The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paid tributes to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay on his birth anniversary.

Shri Modi said that the personality and work of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, the founder of Antyodaya, who dedicated his entire life to the service of Mother India, will always remain a source of inspiration for the countrymen.

The Prime Minister also shared his thoughts on Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay.

In a X post, the Prime Minister said;

“मां भारती की सेवा में जीवनपर्यंत समर्पित रहे अंत्योदय के प्रणेता पंडित दीनदयाल उपाध्याय जी का व्यक्तित्व और कृतित्व देशवासियों के लिए हमेशा प्रेरणास्रोत बना रहेगा। उनकी जन्म-जयंती पर उन्हें मेरा सादर नमन।”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi flagged off nine Vande Bharat trains today via video conferencing. These new Vande Bharat trains are a step towards realising Prime Minister’s vision of improving connectivity across the country and providing world class facilities to rail passengers. The new trains that were flagged off are:

1. Udaipur – Jaipur Vande Bharat Express
2. Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express
3. Hyderabad –Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
4. Vijayawada – Chennai (via Renigunta) Vande Bharat Express
5. Patna – Howrah Vande Bharat Express
6. Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express
7. Rourkela – Bhubaneswar – Puri  Vande Bharat Express
8. Ranchi – Howrah  Vande Bharat Express
9. Jamnagar-Ahmedabad  Vande Bharat Express

Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister called the flag off of nine Vande Bharat Trains an unprecedented occasion of modern connectivity in the country. “This speed and scale of infrastructure development in the country is exactly matching the aspirations of 140 crore Indians”, he said. The Prime Minister said that the trains started today are more modern and comfortable. He said these Vande Bharat Trains are symbols of a new enthusiasm of new India. He expressed delight about the growing craze of Vande Bharat as he informed that more than one crore eleven lakh passengers have travelled in Vande Bharat trains.

The Prime Minister informed that 25 Vande Bharat trains are serving people in different states and union territories. 9 more Vande Bharat are being added to that today and, he said “day is not far when Vande Bharat will connect every part of the country”. He also noted Vande Bharat’s utility for the people who wish to save time and perform same day travel. He also highlighted increased tourism in the places connected by Vande Bharat leading to increased economic activities.

Prime Minister Modi underlined the atmosphere of hope and confidence in the county as every citizen is feeling proud of the achievements of the country. He mentioned historic successes of Chandrayaan 3 and Aditya L1. Similarly,  G20 success has showcased India’s strength of Democracy, Demography and Diversity, he said.

He also mentioned Narishakti Vandan Act as a decisive moment for pushing women led development.   In this regard he mentioned that many railway stations are being run by women functionaries.

The Prime Minister said that a confident India is working on the needs of its present and future simultaneously. He listed PM Gatishakti Masterplan for seamless coordination in infrastructure development and New Logistics policy for reduction in transportation and exports related charges. He also talked about multimodal connectivity as one mode of transport should support other modes.  All this is to improve ease of travel for the common citizens, he said.

Stressing the importance of railways in the lives of common citizens, the Prime Minister lamented the neglect of this important sector in the earlier times. Elaborating on the efforts of the current government for the transformation of Indian Railways the Prime Minister informed about increased budget as this year’s budget for railway is 8 times the rail budget of 2014. Similarly, work is going on for doubling, electrification and new routes, he added.

The Prime Minister emphasized that “an India on the path of being developed will now have to modernize its railway stations as well”.  With this thinking in mind, for the first time a campaign for development and modernization of railway stations has been started in India. Today, a record number of foot over bridges, lifts and escalators are being constructed in the country for the convenience of railway passengers. Just a few days ago, the work of redevelopment of more than 500 major stations of the country was started. These new stations built during the Amrit Kaal will be called Amrit Bharat Stations, the Prime Minister said. “These stations will become the identity of the new Bharat  in the coming days”, he added.

The Prime Minister expressed happiness that the Railways has started celebrating the ‘Sthapna Diwas’ day of establishment of railway station and mentioned the celebrations at Coimbatore, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Mumbai. Coimbatore Railway station has completed 150 years. “Now this tradition of celebrating the birthday of railway stations will be expanded further and more and more people will be involved in it”, he said.

The Prime Minister said that the country has made the vision of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat a medium of Sankal se Siddhi. “To achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047, development of every state and the people of every state is necessary”, PM Modi emphasized. He said that selfish thinking of concentrating railway development in the state of the railway minister has damaged the country a lot and now we simply can not afford to keep any state backwards. “We have to move ahead with a vision of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas”, he said.

Addressing the hard working Railways employees, the Prime Minister asked them to make every journey memorable for the passengers. “Every employee of the Railways has to remain constantly sensitive towards Ease of Travel and to provide a good experience to the passengers”, the Prime Minister requested.

The Prime Minister said that every citizen has noticed the new standards of cleanliness of railways. He asked everyone to get involved in the proposed swachhta abhiyan at 10 am on 1st October to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. He also asked everyone to rededicate themselves to the purchase of khadi and swadeshi products and be more vocal for local during the time from 2nd October to 31st October, Jayanti of Sardar Patel

“I am confident that the changes taking place at every level in Indian Railways and society will prove to be an important step towards a developed India”, the Prime Minister said concluding his remarks. .

Governors, Chief Ministers, Ministers, Members of Parliament and Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw were among those present on the occasion.

Background

These nine trains will boost connectivity across eleven states namely Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, Odisha, Jharkhand and Gujarat.

These Vande Bharat trains will be the fastest train along the routes of their operation and will help save considerable time of the passengers. As compared to the current fastest train along the route, Rourkela- Bhubaneswar – Puri  Vande Bharat Express and Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express will be faster by about 3 hours; Hyderabad – Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express by more than 2.5 hours; Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express by more than 2 hours; Ranchi – Howrah  Vande Bharat Express,  Patna – Howrah Vande Bharat Express and Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express by about 1 hour; and Udaipur – Jaipur Vande Bharat Express by about half an hour.

In line with the Prime Minister’s vision to improve connectivity of important religious places across the country, Rourkela- Bhubaneswar – Puri  Vande Bharat Express and Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express will connect important religious towns of Puri and Madurai. Also, the Vijayawada – Chennai Vande Bharat Express will operate via the Renigunta route and will provide connectivity to Tirupati Pilgrimage centre.

The introduction of these Vande Bharat trains will herald a new standard of rail service in the country. These trains, equipped with world class amenities and advanced safety features, including Kavach technology, will be a key step towards providing modern, speedy and comfortable means of travel to common people, professionals, businessmen, student community and tourists.

