Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge criticizes RSS ideology, calls it anti-democratic, anti-national
Kalaburagi: Priyank Kharge, the Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development in Karnataka, expressed his views on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideology during a press conference held in Kalaburagi on Saturday. He questioned whether anyone had genuinely benefited from adhering to the RSS ideology and labeled it as both anti-democratic and anti-national.
Speaking to reporters at the Aiwan-E-Shahi Guest House in the city, Kharge stated, "The RSS does not ensure employment opportunities for people. It neither contributes positively to society nor demonstrates patriotism in any meaningful way. I have no reservations about discussing the RSS, and I firmly assert that its ideology has not proved advantageous for any of its followers."
Kharge went on to say, "It is essential for the government to promote a scientific approach to education. It would be commendable if the government implements programs in line with the principles of the Indian Constitution." He added, "However, if the government chooses to saffronize education, such a move would be highly objectionable."
Furthermore, Kharge challenged the RSS to establish its own private educational institutions if it is truly enthusiastic about making a meaningful contribution to education in the country.
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.
Mumbai Metro lines 9 and 2B open for commuters
Mumbai (PTI): Commercial operations on the first phases of Mumbai Metro corridors 9 and 2B began on Wednesday morning, a day after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the mass-transit routes, officials said.
While the Metro 9 marks the first direct connectivity between a suburb in Mumbai and a part of Thane city in the metropolitan region, the Line 2B will provide the first metro connectivity on the Harbour Line in Mumbai.
The 5.6-km elevated Phase 1 stretch of Metro Line 9 comprises four stations -- Dahisar East, Pandurangwadi, Miragaon and Kashigaon. The 5.53-km Phase 1 of Metro Line 2B has five stations, including Deshbhakt N G Acharya Udyan (Diamond Garden), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk, Deonar, Mankhurd and Maharashtra Nagar–Mandale.
ALSO READ: Speaker Om Birla to inaugurate CPA India Region meet in Panaji on Thursday
According to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), Line 9 is expected to cut travel time between Mira-Bhayandar in Thane district and Mumbai to around 30 minutes from the current one to two hours. Built at Rs 6,607 crore, it will eventually provide seamless connectivity to south Mumbai through interlinking with other lines.
With the addition of the two new lines, Mumbai’s operational Metro network has expanded to six corridors, including Line 1 (Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova), Line 2A (Andheri West-Dahisar East), Line 7 (Dahisar East-Andheri East) and the underground Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra Kurla Complex-SEEPZ).
As per MMRDA, the revised timetable for Line 2A and Line 7 came into effect on Wednesday, aimed at improving frequency, predictability and overall commuter experience.
It said that with the inauguration of Line 9, Metro Line 2A will now operate as a standalone corridor between Andheri West and Dahisar East, with services from 5.50 am till around 11 pm and a peak frequency of about six minutes.
The integrated Line 7-9 corridor (Gundavali to Kashigaon), spanning 19.79 km, will operate from 5.50 am to 11 pm, with a peak frequency of under six minutes and 276 services on weekdays.
Metro Line 2B (Phase 1) services commenced at 6 am and will run till around 10.30 pm at intervals of approximately nine-and-a-half minutes, operating 209 services daily, according to officials.
MMRDA said the integration of Line 7 with Line 9 enables direct connectivity from Andheri East to Mira-Bhayandar, while Lines 2A and 7 will function as separate corridors.
A seamless interchange facility at Dahisar station will allow passengers to switch between Lines 2A and 7 without exiting the “paid” (ticketed) area.
