Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Bolstered by the experience of competing in international events in the last five-six months, Indias soft tennis stars Jay Meena and Aadhya Tiwari are aiming to clinch an elusive medal at the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. The dynamic duo, who have a world championship medal and multiple Asian championship medals in mixed doubles, are leading a six-member soft tennis squad in Japan. Jay is competing in mens singles, mens team and mixed doubles events, while Aadhya will participate in womens singles and mixed doubles categories. The other members of the team include Yogesh Choudhary (mens team), Om Yadav (mens team), Aniket Chirag Patel (mens team) and Aryan Thakur (mens singles and mens team). The squad is accompanied by coach Devanshi Hareshbhai Patel and physiotherapist Utsav Kumar Dubey. India began their Asian Games campaign in the mens team event on a winning note entering the quarterfinals of the soft tennis competition. India defeated Laos 3-0 in the first preliminary match of Group C. The nation endured a 3-0 loss against Chinese Taipei in the second encounter before trumping Mongolia 3-0 in the third match to qualify for the quarterfinals, where they lost to Indonesia. Hailing from Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, Jay developed interest in soft tennis by chance. As a young boy, he was more interested in cricket and initially aspired to become a cricketer before his curiosity led him to watch boys play the sport at a soft tennis court adjacent to his school. By the age of 14, he was already competing internationally. He also represented India in the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games before bagging gold in mens singles at the 36th National Games in Gujarat. He never looked back thereafter. In 2024, partnering Aadhya, Jay created history by winning Indias first-ever medal at the World Soft Tennis Championships, securing bronze in mixed doubles. He strengthened his credentials by becoming the national champion in 2025. He also became the first Indian to secure a medal at the continental level by clinching bronze in the mens singles at the 2025 Asian Soft Tennis Championship. Recently he won bronze in mens singles at the 2026 Sunchang Open. Following his consistent performances, Jay was inducted in Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) last year by Sports Authority of India, offering him financial assistance towards international competition exposure and national coaching camps in Jammu and Ahmedabad. Jay said that competing in international competitions gave him and his team members the edge over their rivals. In 2018 I played my first Asian Games in Jakarta. It was a very different experience of my life. I came to know what the value of Asian Games is. This is my third Asian Games. In China too, when the Asian Games were held in Hangzhou, I reached the quarterfinals in singles and there I lost very narrowly. But this time, the Indian federation and Indian government have done a lot of hard work on the players. I want to thank the Sports Ministry and our government for their unprecedented support. We had international camps; we stayed out of the country for four-five months, playing in Korea and Japan. I am in TAGG scheme. I was provided equipment, which are generally imported, like racquets and balls etc. free of cost apart from shoes and playing kits and tracksuits. Playing in Korea and Japan has boosted my confidence. Both the countries organise leagues and tournaments throughout the year which helps the players keep in shape. You develop good muscle memory and then when there is a pressure situation in the match your body doesnt feel it. We have never won a medal at the Asian Games and this is our target this time, Jay explained. Aadhya, who hails from a small town Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh, started playing tennis from the age of three years even though her father was a Ranji Trophy cricketer. She initially struggled as there were no coaches to teach her the nuances of tennis. I learned tennis by myself. Then I was playing lawn tennis and was the Asia No. 6 seed. I played lawn tennis quite well; almost until 2013. After that, I went to a tournament, and there the soft tennis secretary from Madhya Pradesh approached me, saying, Why don't you try soft tennis? So, I was like, Okay, sir, I'll try once. In my very first tournament, I got two bronze and one silver medal, and my name came up in the Junior World Championship, and Senior World Championship. Ever since then, I have been continuing soft tennis because in lawn tennis, there were high costs involved, Aadhya told SAI Media from Japan. Aadhya is currently India No. 1 in soft tennis. In 2018, she was the youngest to represent India in the Asian Games at the age of 15. At 2023 Hangzhou edition, Aadhya finished fifth in womens team event. In 2025, she won bronze medals in mixed doubles and mixed team events at the Asian Soft Tennis Championship. Inducted in TAGG scheme, Aadhya was also part of the international competition exposure and national camps organized by SAI. I am very thankful to the TAGG scheme because the camps we got helped our game develop and improve a lot. SAI has helped us a lot. The training we got in the camps, and all the infrastructure, equipment, and even racquets - everything was provided by SAI, and the training went very well this time. In Korea too, there was a full one-month camp, and in Japan, a pre-Asian Games camp was held for 20 days. Right now, I would just say that there are high chances of getting a medal, Aadhya said.
BCCI office bearers authorised to take decision related to chief selector Agarkars future
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) office bearers have been authorised to take a call on all things related to the mens selection committees and offered no clarity on the future of chief selector Ajit Agarkar during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Friday. The development comes amid rising uncertainty over Agarkars position as the chairman of the senior mens selection committee. Agarkars contract runs till October 2026 and its yet to be known if it will be extended till next years ODI World Cup, to be played in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. Apart from this, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal and Khairul Jamal Majumdar have been re-elected unopposed to the IPL Governing Council. Today's meeting went well, everything went well. The same people are repeated in the IPL Governing Council - Arun Dhumal and Mamon. Regarding the selectors (in both senior and junior mens committees), an authorisation has been taken and we will decide about the selectors later, Shukla said to reporters after the AGM ended at the BCCI headquarters. If Agarkar doesnt continue, the BCCI will have to follow the standard procedure, which involves inviting applications through a public advertisement and conducting candidate interviews. It is understood that former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel, currently the assistant coach at Gujarat Titans in the IPL and ventured into commentary duties, has emerged as a potential contender to take Agarkars spot in the panel if the BCCI office bearers decide to bring in a change in the panel. The murmurs of Patel coming into an influential role in the selection committee have been in on and off mode since March, but with him already past 5 years of retiring actively from the game, he can be a potential contender to replace Agarkar. Agarkar, who missed a high-profile review meeting on September 3 due to him being at a place where internet wasnt available, had attended the recent Afghanistan-India T20I games at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, alongside his selection committee colleagues RP Singh and Ajay Ratra. In the second game held on Tuesday, Shukla along with ICC Chairman Jay Shah and BCCI President Mithun Manhas were present in the stadium alongside Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials. Asked about potential venue change for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at Ranchi, Shukla clarified that no such deliberations took place during the meeting. No, there was no discussion about the venue for that Test match. There were some fixtures. Out of them, the fixtures which were of 50 overs, it is now done of 20 overs, added Shukla. One of the agendas at the AGM was the inclusion of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the BCCI fold, but it is understood that their bid for affiliate membership is deferred because of legal issues. Domestic umpires, match referees, and scorers are in line for a significant pay raise, with the BCCI likely to form a three-member committee to finalise the fee structure.
Gujarat Themis Biosyn completes acquisition of MicroBiopharm Japan Co.
Gujarat Themis Biosyn announced the completion of the acquisition of 100% equity shareholding in MicroBiopharm Japan Co. (MBJ), Japan, through Themis Biosyn Japan, a wholly owned subsidiary incorporated in Japan.
Man kills daughter, places her in fridge, dies by suicide
A 40-year-old man in Amreli, Gujarat, allegedly killed his five-year-old daughter and then died by suicide, citing severe financial distress. The tragic incident, discovered by his wife, involved the man leaving suicide notes and decorating the room, suggesting a final, desperate act.
Gujarat Man Kills Daughter, Stores Body In Fridge, Then Dies By Suicide
According to the first information report (FIR), the man had written three suicide notes and placed them on a bed.
National workshop promotes deep-sea fishing with Gujarat leaders
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Asian Games: Indian men's soft tennis team bows out in QFs
Digital Desk | Nagoya, Sep 18 (IANS) Indian mens soft tennis team, comprising Jay Meena, Yogesh Choudhary, Aryan Thakur, Aniket Patel and Om Yadav, concluded its Asian Games 2026 campaign with a 02 defeat against Indonesia in the quarterfinals. Jay and Yogesh lost the first men's doubles tie to Tio Hutauruk and Fernendo Sanger 25, before Aryan Thakur lost to Bagus Pradewa 34. With this loss, Indias mens team campaign come to an end at the Asian Games 2026. However, the competition continues for the Indian athletes, with Jay and Aryan set to compete in the mens Singles on September 22. Jay will also feature in the Mixed Doubles on September 21. Indian Men began their campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over Laos before suffering a 0-3 defeat to group toppers Chinese Taipei. Needing a win in their final group encounter to secure a knockout berth, India responded strongly and defeated Mongolia 3-0 to progress to the last eight with four points from three ties. India made a confident start against Laos as Jay and Yogesh clinched the opening doubles match 5-0. Aryan then registered a comfortable 4-0 victory in the singles contest before Aniket and Om completed the clean sweep with another dominant doubles win. Chinese Taipei, however, proved a tougher challenge. Meena and Choudhary lost the first doubles match 0-5, while Thakur went down 1-4 in the singles tie. Patel and Yadav also suffered defeat in the second doubles match as India lost the contest 0-3. With a quarter-final place at stake, the Indian players bounced back in style against Mongolia, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 win to finish behind Chinese Taipei in the group standings. Aniket and Om won the opening doubles match against Mongolia by 5-0, and Meena then registered a comfortable 4-0 victory in singles before Thakur and Choudhary completed the clean sweep with another dominant doubles win. Indias campaign is being led by Jay , one of the countrys most accomplished soft tennis players in recent years. The Madhya Pradesh athlete represented India at the 2018 Asian Games and won the mens singles gold medal at the 2022 National Games in Gujarat. Meena also etched his name in history in 2024 when, alongside Aadhya Tiwari, he secured Indias first-ever medal at the World Soft Tennis Championships by winning bronze in mixed doubles. He followed it up by becoming national champion in 2025 and later claimed bronze in mens singles at the Asian Soft Tennis Championships, becoming the first Indian to win a medal at the continental event.
Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi distributes grain kits to Ganga Swarupa beneficiaries at Chiloda
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Maruti's vehicle dispatches via in-plant rail terminals reach 1 million
Maruti Suzuki India on Friday said it has reached a milestone of dispatching 1 million vehicles through in-plant railway terminals in just over three years since opening dedicated transportation lines at two manufacturing sites in Gujarat and Haryana. Operations from in-plant railway sidings at Hansalpur (Gujarat) commenced in March 2023 and from the Manesar (Haryana) railway siding in June 2025. In the current financial year, the automaker said that 70 per cent of its total rail-based vehicle dispatches have been through these two in-plant railway sidings, and its mid-term goal is to increase such dispatches to 35 per cent by FY31. As of August 31 of this fiscal year, the company's rail-based vehicle dispatches have crossed 3 lakh units, it said. An in-plant railway terminal inside a manufacturing facility allows goods to be loaded onto freight trains within the plant, eliminating the need for trucks to access the nearest railway stations before entering the supply network. Of th
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray faction MP Sanjay Raut on Friday launched a sharp attack against the late Disha Salians father following reports that the latter planned to visit Matoshree to hand a legal notice for defamation to party leader Aaditya Thackeray. Raut labelled the move a drama orchestrated by political rivals to malign the Thackeray family. Speaking to reporters, Raut urged those involved to put an end to the political theatrics. This drama must stop, he declared. Whoever it is -- even those who tragically lost their daughter -- should stop this spectacle. The matter was handed over to the CBI, and the court has observed that no one stands accused at this stage. The CBI registered the FIR against unknown persons, he added. Raut alleged a coordinated financial and political conspiracy aimed at smearing the opposition's reputation. He made sensational claims regarding foreign financial links backing the campaign. Raut claimed that a few drunks and attention-seekers have joined hands, receiving funds through a Nepali connection to finance the smear campaign against the Thackeray family. He further alleged that resources are being misused across the board, stating, Somewhere oil is being used, somewhere alcohol -- all to fund our defamation. Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday addressed the allegations linking his family to the June 2020 death of Disha Salian, calling the claims a politically motivated character assassination campaign. He stated that neither he nor his son, Aaditya Thackeray, had any connection to Disha Salian or her death. He noted that Salian's death was a tragic incident but emphasised that he had never met or known her. Thackeray warned that if the persistent effort to link his family's name to the case does not end, he will take legal steps. He mentioned that his party remained quite clear while state agencies probed the matter, but called the ongoing allegations pointless character assassination. Questioning the intent behind bringing up his family's name repeatedly without evidence, Thackeray remarked sarcastically, I am wondering why the names of Modi and Trump are absent in this case. A day prior to Uddhav's remarks, Aaditya Thackeray also issued a detailed statement on X reiterating that he had never met or known Salian. He described the ongoing narrative as an evidence-free smear campaign driven by political motives and personal enmity. The statements came after the Bombay High Court ordered a probe into the circumstances surrounding Salian's death, leading the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a preliminary FIR. Meanwhile, addressing Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shindes recent address in Gujarat -- delivered in Gujarati on Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday -- Raut mocked the move as political appeasement. Raut remarked that while Amit Shah speaks fluent Marathi, PM Modi speaks better Marathi than Eknath Shinde himself. If Shinde chooses to speak in Gujarati, it is simply to keep his party bosses in Gujarat pleased, he quipped. Asserting that speaking Gujarati is not inherently wrong, Raut noted that the Shinde faction acts like its party constitution was drafted in Gujarat. He added that diminishing the significance of Marathi leadership disrespects the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Balasaheb Thackeray. Raut highlighted that former leaders like Vasantdada Patil, Sharad Pawar, Balasaheb Thackeray, and Yashwantrao Chavan stood firm in their native tongue and spoke Marathi with pride when dealing with central authorities.