My dear family members, Namaskar. In yet another episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, I have got the opportunity to share with you all, the success of the country, the success of the countrymen; their inspiring life journey. These days, most of the letters and messages I have received are largely on two subjects. The first is the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 and the second topic is the successful hosting of G-20 in Delhi. I have received countless letters from every part of the country, across every section of the society, and people of all ages. When the lander of Chandrayaan-3 was about to land on the Moon, crores of people were simultaneously witnessing each and every moment of this event through different mediums. More than 80 lakh people watched this incident on ISRO’s YouTube Live Channel; which is a record in itself. This conveys how deep the attachment of crores of Indians is to Chandrayaan-3. On this success of Chandrayaan, a wonderful quiz competition is going on in the country these days… and it has been named – ‘Chandrayaan-3 Mahaquiz’. So far, more than 15 lakh people have participated in this competition being held on MyGov portal. This is the largest participation in any quiz after the launch of MyGov. I would also suggest that if you have not yet participated in it, do not delay, there are still six more days left. Do take part in this quiz.

My family members, after the success of Chandrayaan-3, the grand hosting of G-20 doubled the joy of every Indian. Bharat Mandapam has turned out tobe a celebrity in itself. People are taking selfies with it and also posting them with pride. In this summit, India has proved the mettle of her leadership by making African Union a full member of G-20. You must be aware that duringthe time when India was very prosperous, the Silk Route was a part of discourse in our country and in the world. This Silk Route was a major medium of business and trade. Now in modern times, India has suggested another Economic Corridor in G-20. This is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. This corridor is going to become the basis of world trade for hundreds of years to come, and history will always remember that this corridor was initiated on Indian soil.

Friends, today a special mention is required on the way India’s youth power associated itself with this event during the G-20. Throughout the year, programs related to G-20 were held in many universities of the country. In this series now, another exciting program is going to happen in Delhi – the ‘G20 University Connect Programme’. Through this programme, lakhs of university students across the country will connect with each other. Many prestigious institutions like IITs, IIMs, NITs and Medical Colleges will also participate in it. I wish that if you are a college student, you must watch this program to be held on the 26th September and join it. In this, many interesting exchanges are going to take place on the future of India and on the future of the youth. I myself shall participate in this program. I am also waiting to communicate with our college students.

My family members, two days from now, the 27th September, is ‘World Tourism Day’. Some people view tourism just as a means of touring and travelling, but a very big aspect of tourism is related to employment. It is said that if any sector generates maximum employment with minimum investment, it is the tourism sector. In enhancing the tourism sector, goodwill and attraction towards any country matter a lot. The fascination towards India has risen a lot in the last few years and after the successful organization of G-20, the interest of the people of the world towards India has grown further.

Friends, more than one lakh delegates came to India for G-20. They got acquainted with the diversity here; different traditions, different types of cuisines and our heritage. The wonderful experiences that the delegates who came here have carried back with them will further expand tourism. You all know that there are world heritage sites in India and their number is continuously rising. Just a few days ago, Shantiniketan and the holy Hoysala temples of Karnataka have been declared world heritage sites. I congratulate all the countrymen for this wonderful achievement. I had the privilege of visiting Shanti Niketan in 2018. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore had been associated with Shanti Niketan. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore had derived the motto of Shantiniketan from an ancient Sanskrit verse. That verse is –

“YatraVishwamBhavatyekNeedam”

That is, where a small nest can contain the entire world.

The Hoysala temples of Karnataka, which have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, are known for their excellent architecture of the 13th century. These temples getting recognition from UNESCO is also an honor to the Indian tradition of temple building. The total number of World Heritage Properties in India has now reached 42. It is India’s endeavorto ensure as many of our historical and cultural places as possible get recognized as World Heritage Sites. I urge all of you … whenever you plan to travel somewhere, try to observe the diversity of India. Understand the culture of different states. Visit Heritage Sites. With this, not only will you become familiar with the glorious history of our country; you will also become an important medium to increase the income of the local people.

My family members, Indian culture and music have now become global. The fascination of people all over the world towards them is increasing day by day. I am playing you a short audio of a presentation made by a lovely daughter…

####Audio-Song

You were also surprised to listen to  this, weren’t you? What a sweet voice… and through the emotions reflected in every word, we can feel her love for God. If I disclose that this melodious voice belongs to a daughter from Germany, perhaps you will be even more surprised!The name of this daughter is – Kasmi. 21 year old Kasmi is quite popular on Instagram these days. Kasmi, a resident of Germany, has never been to India, but she is a fan of Indian music, who has never even seen India. Her interest in Indian music is very inspiring. Kasmi has been blind since birth, but this difficult challenge did not stop her from extraordinary achievements. Her passion for music and creativity was such that she started singing right from her childhood. She started African Drumming at the age of just 3 years. She was introduced to Indian music just 5-6 years ago. The music of India fascinated her so much that she got completely engrossed in it. She has also learned to play the tabla. The most inspiring thing is that she has mastered singing in many Indian languages. Sanskrit, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada or Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Urdu, she has mastered her notes in all of them. You can imagine how difficult it is if someone has to speak two-three lines of another unknown language, but for Kasmi it is like child’s play. For all of you, I am sharing here one of her songs sung in Kannada.

###Audio – Song

I wholeheartedly appreciate Germany’s Kasmi’s passion for Indian culture and music. Her efforts are going to overwhelm every Indian.

My dear family members, in our country education is always seen as a service. I have come to know about some youth of Uttarakhand, who are working for the education of children with the same spirit. Some youth in Nainital district have started unique‘Ghoda Library’ for children. The biggest feature of this library is that books are reaching children even in the most remote areas and not only this, the service is absolutely free. Till now 12 villages of Nainital have been covered through this. Local people are also coming forward to help in this noble cause related to children’s education. Through this Ghoda Library, an effort is being made that the children living in remote villages get full opportunity to read ‘poems’, ‘stories’ and ‘moral education’ books apart from school books. This unique library is also much liked by the children.

Friends, I have come to know a similar unique effort related to libraries in Hyderabad. Here, daughter Akarshana Satish studying in seventh class has done wonders. You may be surprised to know that at just 11 years of age, she is running not one or two, but seven libraries for children. Akarshana got her inspiration two years ago when she went to a cancer hospital with her parents. Her father had gone there to help the needy. The children there asked her for ‘Colouring Books’, and this very thing touched this lovely doll so much that she decided to collect different types of books. She started collecting books from herneighbourhood, relatives and friends and you will be happy to know that the first library was opened for children in the same cancer hospital. Around 6 thousand books are now available in the seven libraries that this daughter has opened so far at different places for needy children. The way little Akarshna is doing a great job in shaping the future of children, is inspiring everyone.

Friends, it is true that today’s era is of Digital Technology and E-Books, but still books always play the role of a good friend in our lives. Hence, we should motivate children to read books.

My family members, it has been said in our scriptures –

JeeveshuKarunaChapi, MaitriTeshuVidhiyatam.

