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Time of India
an hour ago
- Politics
- Time of India
PM accuses RJD of insulting Ambedkar, praises Nitish
1 2 Patna: Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the RJD, accusing it of insulting Dr B R Ambedkar and contributing to Bihar's backwardness. He contrasted this with his praise for CM Nitish Kumar, crediting him with pulling the state out of the "jungle raj and loot" that he said prevailed before 2005 under the rule of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi. "Nitish has brought Bihar back on track from the jungle raj and prepared the launchpad for the state's development," Modi said while addressing his fourth public rally in Bihar this year. The event followed the remote inauguration and foundation-laying of projects worth Rs 9,518 crore at Jasoli in Siwan district. The projects included the launch of a Vande Bharat Express train between Patliputra Junction in Patna and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, the first consignment of diesel locomotives from the Marhaura rail factory in Saran and several schemes under the rail, energy and urban development departments. Referring to a recent controversy, Modi cited an incident where a portrait of Dr Ambedkar was placed near Lalu's feet by one of his supporters during the RJD chief's birthday celebration on June 11. "I know they will never apologise for disrespecting Ambedkar. By insulting Baba Saheb, these people want to show themselves as bigger than him. The people of Bihar will never forget this insult. They have no respect for Dalits and extremely backward people," he said. "RJD keeps Baba Saheb at its feet, but Modi keeps him in his heart," he added. Modi accused the RJD and Congress of turning a once-prosperous Bihar into a symbol of migration. "They are now trying to grab power again by resorting to different tricks. But I have faith in the youth. They will keep them away from power. Together you have eradicated jungle raj in Bihar," he said. Modi also targeted the previous govts for their slogan-driven politics. "The youth have only heard stories about the plight of Bihar but have no idea what the jungle raj people had done to the state," he said. Highlighting his participation in the recent G7 summit, the PM said world leaders now recognise India as the third-largest economic superpower. "Bihar is definitely going to play a very big role in the country's prosperity," he said. At the event, Modi handed over house keys to 6,684 beneficiaries in Bihar and took a swipe at past govts. "While Congress and RJD kept shouting the 'Garibi Hatao' slogan for decades, the NDA govt has shown how poverty can actually be reduced. More than 25 crore people have come out of poverty in India, including 3.75 crore in Bihar, in the last decade," he said. "Our slogan is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, but those with lanterns and the hand (RJD-Congress) believe only in parivar ka saath, parivar ka vikas," Modi said.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
From trade hub to backwater post-partition, what rail link means to Kashmir
When the Vande Bharat Express chugged from Katra on June 6 and arrived in Srinagar three hours later, crossing the 359-metre bridge over the Chenab river and the 11-km tunnel through the forbidding Pir Panjal range, it broke a physical and psychological barrier that symbolised Kashmir's isolation after the partition. India's division in 1947 hit Kashmir the hardest politically and economically, spawning a protracted conflict and reducing it to a backwater from the crossroads of commerce and the blending of cultures. The partition severed Kashmir's long-distance trade links to Central Asia and beyond, ending its significance as an economic hub and stagnating its economy. Overnight, Kashmir became dependent on a cart road to Jammu via the 2,739-metre Banihal Pass, in the Pir Panjal, with the closure of the Jehlum Valley Road to Rawalpindi in what is now Pakistan. In 1959, the Jawahar Tunnel's construction through the pass improved the connectivity. But the Jammu highway remains vulnerable to blockages due to landslides and snow. The closure of the tunnel, which was once Asia's longest, for extended periods would trigger a shortage of essential commodities in winter until a few decades ago. In 2013, the completion of India's longest and most challenging 11-km Pir Panjal tunnel marked a major milestone in providing a much-needed all-weather railway connectivity to Kashmir. But it would take another 12 years to realise the over a century old dream of completing the 272-km rail project in treacherous mountainous terrain to connect Kashmir with the national rail network. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Katra-Srinagar train and inaugurated the world's highest single-arch rail bridge to mark the project culmination on June 6. A marvel envisaged during the British era, the project involved complex engineering and the construction of 38 tunnels and 943 bridges, including India's first cable-stayed Anji Khad rail bridge, overcoming inhospitable terrain and unstable rock formations in a seismically active zone. The rail link will cut the Delhi-Srinagar travel time from 24 to 13 hours, without motion sickness, nausea, dizziness, sweating, and vomiting passengers often experience during the long and arduous journey along the curvy accident-prone highway to Jammu with stretches known as khooni (bloody) and shaitaanee (satanic). It is expected to boost Kashmir's economic growth, especially the horticulture industry, and provide an