PM remembers Pahalgam's hero pony ride operator, says Pak wanted riots in India
PM Modi also hailed the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their resilience and commended their bravery. 'The way the people of Jammu and Kashmir have stood up against Pakistan's conspiracy has sent a strong message - not only to Pakistan but to terrorism across the world,' PM Modi said.He also praised the changing mindset of the region's youth, who he said are now determined to respond decisively to terror. 'This is the same terrorism that once burned schools, destroyed hospitals, and ruined entire generations. But today's youth have made up their minds to give a befitting reply,' Modi added.advertisementPM Modi also emphasised that Jammu and Kashmir's development will continue undeterred despite the Pahalgam attack, adding that 'anyone trying to stop the youth from achieving their dreams will first have to face Modi.'These statements were made by PM Modi as he was addressed a large gathering in Katra following the inauguration of the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, along with India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, and the launch of the first-ever train service directly linking Kashmir to the Indian mainland.This landmark event comes just weeks after the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which tragically took the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. It also marks PM Modi's first visit to the Kashmir Valley since the attack and subsequent military operation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
a minute ago
- Hans India
Rajnath Singh lays foundation stone of Rs 1,800 crore-BEML rail coach unit in MP's Raisen
Obedullaganj: In a landmark move to bolster indigenous rail infrastructure and manufacturing, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday laid the foundation stone of the 'Bramha' BEML Rail Hub for Manufacturing in Umaria village of Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh. The state-of-the-art facility, to be developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) with an investment of Rs 1,800 crore, is poised to become a cornerstone of India's self-reliant rail production ecosystem. Speaking at the ceremony, the Defence Minister hailed the initiative as a symbol of India's growing industrial prowess and praised Madhya Pradesh's emergence as a promising hub for defence and infrastructure manufacturing. 'The state has political will, stable leadership, and abundant resources. With 48,000 hectares earmarked for new investments, MP is on its way to becoming a 'Modern State',' he said. The new unit -- named after Lord Brahma, the creator of the known Universe in Hindu mythology -- will manufacture coaches for Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, metro trains, and future high-speed rail systems, including bullet trains. It will also produce other railway components, with export-ready broad and standard gauge coaches. The plant will initially produce 200 coaches annually, scaling up to 1,100 units over time. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, also present at the event, noted that BEML has already delivered over 2,100 metro coaches and is actively developing high-speed train prototypes in collaboration with the Integral Coach Factory (ICF). 'The Umaria unit will generate at least 5,000 jobs and play a pivotal role by offloading jobs to MSMEs in meeting Indian Railways' target,' he said. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav described the project as a proud moment for the state and a direct reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' vision. 'For the first time, Madhya Pradesh will manufacture and supply train and metro coaches across the country and the world,' he said. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan spoke about Operation Sindoor on the occasion. Spanning 148 acres in Goharganj tehsil near Obedullaganj, the facility will incorporate cutting-edge technologies, including robotic welding, lean manufacturing, and solar-powered energy systems. It will require 2,000 MVA of power, to be met through renewable sources. BEML Chairman Shantanu Roy confirmed that the first coach is expected to roll out within 18 months. The plant's strategic location is expected to catalyse regional development, with ancillary industries in Raisen and Bhopal districts supplying bogies, interiors, air-conditioning systems, and other components. A dedicated rail coach technology institute is also under consideration to support skill development and technical training. BEML's expansion into Raisen marks a strategic convergence of defence-grade engineering and civilian infrastructure needs. The unit will complement its existing hubs in Bengaluru, Palakkad, and Kolar Gold Fields, and significantly enhance India's rail export capabilities.
Hans India
a minute ago
- Hans India
Bengaluru: PM Modi takes Metro ride with students, indulges in candid conversation
Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a 19.15-kilometre ride from R.V. Road (Ragigudda) Metro Station to Bommanahalli Metro Station on Sunday, after inaugurating the Yellow Line Metro services. During the journey, he interacted with the girl students, women, Metro workers, and staffers. Eight children, 16 girl students from government schools, and eight workers who were part of the Yellow Line Metro project had the opportunity to travel with Prime Minister Modi. After the interaction, Prime Minister Modi sat with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and other dignitaries on the Metro. CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM Shivakumar, who sat on either side of the Prime Minister, engaged closely with him throughout the journey. Both were also seen sharing hearty laughter with him. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Yellow Line Metro services at the R.V. Road (Ragigudda) Metro Station, which connects Bengaluru's Central District to the tech hub, Electronics City. He also purchased a ticket by scanning the QR code at the Metro station before entering the platform. Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, and officials from Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) briefed PM Modi about the project at the premises. Later, the Prime Minister flagged off the Metro train at the station. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister Manohar Lal, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Bengaluru Rural BJP MP C.N. Manjunath were present on the occasion. Thousands of people gathered at the R.V. Road (Ragigudda) Metro Station despite the rain to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister. The crowd raised slogans in his favour and showered flowers on his vehicle. The Prime Minister acknowledged the crowd by waving back at them.
