Must be something special about turning 66: Shashi Tharoor after Amit Shah greets him on birthday
New Delhi, Mar 9: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor received birthday greetings on Wednesday from President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and several other leaders.
Tharoor said he was "surprised and touched" to receive a telephone call from Shah, wishing him on his birthday, and added that "there must be something special about turning 66".
"Surprised and touched to receive a telephone call from Home Minister @AmitShah wishing me on my birthday. There must be something special about turning 66! Most grateful for the kind words," the former Union minister wrote on Twitter.
He also tweeted Modi's letter, wishing him on his birthday.
"Birthday a special occasion to recollect the memories of the past. At the same time, it is also the day that inspires us to fulfil our duties towards our family, society and the nation with new enthusiasm. May you continue to strive for the welfare of people with renewed dedication in the years to come," Modi said in his letter to Tharoor.
"May you be blessed with a long life filled with good health. I once again extend my best wishes for your birthday," he said.
Tagging the letter, Tharoor tweeted: "Touched to receive these thoughtful greetings from @narendramodi ji. He is always gracious in making these gestures of courtesy & kindness."
Kovind also wished Tharoor on his birthday.
"Honoured to receive good wishes from @rashtrapatibhvn. My thanks to President Kovind for his exemplary adornment of the nation's highest office," the Congress leader said in another tweet, tagging the president's letter to him.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla extended birthday wishes to Tharoor, wishing him years of dedicated service in the interest of people and the country.
Responding to his wishes, Tharoor said, "Thank you @loksabhaspeaker @ombirlakota ji. Looking forward to seeing you in action when Parliament resumes next week!"
Several other leaders, including BJP's Gautam Gambhir, Telangana minister K T Rama Rao, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, NCP's Amol Kolhe, Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi and his party colleague Sachin Pilot wished the Thiruvananthapuram MP on the occasion.
Surprised and touched to receive a telephone call from Home Minister @AmitShah wishing me on my birthday. There must be something special about turning 66! Most grateful for the kind words.
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) March 9, 2022
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India will ensure zero casualty during heat waves: Shah
Ghaziabad (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said his ministry has prepared a plan to ensure zero human casualty during heat waves in the country in the next few years with the underlying principle of being "proactive" rather than "reactive" towards disasters.
The minister spoke after he presented the President's Colour to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) at the campus of its 8th battalion here.
The President's Colour flag is awarded to a military or police unit for rendering exceptional service.
The honour came to the force in the 20th year of its establishment after it was raised in 2006 as a federal contingency force to undertake relief and rescue operations during natural and man-made disasters.
The President's Colour is not just a "recognition" for the excellent services of the NDRF but also of all the state disaster response forces, the state machinery, the NCC (National Cadet Corps), NSS (National Service Scheme), 'Apda Seva Mitras' (volunteers) among others, Shah said.
He added that the NDRF has earned the "admiration and trust" of the people of the country and even abroad through its operations.
The minister said the aim of the Modi government was to ensure "zero casualty and minimum property damage" during tragedies and calamities, including cyclones, earthquakes and floods.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has prepared a plan to better combat the "serious challenge" of heat waves in the country and we will be able to ensure "zero casualty" in this context over the next few years, Shah said.
Our approach and policy has been "proactive" against disasters rather than being just "reactive", he said.
Shah said India has made its name as a "global leader" in disaster management and being the "first responder" during calamities as he asked the NDRF to prepare itself in the face of global warming and climate change.
The NDRF has 16 operational battalions deployed across the country with an overall strength of about 18,000 personnel.
Speaking during the event, NDRF Director General (DG) Piyush Anand said the force has undertaken more than 12,000 operations since its creation.