That is, have compassion on living beings and make them your friends. Most of our deities’ carriers are animals and birds. Many people visit temples to have darshan of God, but they do not pay much attention to the animals that transport them. These creatures should not only remain at the centre of our faith, we should also protect them in every possible way. During the last few years, in the country, a commendable rise has been observed in the numbers of lions, tigers, leopards and elephants. Many other efforts are also going on continuously to save other animals living on this earth. A similar unique effort is also being undertaken in Pushkar, Rajasthan. Here, Sukhdev Bhatt ji and his team are working together to save wild animals, and do you know what the name of their team is? His team’s name is – Cobra. This dangerous name is because his team also works to rescue deadly snakes in this area. A large number of people are involved in this team, who reach the spot on just a call and get involved in their mission. Sukhdevji has till now saved the lives of more than 30 thousand venomous snakes. Through this effort, whereas this has reduced the danger to the people; nature is also being conserved. This team is also involved in the service ofailing animals.

Friends, Auto Driver M. Rajendra Prasad ji is also doing a unique work in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He has been engaged in the service of pigeons for the last 25-30 years. He himself has more than 200 pigeons in his house. There itself, he takes full care of every need of the birds like food, water, health etc. He spends quite a lot of money on this, but he is steadfast in his work. Friends, seeing people doing such work with good intentions really gives a lot of satisfaction and a lot of joy. If you also get information about some such unique efforts, do share it.

My dear family members, this AzadiKaAmritKaal is also the period of duty for every citizen of the country. Only by performing our duties can we achieve our goals and reach our destination. The sense of duty binds us all together. In Sambhal UP, the country has seen such an example of sense of duty, which I want to share with you too. Just imagine…more than 70 villages, population of thousands and all the people coming together and uniting to achieve one goal…this rarely happens, but the people of Sambhalhave done it. Together, these people have set a wonderful example of public participation and collective effort. Actually, decades ago, there used to be a river named ‘Sot’ in this area. Originating from Amroha and flowing through Sambhal to Badaun, this river was once known as the life giver in this region. Water used to flow continuously in this river, which was the main basis of farming for the farmers here. With time the flow of the river reduced, the paths through which the river flowed were encroached upon and this river became extinct. In our country, which considers the river as a Mother, the people of Sambhal have resolved to bring back to life Sotriver also. In December last year, more than 70 Gram Panchayats together started the work of rejuvenation of the Sot river. The people of Gram Panchayats also took government departments along with them. You will be happy to know that in just the first six months of the year itself, these people had restored more than a 100 kilometres of the river. When the rainy season started, the hard work of the people here bore fruit and the Sot river was filled to the brim with water. This has come as a huge occasion of happiness for the farmers here. People have also planted more than 10 thousand bamboo saplingson the banks of the river, so that her banks remain completely safe. More than thirty thousand Gambusia fish have also been released in the river water so that mosquitoes do not breed. Friends, the example of the Sot river tells us that if we are determined, we can overcome the biggest challenges and bring about a big change. By walking on the path of duty, you too can become the medium of many such changes around you.

My family members, when intentions are firm and there is a passion to learn something, no work remains difficult. SmtShakuntalaSardar of West Bengal has proved this to be absolutely correct. Today she has become an inspiration for many other women. Shakuntalaji is a resident of Shatanala village of Jangal Mahal. For a long time, her family used to earn their livelihood by working as laborers every day. Sheer survival was difficult for her family. Then she decided to tread upon a new path and surprised everyone by achieving success. You would definitely like to know how she achieved this feat! The answer is – a sewing machine. Using a sewing machine, she started making beautiful designs on ‘Sal’ leaves. This skill of hers transformed the life of the entire family. The demand for this amazing craft made by her is ever rising. This skill of Shakuntalaji has changed not only her life but also the lives of many people who collect ‘Sal’ leaves. Now, she is also working on imparting training to many women. Imagine… a family, which was once dependent on labour wages, is now inspiring others to gain employment. She has put her family, which was dependent on daily wages, stand on their feet. This has given her family the opportunity to focus on other things as well. Something more has happened…As soon as Shakuntalaji’s condition got better, she also started saving. Now she has started investing in life insurance plans, for a brighter future of her children. No amount of appreciation forShakuntalaji’sspiritwould be enough. The people of India are full of such talent – give them an opportunity and see what wonders they perform!

Friends, who can forget that sight during the G-20 Summit in Delhi, when many world leaders reached Rajghat together to pay homage to Bapu. This is a big evidence of how relevant Bapu’s thoughts are even today across the world. I am also happy that many programs related to cleanliness have been planned across the country on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. The ‘Swachhta Hi SevaAbhiyaan’ is going on with great enthusiasm in all the offices of the Central Government. Significant participation is also being seen in the IndianSwachhata League. Today I also want to urge all the countrymen through ‘Mann Ki Baat’ – a big event on cleanliness is going to be organized on the 1st of October i.e. Sunday at 10 am. You too should take out time and help in this campaign related to cleanliness. You can also join this cleanliness campaign in your street, or neighbourhood…or at a park, river, lake or any other public place and cleanliness must be undertaken wherever an AmritSarovar has been built. This Karyanjali of cleanliness itself will be the true tribute to Gandhiji. I would like to remind you again that on this occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, make it a point to buy some Khadi product.

My family members, the festive season has also commenced in our country. All of you might also be planning to buy something new in the household. One would be waiting to start an auspicious work or two during Navratri. In this atmosphere of fervour and enthusiasm, you must also remember the mantra of Vocal for Local. As far as possible, you should buy goods made in India, use Indian products and gift only Made in India goods. Your little joy will become the cause of immense happiness for someone else’s family. Whatever Indian goods you buy, our laborers, workers, craftspersons and other Vishwakarma brothers and sisters will directly benefit from it. Nowadays, many start-ups are also promoting local products. If you buy local articles, these youth with their start-ups will also benefit.

My dear family members

That’s all for today in ‘Mann Ki Baat’. Next time when I will meet you in ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Navratri and Dussehra would have been over. In this festive season, may you also celebrate every festival with full enthusiasm… may there be happiness in your family – this is my wish. A lot of best wishes to you on these festivals. I shall meet you again, with newer themes, with new success stories of the countrymen. Keep sending me your messages; do not forget to share your experiences. I shall wait.

Thank you very much.

Namaskar

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addresses the valedictory session of the International Lawyers Conference 2023 organized by the Bar Council of India at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, today. Several dignitaries, including Union Minister Shri Bhupendra Yadav, were present on this occasion.

In his address, Shri Amit Shah said that the conference has been organized at a very important and appropriate time as the year marks the completion of 75 years of the making of our Constitution, and in the current year, the Indian Parliament is also working towards making significant amendments to the three main laws of our criminal justice system- IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act. He said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has initiated India’s commitment to realize the concept of Women-led Development before the entire world through the G 20 Summit, and recently, the Parliament has passed the law ensuring the participation of 33% women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures to make this vision a reality.

