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India Gazette
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"USBRL powerful example of continuity in governance": Congress' Jairam Ramesh ahead of inauguration of Chenab bridge
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, on Friday stated that the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) is a 'powerful' example of continuity in governance, claiming that the 135 km rail link between Baramulla and Qazigund had become operational by June 26, 2013. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir today and inaugurate several projects, including the Chenab bridge, which is a part of USBRL. In a post on X, Ramesh said, 'As the PM visits J&K today, here is our statement on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) that, like Brahmos, is a powerful example of continuity in governance which he never acknowledges but cannot run away from.' Ramesh, in an official statement, said that the 272 km long USBRL was initially sanctioned in March 1995 when P.V. Narasimha Rao was Prime Minister. he added that in March 2002, it was declared a national project when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Prime Minister. Taking a dig at PM Modi, the Congress Rajya Sabha MP said, 'Governance involves great continuity, a fact consistently denied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his perennial desire for self-glory.' He further claimed that since 2014, the 111 km Katra-Banihar stretch, for which major contracts had been awarded much earlier, has been completed, adding that the contracts for the iconic Chenab Bridge had been awarded by 2005 itself to the Konkan Railway Corporation, afcons, VSK India, and Ultra Construction and Engineering Ltd of South Korea. Mentioning a detailed timeline of the project, Ramesh said that in April 2005, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh inaugurated the 53 km rail link between Jammu and Udhampur. 'The Indian National Congress greets the people of Jammu and Kashmir on this important occasion. It also congratulates the personnel of the Indian Railways and the public sector and private companies involved in the execution of the USRBL over the past three decades. It reflects a collective resolve and the success in the face of the gravest of odds,' the statement reads. Meanwhile, Security has been heightened in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, with authorities increasing inspections and vigilance, particularly in Katra city of Reasi district. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir today and inaugurate several projects, including the Chenab bridge, the Anji bridge, and flag off Vande Bharat trains. The Northern Railway announced the commencement of regular services of the Vande Bharat Express trains between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, which will start on June 7. The services will operate six days a week, enhancing connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the prominent pilgrimage destination. (ANI)
India Today
26-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Fact Check: Old video of Tharoor bashing Trump goes viral as his delegation visits US
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is leading an all-party Parliamentary delegation to five countries to brief the world on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against terrorism. The delegation has visited the United States and Guyana, and will travel to Panama, Brazil, and Colombia soon.A video now going viral purports to show Tharoor taking a dig at US President Donald Trump during an event in New York. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh shared this clip, writing: 'A wise person once said- A diplomat is a person who tells you to go to hell in such a way, that you actually start looking forward to the trip. That's the class of Shashi Tharoor. He can sit in the US and take POTUS to the cleaners with a smile.'advertisement In the video, Tharoor says that while he 'shouldn't be commenting on political leaders in foreign countries on their soil', his personal manner struck him as 'not entirely as agreeable or pleasant as one would like to see in a distinguished American political figure'. He says that he had met four or five US presidents — from both parties there — who had a certain 'political heft, statesman-like gravitas, and intellectual quality that I find woefully lacking in this gentleman'. India Today Fact Check found that while Tharoor was indeed talking about Trump, this video is from September 2024, when the MP was speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival in New ProbeReverse-searching frames from the video led us to an Instagram post dated September 24, 2024. This makes it clear that this video long predates the all-party delegation visiting the Americas right now. advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Asia Society Museum (@asiasociety)We then found the full talk on the YouTube channel of the Asia Society, an American organisation that focusses on educating the world about Asia. The video's description noted that this talk was from September 10, 2024, at the Jaipur Literature Festival in New was also shared on the Asia Society's official website. At the event, India Today Group Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie spoke to Tharoor on various issues regarding Indian and American politics. The viral clip can be seen around the 12-minute-40-second mark, when Aroon Purie asks Shashi Tharoor, 'What do you think about Trump?' The day after the event, on September 11, 2024, the official accounts of the Jaipur Literature Festival, Asia Society, and Shashi Tharoor shared various photos from the talk on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by JLF International (@jlfinternational)It's noteworthy that at the time, the president of the US was Joe did Tharoor say in the US now?On Saturday, May 24, Tharoor spoke at an interaction hosted by the Consulate General of India in New York for a select group of prominent members of the Indian-American community. There, he said that the time had come to set a "new bottom line" in India's dealings with have tried everything — international dossiers, complaints, everything has been tried," he said, adding that Pakistan had remained in denial, with "no convictions, no serious criminal prosecutions, and no genuine attempt to dismantle" its terror full address can be seen below: Thus, it's clear that the viral clip of Shashi Tharoor taking a dig at Donald Trump is not recent and was made when Joe Biden was the US Watch Want to send us something for verification? Please share it on our at 73 7000 7000 You can also send us an email at factcheck@
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP disrespecting armed forces, their families: Cong MP on Jangra's remarks
Nagpur: The political storm triggered by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ram Chander Jangra's remarks on the April 22 , which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, has now reached Nagpur, drawing sharp responses from opposition leaders. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi, addressing the media outside Nagpur Airport on Sunday, strongly condemned Jangra's alleged comments and accused the BJP of repeatedly showing disregard for the armed forces and their families. "At first, a minister from Madhya Pradesh used disrespectful words for Col Sofiya Qureshi, following which both the high court and the Supreme Court reprimanded him, and an FIR was also filed," said Pratapgarhi adding, "Yet, no action was taken by BJP. He was neither removed from the cabinet nor was he suspended." Pratapgarhi also pointed out that a deputy chief minister said the army bows at the feet of the Prime Minister. "And now this Rajya Sabha member from Haryana (Jangra). Derogatory language was used against the women from martyr families, and those who lost their husbands — I want to ask the Prime Minister: what kind of language are your leaders using?" he said. Union minister for women and child development Annapurna Devi, who was in Nagpur on Sunday for an event marking the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar, too was asked about Jangra's comments. She did not address the issue directly but spoke on the status and strength of women in India. "From the very beginning, the culture and civilisation of our country has had a tradition of worshipping women. We do not just worship them, our brave women stand strong wherever they go. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Women have helped move the country forward," she said. The minister stressed that women are increasingly taking key roles in the army. "Whenever they get an opportunity, they manage both home and the world outside — and they've proven it time and again," she said, Devi also highlighted India's recent economic milestone, referencing the country's new ranking as the world's fourth-largest economy. "During the UPA tenure, we were at 11th. Under PM Modi's leadership, we moved up to 5th, and now 4th. It's clear we are aiming for 3rd, and that goal is within reach," she said adding, "We also saw how our army took swift revenge for the Pahalgam attack under PM Modi's leadership." On the other hand, Pratapgarhi questioned the real progress under the 'Viksit Bharat' vision discussed at the recent NITI Aayog meeting. "That is something we've been hearing about for 11 years. But when will it become reality? That's the real question," he said. The Congress MP also commented on the push for modern education in madarsas. "If the agenda is to provide modern education, then it should be implemented across all madarsas. But the intent must be pure — it must genuinely be about education," he said.
