DK Shivakumar reacts to Centre's plan of changing India's name to Bharat
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed his perspective on the proposal to change the country's name from India to Bharat, emphasizing the importance of addressing the citizens' real-life needs.
Responding to reporters' questions about this name change proposal, Shivakumar stated, "The real change can be seen when the people of the country experience improvements in their lives, such as access to food, employment, and housing. Has the people's income doubled in the past nine years? Have they received the promised 15 lakhs in their bank accounts? No. The BJP used to challenge us, saying they wouldn't leave a single grain of rice unaccounted for. But have they fulfilled even one of their promises?" he questioned.
Shivakumar also pointed out that many affluent and large-scale businesspeople are leaving the country. He highlighted that numerous Indian billionaires have acquired foreign citizenships by obtaining passports from other nations, which has resulted in capital outflows from India. He emphasized that merely changing the country's name would not bring any substantial benefits and that the focus should be on transforming the nation's culture.
Furthermore, Shivakumar called for the government to introduce new legislation aimed at improving the well-being of the people. He mentioned that initiatives like the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), and the Food Security Acts were implemented during the UPA government's tenure, and he questioned whether the BJP had similar intentions.
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25 killed in lightning strikes, hailstorms in several districts of Bihar
Patna, Apr 10 (PTI): At least 25 people were killed in lightning strikes and hailstorms in several districts of Bihar on Thursday, officials said.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Nalanda reported 18 deaths, followed by two in Siwan, one each in Katihar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Jehanabad.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, however, claimed in a post on X that over 50 people died on Thursday.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of more than 50 people in various incidents of storm, rain, lightning, tree and wall collapse in Bihar. I express my deepest condolences. May God provide strength to the families affected by the disaster in this hour of grief,” he wrote in Hindi.
He also said that the state government should compensate farmers for their crop loss due to the sudden rain and give them proper compensation.
Earlier, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condoled the deaths and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.
On Wednesday, 13 people had died in lightning strikes in four districts of Bihar.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an ‘orange alert’ (be prepared) for a number of districts, including Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada and Patna.
It has also forecast heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday in these districts.
"Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) likely to occur at few places over Madhubani, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna," the IMD said in a bulletin.
Water-logging was also reported on Thursday from several parts of Patna following heavy rain.
The state capital recorded an average of 42.6 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm.
Officials of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and district administration, however, claimed that rainwater was drained out in the shortest possible time despite the downpour.
