No garbage, clean washrooms, women's safety: This Independence Day, what ‘Naya Bharat' means to citizens
But for some, this milestone in India's freedom story held deeper meaning than symbolic celebration.
Sanjay Kumar (51), a civil servant from Haryana's Bahadurgarh, came with his family to attend the programme for the first time. He said India is still not free from the garbage. 'Keeping our surroundings clean is the duty of both the government and the citizens,' he added.
His son Hitesh Birman (20), who is pursuing BTech, wants the education system to be reformed. 'I think the National Education Policy, 2020, is still not an answer to the education system the nation currently requires; there is a need to… focus more on vocational training,' he said.
Sitting a few rows ahead in enclosure 10 was a family of seven who had come from West Bengal. Among them was Amit Pal (27), donning a white cap with 'Naya Bharat' emblazoned on it, who said he 'loves the stamina of Prime Minister Narendra Modi'.
Next to him was his mother, Meera Pal (50), and father, Asit Pal (60).
'I'm happy with the speed of progress in India; it will soon become the top country in the world. I hope the BJP wins this time in West Bengal,' Amit added.
The enthusiasm was equally visible among NCC cadets, dressed in crisp white uniforms and eagerly waiting for a chance to interact with the Prime Minister. While some posed for group photos, others caught up with their teachers and shared the excitement of witnessing the celebrations for the first time.
Khushika Rajpal, 18, volunteering with the NCC for the first time, said, 'For me, Naya Bharat means clean and hygienic public washrooms that are accessible to all.'
Cadet Vaishwani Goswami (19) from Faridabad, a second-year NCC member and taekwondo player, said India needs to be self-reliant. 'Indian women need to be strong to fight for their rights. They should be their own protectors and know self-defense.'
For Mahadevi (38) from Haryana's Mahendragarh, women's safety is a concern. Attending the event with her family, she expressed hope that women feel safe wherever they go — whether alone at night or during the day, no matter the place.
'It's been a long time now, and women's safety should be our priority,' she says.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
2 minutes ago
- Indian Express
In industrial belt near Delhi, Trump's tariffs cloud outlook for export of engineering goods
In one of the many cavernous sheds dotting Ghaziabad, the industrial suburb on the outskirts of the Capital, a giant stands silent. The massive metal forging machine, hauled from China only months ago at a cost of Rs 20 crore, glints under the dim factory lights, its steel body collecting a fine coat of dust. It was meant to be the future: sleek, electric-powered, capable of shaping metal with precision and scale. Yet, in its shadow, the old ritual continues. A knot of workers, sleeves rolled, faces flushed with heat, gather around a much smaller press, striking molten metal with steady, rhythmic blows. The clangs echo through the workshop like the heartbeat of an older era. For Ghaziabad-based CD Industries, a manufacturer of metal flanges feeding oil and gas exploration rigs across the US, the dormant machinery was supposed to answer the shifting demands of its overseas clients. Instead, it waits, inert. 'Baal mundwaate hi ole padne lage (It started raining hail stones as soon as one got his hair shaved),' Pankaj Agarwal, Director, CD Industries, told The Indian Express at his manufacturing plant in one of Ghaziabad's biggest industrial belts on the Bulandshahr Road. Agarwal had purchased the electric metal forge to exclusively service client requests from the US, who had asked him to make flanges of up to 16 inches, as opposed to his current capacity of eight-inch flanges. But, with US President Donald Trump's decision to raise tariffs on several Indian goods – to 25 per cent, with a further 25 per cent increase threatened by August 27 – new orders have dried up for Agarwal, and many engineering goods exporters like him. Increasingly, several US-based vendors are even cancelling earlier orders, resulting in significant financial losses for several Indian medium and small enterprises. Engineering is the largest industrial sector in India and accounts for 3.53 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The engineering goods export of India had a share of 25.22 per cent out of the total exports during the financial year FY24, as they jumped to $109.22 billion as compared to $106.93 billion during FY23. In FY25 (April to December), India's top five export destinations in the sector were the US (15.82%), the UAE (7.36%), Saudi Arabia (5.24%), Singapore (4.46%) and Germany (3.52%). Industries like auto components and metal works are particularly at a disadvantage. For CD Industries, the US is its exclusive export market, accounting for 50 per cent of the company's turnover. 'While we are continuing to deliver the previously placed orders, new enquiries have stopped coming in. For some companies, their previous orders have been cancelled, as importers are seeking a discount, which many manufacturers are not in a position to accept,' Agarwal said. His products are supplied across the length and breadth of the US, from the West Coast to the East Coast, and Texas to New York. 'The tariff situation is bothering us, haunting us, and we are really, really worried,' he said. His plant in Ghaziabad employs 225 people, including floor workers, project managers and quality control managers. For now, he says the older orders not getting cancelled – a fact he attributes to his long-standing relationship with his vendors, dating back 20 to 30 years – has allowed him to not trim the workforce. But if the situation continues for a longer time, he may have to let go of some workers, Agarwal said. Sanjeev Sachdev, general secretary of the Industrial Area Manufacturers' Association in Ghaziabad, said there are more than 400 manufacturing plants in the belt, which employ over 75,000 people. 'If the tariff situation is not resolved, and the government does not alternatively help the industry financially in the meantime, easily 5,000-7,000 people will lose their jobs. Many companies, who have purchased raw material and made finished goods, are staring at generations getting into debt,' Sachdev said. Pankaj Chadha, chairman of the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) of India, said about $5 billion worth of engineering goods exports are at risk due to US tariffs. 'Unlike other sectors, for us the pain started early on when the US announced 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium. At this tariff rate, we cannot be competitive and we are not in a position to retain our market share in the US,' he said. Sachdev speaks with the quiet fatalism of someone who is anticipating to see too many balance sheets bleed red. Between raw metal and a gleaming finished part lies a steep markup – not just in price, but in labour, skill, and the hours of heat and noise that shape it. Yet that value can vanish in an instant. If an overseas buyer pulls the plug, the goods, tailored to a single client's specifications, are suddenly orphaned, with no other market to call home. In that moment, there are only two doors left open: swallow the buyer's demand for a deep discount, or consign the work to the scrap heap, where months of craft and capital dissolve into a fraction of their worth. For some manufacturers, it is not just a bad deal – it is the slow tightening of a noose. One too many of such blows, and the factory floor falls silent. Many in the industry, who spoke on condition of anonymity, warned that the real weight of the new tariffs will fall not on the industry's giants, but on the small and medium enterprises. The big players can simply pivot, scouting for new markets, absorbing the shock with the comfort of deep reserves. For the smaller firms, there is no such cushion, no easy escape route. The blow, when it lands, goes straight to the bone. Agarwal, Chadha and Sachdev, all said that the government's help to support companies in distress is the need of the hour. 'We expect the government to extend Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) to the steel sector and restart the interest subvention scheme to ease the pain,' Chadha said. Vinod Kumar, president of the India SME Forum, said that export-focused countries like China have heavily invested in promoting their products globally. 'India has not done that over the years. This is a systemic problem. The nature of trade has changed over the years. Only production is not going to solve your problem, we have to market them effectively,' he said.
Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
Clean image and cordial relations with netas across political parties paves Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan's path to vice president's office
Mumbai: While more than a dozen BJP politicians were in the zone of consideration for vice president, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose Maharashtra governor C P Radhakrishnan for the post. A top BJP politician felt that Modi threw his weight behind Radhakrishnan owing to his clean image and cordial relations with all politicians across political parties. It appears that following his nomination, BJP will be able to bridge the gap with the DMK. Ever since he took up the gubernatorial assignment in Maharashtra, Radhakrishanan's visit to Tamil Nadu and Kerala have suddenly increased. "Modi was keen to promote a man from the South, Radhakrishnan was proper choice for the post," a politician said. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Gold Rates Today in Mumbai | Silver Rates Today in Mumbai Radhakrishnan is the second governor to be nominated vice president. Before him, in 1987, Shankar Dayal Sharma was nominated vice president. In 2002, governor P C Alexander's candidature was finalised for the post of president, but his name was dropped at the last moment, following the nomination of Abdul Kalam for the prestigious post. A week after he took over the reins of Raj Bhavan on July 31, 2024, Radhakrishnan travelled across the state. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Undo He interacted with elected representatives of the people, officials, business leaders and met a cross-section of society. As chancellor of universities, he was instrumental in enhancing the quality of education and living conditions of the tribals. It appears that he entertained maximum delegations of the opposition parties, whether on the law and order situation in the state, financial scams or issues raised in the legislature. Radhakrishnan gave them a patient hearing and ensured that specific complaints received by him are submitted to the competent authority for appropriate action. Radhakrishnan also approved the nominations to the legislative council, which had been pending for long. It was for the first time that the governor had cordial relations with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis as well as DCPs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar and the entire cabinet. Fadnavis said: "Throughout his tenure as MP and governor in various states, Radhakrishnan has garnered extensive expertise in a wide range of legislative and constitutional matters. His nomination as the VP candidate fills us all as Maharashtrians, with immense pride." Born in 1957 in Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu, he secured a bachelor's degree in business administration. Starting as an RSS activist, Radhakrishnan became the state executive committee member of the Bhartiya Janasangh in 1974. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Hindustan Times
32 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Previous govts repeatedly deceived Delhi: CM Rekha Gupta
Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday slammed the 'previous' Delhi government for obstructing the city's development by preventing central government benefits from reaching people. Gupta was speaking at a public gathering after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Delhi sections of Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road-II on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi being felicitated by Delhi CM Rekha Gupta during the inauguration of the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway and the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II), in New Delhi on Sunday. 'The previous governments repeatedly deceived Delhi, and due to petty politics, prevented the benefits of central government schemes and support from reaching people. Schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Swachh Bharat Mission never reached the citizens of Delhi. Previous governments, driven by narrow self-interest, turned their back on the people and deliberately stalled development. However, PM Shri Modi Ji never turned his back on Delhi, never discriminated, nor bowed to pressure,' CM Gupta said. In response, the AAP leaders have accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misusing government machinery by forcing sanitation workers and teachers to attend PM Modi's rally under the pretext of official duty. 'On Sunday morning, our poor Dalit sanitation workers in Delhi were called in the name of duty. Now they are being packed into buses and taken to PM Modi's rally. This is the real face of the BJP,' former Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Atishi said in a post on X. The CM said that under the leadership of PM Modi, Delhi has received support in the form of various schemes over the last decade. 'These schemes and this assistance were never fully implemented by the previous government, but even so, the Centre's contribution continues to play a historic role in strengthening Delhi's infrastructure,' she said. 'The inauguration of the Dwarka Expressway and UER-II will give new wings to Delhi's speed. Who would have thought that the journey from Singhu Border to the airport could be completed in just 40 minutes? Who would have imagined that the dreaded traffic jams of Mukarba Chowk, Dhaula Kuan and NH-8 could be overcome so smoothly?,' she added. Slamming the BJP for 'cheap politics', Atishi said, 'BJP is openly insulting Dalit sanitation workers. Forcing them under the guise of work and sending them to rallies is illegal and inhuman. MCD commissioner Ashwini Kumar should also face action. BJP has deceived the people of Delhi as well.'