Indian Express
a minute ago
- Indian Express
When US promised not to let Pakistan down: ‘If there is another attack, we will react violently'
Post Operation Sindoor, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir was hosted by the United States and, if news reports are correct, he is again headed to America for a second visit in three months. The US has always maintained friendly relations with Pakistan, even during conflicts with India, and this was amply demonstrated before and after the 1971 war. There were active attempts by the US at the highest level of President Richard Nixon and his advisor on national security affairs, Henry Kissinger, to channel military aid to Pakistan through Jordan and Iran. In this week's column, we look at how, post the 1971 war, the US reassured Pakistan that it would stand by it if India initiated any military action against what was then West Pakistan, and also considered a Pakistani offer of military bases on Pakistani soil for the US. The memorandum of a conversation in the US State Department Archives for March 29, 1972, records a meeting where Nixon, Kissinger, and Aziz Ahmed, secretary-general of Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, and many others participated. Kissinger referred to how 'we went through tragic days together in December (1971)' and said that Pakistan enjoyed the US' goodwill. He further said it was important for Pakistan to get through the next six months, and felt that it was inconceivable that there would be an Indian attack before the forthcoming summit meeting in Moscow, or even for some time after that. 'Dr. Kissinger continued that the President makes the policy, and 'we won't let Pakistan down. If there is another attack, we will react violently'. He noted that we have told the Indian Ambassador that we cannot cut off military aid to Pakistan unless India is prepared to forego Soviet military aid. We have said that we will not restore the $87 million of aid that had been suspended,' the memorandum records Kissinger as saying. He went on to say that the US did not believe that one country should have the right to impose its will on its neighbours. 'The President has very warm feelings for Pakistan,' he added. Aziz Ahmed expressed concerns that India had moved three Army divisions to the West Pakistani border. 'General Manekshaw has gone to Moscow, presumably to seek equipment to replace India's war losses. India is going ahead—with whatever plans it has-either exerting pressure on Pakistan for the negotiations or for a more serious attack. There has been some thought that the Indians would seize Azad Kashmir. The Chinese, however, felt that an attack on Azad Kashmir would be unlikely until after President Nixon's visit to Moscow,' he said. On March 17, 1971, US Secretary of State William P Rogers wrote a memorandum to President Nixon titled 'President Bhutto's Proposals for Closer Military Collaboration'. This memo discussed specific proposals, which involved: The memo further quotes the Pakistani Defence Secretary Ghias Uddin Ahmed as suggesting that Pakistani military facilities could be made available to the US if that country wished. 'He said this would include facilities on land or at ports. With regard to the latter, he mentioned locations along the Arabian Sea coast, including (from west to east) Jiwani, Gwadar, Sonmiani Bay, Karachi, and the area south and east of Karachi. He thought the US might be interested in developing a port such as at Gwadar, which would be important for the economic development of that region of Pakistan,' the memo notes. The reason for this approach, Ghias said, was that Pakistan now faced an entirely new situation after the recent war, when it had suffered defeat by India with Soviet collaboration. The Pakistani Government was increasingly concerned about the intentions of both the Soviets and the Indians. 'Pakistan needed to bolster up its defenses in order to provide some credible deterrent. Ghias acknowledged that Pakistan was now only a small fraction compared to India in size and strength. He went on [to say] that Pakistan could not contemplate attacking India, but it needed some assurance about its defense. In this regard, he thought Pakistan would be looking to closer defense collaboration with Iran and Turkey, and seeking to improve its relations with Afghanistan,' the memo says. Ghias also referred to close Soviet collaboration with Indians both at the port of Visakhapatnam and on the Andaman Islands, which he interpreted as providing important naval facilities for the USSR. A month earlier, on February 3, 1972, President Nixon had a meeting with the US Ambassador to India, Kenneth Keating, and Henry Kissinger. Referring to India and Pakistan, President Nixon said, 'Neither country should be a country. They are too poor, too bloodthirsty'. Ambassador Keating responded, 'Yes, there should be a regional solution, like the EEC (European Economic Community)'. President Nixon was of the opinion that India shouldn't waste its resources fighting Pakistan and that China was India's bigger problem. 'Let me give you my view. I'll tell you what I'll do. I am afraid they'll leak it, so of course we can't announce it. Let me tell you where we went wrong. I was too soft on Mrs. Gandhi. When she was here. I led her on. If we were going to restrain them at all, we should have been tougher. I am not mad at Mrs. Gandhi. She has not had a better friend in this office than me. I have taken the line that India should have to compete with the PRC. I have always defended India,' he said. Nixon went on to say that India has a friend in the White House. 'They should know this. We are going to China for reasons of our own. We took action on India because our law requires it. In reality, we are India's best friend. Right, Henry?,' he said. Henry Kissinger gave a guarded reply, reflecting his pro-Pakistan stance. 'That is true. But we must move at a measured pace,' he said.
