Gwalior, Dec 25: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah delivered an inspiring address at the ‘Abhyudaya Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit’ here on Thursday, marking the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna recipient Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Speaking on the theme ‘Investment to Employment – Atal’s Resolve, a Bright Madhya Pradesh’, HM Shah hailed the state’s rapid transformation under the double-engine government, declaring that Madhya Pradesh is emerging as the growth engine of ‘Viksit Bharat’.

HM Shah lavished praise on Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for pioneering initiatives aimed at balanced regional development across the state.

He highlighted CM Yadav’s innovative approach of organising regional investment promotion events and ground-breaking ceremonies in every division, ensuring equitable growth and unlocking the untapped potential of all areas.

“Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has taken thoughtful steps to establish a strong foundation for all-round development through his regional investment committees,” he said, adding that these efforts surpass even the energetic pace set by previous long-serving BJP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The Home Minister emphasised the critical importance of symmetrical industrial establishment to leverage Madhya Pradesh’s strategic geographical location.

He pointed to the traditional strength of cotton production in the Malwa and Gwalior-Chambal regions, noting that declining farmer incomes due to unfair prices could be reversed by setting up processing and allied industries locally. This would minimise transportation costs, make cotton farming profitable again, and connect seamlessly to markets in Delhi, western states, and nearby districts.

HM Shah described the day’s massive investment push – with foundation stones laid for 1,655 industrial units worth over Rs 2 lakh crore, expected to create 193,000 jobs – as a fitting tribute to former Prime Minister Vajpayee’s vision of good governance and national progress.

Held in Vajpayee’s birthplace, the summit, he said, embodied the late leader’s ideology of self-reliance, development, and inclusive growth, giving it a grand resonance on this auspicious occasion.

HM Shah expressed hope for continued central support, promising that true welfare stems from aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a prosperous India. The event, attended by prominent industrialists and cabinet ministers, reinforced Madhya Pradesh’s commitment to converting investments into widespread employment and regional prosperity.

Mumbai, Dec 25: Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, hailed war heroes, farmers, and the specially abled as the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) — India’s newest Greenfield airport — welcomed its first passengers on Thursday.

The airport, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8, began its operations on the day of Christmas.

Welcoming the first passengers, the Adani Group Chairman saluted the soldiers who protect the nation, workers who built the airport for their “unbreakable spirit”, farmers who feed the country, and the specially abled who inspire the nation.

“It was a deeply moving moment to stand beside Param Vir Chakra awardees Captain Bana Singh and Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar as the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) welcomed its very first passengers,” said Gautam Adani, in a post on social media platform X.

“In that moment, alongside the war heroes, stood the other quiet architects of the nation — the workers who built this airport with their bare hands and unbreakable spirit; the farmers and their families who feed India; the social workers who selflessly serve millions alongside the @AdaniFoundation; and our specially abled colleagues who inspire us every single day. For many of them, this was the first flight of their lives,” the Adani Group Chairman added.

“Soldiers who protect Bharat. Workers who build Bharat. Farmers who sustain Bharat. Social workers who serve Bharat. The specially abled who inspire Bharat,” the industrialist said.

Gautam Adani stated that NMIA showcases an opportunity for the country to move forward without leaving anyone behind.

“@AdaniPriti and I were deeply honoured to stand with them at NMIA – a moment that captured what this airport truly represents – opportunity with dignity, and a rising India that moves forward without leaving anyone behind,” the Adani Group Chairman said.

“Their blessings, their courage, and their resilience drive us every single day to build bigger, serve better, and work harder in service of the nation. Jai Hind,” the businessman added.

NMIA is a public-private partnership (PPP) between Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), a subsidiary of Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL), which holds the majority stake of 74 per cent, while the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) hold the remaining 26 per cent.

In the first month, NMIA will operate for 12 hours — between 08:00 hours and 20:00 hours — handling 23 scheduled daily departures.

During the initial launch period, passengers will benefit from services operated by IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air, connecting Mumbai to 16 major domestic destinations.

Starting February 2026, the airport will transition to round-the-clock operations, expanding to 34 daily departures to meet the increasing needs of the MMR.

NMIA is also conducting comprehensive Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) trials in collaboration with all stakeholders, including security agencies and airline partners.

Kolkata, Dec 25: A Booth Level Officer (BLO) has gone missing in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district before the start of the hearing process of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, said the police on Thursday.

According to his family members, he has been untraceable for the past two days. The BLO’s identity card is at his home, along with various enumeration forms and related documents. The disappearance of the BLO before the public hearing of the SIR process has caused a stir in the area.

The district administration has also launched efforts to find the missing BLO.

The police said that the name of the BLO is Amit Kumar Mondal, a resident of Bikihat area under Khajurdihi Panchayat in Katwa I block of East Burdwan district, and a teacher by profession. He teaches at Uddharanpur Primary School in Ketugram. He is in charge of Booth No. 23 of the Katwa Assembly constituency as a BLO.

According to his family, on Tuesday, around 10 a.m., the BLO returned home from the market, parked his motorbike and went out again. He told his family that he had a BLO meeting. After the afternoon passed, the BLO did not return home.

When the family members started a search for him, they found his mobile phone, BLO identity card and SIR-related documents lying at home. The family searched for him in various places, including the homes of relatives, but could not trace him. That same night, the family filed a missing person report at the Katwa police station. It has been over two days, and there is still no trace of him.

The mystery surrounding Amit Kumar Mondal’s disappearance is deepening. The family is also clueless about the reason for his disappearance. The family claimed that he had been under some pressure since taking the responsibility of working as a BLO

It is learnt that there are 641 voters in Amit Kumar Mondal’s Booth No. 23. He had distributed notices to 33 voters for the hearing. The hearing is scheduled to begin in two days, where his presence as the BLO is mandatory.

However, his disappearance before that has put the administration in a challenging position. Katwa Sub-Divisional Officer Anirban Basu did not give any official statement to the media on this matter.

Sources said that if he is not found in due time, then a replacement will be made to complete his unfinished work.

A senior officer of East Burdwan district police said, “Based on the missing person diary lodged by the family, a search has started to trace the BLO. So far, he has not been found.”