Tag: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

Why Is Modi Scared Of Caste Census?: Rahul

By LokMarg

Repeating what he said in the Lok Sabha during his intervention on the Women’s Reservation Bill that there are only three OBC bureaucrats working for the government of India, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi why is he scared of the caste census. 

“The Government of India is being run by secretaries and cabinet secretaries. Only 3 out of 90 secretaries in the government of India are OBCs. The caste census will be an x-ray of India. With it, we will be able to find how many people belong to SC, ST, Dalit, and general categories,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a public meeting in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur

Asking why PM Modi is scared of the caste census, he said that I asked PM Modi to publically share the data from the Census conducted by Congress. 

“Why is PM Modi scared of caste census? Why did they not release the caste census report conducted by Congress? Rahul Gandhi in Chhattisgarh,” he said. 

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Adani issue, he said that the PM has a remote control, but he presses it ‘secretly’. 

“When we press the remote (during launching events of schemes), the poor get the benefit of the schemes while when the BJP does it, Adani gets ports, airports, railways contracts, and infrastructure projects, and the public sector gets privatised. There are two remotes we press the remote in front of you but when BJP presses the public sector becomes secretly,” he added. 

He further said that in previous elections, we made promises regarding strengthening the foundation of Chhattisgarh which were fulfilled by us. 

“We fulfilled all our promises including farmers’ loan waiver, half of the electricity bill on which PM Modi said Congress party cannot fulfil these promises and we have witnessed that we fulfilled all those promises,” he added. 

The 2023 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be held later this year to elect all 90 members of the House. Congress managed to win 68 seats while BJP was able to ensure victory on 15 seats in the 2018 Assembly elections.

Earlier in the day speaking at a rally in Bhopal, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Congress and former President Rahul Gandhi by taking a jibe at Rahul’s interactions with selective groups. 

“There is no value for the life of the poor for the Congress leaders born with silver spoons in their mouth. For them, the poor’s life is adventure tourism. For them, the houses and colonies of poor people have become the locations for video shootings. They have done this in the past too. BJP government is showing the developed and grand face of the country to the world” the Prime Minister said. 

Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will go to the polls along with Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram later this year. In both central Indian states there is a clear fight between the Congress and the BJP. (ANI)

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Danish Ali Suspended From BSP

BJP Building A Narrative To Get Me Lynched: BSP MP Danish Ali

By LokMarg

After BJP MP Nishikant Dubey wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla claiming that BSP MP Danish Ali was using derogatory remarks for Prime Minister Narendra Modi that triggered the MP Ramesh Bidhuri to use unparliamentary words against Ali, the Bahujan Samaj Party MP has said that the letter by the BJP leader is an effort to create a narrative for his ‘lynching’.

Danish Ali while speaking to the media here also asked Nishikant Dubey to produce the video proof for what he is alleging the BSP MP.

“I request the (Lok Sabha) speaker that this should be inquired because this is one more matter of breach of privilege. I demand action be taken against Nishikant Dubey for what he has written… If what Nishikant Dubey is saying is true, there must be a video of the same…,” Danish Ali said.

Danish further claimed that he was only raising his voice so the derogatory remarks against the PM by Bidhuri could be stopped.

“He (Bidhuri) was saying the wrong words for the PM and for reference, was comparing the PM with an animal which I even cannot name in front of the media. I only objected to this. Is it true that all the BJP MPs were sitting and laughing there? They did my verbal lynching in the House… Now they are trying to lynch me outside…” he added.

However, facing a backlash over his tirade against BSP MP Danish Ali on the floor of the Lok Sabha during a discussion on the country’s successful lunar landing mission — Chandrayaan-3, BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri on Sunday sidestepped a direct query on his remarks.

When asked about several Opposition members including the BSP MP writing to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla calling for his dismissal from the Lower House as well as the BJP, Bidhuri on Sunday said, “No comments.”

Meanwhile, amid all-round condemnation of Bidhuri, including criticism from within the BJP, a number of BJP MPs have written to Speaker Birla to say that Danish was using derogatory words for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the time that triggered Bidhuri.

According to the letters by the BJP leaders, the remarks by Danish Ali were not captured in the microphone and were therefore not audible to everyone in the House. Dubey is among the MPs who have written such a letter. 

In his letter to Speaker Birla, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Saturday, raised several instances of “unsavoury remarks” made by Opposition leaders and sought to constitute an “inquiry committee to investigate the utterances” during the discussion on Chandrayaan-3’s success.

