India's water will be now be utilised for the country: PM Modi
New Delhi, May 6 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed on Tuesday that India's water will no longer flow outside the country but will be utilised in the nation's interest, remarks which were clearly aimed at Pakistan following his government’s decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Addressing the ABP Network's ‘India@2047’ Summit, Modi highlighted his government’s focus on interlinking of rivers, noting that water used to be a source of conflict among states, before hinting at India’s move against Pakistan as he cited ongoing discussion around water.
“Pahle Bharat ke haq ka pani bhi bahar ja raha tha. Ab Bharat ka pani Bharat ke haq mein bahega. Bharat ke haq mein rukega. Aur Bharat ke hee kaam aayega. (Earlier, the water which rightfully belonged to India was going outside the country. Now India's water will flow and stop in the country's interest, and will be used for India),” he said in Hindi as the audience cheered.
Modi, however, made no direct reference to Pakistan or any other comment on the rising tensions between the two countries following the terror strike that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists.
Speaking about the finalisation of the India-UK free trade agreement, Modi said it is a historic day and this pact between two big and open market economies will mark a new chapter in the development of the two countries.
“This will boost economic activity in India and will open new ways and opportunities for Indian businesses and MSMEs,” he said, adding that it will help the youth.
The prime minister said India is not only carrying out reforms, but by actively engaging with the world, it is also making itself a vibrant trade and commerce hub.
“For taking big decisions and achieving objectives, it is important to give primacy to national interest and believe in the capability of the country,” he said.
The prime minister focused on the country’s growth and development under his government’s nearly 11 years of rule, saying it has served the poor and deprived sections of society while prioritising development as it has been solely driven by the interest of the country.
“We are moving from a GDP-centric approach to progress based on Gross Empowerment of People (GEP),” he said, citing a host of welfare schemes, including for housing and health insurance, for different sections of society.
His government has combined tradition with development and technology, he said, adding that if India tops in digital transactions, then it has also taken yoga and ayurveda to the world.
When people look at the country now, they can proudly say “democracy can deliver”, he said, adding that their trust was running low before his government took over as he slammed the previous regimes for being beholden to extraneous interests, including vote bank compulsions.
Referring to the new Waqf law, Modi said the need for the reforms was felt for decades but to satisfy a vote bank even this noble work was defamed.
“Now the amendments have been made which in the real sense will help poor Muslim mothers and sisters and poor Pasmanda Muslims,” he said, while also touching on his government’s decision to ban triple talaq.
It harmed innumerable Muslim women but was allowed to continue, he said.
In his address, he said the biggest dream of this changing India is to become ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
“The country has the capabilities, resources and the willpower for it,” he said.
“For decades, a counterstream prevailed in the country. There was a time when, before taking a big decision, it was thought - ‘what would the world think? Will we get votes or not? And decisions and big reforms languished due to such reasons,” Modi said, adding that a country does not move forward like this.
It advances when the basis of decisions is ‘Nation First’, he stressed.
In the last decade, India has moved forward with this mantra, and the results are there for all to see, he said.
“Our government has taken decisions which had been languishing and did not see the light of day due to a lack of political willpower,” he said.
Modi said direct benefit transfer weeded out 10 crore fake beneficiaries, saving Rs 3.5 lakh crore.
India, he noted, has begun doing well in sectors where it was not traditionally strong. He spoke about India’s rising defence exports, with over 100 countries being supplied with its defence products, and its emergence as an exporter of electronic products as well.
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UP: Govt hospital staff booked for sexually assaulting woman in pretext of ultrasound test
Gorakhpur (PTI): A hospital employee was booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in the pretext of an ultrasound test here in the district women's hospital, police said on Saturday.
According to the complaint, the woman, a resident of the Gulriha area, visited the district women's hospital on Thursday morning for an ultrasound test.
She was directed to a room, where Abhimanyu Gupta was conducting ultrasounds. When her turn came, the accused allegedly stared at her and told her to remove all her clothes, claiming it was necessary for the test and that a massage would also be required, she said.
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The woman alleged that once she complied, the accused began making obscene advances and tried to force himself on her. When she screamed, he allegedly gagged her, abused her and threatened to kill her before pushing her out of the room.
She said her complaints within the hospital went unheard, forcing her to approach the police.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, the hospital administration constituted a three-member inquiry committee, officials said.
Senior consultant (paediatrics) Dr Jay Kumar said, "The woman has levelled serious allegations against a staff member. Senior officials have been informed, and a departmental inquiry is underway. Strict action will be taken if the charges are proved."
Kotwali Station House Officer Chatrapal Singh said a case has been registered, and efforts are on to nab the accused.
