The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Integrated Terminal Building (Phase- 1) of Chennai International Airport, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu today. He also took a walk-through of the new facility.

The Prime Minister tweeted:

“The new terminal in Chennai airport will greatly help the people of this great city and across Tamil Nadu. The terminal building also has a flavour of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu.”

Developed at the cost of Rs. 1260 crores, the addition of this new Integrated terminal building will increase the passenger serving capacity of the airport from 23 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) to 30 MPPA. The new terminal is a striking reflection of the local Tamil culture, incorporating traditional features such as the Kolam, Saree, Temples, and other elements that highlight the natural surroundings.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri R N Ravi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri M K Stalin, the Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia and the Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri L Murugan on the occasion.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express at Secunderabad Railway Station in Hyderabad, Telangana today. Upon arriving at the venue, the Prime Minister inspected the Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express and also interacted with children as well as with the train’s crew.

The Prime Minister tweeted:

“Flagged off the Vande Bharat Express that enhances connectivity between Secunderabad and Tirupati. I congratulate the people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for this train.”

Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express connecting IT City, Hyderabad with the Abode of Lord Venkateswara, Tirupati, is the second Vande Bharat train to be started from Telangana within a short span of three months. The train will reduce the travel time between the two cities by almost three and a half hours and will be particularly beneficial for pilgrims.

The Prime  Minister was accompanied by the Governor of Telangana, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, the Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Union Minister of Tourism, Shri G Kishan Reddy on the occasion.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation various projects worth over Rs. 11,300 crores at Parade Ground in Hyderabad, Telangana today. The projects include laying the foundation stone of AIIMS Bibinagar, Hyderabad, five National Highway projects and the redevelopment of Secunderabad Railway Station. He also dedicated other development projects related to railways. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister also flagged off the Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express at Secunderabad Railway Station in Hyderabad.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for getting the opportunity to extend the pace of development of the state of Telangana. He also recalled flagging off the Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express which will connect the IT City of Hyderabad with the abode of Lord Venkateswara, Tirupati at Secunderabad Railway Station earlier in the day. “The Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express will successfully connect belief, modernity, technology and tourism”, Shri Modi said. The Prime Minister congratulated the citizens of Telangana for today’s projects worth over Rs. 11,300 crores related to railways and road connectivity and health infrastructure development.

The Prime Minister noted that the state of Telangana has been in existence for almost the same time as the present government at the center and bowed his head to those who contributed towards the formation of the state.  “It is the duty of the government at the center to realize the dreams of citizens of the state related to the development of Telangana”, Shri Modi said highlighting the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’. He said that special emphasis has been given so that Telangana can make the most out of India’s development model laid out in the past nine years. Giving examples of development in the cities, the Prime Minister mentioned the 70 km of metro network laid out in the last nine years and the progress made in the development of the Hyderabad Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS). Highlighting the initiation of 13 MMTS services today, the Prime Minister informed that Rs 600 crores have been allocated for Telangana for its expansion in the state which will benefit lakhs of citizens in Hyderabad, Secunderabad and nearing districts while also giving rise to new business hubs and investment.

Noting the unpredictability of economies of the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing war between two countries, the Prime Minister highlighted that India is one of the few countries that have made record investments towards modern infrastructure. He informed that Rs 10 lakh crores have been earmarked for the development of modern infrastructure in India in this year’s Budget. He pointed out that in the last nine years, the railway budget of Telangana has increased seventeen times and the work of laying new rail lines, rail line doubling and electrification among others have taken place in record time. “The electrification of Secunderabad–Mahabubnagar project is a prime example of this”, he said as he noted that it will improve the connectivity between Hyderabad and Bangalore. The Prime Minister emphasized that the redevelopment of Secunderabad Railway Station is part of the campaign for the modernizing of prime railway stations in the country.

Along with railways, the Prime Minister said, the highway network of Telangana is also being developed at a fast pace and mentioned the four highway projects whose foundation stone has been laid today. Mentioning the Akkalkot-Kurnool section of the highway being built at the cost of Rs 2300 crores, the Mahabubnagar-Chincholi section at the cost of Rs 1300 crores, the Kalwakurthy-Kollapur section at the cost of Rs 900 crores, and the Khammam-Devarapalle section at the cost of Rs 2700 crores, the Prime Minister emphasized that the central government is leading the development of modern highways in Telangana with full force. Shri Modi informed that the length of National Highways in Telangana has doubled from 2500 kilometers from the time of the formation of the state in 2014 to more than 5000 kilometers today where Rs 35,000 crores have been spent by the central government. He further added that work on road projects worth Rs 60,000 crores are underway in Telangana which includes the game-changing Hyderabad Ring Road.

