Delhi CM Rekha Gupta meets Swami Chidanand Saraswati in Rishikesh, says aim to conduct Aarti on both sides of Yamuna
Rishikesh (Uttarakhand) [India], June 1 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta met Swami Chidanand Saraswati Maharaj of Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh and offered prayers. Following the completion of 100 days of the Delhi government, she said that the aim was to perform Aarti on both sides of the river.
CM Rekha Gupta said, 'Delhi has so many problems due to which Yamuna always faced issues in getting cleaned. The earlier governments had neither policy nor intention; today, it is a matter of relief that in the current government, our policies are clear, and our intention is also clear. There is a desire to work under the leadership of PM Modi. Work is going on continuously at many different levels to improve the Yamuna River...We have arranged to run a small ferry on the Yamuna River. When there is odourless water in Yamuna, greenery all around, then Yamuna ji will be able to take its shape, its form.'
She further said, 'Nearly 150 to 200 drains from where dirty water with the sludge enters the river Yamuna have to be cleaned. We have started Aarti at one ghat in river Yamuna. Our aim is to conduct Aarti on both sides of the river,' she added.
CM Rekha Gupta took a holy dip in the River Ganga in Haridwar on Sunday and vowed to clean Yamuna so that people can take a holy dip in the river. She met Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj at Harihar Ashram in Haridwar on Sunday.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said, 'It is a feeling of immense joy. Yesterday, the government completed 100 days of rule in Delhi. Yesterday we did Aarti in Yamuna river and today, after taking a dip in the Ganga, I really feel that the pace of development in Delhi will now pick up more speed. Today, after taking the blessings of Gurujan, I am feeling more powerful within myself. I have a sense of responsibility. Delhi, which has been suffering for many years, now the government, which has come, it is our responsibility to ensure Delhi progresses. I ask for the strength that whatever the aspirations of the people are, I am able to fulfil them.'
She further said, 'I prayed to God that the way lakhs of devotees come to Haridwar to worship River Ganga, in the same way, River Yamuna can be cleaned so that people can take a holy dip there.'
CM Rekha Gupta, accompanied by her family, visited the Har Ki Pauri ghat in Haridwar and took a holy dip in the Ganga river on Sunday. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
23 minutes ago
- Business Standard
US commerce secy was very positive about India-US equation: KM Birla
Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Group, has expressed optimism about the future of India-US trade relations. Following US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick's speech, Birla said that Lutnick was "very positive" about the India-US equation and the future of the two nations. While speaking to ANI, Birla said, "I think he (US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick) was very positive about the India-US equation, the future of the two countries together." Birla stated that Lutnick spoke about the strong friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump, "He talked about how Prime Minister Modi and President Trump are great friends and that really helps in doing things together between the two nations." According to Birla, Lutnick expressed confidence that a trade deal between the two countries would be announced soon. "He also said that the trade deal should be announced soon. I thought that he sounded really positive about the Indo-US future together." US Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, expressed optimism about a potential trade deal between the United States and India, highlighting the strong relationship between the two countries. In a video clip posted on X from the event, Lutnick said, "I spoke at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Annual Leadership Summit tonight. We have a great relationship between our countries. I'm optimistic for a trade deal soon that will benefit both nations. " Earlier, on Monday (local time), in a conversation at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in Washington, DC, US Second Lady Usha Vance recalled her visit to India and her children's experience there and called the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi "very special." She said that her children put PM Modi in the grandfather category, and they loved him and hugged him when they visited his residence during their visit to India. Vance called the visit to India a "trip of lifetime for them" and added that it was her children's first visit to India. She also spoke about visiting places in North India, including Taj Mahal and enjoying Indian food. An official release published days earlier stated that US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Second Lady Usha Vance will attend the eighth edition of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit. According to the release, Secretary Lutnick will share his insights on strengthening the US-India strategic and economic partnership to achieve the goal set by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi for USD 500 billion in bilateral trade. The Summit will also feature the Second Lady of the United States, Usha Vance, in a fireside chat. As the first Indian American in the role of Second Lady, Ms. Vance's presence symbolises the deepening partnership between the world's oldest and largest democracies and highlights the robust strength of the people-to-people will also present the 2025 Global Leadership Awards to three distinguished business leaders - Mr. Arvind Krishna, Chairman, President, and CEO of IBM, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, and Toshiaki Higashihara, Executive Chairman of Hitachi, Ltd.- for their outstanding contributions to strengthening the US-India-Japan economic partnership, the release added. The USISPF Leadership Summit is the most prestigious gathering in Washington, DC focused on accentuating US-India ties and convening senior government leaders and officials, diplomats, Members of the US Congress and Senate, USISPF Board members, leading business executives, media, think tanks, and global thought leaders, all working to advance cooperation and celebrate this important partnership, the release added.
