Prime Minister Narendra Modi Archives - Page 58 of 75 - Lokmarg

Amid Pathaan's Success, Modi Hails Theatres Running Houseful In Srinagar

Modi Urges Citizens To Read About Padma Awardees

By LokMarg 29th January 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged the citizens of the country to read about the lives and stories of people who have been conferred with the prestigious ‘Padma’ Awards.

PM Modi was addressing the 97th Edition and the first ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio program of 2023.
Modi underlined that a sizeable number of Padma awardees came from tribal communities and people associated with tribal society.

“Various people from tribal areas – painters, musicians, farmers, artisans – have been conferred the Padma awards. I urge all countrymen to read their inspiring stories. Many dignitaries who have worked on tribal languages like Toto, Ho, Kui, Kuvi, and Manda have received these awards,” PM Modi said during the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio program.

“Tribal life is different from city life, it has challenges of its own. Despite all this, tribal societies are always eager to preserve their traditions,” he said.

Modi further added that many great personalities who have worked on tribal languages like Toto, Ho, Kui, Kuvi, and Manda have received Padma Awards.

“It is a matter of pride for all of us and the fact that now the world would know them. People working with Siddi, Jarwa, and Onge tribes have also been awarded this time,” PM Modi pointed out.

“This time among Padma awardees are those people who have expertise in spreading the melody of our traditional musical instruments like Santoor, Bamhum, and Dwitara. Ghulam Mohd Zaz, Moa Su-Pong, Ri-Singhbor Kurka-Long, Muni-Venkatappa, and Mangal Kanti Rai are being discussed all around,” he said.

He also underlined the efforts of the Northeast people who are continuously thriving to preserve their culture and have been awarded the Padma awards.

Padma Awards – the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.

The Awards are given, every year on Republic Day, in various disciplines and fields of activities such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.

‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field.

Earlier, on December 25, 2022, PM Modi addressed the 96th episode of Mann Ki Baat. In his last Mann Ki Baat of 2022, PM Modi said the country had become the world’s fifth-largest economy in 2022.

“The year 2022 was wonderful, India completed 75 years of Independence while ‘Amrit Kaal’ began. India progressed rapidly and became the world’s fifth-largest economy, and achieved the unbelievable record of 220 crore vaccines and crossed the USD 400 billion mark in exports,” he said. (ANI)

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No PM Would Have Made Me Minister: Jaishankar

By LokMarg 29th January 2023

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that he is not sure if any Prime Minister other than PM Narendra Modi would have appointed him as a minister.

Speaking at an event in Pune for the release of his English book “The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World,” which has been translated into Marathi as ‘Bharat Marg’, Jaishankar said that becoming foreign secretary was the limit of his ambition. Prior to being appointed as a minister, Jaishankar served as Foreign Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.
“For me to become foreign secretary, was frankly the limit of my ambition, I had never even dreamt of becoming a minister,” Jaishankar said.

“I am not sure any Prime Minister, other than Narendra Modi would have made me minister,” he added.

In his remarks, Jaishankar further said, “I really also sometimes ask myself that if he was not the Prime Minister, would I have had the courage to enter politics, I don’t know.” He also shared his experience of working as a foreign secretary with former Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.

“We had a very-very good minister Sushma ji and we got along personally very well. I would say our combination was very good, a minister-secretary combination. But, I did learn one thing, there is a difference in responsibilities, there is a difference in the overall sense of being a secretary and a minister.

Jaishankar stated, “Secretary still has a minister above them who is answerable to parliament, answerable in public, who still gives protection and comfort, you know there is that umbrella.” The External Affairs Minister said that this has shaped his behaviour as a minister that he needs to infuse confidence in the system.

In his remarks, Jaishankar called China an “unusual neighbour” as he discussed ways to tackle the country, which according to him if it becomes a superpower, may have its own challenges.

“China is an unusual neighbour. We have many neighbours but China may become global power or superpower. Living next to global power has own challenges,” Jaishankar said.

EAM S Jaishankar stated that there are political, economic and technological ways to manage China in the book. He also spoke about national security, Jaishankar underlined how India has suffered due to terrorism as compared to other countries.