Maruti Suzuki achieved one million vehicle dispatches via its railway sidings. The Gujarat siding contributed 7.9 lakh vehicles, while Manesar added 2.1 lakh. These sidings accounted for seventy percent of rail dispatches in FY 2026-27. The company aims to increase rail dispatches to thirty-five percent by FY 2030-31. This expansion supports efficient and sustainable logistics operations across India.
Both are doctors: Supreme Court seeks parity in stipends for Indian, Foreign medical graduates
The Supreme Court on September 17 directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to verify whether stipends have been paid to foreign medical graduates (FMGs) in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat and Jharkhand. A bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice M. Pancholi passed the direction after petitioners alleged that an NMC affidavit falsely stated that [] The post Both are doctors: Supreme Court seeks parity in stipends for Indian, Foreign medical graduates appeared first on India Legal .
Delhi Police bust narco-extortion network, seize 2 kg Pakistani-origin heroin
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) The Delhi Police Special Cell, in a joint operation with the Gujarat Crime Branch, has busted a narco-extortion network operating between Delhi and Gujarat and recovered 2 kg of Pakistani-origin heroin valued at around Rs 12 crore. Police said an accused associated with the Rohit Godara and Mahendra Delana gang was arrested during the operation. The accused has been identified as 31-year-old Kuldeep Swami, a resident of Rajasthan's Churu. According to police, Swami was involved in a major narco-extortion module and was wanted in connection with a high-profile extortion case involving approximately Rs 10 crore registered in Gujarat's Vadodara. During the investigation, police recovered 2 kg of high-quality heroin, a car, and currency notes used for hawala token verification. A secret cavity was also found in the recovered vehicle, police said. Investigators are now probing the alleged links of the network with gangsters Godara and Delana, along with possible connections to Pakistan-based narcotics networks. The latest action comes amid a series of operations by the Delhi Police against criminal networks involved in extortion, narcotics and arms-related offences. Earlier, on August 26, the Delhi Police Special Cell had arrested two alleged sympathisers of the Gogi gang who were reportedly planning to commit extortion-related crimes. Police had identified the accused as 22-year-old Chirag, a resident of Narela, and 26-year-old Sagar, a resident of Haryana's Sonipat. The two were arrested near the Munak Canal on August 19 following a tip-off, officials said. A .32-bore semi-automatic pistol along with four live cartridges, a country-made single-shot pistol and two mobile phones were recovered from their possession, according to a senior police officer. In another case, on March 19, a team of the Delhi Police Special Cell apprehended a proclaimed offender who had allegedly been evading arrest in connection with an Arms Act case registered in Delhi. The accused, identified as 26-year-old Jaswinder Singh, a resident of Haryana's Ambala, was wanted in an FIR registered at Jagatpuri Police Station under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act. Police had said Singh had been absconding since the registration of the case and was subsequently declared a proclaimed offender by a court.
India's semiconductor roadmap strong with Semicon 2.0: Tata Electronics CEO
India's semiconductor journey looks strong, with policy stability under Semicon 2.0 providing important continuity in the roadmap for the industry, Tata Electronics' CEO and Managing Director Randhir Thakur has said. As India races to secure a foothold in the high-stakes global semiconductor industry, Tata Electronics - a key player - is building India's first commercial semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat, and the first indigenous semiconductor assembly and testing facility in Jagiroad, Assam, with a combined investment of USD 14 billion, to serve global customers across critical sectors. In our business, it is about continuity, and semiconductor is a roadmap-based journey. It is really very encouraging to see that after Semiconductor 1.0 scheme, the government has come up with Semiconductor 2.0...so that continuity, that roadmap is very important. We believe that in this business, as we generate the cash flow, we will always be investing and continue on this, Thakur told PTI
Delhi Police Arrests Fraudster from Gujarat for
A 24-year-old man was arrested in Gujarat for defrauding a woman of 60 lakh through a fake investment scheme. Delhi Police Arrests Fraudster from Gujarat for 60 Lakh Scam
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) Long queues and enthusiastic customers marked the first sale of Apple's iPhone 18 series in India on Friday with buyers turning up early at Apple stores in the national capital, Maharashtra and Karnataka to get their hands on the latest series. Sales of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max began at 8 am with a large number of customers arriving at Apple stores, including the outlets at Mumbai's BKC and Delhi's Select Citywalk. Speaking to IANS, excited buyers said they had pre-booked the devices and arrived at the stores according to their allotted slots. I have already booked online. We have a 9 am slot and have booked two phones, a customer waiting outside an Apple store told IANS. At a Delhi store, one customer said he was buying the iPhone 18 Pro and had been using Apple's smartphones for years. I am very excited and am buying the iPhone 18 Pro. I buy a new iPhone every year. I have been using iPhones since 2009, starting with the iPhone 4, and have used all the variants so far, he said. Another Delhi customer said he was buying the iPhone 18 Pro Max 512 GB for his daughter, who was unaware of the purchase. I have been using iPhones since 2008, starting with the iPhone 3G. This will be her first iPhone, and she is very excited. She does not know that I am buying it for her, so I think she will be surprised, he said. The first sale also drew buyers who travelled long distances to Mumbai. One customer said he travelled from Gujarat and reached the store at around 6 am after visiting Lalbaugcha Raja. I have booked the iPhone 18 Pro. It costs around Rs 1.64 lakh, he said, while highlighting features including a new camera shutter, a smaller Dynamic Island and the A20 processor. He also mentioned the new Cherry Red colour. Another buyer travelled from Surat and purchased both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. I have come all the way from Surat. I bought both the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max. My travel took around five to six hours. After reaching here, I waited for another six hours and spent around two and a half hours in the queue, he said. For the buyer, the first-day purchase was as much about the experience as the device itself. I have been emotionally connected with the iPhone for a long time. All iPhone users know that whether there is something new in the phone or not, getting the new phone on the first day matters, he said. I am very happy, absolutely happy, and 100 per cent satisfied. I have been waiting since 10 pm, he added. Moreover, actor Vicky Kaushal was also at the Apple Store in BKC as sales of the iPhone 18 series began in India. Similarly, in Bengaluru, customers also arrived early for the first sale. One Bengaluru buyer, who had been waiting since around 5:30 am, said improvements to the camera and AI features were among the reasons for his excitement. The camera quality is better... The AI feature is also new, and Siri is also better this time. So, I'm eagerly waiting to use it, he said. However, ahead of the opening of stores, long queues were also seen outside Apple's Select Citywalk store in Saket. One customer waiting to purchase the device said he needed several phones and had pre-ordered the iPhone 18 Pro Max. I need to buy 5-7 phones. I have come here to purchase the iPhone 18 Pro Max that I pre-ordered, he said. Another buyer from Karnataka said he reached the store around 6 am and was excited to discover that he was the first customer to open the new phone. I don't upgrade every year. I upgrade only when I feel it's worth it. I was using the iPhone 11, then the 13. Now I thought, after five years, it's definitely worth the upgrade, the customer said.
Is Pollution Adding To Gujarat
Gujarat weather today: Monsoon remains active, rain forecast in Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Surat
Gujarat is expected to experience light to moderate rainfall across several districts on September 18 as a low-pressure area over Saurashtra and the northeast Arabian Sea remains active. Rainfall may continue at isolated locations through September 23, while scattered showers are also possible in parts of the state between September 24 and 27. Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara may receive rain today.
76th Birthday Sets Mega Records: 3.55 Crore Diyas in MP, World Record in Ujjain, 88 Lakh in Gujarat
Gujarat's GIFT City Surges 9 Places into World's Top Financial Hubs: Ranks 37th Globally in GFCI 40
Gujarat gives Rs 14 crore aid to 14,925 tribal sickle cell patients - The News Mill
PM Modis 25 years in public life marked by welfare for poor, foundation for Indias growth: Amit Shah
Vadnagar, Sep 17: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modis 25 years in public life should be seen as a period of welfare for the poor and foundation-laying for Indias prosperity. He was speaking after inaugurating the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Vadnagar and flagging off a bike rally to Varanasi to mark Modis birthday. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were also present. Born on September 17, 1950, in Vadnagar in Gujarats Mehsana district, Modi turned 76 on Thursday. He completes 25 uninterrupted years in public office on October 7, having first taken the oath as Gujarat chief minister in 2001 before becoming prime minister in 2014. Addressing a gathering, Shah said the 25 years of Modis public life will have to be written in golden letters in history as the years of poor welfare. He said the period under Modis leadership had laid the foundation for Indias prosperity, made the country more secure and started the process of making India a global leader in infrastructure and digital public infrastructure. Shah said Modis tenure as PM would be remembered as a period of welfare for poor people and claimed that 25 crore people had been lifted out of poverty during this period. He said generations of people had waited for basic necessities such as houses, toilets, tap water, electricity, food and medical treatment. His 12-year tenure as prime minister will be known as a golden era for the 80 crore poor people of the country, Shah said, listing houses, electricity, tap water, five kg of free grain per person per month, health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh, toilets and gas cylinders among the benefits delivered by the Modi government. Shah said Modi had personally experienced poverty after being born in a poor village and had, despite his circumstances, put before the country a vision of equitable and inclusive development. He said Modis 25-year public life was also marked by sustained personal work and service to the poor, backward classes, Dalits and tribals. Shah said he had worked with Modi during his organisational years in Gujarat and later when he became the CM and PM. The Union minister also praised Modis simplicity and said he had connected BJP workers across the country with the Nation First slogan. He said Modi had treated the entire country as his family. Referring to Modis years as Gujarat CM, Shah listed initiatives including water management, the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana, Sagarkhedu Kalyan Yojana, industrial development, Vibrant Gujarat, an education hub and 24-hour electricity supply to villages. He said the state recorded an agricultural growth of more than eight per cent when Modi was the CM. The Gujarat model was subsequently taken to the national level after Modi took charge of the nation in 2014, he said. Shah credited the Modi government with introducing what he described as clear policies after a period of policy paralysis and cited GST, the JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) trinity, Direct Benefit Transfer, banking reforms, FDI and PLI (Production Linked Incentive) as measures that had contributed to economic development. He also referred to expansion of roads, railways, airports, ports and digital infrastructure, saying the number of airports in the country had increased from 75 to 150. He mentioned PM Gati Shakti, Digital India and Startup India as initiatives that had opened opportunities for the youth. On national security, Shah cited the governments decisions on Article 370, the Citizenship Amendment Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, peace accords in the Northeast and military operations. He also referred to measures relating to women, tribal welfare, defence production and space programmes, including Chandrayaan and Aditya L1. Shah said Modis public life could be summed up in two words -- India First. Earlier, CM Patel said the bike rally from Vadnagar to Varanasi was not merely a journey but a pledge-driven mission dedicated to serving the nation. He said Vadnagars soil had inspired Modi with patriotism, simplicity and a spirit of service and that his 25 years of public life had contributed to the countrys transformation. Patel said India had emerged as a major opportunity for youth and highlighted developments in digital payments, space technology, artificial intelligence and semiconductors. He said the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan should take Modis message of public service to every household and called for building a Viksit Gujarat as part of the vision of a Viksit Bharat. A simultaneous rally was flagged off from Varanasi, PMs Lok Sabha constituency, with the two journeys planned to conclude on October 7, the day Modi completes 25 years as CM of Gujarat and Indias PM. According to the BJP, the two rallies will together cover about 40,000 km through 193 districts and around 1,159 villages across 10 states. Around 1,000 youths will participate, it said. At Vadnagar, Shah, Patel and other leaders first performed Maha-aarti at Sharmishtha Lake and then walked to the ancient Hatkeshwar temple of Lord Shiva. Shah prayed for Modis long life and good health before flagging off the rally, said officials. Shah said the BJP and its allies had launched the campaign to take the message of Modis 25 years of public service to people across the country and inspire younger generations to work towards the goal of a developed India by 2047.