“The central government is emphasizing the development of both industry and agriculture in Telangana”, Shri Modi said. Noting that textile is one such industry that gives strength to both the farmer and the laborer, the Prime Minister informed that the government has decided to set up 7 mega textile parks across the country and Telangana will be home to one of them. He further added that it will create new employment opportunities for the youth. Referring to laying the foundation stone of AIIMS Bibinagar today, the Prime Minister said that the government is also investing in education and health in Telangana. “Today’s projects will increase Ease of Travel, Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business in Telangana”, he added.  However, the Prime Minister lamented the delay in the completion of several central projects due to the lack of cooperation from the state government. Pointing out that it is the people of Telangana who are at a loss, Shri Modi urged the state government not to allow any hindrance in the works related to the development and also speed up the pace.

Highlighting the priority of our government to fulfill the hopes, aspirations and dreams of the countrymen, the Prime Minister interjected that a handful of people are very agitated by the progress of development. He stressed that those who have been nurturing nepotism and corruption have nothing to do with the interest of the country and the welfare of society while also creating problems for those who do honest work. The Prime Minister warned the people of Telangana and said that they only look for the interest of their family in every project and investment.

Noting the similarities between corruption and nepotism, the Prime Minister reiterated that corruption starts to flourish when there is nepotism. “Control is the main mantra of familyism and dynastic politics”, the Prime Minister said. Furthering his criticism of such principles, the Prime Minister said that dynasts want to keep their control over every system and hate it when someone challenges their control. Giving the example of the Direct Benefit Transfer system and the promotion of digital payment across the country, the Prime Minister pointed fingers at the dynastic forces that kept control of which beneficiary would get what benefit and elaborated on the three meanings that emerge from this situation. Firstly, the Prime Minister said, the family should continue to be praised, secondly, the money of corruption should keep coming to the family, and thirdly, the money that is sent to the poor should continue to be received by the corrupt ecosystem. “Today Modi has attacked this real root of corruption. That’s why these people are shaken and anything that is being done is out of anger”, Shri Modi said referring to the political parties who moved to court as a protest but were dealt with a shock.

“The true spirit of the Constitution is realized when work is done with the spirit of Sabka Vikas (everyone’s development) strengthening democracy in the true sense. The Prime Minister reiterated that the entire country is watching the result of the central government being freed from the shackles of dynastic politics in 2014.  He informed that in the last 9 years, 11 crore mothers, sisters and daughters of the country have got the facility of toilets which included more than 30 lakh families from  Telangana. He further added that more than 9 crore sisters and daughters in the country have got free Ujjwala gas connections which included more than 11 lakh poor families of Telangana in the last 9 years.

He informed that today 80 crore poor people are being provided free ration in our government, free treatment up to Rs.5 lakh for the poor, Jan Dhan bank accounts of 1 crore families of Telangana have been opened for the first time, two and a half lakh small entrepreneurs of Telangana have got Mudra loan without guarantee, 5 lakh street-vendors have got bank loans for the first time, and more than 40 lakh small farmers of Telangana got about 9 thousand crore rupees under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.

The Prime Minister said, “True social justice is born when the country moves away from ‘Tushtikaran’ (appeasement) towards ‘Santushtikaran’ (satisfaction of all)”. He remarked that the entire country including Telangana wants to walk on the path of Santushtikaran and contribute towards development with Sabka Prayas. “Rapid development of Telangana is very important for building a developed India in the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal”, the Prime Minister concluded highlighting the importance of the next 25 years in the development journey of Telangana.

Governor of Telangana, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Tourism, Shri G Kishan Reddy, Member of Parliament from Malkajgiri, Shri A Revanth Reddy and Ministers from Government of Telangana were present on the occasion among others.