Union Home Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has positioned itself at the forefront in various sectors globally, during the past 9 years. He said that India has successfully improved its global ranking from 11th to 5th place in the world’s economy, in the past 9 years. He said that under Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is taking the lead in addressing global challenges such as global warming, terrorism and narco-terrorism etc. Shri Shah emphasized that in such times, it is essential for our justice system to be aware of global changes, align itself accordingly, reaffirm the fundamental principles of Indianness within our legal system, and make efforts to lead the world in this direction.

Shri Amit Shah said that justice is the force that ensures balance, and for this reason, the framers of our Constitution consciously made a decision to keep it separate. He said that a balance is essential between justice and all forms of power for the creation of a just society. He added that in the past 9 years, India has made efforts to redraft or create new laws for various sectors according to contemporary needs. Shri Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi in the last 9 years, the Indian government has made changes to many laws, such as the Arbitration Law, Mediation Law, and the Jan Vishwas Bill, which are helping reduce the burden on the judiciary. He added that the Jan Vishwas Bill has helped eliminate more than 300 sections of Criminal Liability from over 300 laws, and thus transforming them into Civil Liability. Shri Shah said that as a result of these efforts, people have been instilled with a new kind of confidence. He added that the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Act has worked towards aligning our evolving economy with the global standards. He said that one should prepare well and keep an open mind to correct the errors in the laws. Shri Shah added that it is crucial for any government, parliament, or law-making agency to understand that a law is not final in its form and it should be amended based on the issues that arise with time and its implementation. He said that the purpose of making laws is to establish an efficient system, and not to establish the supremacy of those who make the laws. He added that the new laws of Social Security Code and the Data Protection Bill are to work towards bringing significant changes within their respective domains and help align with international standards.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the three new criminal laws being developed under the Criminal Justice System are of utmost importance and are being introduced with entirely new perspectives and systems after almost 150 years of the enactment of the old laws. He added that along with these three initiatives of the Modi government, three administrative initiatives have also been taken to create a conducive ecosystem. Firstly, the third phase of E-Court has recently been approved by the Cabinet at a cost of Rs. 7,000 crore, secondly, Rs. 3,500 crore have been approved for Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS), and thirdly, to embrace new technology in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and Evidence Act. Shri Shah said that if we combine these three laws and three new systems, then we will be able to eliminate the complaint of delay in justice in our Criminal Justice System, within a decade. He said that in these three new codes, we will not see any colonial influence, and they will resonate with the essence of Indian soil. He added that at the core of these three new criminal laws is the protection of the constitutional rights, human rights, and the self-defence of our citizens.

Shri Amit Shah said that in our present system there is huge delay in getting justice, it is more difficult for the poor to get justice and the conviction rate is very less due to which there is overcrowding in jails and the number of under trials is very high. He said that instead of 511 sections of the Indian Penal Code, there will be 356 sections in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, whereby an effort has been made to streamline all these systems. Shri Shah added that similarly, in place of the 487 sections in the CrPC, there will be 533 sections in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and instead of the 167 sections in the Indian Evidence Act, the Bhratiya Sakshya Adhiniyam with 170 sections has been introduced. He said that the purpose of the old laws was to strengthen the British rule and to give strength to the system to run the government well, its purpose was to punish, not to do justice. Shri Shah said that the purpose of three new criminal laws brought by the Modi government is not to punish but to provide justice to every citizen.

Union Home Minister said that justice is a kind of umbrella term. When we say justice, that word is used for a very large community and it includes the concerns of both the accused and the plaintiff. Shri Shah said that justice and punishment have been explained very well in our Indian justice system, punishment in itself is not a perfect concept, but justice in itself is a perfect concept. He said that three new proposed criminal laws have also made a lot of changes in the structure of the court. In the existing criminal justice system, there is a provision for seven different types of magistrates across the country, but now we will find only four types of judges in the criminal justice system. He said that the process has been rationalized, deadlines have also been fixed and the number of adjournments has also been fixed. Summary trial has been made wider, in cases where the punishment is up to 3 years, the police will have to compulsorily file challan before the court within 60 days of the first hearing and after filing of the charge sheet not more than 90 days will be available for further investigation under this Act. Along with this, the time for filing discharge application before framing of charges has also been set to 60 days, after that discharge application cannot be filed. After completion of the arguments, the judge will have to give the order within 30 days, which can be extend up to a maximum of 30 days. Shri Shah said that in cases of the prosecution of a civil servant, permission is not granted for a long time, but we have made a provision that if the permission is not received within 120 days, then the permission will be considered granted and the prosecution will start.

Shri Amit Shah said that in these new criminal laws there is a provision to prosecute the criminals even in their absence, later they can challenge it in the High Court and go for trial again in lower court. He said that the Modi government has also made many provisions in the laws to promote technology. He said that the definition of documents has been expanded to include electronic, digital records, messages available on digital devices, summons and warrants served through all types of electronic means from SMS to email will now be considered legally valid. Shri Shah said that the examination of the complainant and witnesses will be done online, recording of evidence will also be done online and we are also conducting the entire appellate proceedings online as per law. For this purpose, electronic registers would be kept in all police stations and courts, all these provisions will also now come in the rules in a rational manner. He said that we are going to make the report and visit of Forensic Science Lab compulsory for investigation of crimes involving punishment of 7 years or more. Due to scientific evidence, we will now be able to increase conviction rate and the prosecution will be strengthened.

Union Home Minister said that to take it forward smoothly, the Ministry of Home is working on the concept of Inter Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) since 2018. He said that work under phase one has been completed, the work of making 98% of the police stations of the country online under Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) and making all the legacy data online has been completed. Now a provision of Rs 3500 crore has been made to move forward in the direction of E-Prosecution, E-Prison, E-Forensics and E-Court. He said that till now more than 32 crore data items have been made online, more than 14 crore data items of CIS for lower courts have also been made online, data of 2 crore prisoners and more than one crore prosecutions has also been made online. Apart from this, more than 17 lakh forensic data items have also been made online.

Shri Amit Shah said that Modi government has allocated about Rs 7000 crore for E-Courts. He said that when the technical upgradation of the courts and prosecution agencies is done, then all these systems will be connected through ICGS. Shri Shah said that these three criminal laws are an effort to make our justice process citizen centric by making radical changes for a long time. He said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji believes that any law can be made good only when stakeholder consultation is done wholeheartedly.

Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel inaugurated the newly developed infrastructure of Tezu Airport in Arunachal Pradesh today.

