Ambedkar showdown escalates in Bihar ahead of assembly elections
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bihar has sparked a political controversy over Dr BR Ambedkar's legacy. PM Modi accused RJD and Congress of disrespecting Ambedkar, referring a viral video from Lalu Prasad Yadav's birthday celebration. The Prime Minister said, 'RJD and Congress keep Baba Ambedkar's picture at their feet, whereas Modi keeps Baba Ambedkar in his heart.' This statement has ignited debates on caste politics in Bihar ahead of the upcoming elections. The opposition, including RJD and Congress, have countered Modi's claims, dismissing his visit as a poll gimmick. The debate focusses on the political strategies in Bihar, particularly regarding the Dalit vote bank.
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Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Boudh gets rail connectivity as PM flags off trains
1 2 Bhubaneswar: For the first time, Boudh district got train services after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two new trains and extended the services of three existing trains connecting Purunakatak and Boudh on Friday. Modi flagged off the trains after inaugurating the Sonepur-Purunakatak section (73 km) of the Khurda Road-Balangir (301 km) new line project, connecting Boudh district. This railway section was constructed at a cost of Rs 1,376 crore. With this, Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of seven railway projects worth Rs 2,750 crore. "Boudh district headquarters is now connected to the railway network for the first time after completion of this railway section. Finally, our district will be on the railway map of India, fulfilling the decades-old dream of the local people," said Seshadev Jani, a resident of Boudh district. He said people can now visit the Bhairavi temple at Purunakatak by train. "The Sonepur-Purunakatak rail section will strengthen the social and economic connectivity of this region. Now people from Boudh can visit Bhubaneswar, Khurda, and Cuttack via train," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The commissioning of the rail section helped the railways to run two new trains and extend the services of three existing trains up to Purunakatak via Boudh. The PM flagged off the Boudh-Bhubaneswar New-Boudh Weekly Express (18313/18314) and Sambalpur-Boudh-Sambalpur Weekly Express (18311/18312) here. People attended the flag-off ceremony of the trains at Boudh and Purunakatak stations. The Boudh-Bhubaneswar New-Boudh Weekly Express will leave from Boudh at 7 am every Monday and reach Bhubaneswar New at 6.15 pm via Balangir-Sambalpur-Angul-Naraj. In the return direction, this train will leave from Bhubaneswar New at 11 pm on Mondays and reach Boudh at 10.30 am on Tuesdays. Similarly, the Sambalpur-Boudh-Sambalpur Weekly Express from Sambalpur will leave at 7.25 pm on Sundays and arrive at Boudh at 11.55 pm on the same day. The return train from Boudh will leave at 12.15 pm on Tuesdays and reach Sambalpur at 5.30 pm on the same day. Apart from this, the Bhubaneswar-Sonepur-Bhubaneswar Inter-City Express and two pairs of Balangir-Sonepur shuttle passenger trains will now originate from Purunakatak in Boudh district.
News18
39 minutes ago
- News18
Yoga As India's Soft Power: PM Modi's Vision And The Global Embrace Of Indian Culture
Last Updated: Through yoga, India has not only enhanced its global influence but also inspired millions to connect with its timeless wisdom Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, yoga has transcended its ancient roots to become one of India's most potent instruments of soft power, fostering global goodwill, igniting interest in Indian culture and spirituality, and uniting millions across borders. Since 2014, Modi's unwavering advocacy for yoga has transformed it into a universal practice, celebrated worldwide as a pathway to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Through initiatives like the establishment of International Yoga Day, the creation of the Ministry of AYUSH, and high-profile events such as the 2023 United Nations Yoga Day celebration, PM Modi has positioned yoga as a cultural ambassador, showcasing India as a benign, inclusive, and well-intentioned global player. The Rise of Yoga as India's Soft Power Yoga, derived from the Sanskrit word 'yuj", meaning to unite, embodies the harmony of mind, body, and spirit—a philosophy rooted in India's ancient civilisation. While yoga has long been a global practice, PM Modi's leadership has given it unprecedented visibility, transforming it into a tool of public diplomacy. In his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly, PM Modi proposed June 21 as International Yoga Day, a resolution that garnered overwhelming support from 177 nations and was unanimously adopted on December 11, 2014. This historic move, backed by spiritual leaders like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who noted that state patronage was essential for yoga's survival, marked the beginning of yoga's journey as a global cultural phenomenon. PM Modi's vision framed yoga as a universal gift, free from copyrights or religious exclusivity, making it accessible to people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds. The 2023 UN Yoga Day: A Global Milestone The 9th International Yoga Day on June 21, 2023, was a landmark event, with PM Modi leading a historic yoga session at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Held at the North Lawn, the event drew thousands of participants from over 135 nationalities, setting a Guinness World Record for the most diverse yoga session. The theme, 'Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (One Earth, One Family, One Future), encapsulated PM Modi's vision of yoga as a unifying force. Joined by UN officials, diplomats, and cultural figures, PM Modi emphasised yoga's role in fostering peace and eliminating contradictions, stating, 'Yoga connects us with that consciousness which makes us feel the unity of the living being." The event, attended by UNGA President Csaba Korosi and New York Mayor Eric Adams, highlighted yoga's global acceptance and India's leadership in promoting it. This high-profile