Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the government’s ‘Employment Linked Incentive’ (ELI) scheme. Accusing Modi of crafting catchy slogans while neglecting the youth’s job prospects, Gandhi questioned whether the much-touted initiative was merely “another jumla” (empty promise).

Gandhi pointed out that following the 2024 general election, Modi had unveiled the ELI scheme with great pomp, promising to deliver employment opportunities to India’s youth. “Nearly a year has passed since its announcement, yet the government hasn’t even defined the scheme and has reportedly returned the ₹10,000 crore allocated for it,” he claimed, highlighting what he described as a lack of seriousness about tackling unemployment. The government has not yet responded to these allegations.

Criticizing the Modi administration’s approach, Gandhi argued that genuine job creation cannot rely solely on favoring large corporations, promoting cronies over fair competition, emphasizing assembly over production, or ignoring India’s homegrown skills. “The real path to generating crores of jobs lies in massive investments in MSMEs, fostering fair markets where competition thrives, boosting local production networks, and equipping our youth with the right skills,” he asserted.

Turning his critique directly to the Prime Minister, Gandhi asked, “Prime Minister ji, you launched ELI with grand showmanship—where has this ₹10,000 crore scheme vanished? Have you abandoned our unemployed youth along with your promises?” He pressed further, “While you churn out new slogans daily, our youth are still waiting for tangible opportunities. What is your concrete plan to create the crores of jobs India desperately needs, or is this just another jumla?”

Gandhi also took aim at Modi’s economic priorities, questioning when the Prime Minister would shift his focus from “enriching Adani and his billionaire friends” to ensuring equitable job access for young people from marginalized communities. “The youth deserve more than hollow announcements—they need action,” he emphasized

A sightseeing helicopter tour over New York City ended in tragedy on Thursday afternoon when the aircraft crashed into the Hudson River, claiming the lives of all six people on board. Among the victims were Agustín Escobar, president of Siemens Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, who were visiting the city from Spain.

The Bell 206L-4 helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Tour, lifted off from the Wall Street Heliport at approximately 3:00 p.m. The tour included a flight past the Statue of Liberty before heading north along the Hudson River towards the George Washington Bridge. By 3:15 p.m., the aircraft had plunged into the water near Pier 40, on the New Jersey side of the river.

Eyewitnesses described the horrific moment. “It was going so fast and it just went straight into the water,” one person said. Another witness recalled hearing a loud snap before seeing the helicopter tilt sideways and crash, noting that no one was seen escaping the wreckage.

Pilot’s last warning: “Out of fuel”

In a haunting revelation, Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter, confirmed that the pilot had radioed an urgent message minutes before the crash, reporting that he needed fuel and was attempting to land.

“He called in that he was landing and that he needed fuel… it should have taken him three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he didn’t arrive,” Roth told The Telegraph.

Roth described the devastating emotional toll on the company, stating, “Every employee in our company is devastated. My wife has not stopped crying. The death of the child of any human being is a monumental disaster.”

All six onboard confirmed dead

Emergency calls began flooding in around 3:17 p.m., and rescue teams arrived swiftly. Despite efforts, four of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The remaining two succumbed to their injuries at the hospital, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed.

Mayor Eric Adams offered condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families of those who were onboard… sadly all six victims have been pronounced deceased.”

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation to determine the precise cause of the crash. Initial reports indicate the helicopter was flying erratically before impact, with video footage showing it sinking into the cold, 50-degree river as emergency responders scrambled to reach the scene.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 44 development projects worth over ₹3,880 crore in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi. During the visit, he took a sharp dig at opposition parties, accusing them of prioritizing family interests over national progress, while reaffirming his government’s commitment to inclusive development under the mantra “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”.

Addressing the gathering, Modi emphasized his government’s focus on uplifting every citizen, contrasting it with what he described as the opposition’s power-hungry mindset. “Those obsessed with grabbing power play political games day and night, driven by ‘parivar ka saath, parivar ka vikas’ (family support, family development). In contrast, our guiding principle is the betterment of all,” he said.

He highlighted Varanasi’s transformation, noting, “Earlier, Purvanchal lacked health facilities, but today Kashi is emerging as a health capital. India is advancing with both development and heritage, and Kashi is its finest example.”

Among the key initiatives, Modi handed over Ayushman Vay Vandana cards to senior citizens above 70, marking their first-time inclusion in the healthcare scheme. He also expressed ambition for India to host the 2036 Olympics, underscoring his vision for the nation’s global stature.

The projects unveiled include significant upgrades to Varanasi’s infrastructure. Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for road projects worth over ₹980 crore, including a road bridge connecting Varanasi Ring Road to Sarnath, flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih crossings, and a highway underpass tunnel on NH-31 near Varanasi International Airport. These initiatives aim to enhance connectivity and ease traffic in the region.

In the power sector, he launched two 400 KV and one 220 KV transmission substations, along with associated lines in Jaunpur, Chandauli, and Ghazipur districts, valued at over ₹1,045 crore. Additionally, he laid the foundation for a 220 KV substation at Chaukaghat, a 132 KV substation in Ghazipur, and upgrades to Varanasi’s electricity distribution system, costing over ₹775 crore.

Modi also inaugurated a Transit Hostel at the Police Line and barracks at the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) Ramnagar Campus to improve facilities for security personnel. He laid the foundation for new administrative buildings at various police stations and a residential hostel in Police Line, reinforcing law enforcement infrastructure.

On the civic front, he inaugurated the redevelopment of Samne Ghat and Shastri Ghat along the Ganga River, alongside 130 rural drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission worth over ₹345 crore. Other projects include enhancements to six municipal wards and landscaping with sculpture installations across Varanasi, reflecting a blend of modernity and cultural preservation.

Upon arriving in Varanasi, Modi received a detailed briefing from the police commissioner, divisional commissioner, and district magistrate about the alleged gang-rape of a 19-year-old woman in the constituency.

The case, involving 23 accused who reportedly drugged and assaulted the victim across multiple hotels over six days, has drawn widespread outrage. As of Monday, April 7, six suspects were in custody. A Uttar Pradesh government statement said, “The Prime Minister instructed officials to take the strictest action against the culprits and implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future.”