Tezu Airport is a domestic airport located in the town of Tezu which operates through a single runway. The airport is developed on 212 acres of land, and capable of handling operations for ATR 72 type of aircraft. AAI undertook the development and upgradation work to operationalize Tezu Airport at the request of the State Government. The works undertaken for Rs. 170 Cr. includes the extension of the runway (1500m x 30m) and, the construction of a new apron for 02 nos. ATR 72 type aircraft, construction of a new terminal building, and a fire station cum ATC Tower.

Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel, said on the occasion that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a special impetus has been given to the development of the north eastern region of the country.

He added that PM Modi has made North-East India the ‘HIRA’ (Diamond) of India, which means Highway, Internet, Railway and Aviation – the four core components that are enabling holistic and inclusive development of the region. He then went ahead to talk about the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN which has benefitted the region magnificently. He said that PM Shri Narendra Modi has democratized civil aviation through the UDAN scheme. He asserted that more than 2.50 lakh UDAN flights have helped more than 1.37 crore people travel under the scheme.

He talked about the state of the civil aviation sector of the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Making a comparison with 2014, he said that till 2014 there were no airport in Arunachal Pradesh and in the span of 9 years, 4 new airports have been developed and operationalised. He added that the New Terminal Building at Tezu will further enhance the connectivity of the region and play a vital role in the economic development of the region.

The Minister also announced three direct routes from Itanagar under the UDAN 5.0 scheme: Itanagar to Delhi, Itanagar to Jorahat, and Itanagar to Rupsi which will be operationalised soon.

Teju airport was operationalized in 2018 under the RCS UDAN scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The airport is currently connected to Dibrugarh, Imphal & Guwahati through regular scheduled flights by Alliance Air & Flybig Airline.

Salient Features of Terminal Building

• Terminal Area:                            4000 Sqm.
• Peak Hour Serving Capacity:  300 passengers.
• Check-in Counters:                   05 + (03 in future)
• Arrival Carrousels                       02
• Aircraft Parking Bays:                02 – ATR-72 type of aircraft.

Sustainability Features:

• Double Insulated Roofing System.
• Energy Efficient HVAC & lighting system.
• Low Heat Gain Glazing.
• ECBC-compliant equipment.
• Solid Waste Management System.
• Re-use of treated water for flushing and horticulture purposes.
• Rainwater Harvesting Integrated with Sustainable Urban Drainage System.
• Use of Efficient Water Fixtures.

Benefits of the project

• Expansion of airport capacity to handle more traffic.
• Ensure better connectivity of the northeastern region with the rest of the country.
• Boost tourism, trade, and employment generation.
• Promote infrastructure development & economic growth of the region.

The event was graced by Shri Chowna Mein, Dy. CM, Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Nakap Nalo, Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Nabam Rebia, MP (Rajya Sabha) Sh. Tapir Gao, MP (Lok Sabha) and Shri Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India.

Tezu is a small town located on the banks of the Lohit River and is the headquarters of Lohit District of Arunachal Pradesh. The town is known for its scenic beauty, with lush green forests and rolling hills all around.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the closing ceremony of Kashi Sansad Sanskritik Mahotsav 2023 at Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh today. On the occasion, the Prime Minister inaugurated 16 Atal Awasiya Vidyalayas built across Uttar Pradesh at a cost of about Rs 1115 crores. Shri Modi also launched the portal for the registration of Kashi Sansad Khel Pratiyogita. He also handed over the prizes to the winners of Kashi Sansad Sanskritik Mahotsav. The Prime Minister also interacted with the students of Atal Awasiya Vidyalayas before the event.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that the respect for Kashi has continuously grown with the blessings of Lord Mahadev and the policies for the city are reaching new heights. The Prime Minister highlighted the contributions of Kashi in the success of the  G20 Summit and mentioned that those who visited the city have taken back with them the service, flavours, culture and music of Kashi. He said that the success of the G20 Summit is owed to the blessing of Lord Mahadev.

He said that with the blessings of Mahadev, Kashi is scaling unprecedented dimensions of development. Talking about the international cricket stadium for which he laid the foundation stone today in Varanasi and the dedication of 16 Atal residential schools, Prime Minister Modi congratulated the people of Kashi, Uttar Pradesh and the families of the Shramiks.

The Prime Minister emphasized that his vision for the development of Kashi as an MP of this constituency since 2014 is finally becoming a reality. He applauded the vast participation in the Kashi Sanskritik Mahotsav and expressed gratitude for getting the opportunity to connect with various talents of the region. Noting that this was only the first edition of the Mahotsav, the Prime Minister informed that approximately 40,000 artists took part and millions of visitors thronged the venue to witness it. He expressed confidence that the Kashi Sansad Sanskritik Mahotsav will create a new identity for itself in the coming times with the support of the people. The Prime Minister said that Kashi is becoming a center of attraction for tourists around the world.

Shri Modi said that Kashi and culture are the two names of the same energy and Kashi has the distinction of being the cultural capital of India. He said it is natural that music flows in every corner of the city, after all, this is the city of Natraj himself. Acknowledging Mahadev as the source of all art forms, the Prime Minister said that these art were developed and put into a system by ancient sages like Bharat Muni. Citing local festivals and celebrations, the Prime Minister said that everything in Kashi is steeped in music and arts.

The Prime Minister highlighted the glorious classical music culture of the city and the regional songs and mentioned that the city is an amalgamation of musical instruments like tabla, shehnai, sitar, sarangi and veena. He underlined that Varanasi has preserved the musical styles of Khyal, Thumri, Dadra, Chaiti and Kajri for centuries, and also the Guru-Shishya tradition which has kept the melodious soul of India alive for generations. The Prime Minister also mentioned the Teliya Gharana, Piyari Gharana and the musicians of Ramapura Kabirchowra Muhalla, and said that Varanasi has produced many greats in music that have left a mark on the global stage. The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude for getting the opportunity to interact with several great musicians from Varanasi.

Referring to the portal of Kashi Saansad Khel Pratiyogita which was launched today, the Prime Minister said that whether it is Khel Partiyogita or the Kashi Sansad Sanskritik Mahotsav, it is just the beginning of new traditions in Kashi. He announced that now Kashi Sansad Gyan Pratiyogita will also be organized now. “Effort is to increase awareness about the culture, cuisine, and art of Kashi”, he said. “Kashi Sansad Gyan Pratiyogita will be organized in rural and urban areas of Kashi at different levels.”

The Prime Minister said the people of the city are the most knowledgeable people about Kashi, and every resident is a true brand ambassador of Kashi. In order to equip them to communicate this knowledge properly, the Prime Minister proposed to strengthen the system of quality tourist guides who could describe the city properly. For this, he said a Kashi Saansad Tourist Guide competition will also be organized. “I want to do this because I want the world to know about my Kashi. I want the Tourist Guides of Kashi to be the most respected in the world”, he said.

