Government working to realise Bapu's vision on sanitation: Sitharaman
New Delhi, Oct 2 : Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the Narendra Modi government believed in Mahatma Gandhis vision on sanitation and was working to realise it.
"Gandhi ji said that sanitation is more important than independence. The government believes in this vision of Bapu," the Minister said.
She said even after 72 years of Independence and despite many awareness programmes about sanitation and personal cleanliness launched by earlier governments, not much progress could be achieved.
"Therefore, in order to fulfil dream of Mahatma Gandhi to make India clean, Swachh Bharat Mission was introduced," she said.
She said Swachh Bharat Mission is the biggest public campaign launched by the government on October 02, 2014, wherein people, government employees and students have voluntarily taken part.
The 62 Cantonment Boards under the Defence Ministry actively participated in ‘Swachhta Hi Sewa' campaign from September 15 to October 2 this year. She said out of 62 cantonments, 61 across the country have been certified as Open Defecation Free (ODF).
Sitharaman also participated in the 'shramdaan' (voluntary labour) with a broom outside Cantonment General Hospital at Sadar Bazar along with senior officials.
She also inaugurated a free health camp organized by the Delhi Cantonment Board at Cantonment General Hospital.
Deputy Director General Defence Estates Suresh Nagar administered Swachhta oath to the gathering. Director General Defence Estates Deepa Bajwa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Subhash Chandra, General officer Commanding (GOC) Delhi Area Lt. Gen Asit Mistry and other senior officers of Defence Ministry were also present.
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Gold, silver soar as US-Iran deal hopes lift bullion demand
New Delhi (PTI): Gold prices rebounded by Rs 2,900 to Rs 1.55 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday, while silver climbed to Rs 2.54 lakh per kilogram as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a pullback in oil rates, boosting demand for precious metals.
According to the All India Sarafa Association, the yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity jumped by Rs 2,900, or nearly 2 per cent, to Rs 1,55,400 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from Tuesday's closing level of Rs 1,52,500 per 10 grams.
Traders attributed the surge in bullion prices to reports that Washington and Tehran are close to finalising a framework agreement to end months of conflict, raising the prospects of smoother flows through the Strait of Hormuz and easing inflation concerns tied to energy markets.
"Gold rallied strongly on Wednesday as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a sharp reversal in key macro drivers that had recently pressured precious metals," Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
Silver prices also advanced for the third straight session by rising Rs 3,500, or 1.4 per cent, to Rs 2,54,500 per kg (inclusive of all taxes). The metal had settled at Rs 2,51,000 per kg in the previous session, as per the Association.
"The prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough triggered a steep decline in oil prices and the US dollar, easing concerns about inflation while boosting demand for precious metals," Gandhi said.
Globally, spot gold increased by USD 106.15, or 2.33 per cent, to USD 4,663.70 per ounce while silver gained USD 3.40, or 4.68 per cent, to USD 76.24 per ounce.
"Gold witnessed a sharp rally as markets reacted positively to reports that the US and Iran are moving closer to a one-page agreement framework aimed at ending the conflict," Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said.
Despite strong international gains, rupee strength limited the upside in domestic gold prices. The market is now highly focused on final confirmation and execution of the proposed deal, he added.
Any negative surprise or breakdown in negotiations could trigger a sharp sell-off in gold, while a successful agreement and sustained ceasefire could push the bullion prices higher in the near-term, Trivedi said.