News18
36 minutes ago
- News18
‘Duelling Delegations': Tharoor-Led Indian Side, Pakistani Team To Square Off In Washington
Last Updated: Tharoor-led delegation will be in Washington on Tuesday to expose Pakistan on terrorism. This will take place at a time when a Pakistani delegation will be in the same city. Just as a much-anticipated visit of the Indian delegation to the United States begins on Tuesday (local time), the MPs will be caught in 'an interesting situation" when a copycat delegation from Pakistan, led by Bilawal Bhutto, will also be in Washington at the same time. The Indian and Pakistani delegations will square off against each other in the same city. Tharoor, who will lead the Indian side, expressed confidence that India will be able to get its message delivered successfully. Tharoor-led delegation, after finishing their visit to Guyana, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil, will arrive in the US today to expose Pakistan and its association with terrorism, and also put forth India's stand against terror after Operation Sindoor, which was carried out to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack. Reacting to this, Tharoor said that there will be an 'increase in interest" as the two 'duelling delegations" will be present in the same city. #WATCH | Brasilia, Brazil | In Washington, we'll have the interesting phenomenon of the Pakistani delegation in America, and almost exactly the same days… Tomorrow almost they will be in Washington, while we are in Washington on the same date. So there's going to be perhaps an… — ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2025 India's message against terrorism will still reach the right audience — especially people who care about South Asia. ANI. The delegation leader also pointed out that while the US media space is tough, India's message will reach those who are against terrorism and deeply care about South East Asia. 'It's a challenging environment. America is a very crowded media space, the world's news generator. Therefore, our story may not be at the top of their minds. But if we can get the attention of those who care about South Asia, those who care about India, those who care about terrorism, we can get our message across very, very easily," he said. What All Meetings Are Set Up For Indian Delegation In The US? The Congress MP said that meetings are set up with government officials and committees that influence and formulate public opinion in the US. Tharoor said that he has been invited for nearly seven interviews by American broadcasters. 'In Washington we have meetings set up with the entire range of public opinion in Washington, government officials, legislators, there are senators and congressmen, various committees in the House and the Senate, think tanks who are very influential in Washington, particularly those focusing on foreign policy, media and some public addresses, like, for example, the National Press Club… I've been asked to give six or seven interviews, seven or eight interviews to individual American channels and broadcasters, podcasters, and so on," Tharoor said. Tharoor also noted that it is no coincidence that Pakistan also sent its delegation to the US, but also underlined that they did not send it to as many countries as India did. 'It's no accident that the Pakistanis have also sent a delegation abroad, but they're not going to as many countries as the Indian delegations are. They're focusing on what they consider a few key capitals, namely, Washington, Brussels. London. That seems to be the thrust of the Pakistani effort. We have gone to all those capitals and more," he said. First Published: June 03, 2025, 10:48 IST
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan's 'what if China stops Brahmaputra flow' threat gets curt Himanta Biswa Sarma response
Reacting to a Pakistani official's threat that China can also halt the flow of the River Brahmaputra into India, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday described the remark as Islamabad's new "scare tactic" and said the water body grows after entering the country. He said China contributes only 30-35 percent of the river's total flow. Sarma's response came after a senior aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, reportedly said that, on the lines of India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, China can take similar measures by stalling the flow of the river, reported ANI. Himanta Biswa Sarma said Pakistan is "spinning another manufactured threat". "What if China stops the Brahmaputra Water to India? A Response to Pakistan's New Scare Narrative. After India decisively moved away from the outdated Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is now spinning another manufactured threat: What if China stops the Brahmaputra's water to India? Let's dismantle this myth -- not with fear, but with facts and national clarity: Brahmaputra: A River That Grows in India -- Not Shrinks," he wrote on X. Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Brahmaputra swells after entering India because of torrential monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya. 'China contributes only 30-35% of the Brahmaputra's total flow, mostly through glacial melt and limited Tibetan rainfall. The remaining 65-70% is generated within India, thanks to: Torrential monsoon rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya; major tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili; and additional inflows from the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills via rivers such as Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi,' he said. "At the Indo-China border (Tuting): Flow is ~2,000-3,000 m3/s. In Assam plains (e.g., Guwahati): Flow swells to 15,000-20,000 m3/s during monsoon," he added. He said the river is not dependent on upstream flow because it is a rain-fed Indian river system, which strengthens after entering Indian territory. "Even if China were to reduce water flow (unlikely as China has never threatened or indicated in any official forum), it may help India mitigate the annual floods in Assam, which displace lakhs and destroy livelihoods every year. Meanwhile, Pakistan, which has exploited 74 years of preferential water access under the Indus Waters Treaty, now panics as India rightfully reclaims its sovereign rights. Let's remind them: Brahmaputra is not controlled by a single source -- it is powered by our geography, our monsoon, and our civilizational resilience," he said. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty -- which governs the flow of water from India to Pakistan -- in April in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Gujarat last week that the stoppage of water flow had made Pakistan sweat. Pakistan, meanwhile, has said that "water is the country's red line", which mustn't be crossed. 'Pakistan will never accept Indian hegemony. Water is Pakistan's red line, and we will not allow any compromise on this basic right of 240 million Pakistanis,' Pakistan army chief Asim Munir said last week.