“At times there are challenges to national security requiring decisive steps. An obvious example of it is terrorism, we all know how much India has suffered due to terrorism as compared to other countries because other countries don’t have a neighbour like the one we have,” Jaishankar said during the event, as he took a sharp dig at Pakistan. (ANI)

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Govt Working For Underprivileged Like Lord Devnarayan: PM

By LokMarg 28th January 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that many attempts were made to break India geographically, culturally, socially, and ideologically, but no force could destroy India.

India is not just a piece of land but an expression of our civilization and potential, the Prime Minister said in Malaseri Dungri in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan today while addressing a ceremony to commemorate the 1,111th ‘Avataran Mahotsav’ of Bhagwan Shri Devnarayan Ji in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara.
“We the people of India are proud of our thousands of years old civilization and culture,” the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi said that his government was following the mantra of “preference for the underprivileged” and of empowering every section of society just like Lord Devnarayan, who shunned a life of luxury and instead chose to serve people.

The PM said, “Bhagwan Devnarayan came from a well-off family but he shunned the luxurious life and chose to serve people and dedicated his life to public service.”

“Today the country is moving forward on this path. We are also working with the mantra of ‘preference for the underprivileged’. That is why today the poor are getting free rations and free treatment. The poor used to worry about the house, toilet, and gas cylinder. We are removing that too. Bank accounts of the poor are being opened,” Modi added.

PM Modi also stated that attempts to break India could not succeed.

He said, “We take pride in our thousands of years old history, civilization, and culture. Several civilizations of the world ended with time. Several attempts were made to break India geographically, culturally, socially and ideologically. But no power could finish India.”

“India is not just a tract of land but also an expression of our civilization, culture, harmony and possibilities. That is why India is laying the foundation for its glorious future. The biggest inspiration behind this is the power of our society which belongs to crores of people of the country,” the prime minister said.

PM Modi said that in every period in the country, such a power emerges from within the society which has shown the direction to everyone. Lord Devnayan was also such an incarnation who protected the country from the invaders.

PM Modi stated that Lord Devnarayan removed the evils spread in society and spread the spirit harmony, united the society, and worked towards establishing an ideal system.

“This is the reason that there is reverence and immense faith in him in every section of society,” he said.

He said that due to the efforts of the government, electricity, water, health, housing and banking facilities are reaching the common people.

The government’s efforts are also going on to provide water for agriculture and to protect livestock. For the first time, the facility of Kisan Credit Card has also been provided to the cattle rearers. More than 15000 cr has been deposited in the bank accounts of the farmers under PM Kisan Saman Nidhi, PM Modi said.

PM Modi also thanked the people of Rajasthan for inviting him on the auspicious occassion.

He said, “We will work hard. We all will work together and everyone’s efforts will lead to success. I am very grateful to society that it has invited me here as a devotee. The power and devotion of society inspired me and I am here today.”

The event was organised by the culture ministry.

Malaseri is the birthplace of Bhagwan Dev Narayan, greatly revered by the Gujjars in the area.

The Gujjars are about 9 per cent to 12 per cent of the population in the state and they are significant in 40 to 50 assembly seats in eastern Rajasthan.

Bhagwan Shri Devnarayan ji is worshipped by the people of Rajasthan, and his followers are spread across the length and breadth of the country. He is revered especially for his work towards public service.

Earlier this morning Prime Minister Modi prayers at the Malaseri Dungri temple in the district and also made offerings in the ongoing Yagya there.

Notably, this is Prime Minister Modi’s third visit to the poll-bound Rajasthan in the last four months. (ANI)

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BBC Docu Row: Students Detained At DU’s Arts Faculty

By LokMarg 27th January 2023

Delhi Police on Friday detained students and members of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) from outside the Faculty of Arts at the University of Delhi in the wake of a call by NSUI-KSU for the screening the BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Provisions under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) are imposed outside the Faculty of Arts at Delhi University in the wake of a call by NSUI-KSU for the screening of a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A large number of security personnel have also been deployed outside the Faculty of Arts.

The BBC documentary has created a fresh row in the country after the government, earlier this month, denounced it and described it as a “propaganda piece” that is designed to push a discredited narrative. The government also pulled down the BBC documentary ‘India: The Modi Question’ from various social media platforms including Twitter and Youtube.

The row further deepened after JNUSU members allegedly faced a “deliberate” power outage, while they were screening the impugned BBC documentary at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus in the national capital.

