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Modi slams previous govts for creating water crisis in Bundelkhand

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Nov 19 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lashed out at ‘previous governments in Lucknow and Delhi’ for creating water crisis in the Bundelkhand region.

At a rally that marked the inauguration of the Arjun Sahayak project, the Prime Minister said: “The wait for water is over now. Over four lakh people will get clean drinking water. The people of Mahoba, Banda, Hamirpur and Lalitpur will benefit from this scheme.”

He said that Bundelkhand at one time, was a model for water conservation and management. Rivers like Ken, Betwa, Dhasan made the region famous and prosperous.

“The land of Bundelkhand blessed Lord Ram when he was in exile. However, those who ruled Delhi and UP never worked towards its development. Earlier governments mistreated the region,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that water problem in the region became so acute that people refused to marry their daughters in this area and this led to migration.

“The previous family-oriented government destroyed natural resources and allowed the mafia to prosper. After Yogi Adityanath came to power, the mafia was bulldozed but you should not forget what the previous governments did to you. In their regime, scams and commissions were the order of the day,” he stated.

He said that the previous government showed no interest in the Arjun Sahayak Yojana because they worked to loot and we work to serve. “Some do the politics of problem while we do the politics of solution,” he said.

Modi said that the scheme will give a new lease of life to the Bundelkhand region.

“Over 30 lakh families have benefitted from the ‘nal se jal’ scheme,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Arjuna Sahayak irrigation project worth Rs 2,655 crore, is a significant initiative to alleviate water distress in the districts like Mahoba, Hamirpur and Banda and to bring relief to the farmers of the state.

The mega project on the river Dhasan will not only provide irrigation facilities to over 1.5 lakh farmers of about 168 villages of Mahoba, Banda and Hamirpur but will also facilitate the provision of clean drinking water (potable water) to over 4 lakh families residing in water-scarce regions.

The project will play an important role in benefitting the crop growers along with other projects.

The project, which started nearly a decade ago (2009-10), will not only make Bundelkhand green but its operationalisation will also help in irrigation of around 44,382 hectares of land in the districts of Mahoba, Hamirpur and Banda.

Along with this, 15,104-hectare irrigation capacity will also be restored. In addition, 20 MCM drinking water will also be available to Mahoba from the Kabrai Dam.

Nearly 1,49,755 farmers of 168 villages will be benefitted.

According to the government spokesman, the Arjun Sahayak Project, which was started in the year 2009-10 at a cost of Rs 850 crore, was to be completed in the year 2015.

However, due to the neglect of the previous governments, not only the completion of the project was delayed but also its cost was increased to Rs 2655.36 crore.

The Bundelkhand region, for long, has been facing acute water shortage where most wells and hand-pumps have dried up due to decreasing groundwater levels. The residents in the drought-prone regions were forced to buy basic necessities such as drinking water.

In view of solving the water crisis in such regions, the government completed the Rasin Dam Project (Chitrakoot) Bandai Dam Project (Lalitpur) between March 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021.

In the coming days, projects like Kulpahar and Shahzad of Bundelkhand will serve as a model for the state. These are being connected to the sprinkler system. With this, more irrigation will be done in less water and the yield will also increase.

National News

Eid shopping in Kashmir picks up as people throng markets

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Srinagar, June 5: Traffic jams, pedestrian malls packed with pavement sellers, sacrificial animal markets dotting scores of places and buyers jostling and haggling mark the Eid al-Adha shopping in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar city and other cities and towns of the Valley.

Against fears that less enthusiastic shoppers would turn out to mark the Eid eve preparations, Kashmiris are coming out in large numbers, smiling and full of enthusiasm to celebrate the holiest festival of Bakr Eid or Eid al Adha on June 7. The festival also marks the successful conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Bakery shops, hosiery outlets and poultry shops were bustling with buyers, but the main focus remained on the sacrificial animal markets.

City’s largest sacrificial animal market at Eidgah grounds had flocks of sheep, goats, and a few camels available for the devout to buy. Although rates are competitive and reasonable at the various sacrificial animal markets yet the better-bred sheep and goats are a little costlier than the average breeds.

Muslims all over the World offer animal sacrifices on Bakr Eid to commemorate the sacrifice offered by Prophet Abrahim, who, under Allah’s command, chose to sacrifice his son, Ismail, in submission to the divine command. When Prophet Abrahim blindfolded himself and started to move the blade on Ismail’s throat, a sheep from Heaven replaced Ismail under the knife as Ismail stood smiling some distance away from his father. The father’s ultimate submission to Allah’s will finally became a great celebration as Abrahim returned home holding his son Ismail’s hand in joy.

It is to commemorate the great sacrifice Prophet Abrahim chose to make and the even greater blessing of Allah to accept the sacrifice and save Ismail from the knife that Muslims join in global festivities on Bakr Eid. The festival is a day of great joy and yet of the universal reminder that everything finally lies in the hands of God, by whatever name the believers might remember Him.

Children held by parents thronged markets to buy toys and new clothes as Kashmiris, for once, decided to forget the load on their purses. Locals spend lavishly on the Eid festival as it is a rare moment of joy and faith culminating in prayer and festivities.

For a change, the traffic cops were seen behaving leniently towards motorists and pavement sellers. The motorists ignoring traffic discipline blocked major and minor traffic arteries in the city while pavement sellers spread their merchandise on the pedestrian malls, forcing pedestrians to walk in the middle of the roads.