We Can Do - is PM Modis Mantra
Puducherry, Sep 17:We Can Do is the real mantra of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry K Kailashnathan stated this, while recalling his long association with Modi during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister. Sharing his experiences of working closely with Modi in Gujarat, he also spoke about the development initiatives undertaken during his early years as Chief Minister. Kailashnathan, a retired IAS officer, had served in the Gujarat Chief Ministers Office for more than one-and-a-half decades and worked with Modi for several years. He said a number of initiatives undertaken during Modis initial tenure in Gujarat later contributed to what came to be described as the Gujarat Model of development. Recalling the focus on infrastructure, he said improving road connectivity was among the key priorities. He said roads connecting villages, referred to as Kisan Path, were developed with the objective of facilitating connectivity and helping farmers, including in the transportation and sale of milk. He further spoke about Vikas Path, describing them as roads and highways connecting important religious destinations and other major locations. According to him, the improved connectivity also contributed to the growth of tourism in Gujarat. Kailashnathan also recalled Modis personal lifestyle during his years in Gujarat, describing him as a person who lived simply. He said Modi used to have limited personal belongings, including clothes, and lived in a simple setting. On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday, the Puducherry LG conveyed his greetings and best wishes to him. Kailashnathans long association with Modi, particularly his years in the Gujarat Chief Ministers Office, has given him first-hand experience of the functioning and priorities of the then Gujarat government. He is considered to be a closely associated man with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and had remained part of many prestigious Government initiatives of path breaking development projects in Gujarat including Narmada Ekta Nagar project.
LG, elected govt need to work in close coordination in UT with legislature: Puducherry LG
Puducherry, Sep 17:Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry K Kailashnathan, a former IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, has asserted that the Lieutenant Governors administration and the elected government need to work in close coordination in a Union Territory with a legislature. Interacting with journalists from Kashmir and Varanasi during a PIB tour, Kailashnathan said differences of opinion between the LG administration and the Chief Ministers Office could arise, but these should not necessarily be viewed as conflicts. Conflicts do take place between the two, but I wont consider them conflicts; rather, they are differences in opinion, he said. The Puducherry LG said that the Lieutenant Governor in a UT with a legislature enjoys substantial powers, but this should not become an issue when the LG administration and elected government function in coordination. I clear 99 per cent of the files forwarded by the elected government, except files concerning backdoor appointments, Kailashnathan said. He stressed the importance of coordination between the constitutional authorities for ensuring smooth governance and effective implementation of development initiatives in a Union Territory with an elected legislature. Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory administration and Puducherry UT administration share almost the same model of governance.
Leaders across political spectrum greet PM
New Delhi, Sep 17:Leaders across the political spectrum greeted Prime Minister NarendraModi on his 76th birthday on Thursday, highlighting his 25 years in public office. While President Droupadi Murmu hailed his record on governance, Home Minister Amit Shah recalled Modi's journey from an ordinary BJP volunteer to the nation's highest political office. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan credited Modi with presiding over India's emergence as one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, while Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said his journey from Gujarat chief minister to prime minister had given a new momentum to India's growth story. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also wished Modi a long and healthy life. Born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat's Vadnagar, Modi turned 76 on Thursday. He completes 25 uninterrupted years in public office on October 7, having first taken the oath as Gujarat chief minister in 2001 before becoming prime minister in 2014. In her birthday message, Murmu said Modi had set numerous new benchmarks for good governance during his tenures as chief minister and prime minister and given unprecedented momentum and a new direction to inclusive development. Advancing on the path of modern progress while upholding a sense of cultural pride, our fellow citizens are realising the harmonious blend of heritage and development, the president said on X. She prayed for Modi's good health and long life so that he could continue his mission of public service and nation-building. Radhakrishnan said under Modi's leadership, India was shining as a bright spot in the world and among the fastest-growing major economies. He cited the country's progress in areas ranging from digital technology and space to healthcare, infrastructure and manufacturing, and said more than 25 crore Indians had come out of extreme poverty in recent years. Radhakrishnan said Modi's references to backward districts as aspirational districts, border villages as vibrant and first villages, and the northeast as ashtalakshmi reflected an approach aimed at transforming geographical marginalisation into empowerment. Over the past year, as I travelled across the states and Union territories, I witnessed firsthand how these transformative changes are reaching even the remotest parts of our country, he said. LokSabha Speaker Om Birla said India was forging a new identity on the global stage under Modi's leadership and making progress in development, self-reliance, innovation, digital technology, infrastructure and public welfare. Your public life, spanning over 25 years, has proven immensely fruitful for the strengthening of democratic values and for the upliftment of the nation's vulnerable and underprivileged sections, Birla said. N Chandrababu Naidu, the TDP chief and a key BJP ally, hailed Modi's journey from Gujarat chief minister to prime minister. Marking 25 exemplary years of public service, from leading Gujarat as a transformational CM to guiding the nation as a revolutionary PM, you have given a new momentum to India's growth story, he said. Your vision of 'seva, sankalp and sushasan' continues to inspire 140 crore citizens across the nation, Naidu said, praying to Lord Venkateswara for Modi's long and healthy life. JD(U) chief and former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar also extended his greetings, wishing Modi a healthy and long life. BJP president Nitin Nabin described Modi as the embodiment of dedication and service to the nation. He said his journey, driven by the resolve of Nation First, was an inspiring saga of service, good governance, and public welfare. Under your guidance, India is scaling new heights of development and self-reliance, steadily advancing on the global stage with a renewed identity and enhanced strength, he said. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde described Modi as the embodiment of India's progress and the aspirations of its people. Modi embodies the story of India's progress. He resonates in the hearts of every citizen. He stands as a symbol of welfare for the poor. He represents the youthful spirit of this young nation. He is the source of courage amidst every challenge. He is a thunderous force against adversaries. He embodies the soul of 1.4 billion dreams. He is the hallmark of a New India, Shinde said. Former prime minister and JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda conveyed his wishes to Modi in a letter. May you be blessed with a long and healthy life. May you continue to lead our nation with dedication and wisdom. May you help our nation realise its enormous potential and further strengthen its exalted place in the world, he said. DMK president and former Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin wished Modi good health, happiness and a long life. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK chief Vijay also conveyed his heartfelt birthday wishes to Modi, whom he described as working with dedication towards building a strong India, and wished him a long and healthy life. NCP (SP) chief SharadPawar extended heartfelt birthday wishes to Modi and wished him good health and a long life. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren conveyed his johar (greetings) to Modi. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also wished Modi a happy birthday, good health and a long life. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio extended birthday greetings to Modi on behalf of the state government, the political parties in the ruling alliance and the people of Nagaland, saying India was fortunate to have a leader dedicated to serving the nation. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said Modi's 25 years in public service had been marked by dedicated leadership and a steadfast commitment to the growth and development of our nation. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma wished Modi good health and continued strength. May you be blessed with wisdom and success in your service to the nation, he said. Kharge, Rahul greet PM Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi on Thursday wished Prime Minister NarendraModi good health and long life on his 76th birthday. Born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat's Vadnagar, Modi turned 76 on Thursday. In a post on X, Kharge said, Best wishes to Prime Minister Shri NarendraModiJi on his birthday. May he be blessed with good health and long life. Wishing the prime minister, Gandhi said, Happy birthday to PM Narendra Modiji. Wishing you good health and a long life.
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Virat Kohli extends wishes for PM Modi on his 76th birthday
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Former India captain and batting stalwart Virat Kohli joined several prominent personalities in extending birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, as the iconic leader turned 76. Kohli took to social media to convey his wishes, keeping his message short while wishing PM Modi good health, happiness and a fulfilling life. Warm birthday wishes to Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji. Wishing you good health, happiness, and a long fulfilling life, Kohli wrote on X. Kohlis message came as birthday greetings poured in for PM Modi from political leaders, sporting personalities and other public figures across the country. The 37-year-old is all set to return to the Indian setup as India take on the West Indies in a three-match ODI series starting September 27. The 50-over series will be played across Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, and New Chandigarh. PM Modi is celebrating his 76th birthday on Thursday, and the occasion has prompted messages from leaders and personalities across different fields. The sporting fraternity has also joined the celebrations, with several prominent names conveying their wishes to PM Modi on social media. PM Modis birthday has also drawn greetings from across the political spectrum. President Droupadi Murmu, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, among several others, have conveyed their birthday wishes to PM Modi. Messages have also come from international leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin was among those who extended birthday greetings to PM Modi, while leaders from other countries also marked the occasion. PM Modi was born in Vadnagar, Gujarat, in 1950, three years after India gained independence, making him the first prime minister of the country to have been born in independent India. He is also the longest-serving prime minister from a non-Congress party. October will mark 25 years of PM Modis public service. He began his political journey with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and has led the Bharatiya Janata Party to victory in three consecutive general elections.
Union Minister Somanna, Vijayendra mark PM Modi's birthday with prayers, cleanliness drives
Digital Desk | Tumakuru/Shivamogga (Karnataka), Sep 17 (IANS) Minister of State (MoS) for Jal Shakti and Railways V. Somanna and Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President B.Y. Vijayendra on Thursday participated in various programmes to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday and commemorate his 25 years of public service, praying for his long life and continued service to the nation. Somanna offered special prayers at the Sri Subrahmanya Temple in Tumakuru for the Prime Minister's long life and continued strength to serve the country. Later, he participated in a cleanliness drive at the Tumakuru Railway Station as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. He joined volunteers and personally took up a broom to sweep the railway station premises, highlighting the importance of cleanliness. Schoolchildren warmly welcomed MoS Somanna at the railway station by showering flowers. The union Minister expressed happiness over the affectionate welcome extended by the children. Meanwhile, Vijayendra offered special prayers at the Sri Huchhurayaswamy Temple in Shikaripura on the occasion of PM Modi's birthday. He said PM Modi had been serving the country with a spirit of dedication for the past 25 years and was working tirelessly as the Pradhan Sevak towards fulfilling the vision of a developed India by 2047. Vijayendra added that PM Modi began his public service journey as the Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001 and became the country's Prime Minister in 2014. He said that PM Modi would complete 25 years in public service on October 7, 2026, marking 25 years since he assumed office as the Gujarat Chief Minister. Vijayendra prayed for PM Modi's long life, good health and continued strength to serve the people of the country. He said that ensuring justice for the most disadvantaged sections of society and making government welfare schemes accessible to all were among PM Modi's key objectives. He said the month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan programme would begin on Thursday as desired by BJP President Nitin Nabin. The BJP has announced the nationwide campaign from September 17 to October 17 to mark PM Modi's 25 years in public service. Vijayendra said that BJP workers would organise programmes at booths across all 224 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka. The BJP workers would also light lamps with members of the public at 7 p.m. and pray for PM Modi's long life and greater strength to serve the nation. He urged BJP workers to take the message of PM Modi's various welfare initiatives and vision to every household. Mandal President Hanumanthappa, City President Raghavendra S.S., Mandal Yuva Morcha President Veeranagowda, Mandal Mahila Morcha President Rekha Rajshekhar and party leaders K.S. Gurumurthy, Vasanthgowda, Channaveerappa, Ramanaik, D.L. Basavaraj, Palakshappa, Sachin and Girish Dharwad, among others, were present.
