Modi to first-time voters: Dedicate vote for 'air strike' men
Ausa (Maha): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday appeared treading on sensitive ground, as he asked first-time voters to dedicate their vote to those who carried out the air strike in Balakot.
"Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the air strike," Modi said, appealing to first-time voters at a poll rally here in Latur district of Maharashtra.
"I want to tell the first-time voters: can your first vote be dedicated to the veer jawans (valiant soldiers) who carried out the air strike in Pakistan).
"Can your first vote be dedicated to the veer shaheed (brave martyrs) of Pulwama (terror attack)," Modi said.
The PM said the first-time voters should remember that their first vote is something which they will remember for the rest of their lives. "You will always remember to whom did you vote and in which election," Modi said.
"Can your first vote be dedicated to (the cause of) providing pucca houses to the poor. Should not your first vote go for providing water in farms of farmers," he said.
"Should not you vote for 'healthcare for all' and the Ayushman Bharat scheme," Modi said. Stepping up his attack on the Congress, Modi said had its leaders acted wisely, Pakistan would not have been created.
Pakistan would not have been born in 1947 had Congress leaders acted wisely in the pre-Independence era, Modi said.
The Congress party's manifesto speaks the same language as that of Pakistan, he added.
Referring to National Conference leader Omar Abdullah's remark, Modi accused the Congress and its ally NCP of standing with those who want a separate prime minister for Jammu and Kashmir.
Hitting out at NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Modi wondered if it behoved the Maratha strongman to join forces with the parties holding such a view.
Under the BJP's watch it is the policy of 'New India' that it will kill terrorists by barging into their dens, he said.
Modi said the opposition parties were questioning the valour of the security forces after the Pulwama terror attack and the air strike in Balakot.
Attacking the Congress, the prime minister alleged that corruption was the only activity which the party does "with honesty" after coming to power.
"You must have seen how boxes full of currency notes are being recovered from the houses of Congress courtiers.
Buying votes shows their political culture. They are saying for the last six months that the watchman is a thief but from where have the notes come out and who is the real thief?," Modi said.
Modi's remarks came after the recent income tax raids at several locations, including in Delhi and Madhya Pradesh, against close aides of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and others on charges of tax evasion and hawala transactions.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been attacking the prime minister using the 'chowkidar chor hai' phrase, alleging corruption in the Rafale deal.
He said the Congress wants to take back the special powers given to armed forces. "Pakistan too wants the same thing so that terrorists have a free run. The Congress has said it wants to do away with the sedition laws. Pakistan too wants this. It wants free hand for those who want to work against India," he added.
"Those who talk such things, can you trust these people? Can these people safeguard the country," Modi said. Modi hailed the BJP manifesto, released in Delhi Monday, and said the party is committed to national security and farmers' welfare.
"Your trust is my biggest accomplishment in the last five years," Modi told the crowd.
He also said his objective is to rid India of naxal and Maoist menace.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray also attended the rally.
Modi referred to Thackeray as his "younger brother" and eulogised Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray, whom he lauded for not occupying the chief minister's post and not installing Uddhav, his son, either in that chair.
Parties like the Congress who encourage dynastic rule should learn from Balasahab (on this aspect), he said.
Addressing the poll rally with Modi, their first since the Shiv Sena and BJP announced their tie-up for the Lok Sabha polls, Uddhav Thackeray asked the PM to deal Pakistan such a blow that nothing remains of it to mess with India.
He also welcomed the BJP's manifesto.
Modi reached the rally stage at this town in Latur district of Maharashtra holding hands with Thackeray. Both the leaders were later garlanded together with a large garland.
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Bearys education announces ‘campus connect & talent hunt 2026,' offers up to 100% scholarships
Mangaluru: Bearys Education has announced the launch of its “Campus Connect & Talent Hunt 2026,” scheduled to be held on April 11 at the Bearys Knowledge Campus near Mangalore University in Innoli.
The initiative, aimed at promoting academic excellence and student empowerment, will offer scholarships of up to 100 percent on tuition fees for meritorious candidates.
The programme seeks to identify and support students aspiring to pursue Pre-University Course (PUC), degree, engineering and architecture programmes.
The event is open to students from SSLC (Class 10), PUC (Class 12), Diploma and ITI streams, along with their parents. Organisers said the day-long programme will focus on guidance, engagement and opportunities for students planning their academic future.
A Talent Hunt Examination will be conducted on April 11 at 9.30 am, with eligibility extended to students completing SSLC and PUC in 2026. Based on their performance, candidates will be considered for scholarships of up to 100 per cent.
The event will also feature a career guidance and counselling session led by Ameen-E-Mudassar, CEO of CIGMA. In addition, a technical and science expo showcasing student-led innovations, along with a food festival, will be organised as part of the programme.
Organisers stated that the initiative reflects the institution’s focus on quality education, personality development and integrity, while marking over 120 years of educational service.
Interested participants can register before April 8 by scanning the QR code provided in the official announcement (provided below) or by contacting 89704 96949, 81239 04351, or 99000 66888.