The documentary leads to opposition attacking the government on freedom of speech despite the government terming it as a ‘propaganda piece’.

Earlier on Wednesday, 13 students were detained after some students tried to create a ruckus outside the Jamia Millia Islamia University over the screening of a BBC documentary.

The Delhi Police said the university administration did not allow the screening of the BBC documentary in the campus.

On Monday the administration of the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi also warned against screening the BBC documentary on the campus after a group of students released a pamphlet inviting students to a screening of the film at the students union’s office at 9 pm on Tuesday (January 24).

The JNU Students Union wrote to the university administration over its firm advisory against the screening of the BBC documentary stating that they “do not seek to create any form of disharmony” and their purpose is to only watch it on the campus. It also mentioned in the letter that the students with “voluntary interest” would take part in the screening.

Later in the night, the JNU students marched toward Vasant Kunj police station claiming stone pelting by members of ABVP while the said documentary was being screened.

The protest was later called off after the police assured students of taking up the matter and looking into it immediately. (ANI)

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Modi To Interact With Students, Teachers, Parents In ‘Pariksha Par Charcha’

By LokMarg 27th January 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with students, teachers, and parents in the yearly ‘Pariksha Par Charcha’ program today.

The program will start at 11.00 am.
“Pariksha Pe Charcha is among the most exciting programs, giving an opportunity to discuss ways to make exams stress-free and support our Exam Warriors. I look forward to the program on the 27th of this month and urge you all to take part in this unique interaction,” PM Modi said in a tweet earlier.

Registration for the 6th edition of ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ began on November 25 and closed on December 30.

As per the official of the Ministry of Education, registrations for the program have more than double this year compared to the year 2022.

About 38.80 lakh participants (Students- 31.24 lakh, Teachers – 5.60 lakh, and Parents – 1.95 lakh) have registered for PPC-2023 compared to about 15.7 lakhs for PPC-2022.

“Students from over 150 countries, teachers from 51 countries, and parents from 50 countries have also registered for PPC-2023,” an Education Ministry official told ANI.

Education Ministry officials further said that students, teachers, and parents have enthusiastically participated in big numbers from State Boards, CBSE, KVS, NVS, and other Boards.

About 2,050 participants selected through the creative writing competitions on MyGov will be presented with a special Pariksha Pe Charcha kit comprising of Exam Warriors book in Hindi and English, written by the Prime Minister, and a certificate. Some of the questions by the participants, to be selected by NCERT, may feature in PPC-2023.

According to the Ministry of Education, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conceptualized this unique interactive program – Pariksha Pe Charcha wherein students, parents, and teachers from across the nation and also from overseas interact with him to discuss anxieties related to examinations and life after school.

The event seeks to help in overcoming stress in order to celebrate life as an ‘Utsav’.

This event was organized successfully for the last five years by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.

The program is proposed to be in a town hall type format, as in the year 2022, while adhering to the COVID-19 protocols, as determined by the Ministry of Health. (ANI)

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AK Antony's Son Anil Quits Congress Over BBC Docu Tweet | Lokmarg

AK Antony’s Son Anil Quits Congress Over BBC Documentary Tweet

By LokMarg 25th January 2023

Congress leader Anil K Antony, the son of former Union Minister A K Anthony on Wednesday announced his resignation from the party, a day after he criticized the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“This is my personal decision and I do think this is the best course of action. I did not discuss it with my father. I’ve sent my resignation and I hope that the leadership will accept it. I don’t think this Congress has space for me,” Antony said.

He alleged that he had received threat calls and hate messages “through the night”.

“A lot of things that happened in the last 24 hours, especially from certain corners of Congress, have hurt me a lot,” Anthony told ANI.

In a tweet today Anthony said that he was facing “intolerant calls” to retract one of his previous tweets in which he had condemned the documentary on PM Modi and termed it a “dangerous precedent.”

In his resignation letter, Anthony said he did not give in to the demands to retract the tweet and instead was submitting his resignation from the party. The former Defence Minister’s son also took a potshot at the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra by Rahul Gandhi.

Anil Antony tweeted today: “I have resigned from my roles in @incindia

@INCKerala. Intolerant calls to retract a tweet, by those fighting for free speech. I refused. @facebook wall of hate/abuses by ones supporting a trek to promote love! Hypocrisy thy name is! Life goes on. Redacted resignation letter below.”

