Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a heartfelt visit to the Dr. Hedgewar Smruti Mandir in Nagpur on Sunday, where he honored the legacies of two influential figures in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and his successor, M S Golwalkar.

Accompanied by prominent leaders, including RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, former general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who are all associated with Nagpur, Modi visited the memorial located in Reshimbagh, the RSS’s administrative headquarters.

During his visit, the Prime Minister met with RSS officials at the Smruti Bhavan within the complex and posed for group photographs with their members. In a guestbook at the venue, Modi expressed that the memorials symbolize the core values of Indian culture and nationalism, writing, “The memorial of the two strong pillars of RSS is an inspiration to lakhs of swayamsevaks who have dedicated themselves to the service of the nation.”

Modi described his emotions, stating, “I am overwhelmed to visit the Smruti Mandir which cherishes the memories of Param Pujaniya Dr. Hedgewar and Pujya Guruji.”

His visit coincided with the Sangh’s Pratipada program, celebrating Gudi Padwa, which marks the commencement of the Hindu New Year. This visit marks Modi’s first to the Smruti Mandir since he assumed office as Prime Minister. Historical perspectives were noted, especially as former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had previously visited the same site on August 27, 2000.

In addition to his tribute at the Smruti Mandir, Modi visited Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur, a significant site where Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and his followers converted to Buddhism in 1956, underscoring the Prime Minister’s commitment to honoring India’s diverse historical and cultural legacy.

Upon Modi’s arrival at the Nagpur airport, he was welcomed by Chief Minister Fadnavis, Union Minister Gadkari, and State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, further highlighting the day’s importance in the context of state and national politics.

This visit not only reinforces Modi’s ties with the RSS but also reflects his ongoing engagement with the cultural and spiritual heritage of India, aiming to inspire solidarity and national service among its citizens.

Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Saturday that the government is committed to fulfilling every promise made in its election manifesto, a day after a controversial remark by his cabinet colleague, Ajit Pawar, who suggested that farmers should not expect a waiver on crop loans and should instead pay their dues on time due to the state’s financial limitations.

Shinde emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced state budget, asserting that there should be sufficient funding for welfare programs, development projects, and employee salaries.

He announced plans to increase the monthly aid for women under the Ladki Bahin Yojana from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100, contingent on the improvement of the state’s financial situation.

His statements came shortly after Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar had remarked on the necessity for farmers to manage their finances effectively rather than wait for potential relief from loan waivers.

“We will honor every commitment stated in our manifesto. No promise will be ignored, and we will never consider it a mistake in printing,” Shinde, who is also the leader of Shiv Sena, told reporters when responding to inquiries about Pawar’s comments.

While visiting the samadhi of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in Vadhu, Pune district, on the anniversary of his death, Shinde reiterated the government’s ongoing support for agriculture over the last two and a half years.

He noted that the government had provided ₹16,000 crore in relief for farmers suffering from crop damage due to unseasonal rains.

He also pointed out the allocation of ₹45,000 crore for related agricultural initiatives and mentioned current programs like the Shetkari Samman Yojana and Crop Insurance Scheme, underscoring the government’s dedication to the agricultural sector.

In response to questions about the planned increase in aid under the Ladki Bahin Yojana, Shinde assured that “as soon as the state’s economic conditions improve, our sisters will receive ₹2,100. We will keep our promises.”

Moreover, he emphasized the need for funding across all areas, including welfare initiatives, development, and personnel wages. He expressed confidence that enhanced investments would strengthen the state’s financial position.

Defending the Saugat-e-Modi scheme against opposition criticisms, Shinde highlighted that programs initiated by the Prime Minister have successfully lifted 35 crore individuals out of poverty and provided free rations to 80 crore people across various communities.

India is dispatching an 80-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team to assist in relief operations following a powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand on Friday. The disaster has claimed over 1,000 lives in Myanmar, with rescue workers struggling to reach survivors trapped under collapsed buildings.

Under Operation Brahma, the NDRF contingent is being airlifted from Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad aboard two Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft. The team, led by Commandant P.K. Tiwary of the 8th NDRF Battalion, includes specialized urban search and rescue (USAR) personnel equipped with concrete cutters, drilling machines, and seismic listening devices.

“Rescue dogs trained in detecting survivors under debris are also part of the mission,” an official said, adding that operations will follow protocols of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG).

In addition to manpower, India has airlifted 15 tonnes of emergency relief supplies to Yangon aboard an IAF C-130J transport aircraft. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with Myanmar, stating, “India stands ready to provide all possible assistance to our neighboring nation in this hour of crisis.”

In Mandalay, Myanmar’s cultural capital, devastation is widespread. A 7.7-magnitude quake—shallow and destructive—flattened buildings, including the 12-story Sky Villa Condominium, now halved in height with nearly 100 residents feared trapped.

Exhausted local rescuers scrambled through rubble, with time running out. At one site, a monastery’s collapsed clock tower bore silent witness, its hands frozen at 12:55 PM—minutes after the quake struck.

This marks India’s third major overseas NDRF deployment, following the 2015 Nepal earthquake and 2023 Türkiye-Syria quake. 

China is set to offer Myanmar aid valued at 100 million yuan (approximately $13.77 million) following a devastating earthquake that claimed over 1,000 lives, as announced by its embassy on Saturday, March 29.

This assistance will consist of tents, blankets, emergency medical kits, food, water, and other vital supplies, with the initial shipment scheduled to arrive on March 31, according to a post on the Chinese embassy’s Facebook page.