Underlining that many scholars from across the world visit Kashi to learn Sanskrit, the Prime Minister informed that Atal Awasiya Vidyalays have been inaugurated today at the cost of Rs 1100 crores while keeping this belief in mind. He emphasized that these schools have been inaugurated to impart quality education to the kids of those who belong to weaker sections of the society including shramiks. “Children of those who lost their lives during the Covid pandemic will be admitted to these schools at zero fees”, the Prime Minister remarked. He highlighted that facilities for music, arts, crafts, technology and sports apart from the usual courses will also be made available. The Prime Minister mentioned the development of 1 lakh Eklavya Residential Schools for the tribal society. “With the New Educational Policy, the government has completely transformed the thinking. Schools are becoming modern and classes are becoming smart”, he said. Shri Modi highlighted the PM Shri campaign to modernize thousands of schools in the country with the help of modern technology.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the full cooperation of the people of Kahsi in all his endeavours for the city.

Referring to the budget that is available to all the states for taking care of children of migrant labour, Shri Modi said that many states used these funds for electorally opportunistic purposes while Uttar Pradesh, under Chief Minister Yogi ji has used it for the future of children from the poor sections of society. The Prime Minister praised the students of the residential school for their confidence. “Mark my words, within the next 10 years you will see the glory of Kashi coming out of these schools”, he concluded.

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath and Ministers from the Government of Uttar Pradesh were present on the occasion among others.

Background

The Prime Minister’s vision to strengthen the cultural vibrancy of Kashi has led to the conceptualization of Kashi Sansad Sanskritik Mahotsav. The Mahotsav witnessed the participation of more than 37,000 persons across 17 disciplines who displayed their skills in singing, instrumental playing, nukkad natak, dancing etc. The meritorious participants will get a chance to showcase their cultural skills during the programme at Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre.

With an aim to further enhance access to quality education, 16 Atal Awasiya Vidyalaya across Uttar Pradesh built at a cost of about Rs 1115 crores have been started exclusively for children of labourers, construction workers and orphans affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic with an aim to provide quality education and help in holistic development of children. Each school is constructed in an area of 10-15 acres with classrooms, sports ground, recreational areas, a mini auditorium, hostel complex, mess and residential flats for staff. These residential schools intend to eventually accommodate 1,000 students each.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi today. The modern international cricket stadium will be developed in Ganjari, Rajatalab, Varanasi at a cost of about Rs 450 crores and spread across an area of more than 30 acres.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed delight in getting the opportunity to visit Varanasi once again and remarked that the joy of this city is beyond words. The Prime Minister highlighted that he is visiting Kashi on a day, exactly one month after India reached the Shiv Shakti point on the moon where Chandrayaan landed on the moon on the 23rd of last month. “One place of Shiv Shakti is on the moon, while the other one is here in Kashi”, the Prime Minister remarked, as he congratulated everyone for this momentous feat.

The Prime Minister also noted the significance of the venue which is at the intersection of the route to Mata Vindhyavasini and its proximity with the village Motikot, the place from which Raj Narain ji hailed.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the design of the International stadium dedicated to Lord Mahadev has instilled a feeling of pride among the citizens of Kashi. He said that the stadium would witness great cricket matches while the young athletes would get an opportunity to train at a stadium with international standards. “This will greatly benefit the citizens of Kashi”, he added.

The Prime Minister said that through cricket, the world is getting linked with India and many new countries are playing cricket leading to a greater number of matches. He said that this international stadium will cater to the rising demand for stadiums in the coming years. The Prime Minister also thanked the BCCI for their contribution.

The Prime Minister underlined that the development of sports infrastructure of such scale not only has a positive effect on sports but also has a positive impact on the regional economy. He mentioned that such developments attract more visitors which greatly benefits sectors such as hotels, eateries, rickshaws and auto drivers as well as oarsmen in the region. He highlighted that it also has a positive effect on sports coaching and management institutions thereby paving the way for youth to venture into sports startups. He also touched upon physiotherapy courses and said that a new sports industry is expected to shape up in Varanasi in the coming days.

The Prime Minister highlighted the changing attitude towards sports among parents. “Now the mood of the nation is – Jo Khelega wo hi Khilega (one who will play will blossom)”, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister recounted his recent visit to Shahdol and his interaction with youth in a tribal village there and remembered the local pride for the ‘Mini Brazil’ there and their deep love for football there.

The Prime Minister also described the change in Kashi towards sports. He said that that effort is to provide world-level sports facilities to the youth of Kashi. That is why, along with this stadium 400 crore rupees are being spent on Sigra stadium where facilities are being developed for more than 50 sports. This is going to be the first multi-sports complex which will be divyang friendly. The Prime Minister emphasized that along with the new construction, old systems are being improved as well.

The Prime Minister said that the recent sporting success of India is due to a changed approach as now sports have been linked with the fitness, employment and career of the youth. Compared to 9 years ago, this year’s sports budget has been increased threefold.  Khelo India’s budget got a hike of about 70 percent compared to last year. Government moves with the athletes like a team member from school to the Olympics podium”, he said. He mentioned the growing participation of girls and the TOPS scheme.

The Prime Minister highlighted the World University Games where India has created history by winning more medals in this year’s edition when compared to the total sum of all medals earned in the entirety of its participation. The Prime Minister also conveyed his best wishes to the athletes taking part in the upcoming Asian Games.

Shri Modi acknowledged the presence of sporting potential in every village, city nook and corner of the country and emphasized the need to find them and develop their skills. “Youth coming from small towns and villages have become the pride of the nation today”, Shri Modi said as he stressed creating more and more opportunities for them. He gave the example of Khelo India where local talent is identified and the Government strives to turn them into international-level athletes. Acknowledging the presence of stalwarts from the sporting fraternity on the occasion, the Prime Minister thanked them for their affection towards Kashi.

“Good coaches and good coaching are equally important to encourage and hone new talent”, the Prime Minister emphasized as he informed that athletes who have won national and international accolades are encouraged to take up the role of coaches. In the last few years, the Prime Minister said that youth have been connected with various sports and games

He said that new infrastructure will give new opportunities to the athletes from small towns and villages. He expressed happiness that the infrastructure created under Khelo India is benefitting girls.

He informed that under the new National Education Policy sports is treated as a proper subject rather than an extracurricular activity. First National Sports University was established in Manipur. In Uttar Pradesh too, he said, thousands of crore rupees are being spent for the expansion of sports infrastructure. He mentioned the expansion of a sports college in Gorakhpur and the establishment of Major Dhyan Chand University in Meerut.

“The expansion of sports infrastructure is essential for the development of a nation”, the Prime Minister emphasized as he noted its significance for the reputation of a country. He mentioned that several cities in the world are known for organizing global sporting events and stressed developing sports infrastructure in the country capable of hosting such global events. This stadium, the Prime Minister said, will be a witness to this resolution of development which will not merely be a structure of bricks and concrete but will also become a symbol of the future of India.