India Gazette
18-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Not one Kashmiri Pandit": Congress' Vivek Tankha criticises multi-party delegation list
New Delhi [India], May 18 (ANI): As India gears up to send an all-party delegation to visit key partner countries to highlight cross-border terrorism in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha on Sunday expressed strong reservations over the absence of representatives from Kashmiri Pandit community. Alleging that the government added its favourite personalities to the list of seven multi-party delegations, which aims to highlight the Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, he said that Kashmiri Pandits seem like a 'forgotten species'. 'The concept of sending 7 All Party delegations to world capitals is laudable. But unfortunately it reads like a long List of Govt favourites barring some exceptions!! The issue is 'J&K' but not one Kashmiri Pandit in the any of the 7 delegations. Looks (like) a forgotten specie(s),' Tankha posted on X. He further said that it was 'disturbing' that Kashmiri Pandits were not named under the list presented by either the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) or in the four names given by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi. 'What is disturbing that KPs are neither part of PMO India list nor are part of the list of four forwarded by LOP!! In a Nationally represented delegation not one person fr(om) Madhya Pradesh. Must be an undeserving state,' he added. His reaction comes after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju released a list of an all-party delegation (divided into seven groups) set to visit key partner countries in an effort to expose Pakistan's support for terrorism and highlight India's policy of zero-tolerance on terrorism on the global stage. The list includes MPs from multiple parties, divided into seven groups of 8-9 members. A leader has been assigned for each group, who will lead the delegation at a global level. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, while posting the list on Saturday, also highlighted how the Members of Parliament have shown a united stance of 'One mission. One message. One Bharat.' (ANI)
India Gazette
14-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Trump may have coerced, blackmailed India into ceasefire": Jairam Ramesh hits out at PM Modi, Jaishankar
New Delhi [India], May 14 (ANI): Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar over the US 's claims of having played mediator between India and Pakistan, alleging that US President Donald Trump might have 'coerced and blackmailed' India for coming to terms with the 'ceasefire'. 'A few days ago, we learnt of the ceasefire with Pakistan from the President of the United States. At a public event in Saudi Arabia yesterday, the President revealed that he may have coerced and blackmailed India into this ceasefire using the carrot-and-stick of sanctions and trade deals,' Ramesh posted on X. 'What do the typically loquacious PM and EAM have to say about this revelation? Did they mortgage India's security interests in the face of US pressure?' he added. Ramesh's remarks come after Trump said that he 'used trade' to broker a 'ceasefire' between India and Pakistan. 'Just days ago, my administration brokered a historic ceasefire to stop the escalating violence between India and Pakistan, and I used trade to a large extent. I said, 'Let us make a deal. ' Let us not trade nuclear missiles. Let us trade the things you make so beautifully. They both have powerful, smart leaders. It all stopped. I hope it remains that way,' Trump said while addressing the gathering at the Saudi-US Investment Forum 2025. On Tuesday, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked the government to clarify remarks made by US leaders on mediation for India-Pakistan talks and said the announcement that the two countries had reached an understanding to stop military action was first made by US President Donald Trump. He said several questions remain unanswered, and people expected a reply in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Address to the Nation on Monday. 'Today, PM Modi went to Adampur air base. We wanted him to visit Kashmir as well. We want PM Modi to meet the families of those who have lost their lives and listen to them. Everyone wants to listen to him. The entire country has supported him. People from every religion and section have supported PM Modi, but some questions will remain unanswered. We expected PM Modi to answer them in the address to the nation,' Chowdhury said in a post on X. Meanwhile, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday refused to comment on the US President Donald Trump taking credit for the truce between India and Pakistan, saying that the matter was confidential and would be discussed in the all-party meeting.'This is a confidential matter. We will discuss everything in the all-party meeting. It is not right to speak about it here,' Kharge told reporters here. CPI leader D Raja said that the PM should answer questions raised by opposition and for that a special session of Parliament was needed. (ANI)