Gujarat CM joins 'Shramdaan' at PM Modis birthplace, plants trees under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam
Digital Desk | Vadnagar, Sep 17 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday joined a cleanliness drive at the Vadnagar Bus Port, participating in Shramdaan and planting trees as part of statewide programmes marking Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday and his 25 years in public service. Patel took part in the cleanliness activity at the bus port in Vadnagar, PM Modis birthplace, under the Swachhata Hi Seva initiative. He also planted trees under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, combining the cleanliness drive with a message of environmental conservation. The programme was organised as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and Seva Setu programmes being held across Gujarat to mark PM Modis birthday and commemorate his 25-year journey in public service. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Gujarat Energy Minister Rushikesh Patel, local public representatives, government officials and a large number of citizens joined the Chief Minister during the Shramdaan at the Vadnagar Bus Port. The participants also extended their wishes for PM Modis good health and well-being on his birthday. The programme formed part of a series of events in the town on Thursday, with senior BJP leaders and the state government organising public-service and cleanliness activities to mark the occasion. Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel participated in a Maha Aarti at Sharmishtha Lake in Vadnagar and offered prayers for Modis long life and well-being. The leaders later undertook a padayatra from Sharmishtha Lake to the historic Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, where they offered prayers for the progress of the state and country. A bike rally from Vadnagar to Varanasi was also flagged off from the Hatkeshwar Temple by Shah, Patel and other dignitaries. Around 250 bikers are taking part in the rally, carrying the message of public service and nation-building along the route. The bikers are also carrying water collected from Sharmishtha Ghat in Vadnagar, which is to be taken to Varanasi for Jalabhishek at the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The initiative is intended to symbolise the connection between the two historic cities associated with PM Modi. HM Shah subsequently participated in a cleanliness drive at Vadnagar Railway Station, where trees were also planted under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign. The statewide programmes, being held under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and Seva Setu, include activities focused on public service, cleanliness and community participation.
Amit Shah and Gujarat CM attend grand maha aarti at Jagannath temple for PM Modi
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PM Modi receiving blessings for his transformation efforts, says BJP chief Nitin Nabin
Digital Desk | Ujjain, Sep 17 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Nabin on Thursday hailed the ransformation work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that he is receiving the lessings for his own hard work. The BJP chief was in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain to take part in the 'Aashirwad ka Diya' event, including the 'aarti' ritual of the holy Shipra River, on the Prime Minister's 76th birthday. Speaking to IANS, Nitin Nabin said: I believe that the transformation the Prime Minister has brought into the lives of crores of people today impacts all of us...alongside the form in which PM Modi built housing for the poor, created toilets for sisters, and introduced schemes like Lakhpati Didi. The transformation that has come into the lives of crores of people through such schemes is today returning to the Prime Minister in the form of blessings, he asserted. The 'Aashirwad ka Diya' event, as part of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', is being organised in various states across the country, where NDA leaders and Ministers are lighting lamps at significant venues and taking part in 'aarti' rituals at the banks of holy rivers to pray for good health and long life of the Prime Minister. The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' has been launched by the Bharatiya Janata Party to mark PM Modi's 25 years of public service. In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Modi, while asserting that India has crafted an identity of its own under the latter's leadership. Addressing a gathering, CM Adityanath said: Scores of earthen lamps are being lit across the country to pray for the good health and long life of PM Modi. He further said that the 'Ashirwad ka Diya' is being lit to signify the exemplary work undertaken under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Similarly, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami referred to Prime Minister Modi as architect of modern India during the 'Aashirwad ka Diya' event held in Dehradun. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, took part in the event in Ahmedabad.
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Sep 17 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while asserting that India has crafted an identity of its own under the latter's leadership. The Chief Minister made the remark after lighting earthen lamps in Lucknow during the 'Aashirwad ka Diya' ceremony, as part of the nationwide 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'. Addressing a gathering, CM Adityanath said: Scores of earthen lamps are being lit across the country to pray for the good health and long life of PM Modi. He further said that the 'Ashirwad ka Diya' is being lit to signify the exemplary work undertaken under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi. I thank everyone for being a part of this 'Rashtra Yagya', CM Adityanath added. Considering that Lord Vishwakarma is the artisan of the universe, the CM said: PM Modi is the craftsman of new India, who is today one of the most revered global leaders. Under his leadership, India has crafted an identity of its own. Today, we are witnessing a new India where every person, irrespective of any field, is proud of the nation. The credit for India emerging as one of the fastest-growing economies of the world goes to our successful Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, he asserted. Further, CM Adityanath extended birthday greetings to PM Modi on behalf of the people of Uttar Pradesh. The 'Aashirwad ka Diya' event, as part of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', is being organised in various states across the country, where NDA leaders and Ministers are lighting lamps at significant venues and taking part in 'aarti' rituals at the banks of holy rivers to pray for good health and long life of the Prime Minister. The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' has been launched by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to mark PM Modi's 25 years of public service. Earlier in Uttarakhand's Dehradun, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called Prime Minister Modi the architect of modern India during the 'Aashirwad ka Diya' event held there. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, took part in the event in Ahmedabad.
100-week Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan to begin with nationwide Rashtriya Sankalp Samaroh tomorrow
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) The Department of Youth Affairs will launch on Friday a 100-week nationwide Youth Pledge and Signature Campaign to mobilise support for a collective commitment for a Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat through awareness and community-led activities, an official said. The Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, through Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) and the National Service Scheme (NSS), will commence the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan with the Rashtriya Sankalp Samaroh, said the official in a statement. The Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 2 through a virtual address to spiritual organisations, industry associations, NGOs and university associations. The campaign is structured around four pillars Prevent, Protect, Recover and Lead. Since its launch, the initiative has recorded participation from over 30,200 locations, more than 2.5 crore viewership and over 1 crore pledges. As part of the opening phase, the Rashtriya Sankalp Samaroh will be organised by NSS from September 18 across 300 identified locations. The participating network comprises educational institutions located across States and Union Territories and includes colleges, universities and other institutions identified through NSS Regional Directorates, the statement said. The identified institutions include, among others, institutions in Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Maharashtra and Kerala. The first Sunday of the 100-week Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan will be observed on September 20, with activities being organised across 485 MY Bharat units, including MY Bharat District Offices and Youth Hostels. The Rashtriya Sankalp Samaroh will centre on a collective Youth Pledge and Signature Campaign, complemented by thematic street plays, slogan writing and youth-led discussions. These activities will provide young people with platforms to participate in awareness-building and reaffirm their collective commitment towards a Nasha Mukt Bharat. The opening of the 100 Weeks Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan will be followed by a structured 12-week activity calendar from September to December 2026, with three thematic phases My Health, My Pride, Fit Youth, Addiction-Free Youth and Life Skills Month, said the statement. The programme will feature health check-up and BMI camps, meditation and wellness sessions, health walks and runs, Yuva Melas, yoga sessions, traditional sports, mini marathons, cyclothons, sports leagues, decision-making workshops, discussions on peer pressure, problem-solving activities and youth-led role plays and street plays, said the statement. Under the NSS component, activities will subsequently be conducted on Fridays and Saturdays, with 200 locations planned for each of the following 11 weeks, taking the projected NSS coverage to 2,500 events during the 12-week period, it said. MY Bharat will undertake weekly activities across its designated units, with the implementation plan providing for 3,235 MY Bharat unit-level activities during the period, it said.
Gujarat begins exercise to geo-tag manufacturing MSMEs, integrate data with 'PM Gati Shakti'
Digital Desk | Gandhinagar, Sep 17 (IANS) Gujarat is set to undertake GIS-based geo-tagging and mapping of its manufacturing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with the data to be integrated with the 'PM Gati Shakti' portal to support infrastructure planning and policy formulation for the sector. The project, titled Mapping of Manufacturing MSMEs with the PM Gati Shakti Portal, is being implemented by the MSME Commissionerate of the state government under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme of the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Under the initiative, manufacturing MSME units registered on the Udyog Portal will be geo-tagged and mapped. Gujarat Info Petro Limited (GIPL) has been entrusted with carrying out the mapping exercise. Authorised representatives of GIPL will visit MSME units across the state to geo-tag the establishments and collect and verify the required information. The MSME Commissionerate has asked all concerned units to cooperate with the representatives and provide the information needed for the exercise. The mapping is intended to create an integrated and systematic database of manufacturing MSMEs in Gujarat. The database is expected to provide information that can be used for infrastructure planning, policy formulation and more effective implementation of government schemes. The integration of MSME-related data with the PM Gati Shakti portal will also strengthen data-based planning and decision-making for the sector. By making the location of MSME units and related details available in a structured GIS-based system, the exercise is expected to help identify requirements and facilitate need-based support and facilities. The MSME Commissionerate has also called upon industry associations across the state to extend full cooperation to GIPL and its authorised representatives for the successful implementation of the project. The initiative is being undertaken as part of the RAMP scheme, which focuses on improving the performance and institutional capacity of the MSME sector. In Gujarat, the mapping exercise will bring the geographical location and relevant information of manufacturing MSMEs into a common data framework linked to the PM Gati Shakti platform. The exercise will help make planning and decision-making for the MSME sector more data-driven, while providing a structured base for future infrastructure requirements, policy measures and delivery of government support, officials added.
'Architect of modern India': CM Dhami hails PM Modi at 'Aashirwad ka Diya' event
Digital Desk | Dehradun, Sep 17 (IANS) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi the architect of modern India during the 'Aashirwad ka Diya' event, held to celebrate the latter's birthday. The 'Aashirwad ka Diya' event, as part of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', is being organised in various states across the country, where NDA leaders and Ministers are lighting lamps at at significant venues and taking part in 'aarti' rituals at the banks of holy rivers to pray for good health and long life of the Prime Minister. Addressing a gathering in Dehradun, CM Dhami said: Today is a truly auspicious day because, alongside unveiling the statue of Maa Yamuna, we are also inaugurating the first phase of the construction of ghats. Furthermore, today marks 'Vishwakarma Puja'worship of the deity who sustained the world through his craftsmanship, industry, and artistry. It is also a momentous occasion because today is the birthday of the architect and visionary of modern India, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has elevated India's global stature to a point where today the world awaits India's stance before making any major decision. On his birthday, I extend heartfelt best wishes and congratulations to him on behalf of all of you, the Chief Minister added. CM Dhami also said that PM Modi holds a deep affection for Uttarakhand. Along with the Uttarakhand CM, President and Spiritual Head of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Mahamandaleshwar Avdhoot Baba Arun Giri Ji Maharaj were also present at the occasion. They are here to bestow their blessings upon us all and to offer their best wishes and blessings to the Prime Minister, CM Dhami said. The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' has been launched by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to mark PM Modi's 25 years of public service. Earlier on Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the campaign in Varanasi. Highlighting that Gujarat's Vadnagar is the birthplace of PM Modi, CM Adityanath said that 10 'yatras' will start from Varanasi, where the participants will carry the holy water of the sacred rivers of Kashi and reach the city's Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple through different routes. Similarly, the holy water from rivers in Gujarat will be carried by the participants of the 'yatra' and offered at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple here, he added.
PM Modi Turns 76: Rahul Gandhi, Yogi, Amit Shah, Vijay And Others Extend Birthday Wishes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on September 17, 2026, with political leaders across the country extending birthday greetings.President Droupadi Murmu, Home Minister Amit Shah, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla highlighted different aspects of Modis political journey and governance.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar also extended birthday wishes to the Prime Minister.Modis birthday comes as the BJP marks 25 years since he first took charge of a government as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001.
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GACL Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for Officer, Executive Trainee Posts
Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL) Recruitment 2026 for posts of Officer (Purchase)- Import. Candidates with B.E./B.Tech, MBA, PG Diploma Can Apply Online. The online application opens on 16-09-2026, and closes on 27-09-2026. The candidate shall apply online through GACL official website gacl.com.
Sanand Sports Utsav Launched By Saina Nehwal
Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal inaugurated the Khele Sanand Sports Utsav, an 18-day event aimed at promoting sports among 25,000 students across 105 villages in Sanand taluka, Gujarat. The initiative by Vijayi Bharat Foundation features various sports and age categories, with a focus on grassroots sports development.