Dubey also claimed “When Danish Ali was busy instigating Bidhuri with his intemperate comments, he made a highly objectionable and derogatory remark against PM Narendra Modi. In his desperation to denigrate the ruling dispensation and the PM’s achievement on landing Chandrayaan 3 on the moon, he screamed across the isle without the microphone but could be clearly heard saying that “Neech ko neech nehi kahenge toh kya kahenge.”

“This statement made by Ali, was more than enough for any patriotic public representative to “lose his calm” and it led to Bidhuri responding to him like he did,” said the BJP MP who also claimed that Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Ray questioned the existence of Ram and Pushpak Viman and DMK claimed there is no God. (ANI)

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Vande Bharat Trains

Modi To Launch Nine Vande Bharat Trains On Sunday

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate nine Vande Bharat Express trains on September 24, at 12:30 PM via video conferencing.

These new additions to the Vande Bharat fleet represent a significant stride towards enhancing connectivity across the nation and offering world-class amenities to rail passengers, read the press release by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “Tomorrow PM Modi will be inaugurating the Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Train here”.

The nine Vande Bharat Express trains scheduled for the inauguration are Udaipur – Jaipur Vande Bharat Express, Tirunelveli-Madurai-Chennai Vande Bharat Express, Hyderabad – Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, Vijayawada – Chennai (via Renigunta) Vande Bharat Express, Patna – Howrah Vande Bharat Express, Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express, Rourkela – Bhubaneswar – Puri Vande Bharat Express, Ranchi – Howrah Vande Bharat Express, Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express, read the press release.

The introduction of these nine trains aims to enhance connectivity across eleven states, including Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Gujarat.

These Vande Bharat trains will be the fastest along their respective routes, significantly reducing travel time for passengers.

For instance, the Rourkela- Bhubaneswar – Puri Vande Bharat Express and Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express will be approximately 3 hours faster than the current fastest trains on their routes, read the release.

Similarly, the Hyderabad – Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express will save more than 2.5 hours, and the Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express will reduce travel time by over 2 hours.

In line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision to improve connectivity to important religious destinations, the Rourkela- Bhubaneswar – Puri Vande Bharat Express and Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express will connect the significant pilgrimage towns of Puri and Madurai, read the release.

Additionally, the Vijayawada – Chennai Vande Bharat Express, operating via the Renigunta route, will provide connectivity to the revered Tirupati Pilgrimage Centre.

These newly introduced Vande Bharat trains will set a new standard for rail service in India.

Equipped with world-class amenities and advanced safety features, including Kavach technology, they represent a step towards providing modern, fast, and comfortable travel options for commuters, professionals, business travelers, students, and tourists alike. (ANI)

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Vande Bharat trains

PM To Flag Off 2 Vande Trains From Bengal As ‘Durga Pujo Gift’

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to inaugurate a total of nine Vande Bharat express trains through video conferencing on September 24, of which two will be specifically for West Bengal– one, connecting Patna to Howrah and the other, connecting Ranchi to Howrah. Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the Eastern Railway, Kaushik Mitra has described this move as a “Durga Pujo gift” to Bengal.

“There are already three Vande Bharat trains in West Bengal- Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Junction, Puri-Howrah and New Jalpaiguri Junction-Guwahati. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has allotted another two Vande Bharats for West Bengal- Patna-Howrah and Ranch Howrah. People of West Bengal will be thrilled and take this as a Durgapuja gift from Narendra Modi,” the Eastern Railway CPRO said speaking to ANI on Friday.

The Vande Bharat Express trains will cover Bengal from the Chittaranjan area to Howrah, the CPRO said adding that both the trains will be inaugurated on the 24th and will reach Howrah station at around 10 pm. 

On the new-age facilities that will be provided on board the Vande Bharat trains, Mitra said, “The inclination of the chairs has been increased from 17 degrees to 19 degrees. The cushion seating has been improved. We have also changed the colours of the seats from blue to reddish. We have improved the basins and lighting facilities in the washrooms. We have also introduced wheelchair facilities for the specially-abled passengers from the compartment.”

Speaking on passenger feedback about the Vande Bharat trains, the Eastern Railway CPRO said, “Based on the experiences and feedback we have received from passengers, Vande Bharats are more user-friendly, more sophisticated and more comfortable.”