The Prime Minister credited the people of Kashi for all the development efforts that are going on in the city. “Nothing can be realized in Kashi without you. With your support and blessings we will keep on scripting new chapters of Kashi’s development”, the Prime Minister concluded.

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, President of BCCI, Shri Roger Binny, Secretary of BCCI, Vice President of BCCI, Shri Rajeev Shukla, Shri Jay Shah, Former cricket players including Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Kapil Dev, Dilip Vengsarkar, Madan Lal, Gundappa Viswanath, and Gopal Sharma, and Ministers from Uttar Pradesh Government were present on the occasion among others.

Background

The international cricket stadium in Varanasi will be a step towards realizing the Prime Minister’s vision to develop modern world-class sports infrastructure. The modern international cricket stadium will be developed in Ganjari, Rajatalab, Varanasi at a cost of about Rs 450 crores and spread across an area of more than 30 acres. The thematic architecture of this stadium draws inspiration from Lord Shiva, with designs developed for crescent-shaped roof covers, trident-shaped lights, ghat steps-based seating, and Bilvipatra-shaped metallic sheets on the facade. The stadium will have a capacity of 30,000 spectators.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘International Lawyers’ Conference 2023’ at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi today. The conference aims to serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and discussion on various legal topics of national and international importance, foster exchange of ideas and experiences, and strengthen international cooperation and understanding of legal issues.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed delight in getting the opportunity to interact with the greats of the global legal fraternity. Highlighting the presence of the Lord Chancellor of England, Mr Alex Chalk and the delegates of the Bar Association of England, representatives from Commonwealth and African countries, and the people from across the country, the Prime Minister said that the International Lawyers’ Conference 2023 has become a symbol of the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. The Prime Minister welcomed the foreign dignitaries to India and also thanked the Bar Association of India for taking the lead in organizing this program.

The Prime Minister emphasized the role of the legal fraternity in the development of any country. “For years, the judiciary and the bar have been the guardians of India’s judicial system”, he said. Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the role of legal professionals in the freedom struggle. He gave examples of Mahatma Gandhi, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, Babu Rajendra Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Lokmanya Tilak and Veer Savarkar. “Experience of the legal profession has worked to strengthen the foundation of independent India and today’s impartial judicial system has also helped in bolstering the confidence of the world in India”, he added.

The Prime Minister underlined that the International Lawyers Conference is taking place at a time when the nation has been a witness to several historic decisions and recalled the passage of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha which entitles a 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha. “Nari Shakti Vandan Act will give new direction and energy to women-led development in India”, the Prime Minister remarked. He also mentioned that the world got a glimpse of India’s democracy, demography and diplomacy at the recently concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi. On this day, a month ago, the Prime Minister recalled that India became the first nation in the world to successfully land Chandrayaan 3 on the south pole of the moon. Highlighting these achievements, the Prime Minister emphasized that the India of today which is brimming with self-confidence is working to realize the goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. He also expressed the need for strong, independent and unbiased foundations for the legal system in India to achieve the goal of a developed nation. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the International Lawyers’ Conference 2023 will turn out to be extremely successful and each country will get an opportunity to learn from the best practices of other nations.

Prime Minister Modi elaborated on the deep connectedness of today’s world. He said there are many forces in the world today that do not care about the borders and jurisdiction. “When dangers are global, ways to deal with them should also be global”, he said. He touched upon cyber terrorism, money laundering, and possibilities of misuse of artificial intelligence and said that preparing a global framework on such issues goes beyond just government matters but calls for connectedness among the legal framework of different countries.

Speaking on Alternate Dispute Resolution, the Prime Minister said that with the increasing complexity of commercial transactions, ADR has gained currency all over the world. He said that in order to systematize the informal tradition of dispute resolution in India, the Government of India has enacted a mediation Act. Similarly, Lok Adalats are also playing a big role and Lok Adalats have solved about 7 lakh cases in the last 6 years.

Highlighting an important aspect of justice delivery that is not talked about, the Prime Minister mentioned the simplicity of language and law. The Prime Minister gave insights about the Government’s approach and informed about the ongoing discussion regarding presenting any law in two languages – one to which the legal system is accustomed and another for common citizens. “Citizens should feel that the law belongs to them”, Shri Modi emphasized as he underlined that the Government is making an effort to draft new laws in simple language and gave the example of the Data Protection Law. The Prime Minister congratulated the Supreme Court of India for making arrangements to get its judgments translated into 4 local languages Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati and Oriya and hailed the monumental change in the judicial system of India.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to find ways of streamlining the legal processes through technology, reforms and new judicial processes. He said that technological advancement has opened new avenues for the judicial system and called for the leveraging of technological reforms by the legal profession.

Chief  Justice of India, Dr. D. Y. Chandrachud, Union Minister of Law and Justice, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Attorney General of India, Shri R. Venkataramani, Solicitor General of India, Shri Tushar Mehta, Chairman, Bar Council of India, Shri Manan Kumar Mishra and Lord Chancellor, UK, Mr Alex Chalk were present on the occasion among others.

Background 

International Lawyer’s Conference 2023 is being organized by the Bar Council of India on the theme ‘Emerging Challenges in Justice Delivery System’ on 23rd – 24th September, 2023. The conference aims to serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and discussion on various legal topics of national and international importance, foster exchange of ideas and experiences, and strengthen international cooperation and understanding of legal issues. The conference, which is being organized for the first time in the country, will discuss topics such as emerging legal trends, challenges in cross-border litigation, legal technology, environmental law etc.

The programme witnessed the participation of distinguished judges, legal professionals, and leaders of the global legal fraternity.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah today offered prayers at world-famous Lal Bagh Ka Raja in Mumbai, Maharashtra, during Ganeshotsav.

Shri Amit Shah also offered prayers at famous Ganpati Pandal in Bandra West area of Mumbai. Chief Minister, Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis were also preset on the occasion. Union Home Minister later visited residences of Chief Minister, Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, to offer prayers to Ganpati Bappa.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will flag off nine Vande Bharat trains on 24th September 2023 at 12:30 PM via video conferencing.

These new Vande Bharat trains are a step towards realising Prime Minister’s vision of improving connectivity across the country and providing world class facilities to rail passengers. The new trains that will be flagged off are:

1. Udaipur – Jaipur Vande Bharat Express
2. Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express
3. Hyderabad –Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express
4. Vijayawada – Chennai (via Renigunta) Vande Bharat Express
5. Patna – Howrah Vande Bharat Express
6. Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express
7. Rourkela – Bhubaneswar – Puri  Vande Bharat Express
8. Ranchi – Howrah  Vande Bharat Express
9. Jamnagar-Ahmedabad  Vande Bharat Express

These nine trains will boost connectivity across eleven states namely Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, Odisha, Jharkhand and Gujarat.