Helping Divyangs visualise self-reliance is PM Modis big contribution: Padma Shri Kanubhai Tailor
Digital Desk | Surat, Sep 17 (IANS) Padma Shri and noted social worker Kanubhai Hasmukhbhai Tailor on Thursday greeted the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday and credited him for instilling a new sense of belief and confidence among the specially-abled people towards achieving their own livelihood and also self-reliance. Wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi a long life, the 72-year-old Kanubhai Tailor described him as a 'Krishna avatar.' He said that under PM Modi's leadership, the government and society have significantly changed their attitude towards disabled people, with the focus now shifting towards making them self-reliant rather than merely providing them with assistance. Kanubhai Tailor, speaking to IANS, said that before Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, most government and social assistance for disabled people was limited to food or financial aid. Prime Minister Modi changed this approach and emphasised making disabled people self-reliant through skills and employment. Kanubhai Hasmukhbhai said the idea should not be merely to give a disabled person a 'rotla' (bread), but to teach them how to make roti or bhakri (bread) so that they can earn a livelihood and support themselves and their families. He said this approach has boosted the self-confidence of disabled people and strengthened their dignity and respect in society. He said that in the past, a disabled child was often considered helpless or a burden on the family. Today, disabled people who earn through jobs or self-employment are contributing to their families' financial responsibilities. He cited this as an example of the change in self-respect among disabled people. He explained that the construction of an old-age home for disabled people in Bharuch, inaugurated on the occasion of Prime Minister Modi's birthday, is in its final stages, with around five per cent of the work remaining. Approximately Rs 28 crore has been spent on the project so far. He expressed hope that the old-age home would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Its foundation stone was laid by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. His aim is to create a centre where disabled elderly people can live with dignity and have access to essential facilities. The government is also conducting programmes to assist disabled elderly people who lack adequate food and care. There are plans to provide government assistance to approximately 200 disabled people. Kanubhai Tailor stated that on the Prime Minister's birthday, his organisation will provide wheelchairs to 76 disabled people. His school also provides meals to children, while several social events are being organised to mark the Prime Minister's birthday. He said disabled people should be freed from the predicament of begging on footpaths or living at railway stations and should instead be given opportunities to live a life of dignity and self-reliance. Kanubhai described the Prime Minister's policies as an effort in this direction. Expressing his personal feelings for the Prime Minister, Kanubhai Tailor said that although he has no political connection, in his 72 years of life, he has never seen a person as dedicated as PM Narendra Modi. He prayed to God that the Prime Minister would live a long life and continue serving the nation for many years. Kanubhai said that it is also society's responsibility to promote a mindset that fosters respect and self-confidence among disabled people. Referring to the Prime Minister's long public life, from Chief Minister of Gujarat to Prime Minister of the country, he said that the shift in policy thinking in the field of disability welfare is particularly important to him. He emphasised that efforts should continue to make disabled individuals capable and respected members of society rather than treating them as objects of pity.
HM Shah flags off Vadnagar to Varanasi bike yatra on PM Modis 76th birthday
Digital Desk | Vadnagar, Sep 17 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday flagged off the Vadnagar to Varanasi bike rally from Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthplace in Gujarat, launching a multi-state journey that will carry the message of his 25 years in public life to villages along the route. The rally was flagged off from Vadnagar as part of the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', being organised from September 17 to October 17 to mark PM Modis 76th birthday and his 25 years in public life. A parallel Varanasi to Vadnagar ride was also flagged off from PM Modis parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the gathering before the flag-off, HM Shah said the Vadnagar-Varanasi journey would connect PM Modis birthplace with his karmabhoomi and take the message of his work to people across the country. The Vadnagar leg will pass through seven states. Around 300 bikers would leave Vadnagar, while another 300 would travel from Varanasi, taking the total number of participants in the two groups to 600. The riders will cover villages along the route and highlight PM Modis 25 years of public service, he said. The Home Minister said the journey would begin from the premises of the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple in Vadnagar and proceed towards Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi. The BJP had earlier announced that the two simultaneous journeys would culminate on October 7, the date on which PM Modi became Gujarat chief minister in 2001. The wider campaign has been planned as a nationwide outreach programme, with activities including service initiatives, public programmes and events highlighting PM Modis political journey. The bike campaign said the twin routes would together cover about 40,000 km, passing through 193 districts and 1,159 villages, with the wider network spanning 10 states. At the Vadnagar event, HM Shah said the purpose of the ride was to take account of PM Modis work beyond cities and reach people in villages. He said the campaign is also intended to familiarise younger generations with PM Modis political journey. Today is Modi jis birthday, but October 7 is the day on which he will complete 25 years as the chief minister of the state and the Prime Minister of the country, Shah said. The flag-off followed a programme at Vadnagar that included a Maha Aarti at Sharmishtha Lake, a foot march and the launch of a cleanliness campaign. HM Shah had earlier offered prayers at the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple and wished PM Modi a long and healthy life. The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan is being conducted across the country during the month-long period, with BJP units organising various public-service and outreach activities.
Prime Minister Modis Childhood Friend Remembers Their Early Days Together
On PM Modis birthday, childhood friend Dawlat Khan Pathan reminisces about their shared experiences in Gujarat. Prime Minister Modis Childhood Friend Remembers Their Early Days Together
PM Modis birthdays over the years marked by welfare initiatives, major national projects
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) A birthday is traditionally regarded as a day of personal celebration, but Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday has, over the years, increasingly come to be associated with public service, welfare initiatives and programmes aimed at making a difference in the lives of people. In a post on X, Modi Story shared a video highlighting several initiatives and major events associated with Prime Minister Modis birthday over the years, including the launch of schemes such as the PM Vishwakarma Yojana in 2023 and the Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivaar Abhiyaan in 2025, as well as visits to major projects such as the Sardar Sarovar Dam in 2019. For most of us, a birthday is a day we make our own. For Narendra Modi, September 17 has come to mean something different. A family receives the keys to a new home. A new initiative opens doors for women. A long-awaited infrastructure project takes its first step, Modi Story posted. Year after year, the day has quietly become more and more about Seva. Perhaps there is no better way to celebrate another year of life than by making that day matter in someone elses, the post read. The video and accompanying post traced a series of initiatives and public engagements undertaken on or around Prime Minister Modis birthday, highlighting programmes related to womens welfare, housing, traditional artisans, healthcare, wildlife conservation, vaccination and infrastructure development. In 2025, on the Prime Minister's 75th birthday, the 'Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivaar Abhiyaan' was launched as a nationwide health and nutrition outreach campaign. The initiative focussed extensively on customised medical care, health check-ups and welfare distribution for women and children, with the aim of expanding access to healthcare and related services. On his 74th birthday on September 17, 2024, Prime Minister Modi travelled to Odisha and launched the SUBHADRA Scheme, a flagship initiative of the Odisha government aimed at empowering women. During the same birthday programme, he participated in nationwide Griha Pravesh, or housewarming, celebrations for 26 lakh beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). To further strengthen the distribution of housing benefits in rural areas, Prime Minister Modi also officially launched the Awaas Plus 2024 App. In 2023, on his 73rd birthday on September 17, Prime Minister Modi launched the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, an initiative aimed at supporting traditional artisans and craftspeople, including weavers, goldsmiths, potters and cobblers, particularly those belonging to marginalised communities. In 2022, Prime Minister Modi travelled to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, where he formally launched the historic transcontinental translocation project involving the reintroduction of cheetahs in India. He released eight wild Namibian cheetahs into specially prepared enclosures, marking a major step in the project to restore the species to the country after its extinction in India in 1952. In 2021, the Central government conducted a major nationwide Covid vaccination drive on Prime Minister Modis birthday. India administered more than 2.5 crore vaccine doses in a single day, marking the highest single-day vaccination figure achieved during the pandemic. In 2019, Prime Minister Modi visited the Sardar Sarovar Dam to witness the project reach its peak water-level capacity. During the visit, he launched the Namami Narmada Festival and activated localised water conservation awareness initiatives across Gujarat. In 2018, Prime Minister Modi spent the day in his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi. During the visit, he dedicated rural development projects worth more than Rs 500 crore, including a major Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) project for the old city. In 2017, Prime Minister Modi dedicated the massive Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River to the nation. In 2016, the government launched modules under the Divyangjan Sahayata Scheme, through which assistive kits, specialised computing devices and high-tech wheelchairs were distributed to thousands of persons with disabilities simultaneously across different states. In 2015, Prime Minister Modi visited Shauryanjali, an exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1965 India-Pakistan war. Across the years, these birthday engagements have combined welfare initiatives, development projects, public programmes and visits to significant national institutions and projects.
Veteran actor Anant Nag received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024. He dedicated this significant national honour to the people of Karnataka. Nag credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for improving the award selection process. The actor expressed surprise at receiving this esteemed recognition after a long career. The award ceremony is scheduled for September 22, 2026, in Kevadia, Gujarat.
Fake Passport Case: Gujarat ATS Arrests Gujarat Mahila Congress President
Gujarat Titans Celebrate PM Modi
Gujarat Titans honor PM Modis 76th birthday by sharing memories from their visit to Vadnagar, his birthplace, highlighting the citys significance. Gujarat Titans Celebrate PM Modis Birthday with Nostalgic Video from Vadnagar
Video | The Making Of The Modi Doctrine: From Gujarat To Global Diplomacy - NDTV
'Something special in Gujarat soil: Titans recalls Vadnagar visit on PM Modis birthday
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Gujarat Titans on Thursday marked Prime Minister Narendra Modis 76th birthday by sharing a video from the IPL franchises visit to Vadnagar last year, taking a look back at a trip that connected the team with the town where the Prime Minister was born. The Titans shared glimpses of their visit to Vadnagar on social media, highlighting the towns history and its connection with PM Modi.In the video, the IPL franchise looked back at its 2025 visit to the Gujarat town and recalled the significance of Vadnagar, where PM Modi was born on September 17, 1950. There is something special in the soil of Gujarat. And to experience this, lets go to a small city in Gujarat, Varnagar. The same city where our countrys Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, was born, the Titans said in the video. Our Gujarat Titans had also come here. At that time, we did not know that one day these memories would become so special, the franchise added. During their Vadnagar visit, the Titans players explored the Vadnagar Archaeological Experiential Museum, which showcases the towns archaeological and cultural history. Another important stop for the team was Prerna Sankul, an experiential learning centre aimed at connecting students and educators with science, culture and values. The visit also had a personal connection to the Prime Minister, as the centre is associated with his early schooling years. The video ended with a birthday message for PM Modi, saying, Happy 76th birthday, Narendra Modi. PM Modi was born in Vadnagar in 1950, three years after India gained independence, making him the first prime minister of the country to have been born in independent India. He is also the longest-serving prime minister from a non-Congress party. October will mark 25 years of PM Modis public service. He began his political journey with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and has led the Bharatiya Janata Party to victory in three consecutive general elections.