Background

The redevelopment of Secunderabad Railway Station, to be done at the cost of Rs. 720 crores, is being planned such that it will undergo a massive makeover with world-class amenities and an aesthetically designed iconic station building. The redeveloped station would be having double-level spacious roof plaza with all passenger amenities in one place along with multimodal connectivity for providing seamless transfer of passengers from rail to other modes among others.

During the Programme, the Prime Minister flagged off 13 new Multi-Modal Transport Service (MMTS) services in the suburban section of Hyderabad – Secunderabad twin city region, providing commuters with a fast, convenient and comfortable travel option. He also dedicated to the nation, the doubling and electrification of Secunderabad–Mahabubnagar project. The project stretching for a distance of over 85 km has been completed at the cost of nearly Rs. 1,410 crores. The project will provide seamless connectivity and enhance the average speed of trains.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of AIIMS Bibinagar, Hyderabad. This is a testimony of the Prime Minister’s vision of strengthening health infrastructure across the country. AIIMS Bibinagar is being developed at a cost of more than Rs. 1,350 crores. The establishment of AIIMS Bibinagar is an important milestone in providing comprehensive, quality and holistic tertiary care health services to the people of Telangana at their doorstep.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of National Highway projects worth more than Rs. 7,850 crores which will strengthen the road connectivity of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and will aid in the socio-economic development of the region.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi who for the first time brought ‘Preventive Health Care’ into focus in the country not taken care of from the last seventy years. Hefurther said, it is under the leadership of PM Modi that in just a span of two years, India could produce two DNA vaccines and one nasal vaccine. He emphasised the role and responsibility of the Youth to be the architects of Amrit Kaal. The energy and potential of the Youth has to be channelised in nation building. Dr Jitendra Singh said this while addressing the delegates participating in the Thyrocon, as Chief Guest at GMC Jammu.

Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated the efforts of Dr Shashi Sudan Sharma, Principal GMC Jammu for conducting CME on THYROCON, being organised by Jammu Doctor’s Foundation in association with Department of Endocrinology, Govt Super speciality Hospital Jammu. The “Updates in THYROCON” will reflect the progress in clinical management of patients with thyroid disorders. He mentioned that Thyroid disorders are a common health problem in Jammu and Kashmir, like other parts of India. According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Science and Clinical Research in 2019, the prevalence of thyroid disorders in Jammu and Kashmir is around 12.3%, with hypothyroidism being the most common type, Dr. Jitendra Singh informed.

Dr Jitendra Singh also flagged two issues, the first is the shift from clinical medicine teaching due to increasing diagnostic capabilities. Now the clinical details are inferred after obtaining the test reports. The second issue is of Indian Research, Indian Data and Indian solution to Indian problems. He referred to even the West using Indian data. The need of the hour is using diverse Indian data to develop indigenous solutions to India’s medical health issues.

Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised on the importance of integration amongst the medical fraternity. He further said,Govt medical college, Jammu has always taken a lead in overall enhancement of health status of the region. These premier institutes should work on establishing state of art thyroid diseases research and treatment Centre. There is no dearth of resources and new India is an era of opportunities in health care. It is pertinent to mention that it was due to the efforts of Dr Jitendra Singh that IIIM Jammu is collaborating with GMC Jammu for exclusive research projects like cannabis based painkillers and MDR-TB. With his great efforts, AIIMS Jammu has signed an MOU with IIT Jammu for technology development and IIM Jammu for marketing.

Others present on the occasion were Guest of Honor Lt.Gen.(Dr.) Narendra Kotwal, Director & Commandant AFMC,Pune, Dr.Shashi Sudhan Sharma Principal & Dean GMC,Jammu, Organising Chairman Dr.Rattan P Kudyar Retd. HoD Medicine & Director Principal ASCOMS , Organising Secretary Dr.Suman Kotwal Asstt.Professor Endocrinology GMC, Jammu.

The Prime Minister has remarked that the Ayushman Bharat Yojna is nothing less than a boon for the poor brothers and sisters.