Mitra further said that the Vande Bharat trains will now be the fastest train travelling on this route and will even be faster than the present Rajdhani Express. While the Rajdhani Express takes 7 hours 45 minutes to reach Howrah from Patna, the Vande Bharat express will take only 6 and a half hours.

“Earlier from Patna to Howrah, the fastest train travelling on this route was Rajdhani Express which used to take 7 hours 45 minutes. With this Vande Bharat Express, it will take only 6 and a half hours,” the CPRO said.

The CPRO said that Asansol being an economic hub in West Bengal, the Vande Bharats will help passengers travelling from these regions to Howrah and to Patna in a short span.

“Asansol is an economic hub. Many steel plants are there, many cement factories are growing up there. People from Patna or Asansol can come to Kolkata or reach Patna in a short span,” he said.

Mitra said that several railway stations have been developed as Amrit Bharat stations with modern facilities. “Many stations have been identified as Amrit Bharat stations. A huge amount has been spent on stations like Asansol, Andal and Bardhaman,” he said. (ANI)

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Indian Canada

Indian Visa Services In Canada Suspended Till Further Notice

By LokMarg

The Indian Mission in Canada on Thursday suspended visa services till further notice citing operational reasons, according to BLS International.

BLS International Services Limited is an Indian outsourcing service provider for government and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages visa, passport, consular, attestation and citizen services.

As per BLS International , interested visa applicants have been advised to keep checking the BLS website for further updates on the issue.

“Important notice from Indian Mission: Due to operational reasons, with effect from 21 September 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice. Please keep checking BLS website for further updates,” the BLS website said.

This comes amid strain in India-Canada relations after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Najjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada’s Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

Trudeau during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed his country’s national security officials had reasons to believe that “agents of the Indian government” carried out the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.

The allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister and foreign minister were rejected by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the statements as absurd. 

“We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of Government of India’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated” the statement said. 

On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country were advised to exercise caution. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada were advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen growing anti-India activities, according to a release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. (ANI)

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Women's Reservation Bill

Supriya Sule Calls Women Reservation Bill A Post-Dated Cheque

By LokMarg

Terming the bill as a “post-dated cheque”, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule slammed the Bharatiya Janta Party for calling a special session for parliament for passing the Women’s Reservation Bill. 

Meanwhile, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the Women’s Reservation Bill for discussion in Rajya Sabha.

Stating that neither census and delimitation has been done, the NCP MP also said that the Centre could have introduced the bill during the upcoming winter session.

Speaking to ANI ahead of the passage of the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Supriya Sule said “They did this in such a haste, in a special session. There was so much haste that it seemed that they could have done it in December (Winter Session). Even if they did it then, the outcome would have been the same…”

“We are supporting it strongly. But it is a post-dated cheque because neither census nor delimitation has been done. Unless both of them are done it can’t be implemented. It will perhaps be implemented in 2029, who knows?”

BJP MP, Hema Malini congratulated PM Modi for his “vision” following the passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

 “The people who question will only question. But PM Narendra Modi has done it. He has done what has never happened before. We all should thank him, and congratulate him. He has a vision…” the Mathura MP told ANI.

The ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ is the first bill passed by Lok Sabha during the special session after it shifted to the new Parliament building on Tuesday.

The ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ is a “historic legislation” that will further boost women’s empowerment and will enable “greater participation of women in our political process,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday after the passage of the bill in Lok Sabha.

The bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the first sitting of the House in the new Parliament building.

The five-day Special Session of Parliament began on Monday and will conclude on Friday. (ANI)

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modi

Modi Has Invited Biden To Be Republic Day Chief Guest: US Envoy

By LokMarg

US President Joe Biden has been invited to India’s January 26-Republic Day celebrations here in the national capital, the Ambassador of US to India, Eric Garcetti revealed on Wednesday.

Garcetti said the invitation was extended to Biden by PM Modi on the sidelines of the bilateral that took place between the two leaders at the recently concluded G20 Summit.

During this, India and the US also settled the seventh and last outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute. 

Notably, the six previous disputes were resolved during PM Modi’s state visit to the US. 

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed United States President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., to India today, reaffirming the close and enduring partnership between India and the United States. The leaders expressed their appreciation for the substantial progress underway to implement the ground breaking achievements of Prime Minister Modi’s historic, June 2023, visit to Washington,” the India-US joint statement read.

