subject of disease and treatment. But the subject of health is not just limited to disease and treatment, but it affects the entire economic and social fabric of the country,” he said. “The effort of the government today is that no one should be deprived of the benefits of medical science. The treatment should be cheap, accessible, be for the public, with this thinking, policies and programs are being made today,” he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday stressed on increasing credit flow to businesses to meet the needs of a fast reflating economy and said financial products will have to be tailor-made for fintech and startups. He said that although the government’s endeavour is to promote the private sector, public sector presence in banking and insurance is also required.
“As our economy is growing, and growing fast, credit flow has also become equally important. You have to see how credit reaches new sectors, new entrepreneurs. Now you will have to focus on creation of new and better financial products for Startups and Fintech,” Modi said, addressing a webinar on Budget proposals relating to the financial sector. Modi further said “the government is taking steps to make the financial services sector vibrant, proactive and strong”.
He added that the government would stand by all business decisions taken with the right intent.
You have to create start-ups that can change the lives of millions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while addressing the 66th Convocation of IIT-Kharagpur. The degree document conferred today is also a document of aspirations of crores of Indians, Modi told students. He said their conviction is critical for the entire nation as the IIT graduates are the foundation stone of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
“Keep your eyes on the present and anticipate the future. Keep our needs for today in mind and work towards the needs of the coming 10 years,” said Modi. He said that being an engineer, students have the capability to take innovations from patterns to patents. He asked students to study the problems of the present world and find solutions from them.
The Prime Minister said that there is no place for hastiness in the field of science and technology. “You may not get complete success in the innovation you are working on. But that failure of yours will also be considered a success because you will learn something from that as well,” he said.
The new ecosystem of the country needs new leaders, said PM. He further added that IITs do not just need to be institutes of technologies but also become institutes of indigenous technologies. “Can we give affordable, effective, and environment-friendly innovations to the world?” he asked students.
He also said that the government has made geospatial data control-free. This, he said, will give a boost to the tech start-up ecosystem and hence be a step towards Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
He asked the graduates to move forward with self-awareness, self-confidence, and selflessness towards their goals. More than 2,800 students received degrees online through the convocation. Further, 75 medalists invited to receive degrees in person along with awardees of DSc (Honoris Causa), Life Fellow, and Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and Union Minister of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre were also present at the event. Pokhriyal said the students should aim to become entrepreneurs and job-creators instead of job-seekers. He emphasised how the National Technology Forum will improve research infrastructure in the country. He urged students to work on realising the vision of self-reliant India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed to the students’ community to adopt a “nation first” approach to find solution to ongoing problems instead of being a part of the crisis.
Addressing the annual convocation of Visva-Bharati University through video conferencing, the Prime Minister, who is the Chancellor of this central university, said that the new ‘National Education Policy’ is a major step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
“Many people who are spreading terror and violence across the world are highly educated and highly skilled. On the other hand, there are people who are risking their lives in hospitals and labs to save people from a pandemic like Covid-19. It is not about ideology but a mindset. What you do depends on whether your mindset is positive or negative. There is scope for both of them. The path is open for both of them. It is in our hands to decide if we want to be a part of the problem or the solution,” said Modi.
The Prime Minister continued, “If we continue to look at our own interest then we will always witness problems, crises, and anger around us. But if you rise above your own interest and adopt a nation-first approach then you will find a solution to every problem and crisis. You will find the urge to find positive force in negativity. You will become a solution to these problems if your intention is pure and dedication is unquestionable.”
Visva-Bharati University situated at Birbhum’s Santiniketan was founded by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1921. It is one of the oldest central universities in the country. In May 1951, Visva-Bharati University was declared to be a central university and ‘an Institution of National Importance’ by an Act of Parliament. The PM is the Chancellor of this university.
The convocation started at ‘Amra Kunja’ (the Mango grove) in Santiniketan campus continued for two-and-a-half hours. A limited number of students were present at the programme due to covid 19 restrictions.
“The new ‘National Education Policy’ is a major step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. It gives strength to research and innovation. It also gives stress to the education of women,” said Modi.
A total of 2,535 students received their degrees in the convocation. West Bengal Governor and Rector of Visva-Bharati, Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Education Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and VBU vice-chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty were physically present on this occasion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s annual interaction ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha 2021‘ will be held in March. Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank today informed, “To reduce the stress related to exam, and to provide inspiration, guidance, PM Narendra Modi will interact with exam takers through Pariksha Pe Charcha programme in March.” The entries for this year will begin soon .
This year, the event might be held virtually due to pandemic. Students, parents, teachers from all across the country are given a chance to discuss their fears, aspirations, concerns, and suggestions with the Prime Minister.
Last year, the event was held at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi and was attended by students, parents, and teachers from respective schools as well. The Ministry of Education had received 2.63 lakh entries from students to participate in ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’; of which the ministry selected about 1,050 students.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today virtually inaugurated the discovery campus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Madras). Other dignitaries — Gornor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami were present in the occasion.
According to IIT-Madras, the campus at Thaiyur will accommodate the growing research infrastructure requirements of students and faculty. “This satellite campus of IIT Madras will host state-of-the-art standalone research centres with large dedicated facilities and will have its own support infrastructure such as hostels for the research scholars and fellows, common instrumentation laboratories, and conference facilities, among other amenities,” the institute release read.
The campus will soon have two operational research centres – National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts, funded by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The centre will have first large ‘Shallow Water Basin’ facility for coastal and estuarine research and industrial applications.
Another research centre Solid Propellant Combustion Modelling Facility by the DRDO will also come up. Both the centres will be functional by the end of this year.
Singh said he had fruitful talks with US Defence Secretary James Austin and his delegation. (PTI Photo)