Some people trying to divide society; India's unity key to make it a developed nation: Narendra Modi
Ahmedabad (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said some people were trying to divide the society for their vested interests and need to be defeated, and stressed on the need for unity and integrity to make India a developed nation by 2047.
He was virtually addressing a gathering of devotees at Vadtal in Gujarat's Kheda district on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Shree Swaminarayan Temple in the town.
"Unity among citizens and integrity of the nation is important to make India a developed nation by 2047. But, unfortunately some people are trying to divide our society on caste, religious, linguistic, men-women, village-city lines due to their vested interests or due to their narrow-mindedness," the PM said.
"We have to understand their intentions and will have to unite to defeat them," he said in his address via video conferencing.
Modi requested all saints of the Swaminarayan sect to join each and every citizen of the country in the pledge to make India a developed nation.
"I am happy that the Government of India has issued a coin to commemorate 200 years of Swaminarayan Temple, Vadtal. Lord Swaminarayan had come at a difficult time of our history and gave us new strength," Modi said.
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Gambhir is prickly character, never took dig at Kohli: Ponting
Melbourne, Nov 13: Responding to Gautam Gambhir's jibe at him, former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting on Wednesday said the India head coach was a "prickly character" and insisted that his comments on Virat Kohli should not be construed as a dig on the star batter, who himself would be worried about his prolonged lean patch.
Ponting, in an interview to ICC, had said that Kohli's poor form would be a concern and any other international player would have struggle to keep his spot in the Test side with just two hundreds in five years.
He though had also spoken highly of Kohli's ability to bounce back.
Gambhir, when asked about Ponting's comments, said the Australian legend needn't be concerned about Indian cricket.
"I was surprised to read the reaction but knowing the coach, Gautam Gambhir ... he's quite a prickly character, so I’m not surprised it was him who said something back," Ponting told 7News when asked about Gambhir's comments.
"If he comes my way, yeah. I don't expect him to. We have got quite a bit of history, against each other. I have actually coached him at Delhi Capitals and he is quite a prickly character," Ponting said in jest when the anchor asked if he would shake hands with Gambhir if they cross path.
One of the greatest batters of his time, Ponting then explained what he meant and felt that things were taken out of context.
"In no way was it a dig at him (Kohli). I actually followed it up by saying he's played well in Australia and he'll be keen to bounce back over here...If you ask Virat, I'm sure he would be a little bit concerned that he hasn't been able to make the same amount of hundreds as he has in previous years," he said.