Digital Desk | Vadnagar, Sep 17 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that no political leader in independent India has completed 25 years tenure, serving as the head of state government and the Union government, while highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modis political journey during an event in Vadnagar, his birthplace. Addressing the launch of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' at Sharmishtha Lake, Shah said the campaign is being organised to take the message of PM Modis 25 years in public life to people across the country. A Vadnagar-to-Varanasi service yatra was also flagged off as part of the programme, linking PM Modis birthplace with his parliamentary constituency and political karmabhoomi. The campaign is being held from September 17 to October 7 to mark PM Modis birthday and his 25 years in public life. Since the country became independent till today, no politician has made a record of serving for 25 years as the head of a state and as the head of the country, Shah said. He described PM Modi as the only leader to have continuously received electoral mandates and public support through this period. Shah said the significance of the 25-year milestone would be marked on October 7, when PM Modi would complete 25 years since first becoming chief minister of Gujarat and subsequently serving as prime minister. He said the BJP and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners had decided to take the occasion to people across the country. The Home Minister said the Vadnagar-Varanasi journey would carry the message of PM Modis 25 years of work through villages across seven states. According to Shah, about 300 bikers would travel from Vadnagar and another 300 from Varanasi, taking the total number of riders to 600. The journey would connect Hatkeshwar Mahadev in Vadnagar with Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, he noted. Shah said the campaign is not merely intended to mark a birthday but to introduce PM Modis life and public career to younger generations. He also sought to contrast the situation he said prevailed before PM Modi became prime minister with the political and economic conditions he attributed to the subsequent period. Referring to his own travels across the country between 2010 and 2013, Shah said there had been deep disappointment among people, with corruption cases being reported, concerns over internal security and questions over external security. When Modi ji became prime minister in 2014, and in 2026, 140 crore Indians are moving forward with enthusiasm, resolve and hope that by 2047 India will be foremost in the world, he said, describing the change in public confidence as a major achievement. Shah said that when PM Modi entered the Union government, there was policy paralysis, which he claimed was replaced by clearer policies. He linked this to Indias subsequent economic growth and said the country had moved from what he termed the Fragile Five to becoming the worlds fastest-growing major economy. He listed the Goods and Services Tax, the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile system and direct benefit transfers among the measures introduced under PM Modis government. He also referred to banking reforms, foreign direct investment and production-linked incentives, saying these had contributed to manufacturing growth. Shah cited infrastructure expansion as another area of change, pointing to roads, railways, airports, ports and digital infrastructure. The number of airports had increased from 75 to 150 and referred to PM Gati Shakti as an effort to coordinate infrastructure projects through technology and time-bound implementation, he said. He also mentioned Digital India and Startup India, saying they had opened opportunities for young people, while improved connectivity in border areas had contributed to national security. On national security and law, Shah cited the abrogation of Article 370, the abolition of triple talaq, the introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Act and the new criminal codes. He also referred to the governments stated objective of making 'India free of Naxalism', peace agreements in the North-East, and military operations including the surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindoor. Shah said women had received greater opportunities in the armed forces, police, science, start-ups, drones and sports. He also referred to Eklavya schools, PM Janman and Vibrant Villages in the context of tribal welfare. He mentioned the construction of the new Parliament building and installation of the Sengol as measures he said had strengthened ational consciousness. He also referred to Chandrayaan, Aditya-L1 and the naming of the Shiv Shakti Point, along with One Rank One Pension and the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff. Turning to PM Modis years as Gujarat chief minister, Shah cited the states 24-hour electricity supply to villages, agricultural development, the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana and Sagarkhedu development scheme, industrial development, Vibrant Gujarat and initiatives in education. He said providing round-the-clock electricity had effects beyond household convenience. This is not only a question of convenience. As soon as electricity arrived, business arrived. As soon as electricity arrived, education arrived. As soon as electricity arrived, health arrived. As soon as electricity arrived, infrastructure arrived, he said. Shah said the Vanbandhu and Sagarkhedu schemes had been intended to make development sarvasparshi and sarvasamaveshi by extending it to tribal communities and villages along the coast. The Gujarat model subsequently formed the basis of the political mandate PM Modi received in 2014, he added.
'No one can accuse him of corruption: HM Shah on PM Modis public life
Digital Desk | Vadnagar, Sep 17 (IANS) Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modis political opponents could not accuse him of corruption, as he highlighted what he described as his clean public life, during a birthday event in Vadnagar. Addressing a gathering at Sharmishtha Lake during the launch of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', HM Shah said PM Modi had spent 25 years in public life without facing allegations of corruption from his opponents. He also linked what he described as PM Modis personal integrity to the absence of a visible political family network around him. For 25 years of public life, there has not been a single stain on his kurta. Even his opponents, even those in the Opposition, cannot accuse Modi ji of corruption, HM Shah said. He compared PM Modis political career to a lotus, saying that despite operating in a difficult political environment, he had maintained a clean record. Shahs remarks formed part of a broader account of PM Modis personal life, political career and years in government as the Prime Minister turned 76 on Thursday. The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' has been launched to mark his birthday and 25 years in public life, with the campaign scheduled to continue until October 7. The event in Vadnagar included a Maha Aarti at Sharmishtha Lake, a march to Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, the launch of the Vadnagar-to-Varanasi service journey and a cleanliness campaign. A bike yatra linking PM Modis birthplace with Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, was among the central activities of the programme. I have worked with PM Modi closely from his organisational years in Gujarat through his tenure as chief minister and subsequently as prime minister, he said. Shah also pointed to PM Modis personal simplicity and family background. He said that despite 25 years in public office, there was little public knowledge of PM Modis relatives. Modi jis family is known to the entire country, because Modi ji has considered India his family, Shah said, adding that PM Modi regarded the countrys people as his family. The Home Minister also used the occasion to contrast PM Modis public life with what he said were earlier practices surrounding public awards and recognition. He said that when he had been in Delhi from 2010 to 2013, Padma Awards had often involved recommendations from influential circles. The awards have subsequently come to recognise people working for communities across different states and regions, he said. Shah ended his address by saying that PM Modis life could be summed up in two words Bharat First. He had dedicated himself to the welfare of the country and its people, he added.
Precision Wires commences trial production of copper cathodes at Gujarat units
Precision Wires India said that it has commenced some trial production of copper cathodes at its copper refining/recycling plant located at Zaroli, Gujarat.
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 17 (IANS) Makhanlal Sarkar, one of the most senior and early workers of the BJP in West Bengal, on Thursday extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and praised him for overcoming challenges on both the international and domestic fronts while continuing to move forward. Speaking to IANS, Sarkar conveyed birthday greetings to the Prime Minister and also hailed the work he has undertaken during his long political career. There will certainly be greetings, especially for the work he has been doing. I sincerely extend my greetings to him for the way he has overcome one challenge after another, whether in the international arena or in dealing with internal challenges, and has continued to move forward, Sarkar said. Reflecting on Prime Minister Modis political journey, Sarkar noted his long tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister as well as his years as Prime Minister. He also referred to the possibility of Modi contesting the 2029 elections. PM Modis political career has been very long. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat for 13 years. As Prime Minister, he is completing 12 years. I do not know whether he will contest the elections in 2029. If he does, it will be beneficial for India, he said. Sarkar also recalled the message he had earlier conveyed to Prime Minister Modi regarding the development of West Bengal and the six demands for Sonar Bangla that had been raised by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. The message I had given to Modi ji was about the six demands for Sonar Bangla that Suvendu Adhikari had spoken about. If Modi ji takes responsibility for the industrial development of Bengal, he will fulfil the dream of Sonar Bangla within three years. Through this message of greetings, I am once again reminding him of that, Sarkar said. I hope to fulfil the dream of Syama Prasad Mookerjee. That will be my appeal. I wish him a long life. May he remain healthy and continue to work for the country. These are my greetings to him, he added. At the age of 98, Sarkar continues to be remembered as one of the early grassroots figures associated with the nationalist movement in post-Independence India and the growth of the BJPs organisational base in West Bengal. Earlier in May, during the swearing-in ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Prime Minister Modi had met Sarkar. He greeted Makhanlal Sarkar, presented him with a shawl and took his blessings. Following the meeting, PM Modi shared photographs with the veteran BJP worker and described him as a motivating figure, saying that Sarkar continued to inspire people from different walks of life to join the party. He had said, Today, as the first-ever BJP Government takes oath in West Bengal, it is natural for all of us to remember Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee and his everlasting contribution to the nation and West Bengal in particular. No stone will be left unturned to fulfil his vision. During the swearing-in ceremony in Kolkata, I had the opportunity to meet Shri Makhanlal Sarkar Ji. A devout nationalist, he worked with Dr Mookerjee and was even arrested in Jammu and Kashmir while accompanying him. He dedicated his life to our party, expanding its base across West Bengal, inspiring people from all walks of life to join the party. We, in the BJP, are proud that we have such motivating figures who have worked among the people and strengthened our party, he had said. In 1952, Sarkar was arrested in Kashmir while accompanying Syama Prasad Mookerjee during the movement to hoist the Indian Tricolour there. After the formation of the BJP in 1980, he became the organisational coordinator for West Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, and Darjeeling districts. Within just one year, he helped enrol nearly 10,000 members. From 1981 onward, he served continuously for seven years as district president, an exceptional achievement at a time when BJP leaders generally could not remain in the same organisational position for more than two years.
PM Modi Turns 76: BJP Appeals To People To Light
Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 76 on Thursday, September 17, with the BJP marking his birthday through a series of programmes across the country, including the lighting of more than 88 lakh earthen lamps in Gujarat. BJP president Nitin Nabin appealed
Micron to scale up semiconductor assembly, testing in India next year
India's semiconductor policy push has given the industry a strong foundation it didn't have, and the nation has moved from vision to execution now, Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said on Thursday, as he announced the company's plan to scale up chip assembly and testing facility here by multifold next year. For decades, people have talked about India's semiconductor potential. I have been in many of those conversations. Potential does not ship products. What I see in India today is execution, Mehrotra said, speaking at the SEMICON India 2026 inaugural. Micron has been here for seven years, he said, adding that the country employs more than 7,000 people in India directly and its work supports tens of thousands more jobs across the value chain. Earlier this year, we began commercial production at Sanand, Gujarat. It is the first semiconductor assembly and test facility here in India and the first project under the India semiconductor mission...finished DRAM and NAND products are now ...
What Is GIFT Nifty and How Does It Predict Markets?
GIFT Nifty is a futures contract linked to Indias Nifty index and traded on NSE International Exchange, or NSE IX, at GIFT City in Gujarat. It gives global market participants a way to take positions on Indian equities in US dollars. Since it trades for long hours that extend beyond the regular Indian cash market session, it is often watched closely before the domestic market opens. For this reason, traders and market watchers often use it as a pre-open reference, especially after major global events or sharp overnight moves. It is not a guarantee. The Nifty 50 is a 50-stock benchmark index of the National Stock Exchange of India. It covers key sectors of the economy and is widely used for benchmarking, index funds, and derivatives. GIFT Nifty tracks market expectations around this index through futures trading, so its movement can offer an early signal of how Indian shares may open. What Is GIFT Nifty? GIFT Nifty emerged from the NSE IX-SGX GIFT Connect, which became fully operational on July 3, 2023. Under the arrangement, international participants can trade Nifty-linked contracts through the GIFT City framework. The contracts are traded and settled in US dollars on NSE IX. Trading takes place across an extended session that reaches into the next calendar day. This long trading window allows GIFT Nifty to react to events that occur after Indian stock exchanges close. How Does GIFT Nifty Indicate the Market Opening? GIFT Nifty does not predict the market with certainty. It reflects futures prices formed by market participants before the Indian cash market opens. The process can be understood in four steps. 1. Global events occur: Overnight developments can affect market expectations. These may include moves in US or Asian markets, crude oil prices, currency changes, central bank decisions, inflation data, company news, or geopolitical events. 2. Traders react in GIFT Nifty: Because GIFT Nifty is open during a wide trading window, participants can adjust their futures positions as fresh information arrives. 3. The futures price moves: If sentiment turns positive, GIFT Nifty may trade above the previous Nifty close. If sentiment weakens, it may trade below that level. 4. Indian markets open: When NSE opens, traders compare the Nifty opening level with the indication seen in GIFT Nifty. A positive GIFT Nifty can point toward a positive opening, while a negative reading can suggest a negative start. For example, assume Nifty closed at 24,000 and GIFT Nifty is trading near 24,120 before the opening bell. The 120-point gap may indicate positive opening sentiment. It does not mean Nifty will open at exactly 24,120. Why Can GIFT Nifty and Nifty Open Differently? Several factors can create a gap between the indication and the actual opening. Futures prices include expectations about the future value of the underlying index. They do not always match the spot index point for point. Fresh news can arrive between the time a reader checks GIFT Nifty and the market opening. Domestic orders placed before opening can change demand and supply. Institutional activity can also affect the opening price. Currency moves, global index futures, commodities, and Asian market trends can shift quickly. Because of these factors, GIFT Nifty should be treated as an indicator rather than a guaranteed forecast. What Should Readers Check Along With GIFT Nifty? A single indicator may not explain the full market setup. Readers can review GIFT Nifty along with US market closes, Asian indices, crude oil, the rupee, bond yields, and major economic or corporate announcements. It is also useful to compare the current GIFT Nifty level with the previous Nifty close. The point difference gives a simple view of the expected opening gap. However, the direction can change before trading starts. GIFT Nifty vs Nifty 50 The two terms are related but serve different purposes. Nifty 50 is the underlying stock market index. GIFT Nifty is a derivatives contract linked to Nifty and traded at NSE IX in GIFT City. Nifty reflects the value of its constituent stocks during market hours, while GIFT Nifty reflects futures-market expectations across an extended trading period. Conclusion GIFT Nifty is widely tracked as an early indicator of Indian market sentiment. Its long trading hours allow it to respond to global developments before the domestic session begins. A rise can suggest a positive opening and a fall can indicate a weak opening, but neither signal is certain. Checking GIFT Nifty with global and domestic cues can provide a clearer view of the likely market start.