Sharing a video about Ayushman Bharat, the Prime Minister tweeted;

“आयुष्मान भारत ने हमारे गरीब भाई-बहनों के इलाज के खर्च की चिंता दूर की है। यह योजना जिस तरह से उनके लिए रक्षा कवच बनी है, वो किसी वरदान से कम नहीं है।”

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the Kaushambi Mahotsav-2023 and also unveiled and laid the foundation stone of various development projects at Kaushambi in Uttar Pradesh, today. These include inauguration of 70 schemes of Public Works Department of worth Rs.405 crore and 24 projects of worth Rs. 51 crore of 12 departments including Youth Welfare, Sports, Urban Development and Vocational Education.  Along with this, the foundation stones of 19 schemes of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase-III of worth Rs.151 crore and 4 schemes of Health and Urban Development Department of worth Rs.6 crore were also laid.Many dignitaries including the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Keshav Prasad Maurya were present on this occasion.

In his address, Shri Amit Shah said that development projects worth more than Rs.650 crore have been inaugurated in Kaushambi, today. He said that the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inspired every Member of Parliament to organize sports festivals. Taking forward this spirit, the Members of Parliament with great dedication and hard work, have provided a platform in the form of Kaushambi Mahotsav for the youth to play. About 16000 youths online appliedto participate in the ‘Sansad Khelkood Spardha’ started by the Members of Parliament, out of which 3324 players have been awarded. Congratulating all the people participating in the games, Shri Shah said that the main mantra of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s ‘Khelo India’ is to create a healthy body and a strong mind and we all should take it further.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of  Cooperation said that in the time of Lord Buddha and Mahavir, among the 16 Janpads, Kaushambi used to be the capital of Vats Janpad. At that time, despite the development of many big Janpad like Magadha, Kaushambi was considered the most prosperous. He said that Lord Shri Rama, and after conquering over Kalinga Chakravarty Samrat Ashoka, came to this prosperous place. Shri Shah also paid tribute to Durga Bhabhi, the great freedom fighter of Kaushambi, who along with Bhagat Singh fought bravely against the British. He also appreciated the Uttar Pradesh government for renaming the Karenti bridge of Kaushambi as Durga Bhabhi Bridge.

Shri Amit Shah said that by making the country safe and prosperous, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has enhanced respect for the India across the world. Prime Minister Modi abolished Article 370 on 5 August 2019. The Construction of Ramlala’s temple at his birth place in Ayodhya was pending for many years. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Ram temple in Ayodhya and now Lord Shri Rama will be in his temple very soon. Shri Shah said that democracy and ‘Idea of India’ are not in danger but ‘Idea of Dynasty’ is in danger in the country because people have rejected the politics of nepotism and appeasement. He added that opposition wasted the time during the budget session of the Parliament and people of the country will not forgive them. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi freed the country’s democracy from the clutches of casteism, nepotism and appeasement and formulated many schemes for the welfare of the poor.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath Uttar Pradesh is moving on the path of development.  A large network of expressways has been laid in the state. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also implemented a large number of welfare schemes for the poor in Uttar Pradesh, due to which poverty is being eradicated in every house of the state today. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, houses have been provided to more than 46 lakh people in Uttar Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, toilets have been built in 2.61 crore houses, 1.75 Crore women have been provided gas cylinders, more than 10 lakh street vendors have been given the benefit of ‘PM SVANidhi’ scheme, 35 lakh families have benefited under ‘SVAMITVA’scheme, 52,000 crore rupees were given to more than 2.5 crore farmers and free ration has been provided to every poor household.

“Centre and States need to continue working in collaborative spirit as was done during the previous surges for COVID-19 prevention and management”. This was stated by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare as he virtually interacted with State Health Ministers and Principal Secretaries/ Additional Chief Secretaries, here today. The virtual meeting was held in the presence of Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health to review the public health preparedness for containment and management of COVID-19 and progress of national COVID-19 vaccination campaign in view of the recent upsurge in cases in some states.

Union Health Minister advised States to be on the alert and keep all preparedness for COVID19 management. He urged the State Health Ministers to conduct mock drills of all hospital infrastructure on 10^th and 11^th April, 2023 and review the health preparedness with district administrations and health officials on 8^th and 9^th April, 2023. He also urged States to identify emerging hotspots by monitoring trends of ILI/SARI cases and sending sufficient samples for testing of COVID-19 and Influenza; and ramping up whole genome sequencing of positive samples.