The two leaders called on their governments to continue the work of transforming the India-US Strategic Partnership across all dimensions of our multifaceted global agenda, based on trust and mutual understanding. 

After the meeting, both the leaders lauded the India-US relations and said that the friendship between the two nations will continue to play a great role in furthering global good.

The G20 Summit took place in New Delhi from September 9-10 under India’s Presidency.

Notably, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was the chief guest at this year’s Republic Day parade. In 2015, Barack Obama became the first US President to attend India’s Republic Day parade as the chief guest. (ANI)

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India First Transgender OPD

India’s First Transgender OPD Opens In Delhi’s RML Hospital

By LokMarg

In a step toward inclusivity and healthcare accessibility, Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital inaugurated India’s first transgender Outpatient Department (OPD) today.

The inaugural ceremony was led by Professor Dr Ajay Shukla, Director of RML Hospital, who emphasized the importance of providing equitable healthcare services to the transgender community.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Ajay Shukla highlighted the challenges faced by transgender individuals when seeking medical care. “Transgender individuals were facing numerous difficulties in accessing our hospital’s services,” he noted.

“Their numbers in the hospital were negligible, largely due to discomfort and the fear of discrimination. Hence, on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, we have initiated this special OPD dedicated to their healthcare needs.”

One of the key features of this initiative is the provision of a dedicated restroom facility for transgender patients within the hospital premises.

This restroom has been designed to ensure that transgender individuals feel comfortable and do not face any difficulties during their visits to the hospital.

Transgender individuals present at the inauguration expressed their delight and gratitude for this pioneering step. Members of the transgender community stated, “We are overjoyed with this initiative. Today’s inauguration feels like a special gift to us on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. Previously, we often hesitated to come to the hospital.”

In addition to the inauguration of the transgender OPD, RML Hospital also organized a blood donation camp on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday.

The establishment of India’s first transgender OPD and the thoughtful provision of restroom facilities is a significant step toward ensuring that healthcare services are accessible to all, regardless of gender identity.

It is anticipated that this pioneering initiative at RML Hospital will set an example for inclusivity and inspire similar efforts across the nation, furthering the cause of equitable healthcare for all. (ANI)

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Modi's Birthday

Ahead Of Modi’s Birthday: BJP Worker Showcases His Portrait Using Grains, Millets

By LokMarg

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s birthday on September 17, a BJP worker in Pune is showcasing PM Modi’s portrait using grains and millets.

BJP worker Kishor Tarwade said, “The size of the portrait is 10X18 feet and it has been created using around 60 kg of grains like wheat, lentils and millets (Jawar, Raagi). The portrait will be kept for display from September 16 to September 18 for visitors at the Budhwar Peth area of Pune city in Kalika Mata Mandir Bhavan. No fee would be charged to have a look out at the display.”

The portrait has been created by artist Ganesh Khare and his team in 18 hours.

Kishor Tarwade added, “Wheat, til, masoor daal, hari moong daal, jawar raagi, toor daal, and sarso have been used to make the portrait.”

Prime Minister Modi is going to celebrate his 73rd birthday on September 17. He was born in 1950. (ANI)

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modi

Narendra Modi Praises Innovators On Engineers Day

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended his greetings on the occasion of Engineers Day, saying the tireless dedication of professionals in the field has been the backbone of the nation’s progress over the years.

PM Modi took to his official handle on the social media platform ‘X’ to pay homage to one of the country’s foremost civil engineers, M Visvesvaraya, whose birth anniversary is celebrated as ‘Engineers Day’.

“Greetings to all hardworking engineers on #EngineersDay! Their innovative minds and tireless dedication have been the backbone of our nation’s progress. From infrastructural marvels to tech breakthroughs, their contributions touch every aspect of our lives,” PM Modi posted on X.

Calling him a visionary engineer and statesman, PM Modi said he continues to inspire generations to innovate and serve the nation.

“On #EngineersDay we pay homage to Sir M Visvesvaraya, a visionary engineer and statesman. He continues to inspire generations to innovate and serve the nation. Here are glimpses from Chikkaballapura, where I paid homage to him during my visit earlier this year,” Modi said in another post.

Born on September 15, 1861, in Muddenahalli near Chikkaballapur, Visvesvaraya is considered one of the foremost nation-builders.

He designed several leading landmarks, which have, over the years, come to define and characterise modern India.

He also served as the 19th Dewan of Mysuru, formerly known as Mysore, from 1912 to 1918. (ANI)

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