Syrma SGS Technology Ltd leads gainers in 'A' group
Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd, Yatharth Hospital & Trauma Care Services Ltd, Tega Industries Ltd and HBL Engineering Ltd are among the other gainers in the BSE's 'A' group today, 17 September 2026.
PM Modi birthday: Union ministers praise leadership, Viksit Bharat vision
PM Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat's Vadnagar. He has served as the Prime Minister since May 26, 2014 - currently in his third term. He is the longest-serving continuously elected Prime Minister of the country. PM Modi is the Member of Parliament from Varanasi
Micron Scales Up India Chip Production
Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra announced plans to significantly scale up the company's chip assembly and testing facility in India, moving from vision to execution in the nation's semiconductor ambitions. He highlighted the success of the Sanand, Gujarat plant, which is already producing Made in India memory chips, and the company's substantial engineering contributions from its Indian centres. Mehrotra also emphasised the critical role of memory chips in the AI era, driving Micron's growth.
From niche to nationwide, smaller regional cinemas find their moment
Smaller regional markets like Malayalam, Gujarati, and Marathi are thriving post-pandemic, with films achieving record earnings. Audiences now favour authentic storytelling, aided by social media and expanded distribution, making regional cinema a significant player in the theatrical landscape.
The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday examined the legal basis of proceedings that had culminated in a Central Information Commission direction concerning disclosure of information relating to Prime Minister Narendra Modis educational degree, with the Gujarat University urging the Court to impose costs on Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal. A Division Bench comprising Chief [] The post PM Modi degree row: Gujarat High Court questions validity of CIC direction, Gujarat University seeks costs from Arvind Kejriwal appeared first on India Legal .
Praveg receives LoA from Tourism Corporation of Gujarat
The total value of the contract is Rs 12.99 crore plus applicable GST.
GACL Recruitment 2026 (Short Notice) - Apply Online for Officer, Executive Trainee Posts
Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals (GACL) has released the Recruitment 2026 notification for Officer and Executive Trainee posts. The online application process is open until 27 September 2026. Eligible candidates can apply through the official website, gacl.com
Under PM Modi's leadership, India moving with confidence towards 'Viksit Bharat': Union Ministers
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Union Ministers on Thursday extended warm birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and praised his leadership, while acknowledging India's growth and the pace of its journey towards achieving the resolve of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. PM Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat's Vadnagar. He has served as the Prime Minister since May 26, 2014 -- currently in his third term. He is the longest-serving continuously elected Prime Minister of the country. PM Modi is the Member of Parliament from Varanasi. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. This year also marks his 25 years in public life. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, taking to X, said, Warm wishes and greetings to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on his birthday. Under his leadership, India is moving with confidence towards achieving the goal of 'Viksit Bharat'. From physical infrastructure to digital connectivity, from the welfare of the poor to innovation and entrepreneurship, the Defence Minister said that India has made historic and remarkable strides across every sphere. Ease of living has improved, opportunities have expanded, and the dignity of every individual has been strengthened, he said. He has placed good governance and public service at the centre of the countrys development journey, making administration more transparent, accountable and citizen-centric, he added. Under his leadership, Singh said that India's civilisational values and rich cultural heritage have received renewed recognition and respect on the global stage. India today is moving forward with a renewed sense of purpose, drawing strength from its civilisational roots. I pray for his good health, long life, and continued strength and energy in the service of the nation, he added. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda also extended heartfelt birthday greetings to the world's most popular politician, the architect of the vision for a Developed India, the inspiration for millions of youth, PM Modi. Under your leadership, the resolve for a 'Viksit Bharat' has today become the aspiration of the people. The new India is firmly establishing its interests and capabilities on the global stage. The 7.8 per cent GDP growth and India's leading role in the BRICS Summit held in New Delhi present a picture of a strong, self-confident, and decisive India before the world. Your dedication, discipline, and commitment to serving Mother India and the welfare of the nation serve as an inspiration to us all, he said. I pray to God that He grants you excellent health, long life, and boundless energy for the service of the nation. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, taking to social media, wished the Prime Minister and said, Join the nation and the world in wishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi all success, good health and many more years in the service of our people. You continue to inspire globally through your ideas and achievements. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also extended warm birthday greetings to PM Modi and said, In these turbulent times, you are steering our country steadily towards Vikasit Bharat. At every step, you have put the nation first. For every spent from the exchequer, youve ensured that public good is served. I pray that you live a long and healthy life as you continue serving Maa Bharati. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari wished the Prime Minister on his birthday and lauded him for irelessly working for over five decades, with the motto of Nation First for the welfare of the countrymen. May fear, hunger, and corruption be completely eradicated from the country under your leadership; may India become self-reliant, and may we reclaim our position as the world's guru -- such are my wishes. I pray to God for your excellent health and long life, he said in a post on X.
From Gujarat CM to PM: How much did Narendra Modi's salary increase? By what percentage?
What was Narendra Modi's salary when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat, and what was it after becoming Prime Minister? Learn the full details of PM Modi's salary increase and the percentage increase.PM Modi Salary Hike: How much has PM Narendra Modi's salary increased over the years...
CMs extend birthday wishes to PM Modi on his 76th birthday, hail his 25 years of public service
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Chief Ministers on Thursday extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday, lauding his 25 years of public life and highlighting his focus on public service, good governance, development and nation-building. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his birthday wishes to the Prime Minister and said that PM Modi has awakened a new consciousness of transformation in the lives of individuals by making service his spiritual practice, good governance his resolve and nation-building his supreme objective during his 25 years of public life. Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has awakened a new consciousness of transformation in the lives of every individual by making service his spiritual practice, good governance his resolve, and nation-building his supreme objective during his 25 years of public life, Yogi said. He added that on the occasion of PM Modi's 76th birthday, the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' would be launched from Varanasi, the holy city associated with the Prime Minister's parliamentary constituency. Today, on the sacred occasion of his 76th birthday, the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' will be launched from Baba Vishwanath's holy city of Varanasi. At the same time, on the auspicious occasion of the Jayanti of Lord Vishwakarma ji, the deity of creation and labour, in Lucknow, the launch of the exhibition and margin money loan portal based on 'Vishwakarma Self-Employment and Swadeshi Mela 2026' under the 'Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana 2.0', as well as the distribution of cheques and toolkits to beneficiaries of various schemes, will take place, he said. This journey of resolve through service, self-reliance through labour, and prosperity through swadeshi will give new momentum to the goal of 'Viksit Bharat', CM Yogi added. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also extended her birthday greetings to the Prime Minister and highlighted what she described as his guidance and affection towards the national capital. In a post on X, CM Gupta said, Heartfelt birthday wishes to the esteemed Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Delhi has continuously received your affection and guidance. Under your leadership, today the capital is moving forward with new momentum, new capabilities, and newfound confidence. She said the city's landscape was transforming along with new facilities, opportunities and aspirations for its people. The city's landscape is transforming, and along with it, new facilities, new opportunities, and new hopes are being woven into the lives of its people. Be it our sisters, our young companions, labourer families, senior citizens, or our children who cherish dreams of the future, the journey towards a developed Delhi centres on the lives of every individual, CM Gupta said. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also conveyed his birthday greetings to PM Modi and praised his public service and focus on the welfare of youth, farmers and the poor. Heartfelt birthday greetings and best wishes to the revered Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the unparalleled devotee of Mother India, ever dedicated to the welfare of the youth, farmers, and the poor, and the illustrious leader who enhances India's pride on the global stage, CM Dhami said in a post on X. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also wished the Prime Minister on his birthday and highlighted his leadership and contribution to nation-building. Heartiest Birthday Greetings to our Honble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Your tireless dedication, visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to nation-building continue to inspire millions across the globe. Under your dynamic guidance, Bharat is scaling new heights of progress, pride and self-reliance. Praying for your good health, long life and endless strength as you continue to lead our Motherland toward a brighter future, he added. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also extended his greetings and recalled PM Modi's political journey from Vadnagar to the Prime Minister's Office. I extend my heartiest birthday wishes to the world's most popular leader and the country's successful Prime Minister, the honourable Shri Narendra Bhai Modi ji, who dedicates every moment to the service of Mother India, CM Patel said. From the sacred soil of Vadnagar to becoming the helmsman of the world's largest democracy, your life journey is a living example of tireless hard work, unwavering resolve, and patriotism. From assuming the role of Chief Minister of Gujarat to becoming the country's Prime Minister, for the last 25 years, your continuous journey of service as a people's representative has become a golden chapter of good governance, public welfare, and development, he added. CM Patel further said that under PM Modi's leadership, the country had embraced the mantra of Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi and referred to cultural revival, digital development, modern infrastructure and self-reliance in the defence sector. Under your visionary leadership, the country has realised the mantra of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi.' On one hand, through magnificent cultural revival, and on the other, through digital revolution, modern infrastructure, and self-reliance in the defence sector, India has established its influence on the global stage, he said. He added that by placing the poor, youth, farmers and women at the centre of development, the government had sought to turn the goal of 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047' into a broader national resolve. I pray to God to grant you excellent health, long life, and ceaseless energy to lead the country to the pinnacle of supreme glory, CM Patel said. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also extended birthday greetings to PM Modi, saying his commitment to public service was giving a new direction to the country's development. Heartfelt birthday greetings and best wishes to the illustrious Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, whose unwavering dedication to public service is giving a new direction to the nation's reconstruction, and who is realising the resolve of the people's aspirations, CM Yadav said. He said Modi had made GYAN the foundation of national strength and had contributed to enhancing India's self-confidence. By making GYAN the foundation of national strength, you have elevated India's self-confidence to new heights. Your dream of a 'Developed India' has today become the vow of millions of fellow citizens. May Baba Somnath bless you with excellent health and a long life, he added. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also extended his greetings and recalled PM Modi's journey in public life, noting his roles in Gujarat and at the national level. From a young age, Adarniya Shri Narendra Modi ji has devoted himself to public service in various capacities. For the past 25 years -- first as Head of Government in Gujarat and subsequently of Bharat -- he has steered the nation forward with unwavering resolve, CM Sarma said. He said welfare, social justice, infrastructure development and national security had been prominent aspects of PM Modi's public life. Welfare, social justice, rapid infrastructure development, and an uncompromising commitment to national security have been the hallmarks of his long public life, CM Sarma said. He further highlighted PM Modi's focus on Assam's development since 2014. Since 2014, he has placed unprecedented emphasis on Assam's development, firmly establishing it as an engine of growth for the region. From Vikas to Virasat, he has prioritised our State's overall welfare and continues to guide us as we script new chapters of development, CM Sarma said. On this special day, I pray to Maa Kamakhya and Srimanta Sankardev to bless him with good health and many more years in the service of Maa Bharti, he added.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) BJP National President Nitin Nabin on Thursday wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday and said that under his leadership, the country is moving forward on the path of development and self-reliance, while also advancing on the international stage. PM Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat's Vadnagar. He has served as the Prime Minister since May 26, 2014 -- currently in his third term. He is the longest-serving continuously elected Prime Minister of the country. He is the Member of Parliament from Varanasi. Taking to X, Nabin said, Heartfelt birthday wishes to the esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the synonym of national service and dedication, the leader of 140 crore fellow countrymen. With the resolve of 'Nation First', your journey has been an inspiring saga of service, good governance, and public welfare. This journey is not of any one individual, but also of the collective dream of the countrymen, which you have given direction through your actions and penance, he said. Under your guidance, India is forging new dimensions of development and self-reliance and is continuously advancing on the global stage with its new identity and strength, the BJP chief said. I pray to God that He grants you excellent health, long life, and the continuous strength for national service, Nabin added. Meanwhile, Nabin will undertake a two-day visit to Indore and Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, starting Thursday and will participate in the 'Aashirvad Ka Diya' (Aashirwad Ka Diya, Pradhansevak ke Naam) campaign launched by the party to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday. The visit comes amid BJP's preparations to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's completion of 25 years in public service and his birthday under the party's nationwide 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'. The 'Swamitva Scheme' event in Indore is one of the key highlights of his visit to the state. Nabin will also light 'Aashirvad Ka Diya' at Ujjain's Ram Ghat, leading the celebrations to mark Prime Minister Modi's birthday and kick off celebrations of his 25 years of public service. As part of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', the BJP chief will light the 'Aashirvad Ka Diya' at the banks of the Shipra River, amid a large-scale devotional programme.