It was observed that 23 states/UTs had average tests per million below the national average. Dr. Mandaviya said that irrespective of the new COVID variants, the five-fold strategy of ‘Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate & Adherence to COVID Appropriate Behaviour’ continue to remain the tested strategy for COVID management. This would facilitate undertaking of appropriate public health measures, he said. States/UTs were also requested to expeditiously increase the rate of testing from the current rate of 100 tests per million, as on week ending 7^th April, 2023. They were further advised to increase the share of RT-PCR in tests.

States/UTs were briefed that India has been witnessing a steady increase in COVID-19 cases with average daily cases rising to 4,188 in the week ending 07^th April 2023 from 571 in the week ending 17^th March 2023; and weekly positivity up to 3.02% in the week ending 07^th April, 2023. However, 88,503 daily average cases have been reported globally in the same time, with the top five countries contributing 62.6% of global cases in the last one week.

States/UTs were further informed that currently WHO is closely tracking one variant of interest (VOI), XBB.1.5 and six other variants are under monitoring (BQ.1, BA.2.75, CH.1.1, XBB, XBF and XBB.1.16). It was highlighted that while Omicron and its sub-lineages continue to be the predominant variant, most of the assigned variants have little or no significant transmissibility, disease severity or immune escape. The prevalence of XBB.1.16 increased from 21.6% in Feb to 35.8% in March, 2023. However, no evidence of an increase in hospitalization or mortality has been reported.

It was also informed that while India has achieved over 90% coverage of primary vaccination, the coverage of precaution dose is very low. Union Health Minister advised States/UTs to ramp up vaccination of all eligible population, especially of the elderly and vulnerable population group.

It was also observed that eight states are reporting high number of Covid cases in India with 10 or more districts reporting more than 10% positivity in Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi and over 5 districts reporting more than 5% positivity in the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Haryana. Dr Mandaviya stressed on the importance of enhancing public awareness campaigns regarding adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour. He requested all the State Health Ministers to personally monitor and review the preparedness of all logistics and infrastructure including availability of sufficient designated hospital beds and ensure that there is adequate stock of essential medicines. States were also asked to regularly update their COVID data on the COVID India Portal.

States/UTs were briefed on the global COVID-19 situation and the domestic scenario. They were reminded of the joint advisory issued by the Union Health Ministry and ICMR to all states on 25^th March 2023 which calls for a reinvigorated public health response to contain the surge of seasonal Influenza and Covid-19 cases through early detection, isolation, testing and timely management of suspected and confirmed cases to detect and contain outbreaks of new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Union Health Minister requested States/UTs to ensure effective implementation of the same. There was comprehensive and detailed discussion on various aspects of COVID management including ramping up of hospital infrastructure; increased testing.

Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar stressed on the importance of timely preparedness and management of COVID-19. She urged states to implement their share of ECRP-II for revamping health infrastructure on priority. She also asked states to strengthen their monitoring mechanism and be on alert in view of the rise in tourism.

States appreciated the timely review meetings chaired by the Union Health Minister and advisories from the Union Health Ministry. They assured that they will work with the Centre for effective prevention and management of COVID-19. They informed that they are maintaining vigil and are reviewing the present situation. States also assured they will hold mock drill for readiness of hospital infrastructure across both public and private health facilities on 10^th and 11^th April, 2023.

Shri N Rangaswamy, Chief Minister, Puducherry, Shri Dhan Singh Rawat, Health Minister (Uttarakhand), Shri Keshab Mahanta, Health Minister (Assam), Shri Vishwajit Rane, Health Minister (Goa), Shri Banna Gupta, Health Minister (Jharkhand), Shri Prabhuram Choudhury, Health Minister (Madhya Pradesh), Balbir Singh, Health Minister (Punjab), Dr Sapan Ranjan Singh, Health Minister (Manipur), Shri Anil Vij, Health Minister (Haryana), Shri Thiru Ma Subramanian, Health Minister (Tamil Nadu), Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Health Minister (Himachal Pradesh), Smt. Vidadala Rajini, Health Minister (Andhra Pradesh), Shri Thanneeru Harish Rao, Health Minister (Telangana), Shri Rushikesh Patel, Health Minister (Gujarat), Shri Niranjan Pujari, Health Minister (Orissa), Shri Alo Libang, Health Minister (Arunachal Pradesh), Shri Tanaji Sawant, Health Minister (Maharashtra), Smt. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Health Minister (Meghalaya), Shri Saurabh Bharadwaj, Health Minister (Delhi) and senior officials of the ministry were present in the meeting.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is emerging as the world’s major bioeconomy with fast growing Biotech StartUps.