celebration was more than a yoga session; it was a diplomatic triumph. PM Modi's presence at the UN, coinciding with his state visit to the United States, underscored yoga's role as an icebreaker in global dialogues. He noted that nearly every world leader he meets discusses yoga, with many requesting literature or sharing their own practice. The event's scale—250 million participants worldwide—demonstrated yoga's universal appeal, with sessions held in cities like New York, Paris, Beijing, and Kuala Lumpur. In India, events like the one at Surat set another Guinness World Record, with over 21,000 participants, while tribal artisans contributed 34,000 yoga mats, blending cultural promotion with socio-economic development. Igniting Global Interest in Indian Culture and Spirituality PM Modi's advocacy has sparked a global curiosity about Indian culture and spirituality, positioning yoga as a gateway to India's philosophical heritage. The practice's emphasis on mindfulness, meditation, and ethical values has drawn millions to explore texts like the Bhagavad Gita and concepts like Karmayoga. In the West, where one in three Americans has tried yoga, the practice has penetrated influential demographics—politicians, diplomats, and corporate leaders—creating a positive image of India as a healer. Saudi Arabia's decision to introduce yoga in universities and recognise it as a sport reflects PM Modi's success in projecting yoga as India's civilisational-spiritual gift to the world while at the same time keeping it unencumbered from religious exclusivity. The Modi government's initiatives have amplified this cultural outreach. The establishment of the Ministry of AYUSH in November 2014 elevated traditional systems like yoga to a national priority, with its budget rising to Rs 3,647.50 crore by 2023–24. The ministry's digital efforts, such as the 'Namaste Yoga" app launched in 2021, have made yoga accessible globally, offering classes and tracking features. Deploying certified yoga teachers to Indian missions abroad has further internationalised the practice, with events during India's G20 presidency in 2023 showcasing yoga's efficacy in global healthcare. The National Health Policy 2017's inclusion of yoga in schools and workplaces has rooted it in India's domestic fabric, reinforcing its global projection. A Lasting Legacy PM Modi's proud espousal of yoga has cemented its place as India's strongest soft power asset, fostering unity, health, and cultural pride. The 2023 UN Yoga Day event, alongside initiatives like the Ministry of AYUSH and PM Yoga Awards, has globalised yoga while igniting interest in India's spiritual and cultural heritage. With themes like 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health" for 2025, Modi continues to champion yoga as a bridge across cultures, embodying India's ethos of harmony and inclusivity. top videos View all As Defence Minister Rajnath Singh noted, yoga's global celebration reflects the world's embrace of India's rich culture, a testament to PM Modi's vision of a united, healthier world. Through yoga, India has not only enhanced its global influence but also inspired millions to connect with its timeless wisdom. First Published: June 20, 2025, 21:33 IST
NDTV
43 minutes ago
- NDTV
"She's Wrong": Trump On Spy Chief Tulsi Gabbard's Iran Nuclear Remark
Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that his Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, was wrong in suggesting there was no evidence Iran is building a nuclear weapon. Trump contested intelligence assessments relayed earlier this year by his spy chief that Tehran was not building a nuclear weapon when he spoke with reporters at an airport in Morristown, New Jersey. "She's wrong," Trump said. In March, Gabbard testified to Congress that the U.S. intelligence community continued to believe that Tehran was not building a nuclear weapon. "The (intelligence community) continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon," she said. On Friday, Gabbard said in a post on the social media platform X that: "America has intelligence that Iran is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalize the assembly. President Trump has been clear that can't happen, and I agree." She said the media has taken her March testimony "out of context" and was trying to "manufacture division." The White House has said Trump would weigh involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict over the next two weeks. On Tuesday, Trump made similar comments to reporters about Gabbard's assessment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has justified a week of airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets by saying Tehran was on the verge of having a warhead. Iran denies developing nuclear weapons, saying its uranium enrichment program is only for peaceful purposes. In March, Gabbard described Iran's enriched uranium stockpile as unprecedented for a state without such weapons and said the government was watching the situation closely. She also said that Iran had started discussing nuclear weapons in public, "emboldening nuclear weapons advocates within Iran's decision-making apparatus." A source with access to U.S. intelligence reports told Reuters that the assessment presented by Gabbard has not changed. They said U.S. spy services also judged that it would take up to three years for Iran to build a warhead with which it could hit a target of its choice. Some experts, however, believe it could take Iran a much shorter time to build and deliver an untested crude nuclear device, although there would be no guarantee it would work. Trump has frequently disavowed the findings of U.S. intelligence agencies, which he and his supporters have charged - without providing proof - are part of a "deep state" cabal of U.S. officials opposed to his presidency. Gabbard, a fierce Trump loyalist, has been among the president's backers who have aired such allegations. The Republican president repeatedly clashed with U.S. spy agencies during his first term, including over an assessment that Moscow worked to sway the 2016 presidential vote in his favor and his acceptance of Russian President Vladimir Putin's denials.