Having been witness to the worst violence unleashed by the terrorists during the last 35 years, Kashmiris are fast finding their journey to peace and tranquillity decorated with joyous festivals like Eid, Shivratri, Gurupurab, Christmas and Buddha Purnima.

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National News

Bengaluru Stampede: A Tragic Timeline Of RCB Victory Parade That Killed 11 & Injured 40

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Bengaluru: What was meant to be a joyful homecoming for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after their historic Indian Premier League (IPL) win, turned into a nightmare on Wednesday, June 4.

Crowds in the hundreds of thousands flooded the streets of Bengaluru and gathered around the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, hoping to celebrate with their team. But the poorly managed event, marked by last-minute decisions and massive miscalculations, led to a deadly stampede that reportedly claimed at least 11 lives and injured over 40 others.

Here’s a detailed timeline of how the day unfolded:

Morning to Early Afternoon:

The victorious RCB squad landed in Bengaluru and made their way to the Vidhana Soudha to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Crowds began assembling early across the city, especially outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the main celebration was to be held.

2:00 PM: Thousands of fans had already gathered outside the stadium, many queuing up at the 13 entry gates, hours ahead of the planned felicitation.

3:00 PM: The roads around the stadium became heavily congested as the crowds swelled further. Police presence was significant but overwhelmed by the sheer volume of attendees. Originally, access to the stadium was controlled through passes, but a late announcement declared open entry for all fans, leading to confusion and chaos.

3:30 PM to 5:00 PM: The official victory parade, scheduled to start around 3:30 PM from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium, further intensified the rush. The stadium gates became choke points as people surged forward to secure a spot inside. Barricades were unable to hold the pressure and eventually gave way. In the scramble, people were trampled, resulting in a horrific stampede. Footwear and belongings littered the ground as survivors attempted to carry the injured to safety.

5:00 PM: News began trickling out about the scale of the disaster. Initial reports spoke of three deaths, but the number rapidly climbed. As of now, 11 people have been confirmed dead, and 47 others are being treated for injuries. Disturbingly, the on-field celebrations inside the stadium continued for some time before the extent of the tragedy became clear.

Here’s What Authorities Said

According to a report submitted to the Karnataka government by the Director General and Inspector General of Police, the stampede was caused by an “unexpected gathering of thousands of fans” trying to enter the stadium between 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM. The report stated, “All possible security arrangements were made… however, due to the unexpected gathering of thousands of fans… a barricade was broken, and people fell on each other, resulting in a stampede.”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his sorrow, admitting that the government did not anticipate such a massive turnout. “The crowd turnout exceeded all expectations… The stadium has a seating capacity of 35,000, but an estimated two to three lakh people turned up. The pain of this tragedy has also erased the joy of victory,” he said.

A compensation of Rs 10 lakh has been announced for each of the deceased’s families, and medical care for the injured will be fully covered by the state.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, echoing similar sentiments, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “We are heartbroken by this tragic incident… We did not anticipate such an overwhelming crowd. While the stadium holds 35,000, over 3 lakh people had gathered.”

“Your pain is ours. We stand with our people – in this sorrow,” he added.

An investigation into the stampede has been ordered and a report is expected within 15 days.

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Even UN-designated terrorists didn’t say India surrendered: BJP slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘dangerous’ mentality

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New Delhi, June 4: The BJP on Wednesday escalated its criticism of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his controversial “Narendra, surrender” remark, accusing him of displaying a “sick and dangerous” mentality and asserting that he lacks the maturity and seriousness expected from someone in his position.

At a press conference held at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi tore into Gandhi, saying, “On one hand, members of various opposition parties, including Congress MPs, who were part of the joint parliamentary delegation sent by India, are returning after strongly and unitedly presenting India’s position in various countries across the world.”

“On the other hand, Congress’ self-proclaimed leader and Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is making utterly shallow and frivolous remarks, showing the world that even after attaining the position of LoP, he severely lacks the seriousness and maturity the role demands,” he said.

Trivedi took strong exception to Gandhi’s comments linking Operation Sindoor to “surrender,” saying it was an insult to the armed forces.

“How Rahul Gandhi compared our armed forces’ valour and army officers’ brief on Operation Sindoor’s success with surrender shows how sick and dangerous his mentality has become,” he remarked.

He went on to say that Gandhi’s comments surpassed even those made by India’s adversaries.

“Till now, Congress leaders were making headlines in the Pakistani media, their statements were being quoted in Pakistan’s parliament, and Rahul Gandhi’s statements also made their place in Pakistan’s dossier. But for the first time, Rahul Gandhi has said something which even the Army Chief of Pakistan has not said, nor has any terrorist organisation of Pakistan. Even Masood Azhar or Hafiz Saeed have not said such a thing. None of them said that India surrendered,” he added.

Trivedi posed a sharp question to Gandhi, asking, “Does he want to get one step ahead of these people? Till now, he was giving cover fire to the people of Pakistan, the Pakistani Army and terrorist organisations. Is he trying to become their leader now?”

Calling Gandhi’s words a grave insult to national pride and the Indian Army, Trivedi said, “He doesn’t realise how badly he is insulting this country’s self-respect and the army’s valour.”

Trivedi further questioned the LoP’s political judgment and leadership, saying, “The level of intelligence and wisdom of someone who sees receiving less mandate in their third attempt in the election as a success, and views PM Modi being elected as the Prime Minister for the third time as a defeat, is obvious.”

He also challenged the Congress party to clarify its stance: “According to the Congress, has their Leader of Opposition insulted the Indian Army by using the word ‘surrender’ or not?”

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