Declined US President Trump's invite to Washington to come to Odisha: PM Modi
'During my visit, US President Donald Trump called me and said 'since you're already in Canada, why not come to Washington too? Let's have a meal and talk.' He extended a warm invitation. I respectfully told the President of the United States, 'Thank you for your kind invitation, but it is essential for me to go to the sacred land of Mahaprabhu.' And so, I humbly declined his offer, because your love and the devotion to Mahaprabhu drew me irresistibly to this holy land,' PM Modi said at an event in Bhubaneswar to mark the first anniversary of the BJP government led by Mohan Majhi.
Modi said Odisha was a radiant beacon of India's rich heritage. 'For thousands of years, it has been a cornerstone of Indian culture, contributing to its growth and vibrancy. Today, as the ideals of development and heritage form the foundation of India's progress, Odisha's significance and role in this journey have grown even greater,' he added.
'Today is a very special day. Today, the first BJP government in Odisha has successfully completed one year. This anniversary is not just of the government; it is the anniversary of the establishment of good governance. This one year was dedicated to public service and public trust. When the BJP government in Odisha is completing its first year, all of you are busy preparing for the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. Mahaprabhu is our idol and inspiration and with the blessings of Mahaprabhu, the issues related to the Srimandir have also been resolved,' he said.
PM Modi also unveiled the Odisha Vision Document, a roadmap for the state's development goals anchored around the centenary of Odisha's formation as India's first linguistic state in 2036 and India's 100 years of independence in 2047, an official statement said.
The vision document aims to transform Odisha into a $500 billion economy by 2036 and a $1.5 trillion economy by 2047. Additionally, he launched the 'Baraputra Aitihya Gram Yojana' initiative to honour eminent Odias by developing their birthplaces into cultural hubs.
The Prime Minister launched multiple development projects covering critical sectors such as drinking water, irrigation, agricultural infrastructure, health infrastructure, rural roads and bridges, sections of national highways, and a new railway line. He flagged off new train services extending rail connectivity to Boudh district for the first time and launched 100 electric buses under the Capital Region Urban Transport initiative to promote eco-friendly urban mobility.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
5 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Rahul Gandhi calls SIR 'conspiracy' to steal votes in Bihar elections
PATNA: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused ruling BJP of attempting to manipulate elections across India and said efforts were being made to repeat the same in the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar. Addressing people at the launch of the 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' at Sasaram in Bihar's Rohtas district, Rahul reiterated his resolve to not allow the manipulation of votes in the forthcoming assembly elections in Bihar. "People of Bihar will also not allow BJP to manipulate votes," he asserted. The Congress MP said, "I am telling you from this stage that Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha elections are being stolen across the country. Their latest conspiracy is to conduct the special intensive revision (SIR) in Bihar and steal the Bihar elections as well. All of us have come to this stage to tell you that we will not let them steal this election." He also raised concerns over the Election Commission's handling of data after the elections. "When I held a press conference on vote theft, Election Commission asked me to submit an affidavit. When BJP leaders held a press conference a few days ago, no affidavit was demanded from them," he alleged.
Hans India
5 minutes ago
- Hans India
Khalistani terrorist Pannun's endorsement of Trump's tariffs not pro-Punjab but betrayal: Report
Pro-Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's support for US President Donald Trump's increased tariffs on Indian exports and even suggesting a 500 per cent hike aligns with economic harm to the Sikh community and implies that his anti-India theatrics take precedence over Sikh well-being, a report said. "For a man who claims to champion Sikh rights, backing a policy that directly threatens the lifeblood of Punjab's hardworking Sikh farmers and dairy workers is nothing short of bewildering. Or worse: hypocritical," the Khalsa Vox report stated. His support for Trump's tariffs is "not pro-Sikh, pro-Punjab" but a betrayal, it added. Punjab's economy relies mainly on agriculture and dairy. Its products, including basmati rice, textiles and processed foods, form an important chunk of India's exports to the US. The tariffs imposed by Trump would make these products expensive in the US markets. Furthermore, if India opens its agricultural markets due to tariffs, the American dairy and farm giants will enter Indian markets. Supported by heavy subsidies, American dairy and farm giants can undercut small-scale Sikh farmers of Punjab and cooperatives like Amul, according to the report. This does not have an economic impact only, but it also poses a threat to cultural traditions that link Sikh identity to the land and farming. The report said: "Consider the dairy sector, the quiet backbone of Punjab. Generations of Sikh families rely on it for sustenance and stability. If US dairy giants take over, what happens to these small farmers? The promise of Sikh self-reliance, often invoked by Pannun himself, collapses under the weight of cheap imports." Exports predict a 40-50 per cent reduction in Indian exports to the US if tariffs increase, and the Sikh community will be impacted the most. Khalsa Vox, in the report, stated: "Pannun's position exposes a troubling contradiction. His rhetoric drips with anti-India fervour, but his policy stance aligns squarely with economic harm to Sikhs themselves. By cheering on a trade war that undermines Punjab's farmers, he prioritises political vendettas over community upliftment. If his loyalty truly lies with Punjab, why endorse policies that jeopardise Sikh livelihoods? The answer seems plain: for Pannun, anti-India theatrics take precedence over Sikh well-being." Punjab's future lies in policies that protect farmers, bolster dairy cooperatives, and ensure fair trade and not in political grandstanding that sacrifices livelihoods for personal agendas, it said. "Pannun's endorsement of Trump's tariffs is not pro-Sikh. It is not pro-Punjab. It is, at its core, a betrayal."
The Hindu
5 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Bihar SIR: Deliberate attempt being made to spread misinformation, says Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
The Election Commission of India (ECI) held a press conference to address issues over the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and the controversy surrounding it. Addressing the media, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said, 'Under the Indian Constitution every Indian citizen who has reached the age of 18 years should vote.' Rahul Gandhi 'Vote Adhikaar Yatra': Follow LIVE updates from Bihar on August 17, 2025 'For ECI neither anyone is Opposition nor ruling party. There is no discrimination between parties, all are the same,' the CEC said. Regarding the involvement of political parties in the SIR, he said, 'For the last 2 decades, all political parties have been demanding corrections in the Electoral Rolls. And to address this, the ECI has begun the Special Intensive Revision of Voter Rolls.' 'To remove errors in the Draft List all voters and political parties are contributing,' he added. Mr. Kumar said that there were several claims and objections given, and there is a period to file these claims and objections. '28370 claims and objections have been given. 15 days are left for filing objections and claims. The ECI asks all political parties, BLAs to submit claims and objections in these 15 days,' he said. 'On the ground level, all BLOs, BLAs and voters are working together, and they are also giving testimonials. But these testimonials are either not reaching the political parties, or a deliberate attempt is being made to spread misinformation,' the CEC said. 'When all voters in Bihar are standing with ECI, then no aspersions can be cast on the poll body or voters,' he added. Regarding the demand for machine-readable voter rolls, Mr. Kumar said, 'The Supreme Court in 2019 said that voter privacy can be breached. The ECI is not scared of false accusations. The ECI has been and will stand with voters of all communitues.'