all-weather transportation alternative to the Jammu highway, the only road link connecting the Valley with the outside world, although challenges remain. Cherries from Kashmir arriving in Mumbai on a train via Katra on June 1 in just 30 hours, compared to the days it would have taken by road, held out hope. Freight trains would not immediately run from Kashmir without the necessary infrastructure, and passengers face security detours at Katra before their onward journey. Also read: Vande Bharat train to Srinagar steaming ahead with good public response Yet the operationalisation of the rail link is a major boost to the region, which was once connected through a portion of the ancient cross-continental Silk Road and was a trading hub and meeting point of cultures. The Silk Road, one of the world's largest overland trade routes spanning 6,400km, connected Kashmir to China and Central Asia. Long-distance traders transported their goods on camels, horses, and yaks to and from places like Lhasa (Tibet) and Yarkand (Xinjiang). They traded in Chinese silks, Afghan silver cookware, Persian rugs, Tibetan turquoise, Mongolian saddles, European soaps, and helped transport ideas. The partition virtually left Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) with practically no road, railway, or air connectivity with the rest of India. The cart road through the Banihal pass remained shut during winter before the tunnel construction. It connected Kashmir to Lahore and Sialkot (now in Pakistan) until 1947. The award of Punjab's Gurdaspur to India at the last minute gave access to J&K through a dirt track of bridgeless tributaries and streams. The track allowed India to mobilise resources to drive out Pakistan-backed irregulars who marched to Kashmir in October 1947 with a plan to occupy an airstrip in Srinagar. An Indian Army contingent managed to land and secure the airstrip before the onset of the harsh Himalayan winter. Also read: Train to Srinagar, carrying hope Hari Singh, J&K's last king, dithered in acceding to India until October 1947 despite repeated requests, partly because of a lack of connectivity and his state's dependence on West Punjab (now in Pakistan) for essential commodities. The Jammu railway station was abandoned in 1947 with the Sialkot line closure. The Pathankot–Jammu broad-gauge line was laid in the 1970s. The new Jammu station was opened in 1972. It remained the closest railway station to Srinagar, around 300km away. The construction of the Jammu-Baramula rail link via Srinagar began in the 1990s. The Jammu-Udhampur-Katra and Baramula-Banihal segments were completed between 2005 and 2013. The Katra-Banihal segment completion marks a major leap in ensuring Kashmir's all-weather accessibility. The new wheels of progress promise a better future for a region with a storied past linked, however, to better and more open regional connectivity. Sameer Arshad Khatlani is the author of The Other Side of the Divide: A Journey Into the Heart of Pakistan. He works with Hindustan Times
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mafia Raj of past kept Bihar poor, it is now set for high growth: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Congress and the RJD had hurt the pride of Bihar and kept the state poor 'due to mafia raj, goonda raj and corruption' despite zealously announced slogan 'Garibi Hatao' being there for generations. But the state, he said, was now set for a development leap. The PM was speaking at Siwan after laying the foundation stone and inaugurating multiple development projects worth ₹11,000 crore, which include new Vaishali-Deoria railway line with a new train service on the route and another Vande Bharat Express between Pataliputra and Gorakhpur via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah. He also flagged off a state-of-the-art locomotive -- the first built at Marhowra plant for export to the Republic of Guinea. Modi said that the 'License Raj' of the Congress did not allow Bihar to move out of poverty and the worst sufferers were the deprived lot from Dalit, Mahadalit, Other Backward Classes and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), while in the last 11 years a record 25 crore Indians had moved out of poverty and the feat has drawn praise from institutions like the World Bank. 'Bihar under chief minister Nitish Kumar played a key role in it, as 3.75-crore people from the state have pulled themselves out of poverty. Despite so many years of independence, half the population lived below the poverty line. People struggled to beat poverty, as they could not find a way to beat it. The state was reduced to be a centre of migration. Now, it is time to be wary of the same forces that kept it poor as they are again desperate for power while the state has prepared the launchpad for rapid growth,' he added. He said that the 'panja' and 'lantern' (Congress and RJD party symbols) worked with a simple motive of 'Parivar Ka Saath Aur Parivar Ka Vikas' (Support to family, growth to family), while the NDA works for 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (Growth for all). 'Their interest never goes beyond family and they don't even spare Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar,' he said, referring to the controversy surrounding Baba Saheb's picture purportedly kept near the feet of RJD chief Lalu Prasad on the latter's birthday. 