Anthony said it would be “appropriate” for him to step down from his roles as the convener of the KPCC digital media and also the national co-ordinator of the Congress social media and digital communication cell.

“By now, I have been made well aware that you, your colleagues, and the coterie around the leadership are only keen to work with a bunch of sycophants and chamchas, who would unquestionably be at your beck and call. This has become the lone criterion of merit. Sadly we don’t have much common ground,” Anthony wrote.

He added, “I would prefer to continue my other professional endeavors without being fed this negativity, and being involved in these destructive narratives, many against the very core interests of India. These I strongly believe will end up in the dustbin of history with time.”

In a tweet on January 24, Anthony had hit out at the BBC terming it “a state-sponsored channel with a long history of prejudices” against India.

“Despite large differences with BJP, I think those in India placing views of BBC, a UK state-sponsored channel with a long history of prejudices, and of Jack Straw, the brain behind the Iraq war, over Indian institutions is setting a dangerous precedence, will undermine our sovereignty,” Anthony tweeted.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of CPM, the Students Federation of India (SFI), and the Congress screened the documentary ‘India: the Modi Question’ at various places in Kerala yesterday. (ANI)

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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday and was accorded a warm welcome. He will be the chief guest at the 74th Republic Day parade

R-Day Parade Chief Guest Egyptian Prez El Sisi Arrives In India

By LokMarg 24th January 2023

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday and was accorded a warm welcome. He will be the chief guest at the 74th Republic Day parade.

He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including five ministers and senior officials for his official visit from January 24-27.

As he arrived in New Delhi, the traditional folk dance is being performed to welcome Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

It is pertinent to mention that this is the first time the President of Egypt has been invited as the chief guest on Republic Day.

Notably, India and Egypt are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. India has also invited Egypt as a ‘guest country” during its G20 Presidency.

According to the statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, Sisi will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Wednesday.

He is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar among others, with whom he will hold a meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, as per a media advisory released by the MEA.

On the same day, the Egyptian president will lay a wreath at the Rajghat, the memorial of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

He will hold a meeting with PM Modi and discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest during his stay.

The same evening, President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in honor of the visiting dignitary.

On Republic Day, Sisi will witness the Republic Day Parade as the chief guest. A military contingent of the Egyptian Army will march on the Rajpath along with other contingents.

Sisi will attend the “at home” reception by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will also hold a meeting with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. He will interact with the business community in India. Sisi will return to Cairo on January 27.

“This is for the first time that the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt has been invited as Chief Guest on our Republic Day. A military contingent from Egyptian Army will also participate in the Republic Day parade,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official statement on Monday.

The Ministry of External Affairs stated, “The forthcoming visit of President Sisi is expected to further strengthen and deepen the time-tested partnership between India and Egypt.”

India and Egypt have “warm and friendly relations marked by civilizational, cultural and economic linkages and deep-rooted people-to-people ties”, as per the MEA statement.

The ties between the two nations are based on shared cultural values, commitment to strengthening economic growth, and cooperation in various sectors, including defense, security, and convergence on regional and global issues. (ANI)

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White Rulers Still Masters For Some Indians: Rijiju On BBC Docu

By LokMarg 24th January 2023

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday made a scathing attack apparently on a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi which has sparked controversy since its release, and said some people have still not gotten over their “colonial intoxication” and for them “whites” are still their “rulers”.

“For some people, the white rulers are still the masters whose decision on India is final and not the decision of the Supreme Court of India or the will of the people of India,” Rijiju tweeted in Hindi tagging his earlier tweet on the minority in the country, who he claimed were moving forward with positivity.

Two days back, Rijiju also said: “Some people in India still haven’t gotten over the colonial intoxication. They consider BBC above the Supreme Court of India and lower the country’s dignity and image to any extent to please their moral masters.”

Rijiju, while reacting to an opinion piece shared by a national daily, said: “Minorities, or for that matter, every community in India is moving ahead positively. India’s image cannot be disgraced by malicious campaigns launched inside or outside India. PM @narendramodi Ji’s voice is the voice of 1.4 billion Indians.”

Last week, India denounced the controversial BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Modi, describing it as a ‘propaganda piece’ designed to push a discredited narrative.

“We think this is a propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias, lack of objectivity, and frankly continuing colonial mindset are blatantly visible,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during a weekly media briefing on January 19.