At 76, PM Narendra Modis journey runs from a Gujarat town to the world stage
Narendra Modi Biography: Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns seventy-six on September seventeenth. His political journey began in Vadnagar and led him to national leadership. Modi served as Gujarat's chief minister for over a decade. He became India's prime minister in two thousand fourteen. Modi now holds the record for India's longest-serving elected prime minister.
His journey filled with service, dedication: HM Shah's warm birthday greetings to PM Modi
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday extended warm birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that his journey is filled with service and dedication, and his life is an inspiration for many. PM Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat's Vadnagar. He has served as the Prime Minister since May 26, 2014 -- currently in his third term. He is the longest-serving continuously elected Prime Minister of the country. He is the Member of Parliament from Varanasi. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. In a post on X, HM Shah said, Heartfelt birthday wishes to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, the symbol of tireless hard work, sacrifice, and foresight. The life of Modi ji, who has made karma his sadhana and national service the aim of his life, is an epic tale of penance, sacrifice, and unwavering resolve. His journey, filled with service and dedication, is an inspiration for millions of countrymen, he said. I pray to God that he remains long-lived and healthy, and under his leadership, the country continues to scale new heights of progress and moves forward towards achieving the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the Home Minister added. Meanwhile, HM Shah will visit Gujarat's Vadnagar on Thursday to flag off the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s 'Vadnagar to Varanasi' Seva Sankalp Bike Yatra as part of a nationwide campaign marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday and 25 years in public life. Union Minister Shah will flag off the yatra at 9:30 a.m. from Vadnagar (Gujarat), PM Modi's birthplace, where he will also participate in a series of programmes during the day. The parallel 'Varanasi to Vadnagar' yatra will begin at the same time from Varanasi, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu among those expected to attend the launch there. The twin bike yatras are the main feature of the BJP's 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', which begins on Thursday. The party has said the two yatras will together cover about 40,000 km, passing through 193 districts and around 1,159 villages in 10 states. Around 1,000 young people are expected to participate, with 500 travelling from Vadnagar towards Varanasi and another 500 travelling in the opposite direction. The yatras are scheduled to conclude on October 7, when PM Modi completes 25 years in public life. In Vadnagar, Amit Shah's programme will begin at 8:15 a.m. with a Maha Aarti at Sharmishtha Lake, a padayatra, the flag-off preparations for the Vadnagar-Varanasi Seva Yatra and the launch of a cleanliness campaign at the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple.
A major 'Seva Sankalp' campaign will be launched on Thursday from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, to mark his 76th birthday . The campaign will feature a large motorcycle journey in which around 500 bikers on 250 motorcycles will travel from Kashi to Vadnagar -- PM Modi's birthplace in Gujarat. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will flag off the bike journey in Kashi.
Vadnagar-Varanasi bike yatra to be held today to mark PM Modi's birthday; HM Shah to flag off rally
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Sep 17 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Gujarat's Vadnagar on Thursday to flag off the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s 'Vadnagar to Varanasi' Seva Sankalp Bike Yatra as part of a nationwide campaign marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday and 25 years in public life. Union Minister Shah will flag off the yatra at 9:30 a.m. from Vadnagar (Gujarat), PM Modi's birthplace, where he will also participate in a series of programmes during the day. The parallel 'Varanasi to Vadnagar' yatra will begin at the same time from Varanasi, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu among those expected to attend the launch there. The twin bike yatras are the main feature of the BJP's 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', which begins on Thursday. The party has said the two yatras will together cover about 40,000 km, passing through 193 districts and around 1,159 villages in 10 states. Around 1,000 young people are expected to participate, with 500 travelling from Vadnagar towards Varanasi and another 500 travelling in the opposite direction. The yatras are scheduled to conclude on October 7, when PM Modi completes 25 years in public life. In Vadnagar, Amit Shah's programme will begin at 8:15 a.m. with a Maha Aarti at Sharmishtha Lake, a padayatra, the flag-off preparations for the Vadnagar-Varanasi Seva Yatra and the launch of a cleanliness campaign at the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, State BJP President Jagdish Vishwakarma, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and other party leaders are expected to be present. The BJP's Gujarat unit said the campaign would include tree plantation, cleanliness drives, the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign, the TB Mukt Bharat campaign and water-conservation awareness activities. The yatras will also include interactions with beneficiaries of government schemes, young people and beneficiaries of women's empowerment programmes, besides felicitations for sanitation workers. Four preparatory sub-yatras have already been travelling towards Vadnagar from different parts of Gujarat since September 13. They began from Somnath in Saurashtra, Shamlaji in north Gujarat, Pavagadh in central Gujarat and Unai Mataji in south Gujarat. Party leaders said water collected from rivers, lakes, wells and other water sources along the routes would be taken to Vadnagar in a 'Jal Kalash Rath'. At Vadnagar, water from Sharmishtha Lake will be added to the collection before a Jalabhishek at the Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple. The Jal Kalash will subsequently travel towards Varanasi, with additional water collected along the route for a Jalabhishek at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Water from the Narmada, Sabarmati, Mahi, Gomti, Vishwamitri, Tapi, Banas, Shetrunji, Aji and Pamba rivers would form part of the collection, they said. After the Vadnagar programme, Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Ahmedabad. At 5:15 p.m., he will offer prayers at the Shri Jagannath Temple in the Jamalpur area, followed by an appearance at the 'Aashirwad No Deewo' programme at the Kankaria Lake premises at 5:45 p.m. He is scheduled to attend the Ganesh Mahotsav organised by the Sardar Patel Seva Dal at Sardar Patel Chowk in Vastrapur at 7 p.m. The BJP's nationwide campaign is being held alongside other programmes planned across states to mark PM Modi's birthday on Thursday and his completion of 25 years as the head of government.
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and praised his leadership for improving India's global standing and driving development across various sectors of society. PM Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Gujarat's Vadnagar. He has served as the Prime Minister since May 26, 2014 -- currently in his third term. He is the longest-serving continuously elected Prime Minister of the country. PM Modi is the Member of Parliament from Varanasi. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. This year also marks his 25 years in public life. Taking to X, the Vice President said, Heartiest birthday greetings to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shriman Narendra Modi Ji. Under your steadfast and visionary leadership, Bharat is shining as a bright spot in the world and among the fastest-growing major economies. Over 25 crore Indians have come out of extreme poverty. A transformative digital revolution has empowered millions, and every sector-from space, technology, and healthcare to infrastructure and manufacturing has witnessed remarkable growth, he added. VP Radhakrishnan further praised the Prime Minister for referencing backward districts as 'Aspirational Districts', border villages as 'Vibrant and First Villages', and North-East as 'Ashtalakshmi', and said that this reflects a forward-looking approach that has transformed geographical marginalisation into empowerment, enabling active participation of people of various quarters in our journey towards Viksit Bharat. Over the past year, the Vice President mentioned that he travelled across the country and witnessed firsthand how these transformative changes are reaching even the remotest parts of our country. The spirit of progress, aspiration, and renewed enthusiasm visible across our nation reflects the confidence of our collective developmental journey. I pray for your good health, happiness, and continued strength as you lead the Motherland towards the realisation of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, he added. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also took to social media and wished PM Modi on his birthday. Heartfelt birthday greetings and best wishes to the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. Under your leadership, India is forging a new identity on the global stage with confidence today. The nation is continuously scaling new heights in the realms of development, self-reliance, innovation, digital progress, infrastructure expansion, and public welfare, Birla said in a post on X. He also lauded PM Modi's 25 years in public life and said that this time has been proven immensely fruitful in upholding democratic values and uplifting the vulnerable and underprivileged sections of society. Your dedicated and active life, devoted to the nation's progress, inspires millions of citizens to work ceaselessly towards the goal of a developed India. I pray to the Almighty to grant you excellent health, a long life, and the continued strength to serve the nation, the Lok Sabha Speaker added.
BJP to launch 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' today to mark PM Modi's 25 years of public service
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will begin its special month-long campaign titled 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'on Thursday, to mark the completion of 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public life and service. September 17 marks PM Modi's birthday, while October will mark the completion of 25 years of his public service. Earlier on September 9, BJP National President Nitin Nabin, addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, announced that PM Modi will complete 25 years of public service on October 7, and to mark this occasion, the BJP will conduct a special month-long campaign, 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'. Prime Minister Modi's journey of service began on October 7, 2001, when he assumed office as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Over the past 25 years, he has worked continuously, guided by the mantra of public service to national service, Nabin said. The BJP observes Prime Minister Modi's birthday as 'Seva Diwas' (Day of Service). In this spirit, a month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' will be organised this year from September 17 to October 17. It is the BJP's responsibility to take the message of public service to as many people in society as possible. Through this campaign, Prime Minister Modi's work spanning 25 years of public life -- encompassing service, development, and nation-building -- will be highlighted to the public, Nabin said. The Prime Minister's 25-year journey of service should be viewed not merely as a series of political achievements, but as an unwavering commitment to serving the people and the nation, the BJP chief said, while calling upon party workers and the general public to join the campaign. On this occasion, Nabin will launch the party's month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' from Ujjain, the city of Mahakal, along with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and State BJP President Hemant Khandelwal. The BJP's nationwide campaign is expected to include a range of public outreach and service-oriented programmes during the month.
Gujarat could be testing ground for Finlands green technology - Ahmedabad Mirror
28 sittings a year, J&K leads in legislative time: Speaker
Srinagar, Sept 16: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Wednesday defended the duration of the forthcoming Autumn Session, rejecting criticism from Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma that a short sitting reflected a lack of legislative accountability. Rather said Jammu and Kashmir has an average of 28 Assembly sittings a year against the national average of 24, arguing that the Union Territory compares favourably with other legislatures in terms of annual sitting days. The Leader of Opposition should introspect before making statements like that. Jammu and Kashmir has an average of 28 sittings per year against the national average of just 24, Rather toldmedia personsduring an interaction ahead of the Autumn Session. The session is scheduled to be held in Srinagar from September 21 to September 30. Sharma had demanded a month-long session, alleging that the Government was avoiding adequate legislative scrutiny and failing to provide sufficient time for raising public issues. The Speaker said the Autumn Session in J&K had traditionally been relatively short and cited examples from other States to counter the Opposition's criticism. Assam had a one-day session, Rajasthan had a two-day session, and Gujarat, Delhi and Goa had three-day sessions, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh had five-day sessions. These are all BJP-ruled States, he said. He also referred to the period when the BJP was part of the Government in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the Autumn Session had been short during those years as well. In 2015, the Autumn Session was from October 4 to October 10 while in 2017, it was held in July for only four days, Rather said. The Speaker's remarks came a day after Sharma accused the Government of undermining legislative accountability and called for a longer session to enable members to raise issues concerning the public. Rather, however, maintained that the number of sitting days alone should not be viewed as the sole measure of legislative performance, stressing the importance of the quality of debate and the functioning of the House. He also made an appeal to the media to give greater prominence to substantive legislative work rather than disruptions and uproar inside the Assembly. The Presiding Officers will certainly try to bring them under controlthat is indeed their responsibility. However, your responsibility is even greater. Those who create uproar and show no respect for the rules, please write less about them, he said. Rather urged journalists to focus more on the quality of speeches and the legislative performance of members. Give more coverage to whichever member delivers a good performance. That will help us conduct the House in a civilised and orderly manner, he said. The Speaker said excessive coverage of disruptions could encourage other members to resort to similar tactics for publicity. Generally, it is seen that those who create a ruckus receive the most coverage. The consequence of this is that the number of rabble-rousers continues to grow day by day, he said. Rather said new members could get the impression that shouting slogans and creating disruptions was an effective way of attracting media attention, and urged the press to instead highlight members who respect parliamentary rules and contribute substantively to proceedings. The exchange between the Speaker and the Opposition comes ahead of the September 21 opening of the Autumn Session, with the duration and functioning of the House emerging as an early point of political contention.