Delivering the inaugural address at the 20th Anniversary celebrations of Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) today at India Habitat Centre here, Dr Jitendra Singh said that India has developed four indigenous Vaccines in just two years under “Mission COVID Suraksha” and augmented the manufacturing of Covaxin, and created necessary infrastructure for smooth development of future vaccines, so that our country is pandemic ready.

The Minister said that in the Global Innovation Index 2022, India has moved to 40th rank from 81st position. We must now aspire to be in the top 25 in the near term and in the top five by India @ 100. Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi has provided a huge impetus to innovation by adding Jai Anusandhan to the country’s evergreen slogan of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, he added.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that India has the third-largest StartUp ecosystem and is home to the fastest-growing unicorns. Startups are very important as they are a source of new ideas and technologies. India’s Startups and R&D outcomes are setting global benchmarks and are at par with the world. Today the young talent of India, including women via startups or otherwise, are scripting the story of success for a thriving innovation led economy.

The Minister said that an enabling atmosphere for innovation was missing in the earlier policy initiatives and political dispensation but now that atmosphere is being provided by the political dispensation led by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is leapfrogging.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Indian industry is the backbone of the fastest growing large economy of the world and has the potential to revolutionize and bring in a technology movement. Integration of Research, Startups, Academia and Industry is no longer an option but a dire necessity to attract young innovators in the country, he said.

The Minister said that ABLE in its 20th year of inception can make significant contribution to develop technologies, products, and providing solutions that help the global community at large.

He appreciated ABLE for bringing out a publication, “Enablers of Indian Biotech”, on the occasion of its 20th Anniversary.

Dr Jitendra Singh called upon the Industry to help India achieve the target of $300 billion BioEconomy by 2030 and $1 trillion BioEconomy in the centenary celebration of India – India@100.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed gratitude towards those who work to make our planet healthier on the occasion of World Health Day.

Sharing a tweet by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, the Prime Minister tweeted:

“On World Health Day, we express gratitude to all those who work to make our planet healthier.

Our Government will continue working to augment health infrastructure and ensure quality healthcare to the people.”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi said that the augmenting of infrastructure at AIIMS in Bibinagar will benefit Telangana and add momentum to our ongoing efforts of creating a healthy India.

In a tweet, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has informed that Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for new state-of-the-art facilities at AIIMS Bibinagar on 8th April 2023.

In reply to the tweet by Union Health Minister, the Prime Minister said”

“The augmenting of infrastructure at AIIMS in Bibinagar will benefit Telangana and add momentum to our ongoing efforts of creating a healthy India.”

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inspected the 212 km 6-lane Delhi-Dehradun Greenfield Access Controlled Expressway being built at a cost of Rs 12,000 crore today in presence of Union Minister of State Shri General V.K. Singh and other dignitaries.

Divided into four sections, this expressway is being constructed starting from Delhi-Mumbai Expressway(DME) near Akshardham in Delhi, Shastri Park, Khajuri Khas, EPE interchange at Khekra in Mandola, Baghpat, Shamli, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh to Dehradun, Uttrakhand. A 340 meter long 3-lane tunnel is also being constructed at Datkali ,Dehradun at a cost of Rs 1995 crore.

Many special provisions have been made in the construction of the entire corridor. In these, the route from Ganeshpur to Dehradun has been kept safe for wildlife. There is a provision of 12 km elevated road, 6 animal underpasses, 2 elephant underpasses, 2 major bridges and 13 minor bridges. 113 VUP (Vehicular Under Passes), LVUP (Light Vehicular Under Passes), SVUP (Small Vehicular Under Passes), 5 ROBs, 4 major bridges and 62 bus shelters are being constructed in the entire expressway. Along with this, apart from 76 km service road, 29 km elevated road, 16 entry-exit points are also being constructed.

For the convenience of passengers, there is a provision of 12 way-side amenities on the Delhi-Dehradun Access Controlled Greenfield Expressway. For connectivity of Haridwar with this highway, 51 km 6-lane Greenfield road is being constructed at a cost of Rs 2095 crore.