'I have noticed posters seeking an apology for the insult of Baba Saheb. The entire country saw what RJD did to Baba Saheb, but they will not apologise. Ambedkar remains in the heart of Modi, while they keep it at their feet. They made false promises of 'Garibi Hatao' to people and filled their coffers, while our government has already built four crore houses for the poor and three crore more are being built. Modi is not the kind to get satisfied with work already done for the poor, as a lot more needs to be done to ensure that not a single person is left out, as you all are my family' he said. He warned that those who brought 'jungle raj' to Bihar were looking for an opportunity to repeat their old deeds. 'You have to be very cautious for the bright future of your children. People who are ready to put the brakes on Bihar's developmental journey have to be kept at bay, as a prosperous Bihar is important for a prosperous India,' he added. Remembering India's first President Dr Rajendra Prasad, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain and social reformer Braj Kishor Prasad, he said Siwan was the land that lent strength to democracy and Constitution and played a big role in the freedom movement. 'We are trying to take the same spirit forward with inclusive growth so that nobody is discriminated against and even the world recognises India's growth journey to be the third largest economy. I have faith in your abilities, as you are the ones who ended jungle Raj and then worked with the NDA to put the state on track,' he added. The PM said that Marhowra rail factory is an example of the kind of Bihar NDA striving to create. 'With the export of locomotives, Saran, which was abandoned by the RJD as backward, has made its place on the global map. Jungle Raj had stalled the growth engine, but now Bihar's engine will run in Africa. Bihar will be a big centre for make in India and contribute to the nation's growth,' he said, adding more projects and development initiatives would take Bihar towards a bright future and make life easy for all through increased opportunities. Highlighting the transformative journey of Bihar, the PM said in the last 10-11 years over 55,000 kms of rural roads had been built, 1.5-crore houses had got power connection and tap water, 45,000 common service centres had been started and now there was a wave of start-up in towns and cities. 'We are striving to remove every hurdle for the poor. The houses that people have got are not just four walls, but other places to nurture dreams and resolve. Bihar alone has got 57 lakh pucca houses, out of which 1.10-lakh are for Siwan alone. Over 50,000 families have got instalments for their houses today,' he added. He said that with the new train, now the two pilgrim places of Baba Hariharnarh and Baba Gorakhnath have been connected. 'Buddhist places have also got train connectivity. Such projects will boost tourism and create more opportunities,' he said, starting off his speech in Bhojpuri to connect with the masses. Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, union ministers Jitan Ram Manjhi, Giriraj Singh, Lalan Singh, Chirag Paswan, Ramnath Thakur, Nityanand Rai, Satishchandra Dubey, Raj Bhushan Choudhary,Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, state ministers, including Health minister Mangal Pandey, former union minister Upendra Kushwaha and several others were present on the occasion. Nitish Kumar thanked the PM for focussing on Bihar's rapid developments through a lot of new projects and programmes, cited special financial assistance in the union budgets and termed the Centre's decision to hold caste-based Census a big initiative. Referring to the Opposition's attack, he said that 'they keep speaking absurd things, while the changed reality is for all to see'. 'What was the situation prior to 2005? Today, the presence of so many women at the rally indicates the positive change that the state has witnessed. Earlier the girls did not even venture out of home,' he added. Fourth visit this year This is PM's fourth visit to Bihar this year and third since April 24 in what is viewed as a build up for the crucial state elections scheduled in October-November. He reached the venue in a road show, waving to the people from an open vehicle along with CM Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary. Siwan is significant, as it is the birthplace of India's first President Rajendra Prasad and remained an RJD stronghold due to sizable population of Muslims and Yadavs and emergence of late Bahubali Md Shahabuddin. Projects In keeping with the government's focus on conservation and rejuvenation of river Ganga, the PM also inaugurated six Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) under the Namami Gange project worth over ₹1,800 crore catering to the needs of people in the region. He also laid the foundation stone for water supply, sanitation and STPs worth over ₹3,000 crore in various towns across Bihar aiming to provide clean and safe drinking water to the citizens of these towns. He also laid the foundation stone for 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity in Bihar. Standalone BESS are being installed at 15 grid substations of the state, including Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Bettiah, Siwan among others. The capacity of the battery to be installed in each sub-station is between 20 to 80 MWh. It will save the distribution companies from buying electricity at expensive rates by feeding the already stored electricity back to the grid directly benefiting the consumers. The Prime Minister also released the first instalment to more than 53,600 beneficiaries of PMAY-U in Bihar. He handed over keys to a few beneficiaries to mark the Grih Pravesh Ceremony of more than 6,600 completed houses of PMAY U.