These Vande Bharat trains will be the fastest train along the routes of their operation and will help save considerable time of the passengers. As compared to the current fastest train along the route, Rourkela- Bhubaneswar – Puri  Vande Bharat Express and Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express will be faster by about 3 hours; Hyderabad – Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express by more than 2.5 hours; Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express by more than 2 hours; Ranchi – Howrah  Vande Bharat Express,  Patna – Howrah Vande Bharat Express and Jamnagar-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express by about 1 hour; and Udaipur – Jaipur Vande Bharat Express by about half an hour.

In line with the Prime Minister’s vision to improve connectivity of important religious places across the country, Rourkela- Bhubaneswar – Puri  Vande Bharat Express and Tirunelveli-Madurai- Chennai Vande Bharat Express will connect important religious towns of Puri and Madurai. Also, the Vijayawada – Chennai Vande Bharat Express will operate via the Renigunta route and will provide connectivity to Tirupati Pilgrimage centre.

The introduction of these Vande Bharat trains will herald a new standard of rail service in the country. These trains, equipped with world class amenities and advanced safety features, including Kavach technology, will be a key step towards providing modern, speedy and comfortable means of travel to common people, professionals, businessmen, student community and tourists.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi interacted with Team G20 at Bharat Mandapam today. The Prime Minister also addressed the gathering on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister underlined the accolades that are being showered for the successful organization of G20 and credited the ground level functionaries for this success.

Referring to the elaborate planning and execution process, the Prime Minister asked the functionaries to document their experiences and the learnings. The document, thus prepared, can prepare useful guidelines for future events, he said.

The Prime Minister said that it is the sense of the importance of enterprise and a feeling of being a central part of that enterprise in everyone is the secret of the success of such big events.

The Prime Minister asked the functionaries to sit informally and share experiences in their respective departments. This, he said, puts one’s performance in a broader perspective. He said that once we know the efforts of others that pushes us to do better. He said that ‘today’s event is the unity of labourers and both you and I are Mazdoor’.

The Prime Minister said that in routine office work we  do not come to know the capabilities of our colleagues. While working collectively in the field removes silos, vertical and horizontal silos and creates a team. He elaborated this point with the example of the ongoing Swachta Abhiyan and asked to make that a collective effort in the departments. This will make the project a festival instead of a chore, he said. There is strength in the collective spirit, he added.

He asked for coming out of hierarchies in offices and for making an effort to know the strengths of one’s colleagues.

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of such successful organizations from the human resource and learning point of view and said when an event takes place properly rather than just happening, it leaves a far-reaching impact. He explained this by giving an example of Commonwealth Games which could have been a great opportunity for branding the country but it not only defamed the people involved and the country but also infused a sense of despondency in the governing system. On the other hand, the cumulative effect of G20 has been that of success in showcasing the strength of the country to the world. “I am not concerned with the praise in editorials but for me, real happiness lies in the fact that my country is now confident that it can host any such event in the best possible way”, he said.

He further elaborated on this growing confidence by citing India’s great contribution in rescue during calamities at a global level like, earthquake in Nepal, cyclone in Fiji, Sri Lanka where material was sent, Maldives  electricity and water crisis, evacuation from Yemen, Turkey earthquake. All this, he said, established that for the welfare of humanity, India is standing strong and reaches everywhere in times of need.  He also informed about the preparations for rescue work for Jordan calamity even during the middle of the G20 summit, though the need for going did not arise.

He said in this event,  the Ministers and the senior officers are sitting on back seats and ground level functionaries are in the forefront. “I like this arrangement as it assures me that my foundation is strong”, he said.

The Prime Minister underlined the need for global exposure in order to improve further. He said now global approach and context should underline all our work. He said during the G20 one lakh key decision-makers visited India and they have gone back as tourism ambassadors of India.   He said that the seed of this ambassadorship was planted by the good work of the ground level functionaries. He said this is a time to take tourism to new heights.

The Prime Minister interacted with the functionaries and listened to their experiences.

The interaction saw participation of around 3000 people, who have contributed to the success of G20 Summit. It especially included those who have worked at the ground level to ensure smooth conduct of the Summit, including functionaries like cleaners, drivers, waiters and other staff from across various Ministries. The interaction was also attended by Ministers and officials of various departments.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports hosted a Review Meeting at New Delhi on 22^nd September, 2023 under the chairpersonship of the Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur.

The meeting was attended by Secretary level officers from the state governments pan India.   Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur in his address said, “Our collective goal is to shape the future of youth engagement and sports in our nation. The role of Department of Youth Affairs is crucial to engage with the youth and create a roadmap to onboard them at different levels.”

A key agenda was the restructuring of the National Youth Festival (NYF). The focus was on information dissemination mechanisms and improving outreach by on boarding Youth on the YUVA Portal. States/ UTs showcased presentations on Restructuring of National Youth Festival (NYF) on allotted themes related to Youth as Job Creators, Ek Bharat Sreshtha Bharat, Improving Millets production through Science/ Science for Society, Health and Fitness and Mission LiFE, which was followed by an Open House Discussion.

The Meeting further discussed the potential use of the YUVA Portal for engaging Youth. The platform has already registered an impressive 11.70 lakh youth, on boarded 921 businesses, and established 7269 Youth Clubs. An insightful presentation on Experiential Learning Program for youth in Business and Police Department was made by the Department of Youth Affairs. Many state governments said they would be happy to onboard Youth for the experiential learning programme since it would improve youth employability.

The meeting also included presentations on the importance of adventure sports for youth engagement, mental and physical development and strengthening discipline among youth. A presentation was made by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.

It was followed by the sessions for development of sports where various key agendas were discussed where the States have a vital role to play. One of the key topics that were deliberated on is the the development of sports infrastructure in the States under the Khelo India Scheme, their progress and geotagging of all sports infrastructure in the state under the PM Gati Shakti Mission through a dedicated mobile application.

Various verticals of the Khelo India scheme were presented about. This includes establishment of Khelo India Centres at the District level with 1000 Khelo India Centres designated and the establishment of Khelo India State Centre of Excellence with significant importance given to training of past champion athletes, robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism, etc.

Various initiatives carried out under the FIT India mission was a significant agenda that was deliberated on. This includes the FIT India Quiz, the biggest national level quiz on sports and fitness with participation of more than 61,000 students, FIT India School week where various activities are carried out at school-level and the FIT India mobile app and its significance.

The presentation included the Khelo India ASMITA, the marquee women’s sports leagues that are organized at zonal and national level were organized in 120 Cities in 27 States.

The States were requested to support in increasing the outreach and the effective execution of the Khelo India Scheme.

In the beginning, Secretary (Youth Affairs) welcomed all those present and highlighted the use of the YUVA Portal for anchoring the Meri Maati Mera Desh Programme in a successful manner.