PM inaugurates birth centenary celebrations of Rani Gaidinliu

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today emphasized that India must remember the glorious heritage of the freedom struggle, and ensure that the legacy of the struggles and achievements of our freedom fighters is passed on to succeeding generations. Speaking after the launch of a commemorative coin to mark the inauguration of the birth centenary celebrations of Rani Gaidinliu, the Prime Minister said it is our misfortune that people such as Rani Gaidinliu have either not been remembered adequately, or have been deliberately forgotten.

The Prime Minister recalled Rani Gaidinliu’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle. Referring to her as “Rani-Maa,” he said that she believed that her struggle for the Naga people against the British, was also a struggle for India’s unity and integrity. The Prime Minister also credited Rani Gaidinliu with spreading the message of Mahatma Gandhi in the North-East.

He regretted that she could not enter her village for many years after independence. He said India has not been made by kings or rulers, but by its people.

The Prime Minister said Rani-Maa’s thoughts on living in harmony with nature could provide an answer to the problem of climate change being faced by the world today.

The Prime Minister spoke of his Government’s initiatives for the development of the North-East. He reiterated that the progress of the north-east will provide a big boost to the development of the entire nation. He said the Land Boundary Agreement signed recently with Bangladesh would help improve connectivity of the region with the rest of the country. Referring to the recently signed Naga Peace Accord, the Prime Minister said it was due to the efforts of successive governments, that such an agreement could be reached.

The Governor of Nagaland Shri P.B. Acharya, the Chief Minister of Nagaland Shri T.R. Zeliang, the Chief Minister of Manipur Shri O. Ibobi Singh, and Union Ministers Shri Rajnath Singh, Shri Arun Jaitley, Dr.Mahesh Sharma, and Dr. Jitendra Singh were present.

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All Party Delegation from Karnataka calls on PM

An all party delegation from the State of Karnataka, led by Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah called on the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.

The delegation sought the Prime Minister's intervention for an out-of-Tribunal settlement on the Mahadayi River water issue, which concerns the States of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra. The matter is currently before a Tribunal. The Prime Minister suggested that a consensus in this regard would be necessary among various political parties in all three states, before an attempt can be made to resolve the matter through mutual consultations, out of the Tribunal.

The delegation raised the issue of severe drought in the State of Karnataka, especially in the northern parts of the State. The Prime Minister said a Central Team is being sent to the State to assess the situation, at the earliest.

The delegation raised the problems being faced by sugarcane farmers, due to the fall in sugar prices. The Prime Minister said these problems were being faced by sugarcane farmers across the country, and the Union Government is a taking a number of steps to address them.

The delegation also requested for a hike in the import duty of silk to 30 percent, to protect the interests of the mulberry growers in the State. The Prime Minister said this request would be examined.

Union Ministers Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Shri Ananth Kumar and Shri Sadananda Gowda, and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Shri Mallikarjun Kharge were present at the meeting.

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PM condoles the loss of lives in Bangalore City-Nanded express train accident

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the loss of lives in Bangalore City-Nanded express train accident, near Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh.

"My thoughts are with the families of all those who lost their lives in the unfortunate accident of the Bangalore City-Nanded express.

My condolences to the family of Karnataka MLA Shri Venkatesh Naik. He will be remembered for his service to society", the Prime Minister said.