The MEA spokesperson added that the documentary is a reflection of individuals who are peddling this narrative again.

Meanwhile, in a strong response to the BBC documentary on Saturday, more than 300 eminent Indians, including retired judges, bureaucrats, and armed forces veterans signed a statement slamming the British national broadcaster for showing “unrelenting prejudice” towards India and its leader.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price responding to a media query on Monday said: “I’m not familiar with the documentary you’re referring to, however, I am very familiar with the shared values that enact the United States and India as two thriving and vibrant democracies.” (ANI)

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Munda Slams Owaisi Remarks On BBC Doc, Says SC’s Decision To Be Respected

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

Union Minister Arjun Munda on Monday slammed AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi over UK’s British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)’s documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he should respect the Supreme Court which gave a clean chit to the then Gujarat Chief Minister.

Hitting out at PM Modi over the Centre’s move to block the BBC documentary about the 2002 Gujarat riots, Owaisi questioned whether the Prime Minister would also block the upcoming movie on Godse, who assassinated MK Gandhi.
“Modi government has banned BBC interviews on Twitter and YouTube in India. We ask PM Modi whether someone from outside the earth or from the sky killed the people in the Gujarat riots?” he said.

Slamming Owaisi’s statement on PM Modi regarding the documentary, Munda said, “The country is growing under the leadership of PM Modi. But it is sad to see that people pelt more stones at the tree which bears more fruits. The country is in a stable condition and is moving forward just because of our Prime Minister.”

Citing the Supreme Court judgement on the Gujarat riots, the Minister said that the decision of the top court should be accepted by all.

“In many cases, the Supreme Court has made it clear, taking into account all the factors in its decision, it has explained what kind of people were responsible for the Gujarat riots. The Supreme Court has also clearly stated those who are innocent. What the Supreme Court has said should be respected because all things that happen in this country, the courts interpret them and give justice,” Munda said.

UK’s British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired a two-part series attacking PM Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002. The documentary sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms.

In a strong rebuttal to the BBC documentary on Modi, more than 300 eminent Indians including retired judges, retired bureaucrats, and retired armed forces veterans signed a statement slamming the British national broadcaster for showing “unrelenting prejudice” toward India and its leader. (ANI)

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Parakram Diwas: Celebs Laud Modi’s Decision To Name Unnamed Islands

By LokMarg 23rd January 2023

Several Bollywood celebrities on Monday lauded PM Narendra Modi’s decision to name the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees to mark Parakram Diwas.

Taking to Twitter, Ajay Devgn showered praises by writing, “The decision to name an island after Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey (Param Vir Chakra) is assuring that the example of supreme sacrifice for the motherland he left us with will continue to inspire generations to come. Thank you PM @narendramodi Ji. #IndiaHonoursParamveers”

Sidharth Malhotra, who played the role of Kargil war hero, Vikram Batra, in 2021’s ‘Shershaah’, wrote, “The very news that an island in Andaman & Nicobar is named after our hero Capt. Vikram Batra leaves me with goosebumps! My heart swells with pride that I was fortunate to live his role on screen. This step taken by PM @narendramodi ensures that Shershaah lives on forever.”

Suniel Shetty shared, “Thank you Hon. PM @narendramodi ji for renaming 21 islands of #AndamanNicobar in the names of the 21 #ParamVirChakra awardees, the true heroes of our Nation, on the 126th Birth Anniversary of the great #NetajiSubhasChandraBose. So proud! #JaiHind #ParakramDivas.”

Anupam Kher lauded the decision by tweeting, “On the occasion of 126 birth anniversary of Netaji #SubashChandraBose 21 islands of Andaman and Nicobar are being named after 21 #ParamvirChakra awardees! What a fitting tribute to the Warriors who made the supreme sacrifice! Jai Hind! @narendramodi”

Jackie Shroff wrote, “A tribute to the real heroes, by our Honourable PM @narendramodi ji. On the 126th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra ji Bose”

This step of naming the 21 largest unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be an everlasting tribute to our heroes, several of whom made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.

The largest unnamed island was named after the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, Major Somnath Sharma, who lost his life in action on November 3, 1947, while repulsing Pakistani infiltrators near Srinagar Airport.

The Government had declared January 23 as Parakram Diwas in 2021 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. (ANI)

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