India.com
3 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
First Ride Joy: Students Celebrate Vande Bharats Inaugural Journey In Bihar
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat Express connecting Pataliputra in Bihar to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah, a wave of excitement swept through young passengers boarding the high-speed train for the first time. The gleaming new Vande Bharat Express not only marked a technological leap for the region but also brought immense joy to students who were experiencing premium train travel for the first time. IANS spoke to several students onboard, many of whom were filled with gratitude and admiration for the initiative. 'This is my first train journey ever, and I couldn't have imagined a better start,' said one student. 'I am really happy and thankful to Prime Minister Modi. He has already done so much for the country, and now he has gifted us this wonderful experience.' Another student shared, 'I'm travelling on Vande Bharat for the first time. Compared to general trains, this one is incredibly clean and modern. The facilities are excellent.' 'This train feels so good. The seating, air conditioning, and overall ambience are impressive. I'm really proud that it started from here. Thank you, PM Modi, " said another young traveller. 'I am really enjoying this journey. Everything is so comfortable. The train is fully air-conditioned, equipped with automatic doors and sensor systems. It feels like a flight on rails,' another student told IANS. A woman passenger who was also in the Vande Bharat train said, 'Throughout the journey, we received clear information updates. The train offers several modern amenities. Toilets are cleaned automatically, cleanliness is well-maintained, and the seats are very comfortable.' Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity at the Railway Board, noted the rising appeal of the service. 'Vande Bharat is becoming extremely popular, especially among the youth. Its speed, style, and service set a new benchmark in Indian Railways," he told IANS. During his visit to Siwan on Friday, Prime Minister Modi reiterated the commitment of the double-engine government to Bihar's holistic development. He inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 5,700 crore. Among them was the new Vaishali-Deoria railway line project, valued at over Rs 400 crore. He also flagged off a new train service on this route, further bolstering regional rail infrastructure.
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- Business
- India Gazette
PM Modi holds roadshow in Bihar's Siwan
Siwan (Bihar) [India], June 20 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a roadshow and greeted people at a public meeting in Bihar's Siwan, where he will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects, including in the water, rail, and power sectors. PM Modi greeted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as he took the stage at a public meeting in Siwan. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects at Siwan, a major boost to infrastructure and socio-economic development in Bihar, on Friday. Boosting railway infrastructure in the region, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the new Vaishali-Deoria railway line project worth over Rs 400 crore and flag off a new train service on this route. Additionally, in a major boost to connectivity in North Bihar, the Prime Minister will also flag off the Vande Bharat Express between Patliputra and Gorakhpur via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah. Furthering the vision of 'Make in India - Make for the World', the Prime Minister will also flag off a state-of-the-art locomotive built at the Marhowra Plant for export to the Republic of Guinea. This is the first export locomotive manufactured in this factory. They are equipped with high-horsepower engines, advanced AC propulsion systems, microprocessor-based control systems, and ergonomic cab designs and incorporate technologies like regenerative braking. In line with his commitment to conserving and rejuvenating the river Ganga, the Prime Minister will inaugurate six Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) under the Namami Gange project, worth over Rs 1,800 crore, to cater to the needs of people in the region. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for water supply, sanitation, and STPs worth over Rs 3000 crore in various towns across Bihar, aiming to provide clean and safe drinking water to the citizens of these towns. In a major boost to power infrastructure in the region, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for a 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity in Bihar. Standalone BESSs are being installed at 15 grid substations of the state, including Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Bettiah, and Siwan, among others. The capacity of the battery to be installed in each substation is between 20 and 80 MWh. It will save the distribution companies from buying electricity at expensive rates by feeding the already stored electricity back to the grid, directly benefiting the consumers. Prime Minister will also release the first instalment to more than 53,600 beneficiaries of PMAY U in Bihar. He will also hand over keys to a few beneficiaries to mark the Grih Pravesh Ceremony of more than 6,600 completed houses of PMAY U. (ANI)
