'Our Armed Forces Made Terrorists Realise Sindoor's Power': PM Modi In Bengal
Last Updated:
Speaking from "the land of Sindoor Khela", a Bengali Hindu ritual symbolizing marital sanctity, PM Modi highlighted the gravity of the recent attack in Pahalgam.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an address in West Bengal, drew a stark contrast between the tradition of 'Sindoor Khela' and the brutal reality of terrorism, asserting the nation's unwavering resolve to combat it. Speaking from 'the land of Sindoor Khela," a Bengali Hindu ritual symbolizing marital sanctity, PM Modi highlighted the gravity of the recent attack in Pahalgam.
'It's necessary to speak on terrorism," PM Modi said, acknowledging the deep-seated anger among the people of West Bengal concerning the April 22nd terrorist attack which claimed 26 civilian lives.
First Published:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
41 minutes ago
- Hans India
ILO ranks India 2nd in social security for poor
Geneva: India has achieved a historic milestone in recording a 45 percentage point jump in the social security coverage of its population over the last decade to cover 94 crore people and is now being ranked second in the world on the dashboard of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). According to the latest ILO data, India's social security coverage has increased from 19 per cent in 2015 to 64.3 per cent in 2025, an unprecedented 45 percentage point surge over the past decade. ILO has acknowledged India's achievement and officially published on its dashboard that 64.3 per cent of India's population, i.e. over 94 crore people, are now covered under at least one social protection benefit. Director General ILO praised India's focussed welfare policies for the poor and labour class under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. ILO's Criteria for Scheme Consideration for each country include that the scheme should be legislatively backed, in cash and be active, and verified time series data of last three years has to be provided. While holding a bilateral discussion with the Director General, ILO, Gilbert F Houngbo on the sidelines of the International Labour Conference (ILC), India's Minister of Labour and Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the pro-poor and labour welfare schemes undertaken by the Modi government over the past 11 years. The Minister also apprised DG ILO about the national-level Social Protection Data Pooling Exercise that has been carried out by the Government in collaboration with the ILO. Mandaviya said, 'This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the relentless efforts of the Government in building an inclusive and rights-based social protection ecosystem. The increase marks the fastest expansion in social protection coverage worldwide, reflecting the Government's unwavering commitment to 'Antyodaya' i.e., empowering the last mile and fulfilling the promise of leaving no one behind.' The present figure reflects only Phase I of the data pooling exercise. This phase focussed on beneficiary data of Central sector schemes and women-centric schemes in selected 8 States.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Daily Briefing: The great head count
Good morning, For the first time in three decades, the Eurasian otter has been spotted again in Kashmir, where it is known as the Vuder. Once a familiar sight in the Valley's rivers and lakes, the semiaquatic mammal had all but disappeared, driven out by pollution and hunting. Conservationists feared it was extinct in the region. Now, three separate sightings this year have rekindled hope. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), a species whose range stretches from Ireland to the far reaches of Russia, is listed as 'Near Threatened' globally. Its return to Kashmir could signal the slow revival of a fragile aquatic ecosystem. On that note, let's get to today's edition. In September 2023, with just months to go for the crucial 2024 general elections, the Narendra Modi government had announced the reservation of one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The process was tied to the delimitation exercise, which was to be undertaken based on figures from the first Census conducted after the enactment of the Act. The process of data enumeration for the Census is set to commence next year, as the government announced earlier this month. It will provide a snapshot of the country's population as of March 1, 2027. The government, therefore, plans to roll out the reservation of seats for women in the 2029 elections. This means that the EC would have to carry out the delimitation exercise well in time. But… also: Parliament will have to pass a Delimitation Act to conduct delimitation, which readjusts the number of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats, and redraws their boundaries. The exercise has already sparked concerns in southern states, which argue that their relatively smaller population may diminish their electoral weight compared to the northern states. Zoom out: The Census, which was delayed for six years owing to the Covid pandemic, is key for understanding India's complete picture — how it has changed in the past decade, and how it will likely change over the next one. Essentially, it becomes the basis of the country's policymaking. My colleague Udit Misra explains the importance of the Census for India's economy. Today marks 50 years since Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed an Emergency in the country on June 12, 1975. In an Express series, starting today, we revisit the momentous court verdict that would alter the course of the nation. A Prime Minister would be (almost) unseated, and then, she would strike back. The Emergency had a significant impact on the judiciary and its engagement with the executive. The court's ruling continues to hold a mirror to society, standing vigil against the subversion of due process. Done deal: The world's two biggest economies have finally reached a trade agreement after months of a tariff war. US President Donald Trump said the deal with China 'is done', subject to his and Chinese President Xi Jinping's final approval. Besides a 55% tariff on Chinese goods, the US has secured the supply of rare earth minerals. Cut off: The trade tensions between India and Bangladesh have found an unusual victim — the recycling hub in Panipat, which recycles over 200 tonnes of rags daily. Bangladeshi factories generate over half a million metric tonnes of textile waste