Tamil film director Pa. Ranjith meets Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi, July 11: After meeting actor Kamal Haasan last month, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has had a meeting with Tamil film director Pa. Ranjith, who had directed Dalit-centric blockbuster movies featuring superstar Rajinikanth.
"I met film director P A Ranjith the man behind blockbuster films like Madras, Kabali and Kaala and actor Kalaiyarasan, in Delhi yesterday (Tuesday)," Gandhi said in a series of tweets.
"We talked about politics, films and society. I enjoyed the interaction and look forward to continuing our dialogue," he added.
Replying to Gandhi's tweet, Ranjith wrote: "IMP.meeting with @RahulGandhi about politics and art. Discussed caste and religious bias threatening the core of our secular constitution."
"Thanks for having me over Sir. Looking forward for our discussion taking shape. A national leader engaging with people from all ideologies is very encouraging!" he added.
Rajinikanth, who has announced plans to start a political party, has talked about "spiritual" politics being his motivating factor. At a function in Chennai on Wednesday, he reportedly said that God's blessings were necessary to succeed in politics along with hard work and commitment.
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13 lakh litres of 'Rail Neer' supplied to train passengers daily: Government
New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.
"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.
"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country
"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.
"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.
Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.
"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.
"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.
