CRPF soldier Guru's wife says she is proud of her husband
"My husband was protecting country, but he did not get protection"
Bengaluru, February 15: “How my husband was killed, they (terrorists) should also be killed in the same way..” said Kalavathi, wife of CRPF soldier Guru, who was killed in the terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir.
She said that “I got the news of my husband’s death at 11 pm. Yesterday, my husband called me. As I was busy in household works, I could not receive the call. But when I tried again, I could not reach him. Though I had the last opportunity to speak to him over phone, it was my fate like my husband’s that I could not get the chance”, she said.
“Give me my husband back. If it is the everyday incident that the soldiers who protect the border of the country meet such accidental deaths, send them all back home. At least, they could protect and guard their family members”, Kalavati said in her grief.
Guru was working in Srinagar. But she said that he did not convey her that he was going to Pulwama.
“Despite worst weather, my husband has worked in different parts of the country. He used to tell me about the problems while protecting the border. I am proud of him for protecting the country. Unfortunately, he did not get the protection when he required it”, she said.
District Minister CS Puttaraju said that the government has decided to give a government job to Kalavathi. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, former chief minister Siddaramaiah, opposition leader BS Yeddyurappa paid their homage to the soldier.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Metro ridership in Haryana sees over 13 pc rise in 2025-26
Chandigarh (PTI): Haryana's urban transit system witnessed a strong growth in 2025-26, with metro ridership registering a robust 13.55 per cent increase, the state government said in a statement on Thursday.
The progress was reviewed in the 64th board meeting of Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC) chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi.
Between April 2025 and February 2026, the metro network recorded over 1.74 crore passengers, compared to 1.53 crore in the corresponding period the previous year.
July recorded the highest monthly growth at 22.93 per cent, while all months showed consistent positive trends.
Financial performance has also remained strong, with fare revenue rising 12.64 per cent till January 2026, the statement said.
Non-fare revenue surged by 108 per cent, driven by effective monetisation of station spaces, advertisements and commercial activities, resulting in an operating surplus for Rapid Metro.
Further initiatives, including the auction of station naming rights and additional advertisement sites, are expected to strengthen HMRTC's financial position, the statement said.
Appreciating the performance, Rastogi stated that the consistent rise in ridership and revenue reflects the success of Haryana's integrated transport strategy, rising commuter confidence and a clear shift towards public transport.
HMRTC Managing Director Chander Shekhar Khare said that, alongside operational gains, the state is making steady progress on an ambitious pipeline of metro and regional transit projects.
Metro connectivity from Gurugram Sector 56 to Panchgaon is under active consideration, with Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited studying the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and layout plan, and finalising a depot location in Sector 36A near Sihi village, he said.
The Gurugram-Faridabad Namo Bharat corridor has achieved a key milestone, with alignment and station locations finalised and approved by the Haryana government. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation is preparing the DPR, he added.
Similarly, the Delhi-Kundli metro extension is proposed to be placed before the Haryana Cabinet for approval.
The 136.3-kilometre Delhi-Panipat-Karnal RRTS Corridor has also progressed, with the revised DPR submitted for financial concurrence ahead of Haryana Cabinet consideration.
Within Gurugram, DPR preparation has been approved for key intra-city corridors, including the 17.09-kilometre Bhondsi-Subhash Chowk-Rajeev Chowk-Sohna Chowk Railway Station corridor, enhancing connectivity along Sohna Road, Khare said.