annually, becoming the top source for the 150-200 mills operating in Panipat. However, shipments from Bangladesh have been halted, sparking concern among traders and manufacturers. PM's new politics? For years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been used to getting his way. When he entered his third term, relying on NDA allies, many felt it would be a bumpy ride. Coming off a turbulent first year, several challenges await Modi 3.0, both internal and external, in the next one. Contributing editor Neerja Chowdhury mulls whether it's finally time for Modi to fashion a new politics — one where alliances are formed as a strategy and not just out of compulsion. Demand and supply: At 3.9%, Bihar's unemployment rate is higher than the national average (3.2%). Youngsters in the state rely on government jobs, which are scarce and marred by irregularities. Now, a demand for domicile reservation has resurged in the run-up to the state elections this year. Himanshu Harsh decodes the factors behind the demand and the politics over it. Cinema Paradiso: Do films belong in the theatres or on our mobile screens? For Anubhav Sinha, writer and filmmaker of over 30 years, cinema is meant to be experienced together. In our Opinion pages today, Sinha makes a compelling case for the audience to return to the cinema halls. A new BBC documentary, 'The Killing Call', has shed new light on the murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala. It explores Moosewala's relationship with gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. The latter says on screen, 'We had no option but to kill him. He had to face the consequences of his actions. It was either him or us.' The documentary, released on Wednesday on YouTube, has run into controversy, with Moosewala's family opposing its release. 🎧 Before you go, don't forget to tune in to the latest '3 Things' podcast episode. Today's lineup: Row over Ayushman Bharat scheme in Jharkhand, a look at India's tiger population, and the government's proposal to cap air conditioner temperatures. That's all for today, folks! Until tomorrow, Sonal Gupta Sonal Gupta is a senior sub-editor on the news desk. She writes feature stories and explainers on a wide range of topics from art and culture to international affairs. She also curates the Morning Expresso, a daily briefing of top stories of the day, which won gold in the 'best newsletter' category at the WAN-IFRA South Asian Digital Media Awards 2023. She also edits our newly-launched pop culture section, Fresh Take. ... Read More
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
U.S. hyphenating India, Pak; PM must drop 'stubbornness' and call special session of Parliament: Congress
The U.S. is constantly making statements which can only be interpreted to mean that it is hyphenating India and Pakistan, the Congress said on Thursday (June 12, 2025) and stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should leave aside his "stubbornness" to call an all-party meeting and a special session of Parliament. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh asserted in a post on X that decades of diplomatic progress cannot be allowed to be weakened so easily. "It is reported that Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir has been invited to the event organised in Washington DC on the occasion of US Army Day (14 June). This news is a big setback for India from a diplomatic and strategic point of view," Mr. Ramesh said in the post in Hindi. "This is the same person who used provocative and inciting language just before the Pahalgam terror attack - the question arises what is America's intention," the Congress general secretary said. Recently, the head of the US Central Command also stated that Pakistan is a "great partner" of America in the fight against terrorism, Mr. Ramesh said. "The Modi government is saying that Operation Sindoor is still going on. In such a situation, the Pakistani army chief's participation as a guest in the US Army Day is definitely a matter of serious concern," he said. Mr. Ramesh said the Trump administration is constantly making statements which can only be interpreted to mean that it is "hyphenating" India and Pakistan. "The Prime Minister is welcoming the delegation that returned after informing the entire world, including the US, about Pakistan's role in supporting terrorism, and at the same time, such news is coming from Washington DC makes India's diplomatic position even more uncomfortable," Mr. Ramesh said. "The Prime Minister should now leave aside his stubbornness and concern for prestige and call an all-party meeting and a special session of Parliament, so that the nation can clearly express its collective will and a concrete roadmap can be presented to the country," he said. Decades of diplomatic progress cannot be allowed to be weakened so easily, he added. With US Army General Michael Kurilla, Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), calling Pakistan a "phenomenal partner" in the counterterrorism world, the Congress on Wednesday asked what PM Modi had to say about this and whether it was not a "diplomatic setback". The opposition party also referred to remarks by a Trump administration spokesperson highlighting President Donald Trump's diplomatic and negotiating skills as having the power to end "generational differences", wondering whether something is cooking in Washington DC. It asked Prime Minister Modi to issue a clarification on it. Mr. Ramesh had also cited a media report which claimed that Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir is scheduled to visit Washington DC for the US Army Day celebrations and said this is "another huge diplomatic setback for India". US Army General Michael Kurilla, Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), has said the United States has to have a relationship with Pakistan and with India, and noted that it cannot be a "binary switch" where Washington cannot have ties with Islamabad if it has relations with New Delhi. Kurilla made the comments during a testimony before the US House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. Pakistan is "in an active counterterrorism fight right now and they have been a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world", the general said. Kurilla's comments came days after an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation visited the US to convey India's strong resolve to combat terrorism emanating from Pakistan in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
