English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

PM Narendra Modi carries out survey of landslide-hit Wayanad

His visit is taking place as the Kerala government has requested Rs 2,000 crore in assistance for rehabilitation and relief work in the disaster-stricken region.

Published

on

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday carried out a survey of landslides-hit areas of the Wayanad district of Kerala where the disaster claimed hundreds of lives.

The Prime Minister, accompanied by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and CM Pinarayi Vijayan, inspected the damage done by massive landslides that hit Wayanad on July 30. Over 200 people were killed in the tragedy that hit the northern Kerala district.

Earlier today, PM Modi also conducted an aerial survey of the landslide-ravaged Chooralmala, Mundakkai, and Punchirimattom hamlets aboard an Indian Air Force helicopter, on which he departed to Wayanad from Kannur Airport around 11.15 am.

After the aerial survey, he landed at the SKMJ Higher Secondary School in Kalpetta here from where PM Modi proceeded to the landslides-hit areas by road.

His visit is taking place as the Kerala government has requested Rs 2,000 crore in assistance for rehabilitation and relief work in the disaster-stricken region.

After visiting the landslide-affected area, PM Modi said that he has been constantly in touch with authorities here to take stock of the situation. This is not a normal disaster and helping the survivors is the government’s topmost priority, he added.

PM Modi asserted that the Central government is with the survivors of this tragedy. Yesterday, he sent a central team of ministers here which also met the CM, he added. “The CM has told me that he will send a detailed memorandum (about the incident). I want to assure the survivors that the central and state governments are with them at this time,” PM Modi further added

Earlier on August 1, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and AICC General Secretary Priyanka also visited the disaster-hit Wayanad and took stock of the areas affected by the landslide in Meppady, Wayanad, and met the people affected by the accident. Later, they also visited the relief camp at the Government Higher Secondary School in Meppadi, standing in solidarity with families affected by the devastating landslides.

Addressing the media after visiting affected areas, Rahul said it is a terrible tragedy for Wayanad, Kerala, and the nation. “We have come here to assess the situation”, he said. The Congress leader expressed his pain as many people have lost family members and their homes. He assured that Congress would leave no stone unturned to help and ensure that the survivors receive what they are due.

The landslides that occurred on July 30 have resulted in at least 226 deaths, with many people still unaccounted for. This incident is considered one of the most significant natural disasters to have affected the southern state.

India News

Nawaz Sharif urges Shehbaz Sharif to pursue diplomacy over aggression against India

Nawaz Sharif has advised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to avoid aggression and focus on diplomacy following India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Published

on

Nawaz-Sharif

In a significant development amidst escalating regional tensions, former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has urged his younger brother and current Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, to adopt a diplomatic approach rather than an aggressive stance towards India.

During a meeting in Lahore on Sunday evening, Shehbaz Sharif briefed Nawaz Sharif about the government’s recent actions against India, following India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after the Pahalgam attack. The Pakistani government, in response, had closed its airspace for India and reportedly stepped up its readiness to counter any hostile moves.

Sources indicate that Shehbaz Sharif expressed concerns about India’s suspension of the water-sharing agreement, warning that it could escalate tensions dangerously in the region. He emphasized Pakistan’s preparedness to respond strongly if necessary.

However, Nawaz Sharif, founder of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), advised a more measured path. He recommended using all diplomatic avenues to de-escalate tensions and restore peace with India. Nawaz Sharif stressed the importance of avoiding any aggressive actions that could worsen the situation.

In a related move, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has suggested the formation of an international commission comprising representatives from countries like the United States, Russia, China, and Britain to investigate the Pahalgam attack, seeking broader international involvement in addressing the conflict.

The ongoing situation between India and Pakistan remains delicate, with calls from within Pakistan’s leadership for calm and dialogue to prevent further deterioration.

Continue Reading

India News

Asaduddin Owaisi criticises Bilawal Bhutto’s remarks amid Indus Waters Treaty row

Asaduddin Owaisi hits out at Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for his provocative “blood will flow” remark after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, highlighting the tragic consequences of terrorism.

Published

on

Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

AIMIM leader and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly rebuked Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari over his controversial statement following India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. Owaisi reminded Bhutto of the tragic assassinations of his mother, former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and grandfather, former President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Bilawal Bhutto, who was Pakistan’s Foreign Minister till 2023 and remains an influential figure in the ruling coalition, had issued a provocative warning after India’s decision, reportedly saying, “The Indus is ours and will remain ours – either our water will flow through it, or their blood.”

Responding to these remarks, Owaisi said Bhutto should reconsider his words, recalling how terrorism claimed the lives of his mother and grandfather. “Forget about such childish talk. His mother was killed by terrorists. He should not speak in this manner,” Owaisi said, stressing that terrorism must be condemned universally and not selectively.

Owaisi also criticised Pakistan’s leadership for threatening India with nuclear weapons, highlighting the brutality of recent terror attacks. “If you enter a country and kill innocents, no nation will remain silent,” he said. He compared extremist elements to the Khawarij and ISIS sympathisers, known for their radical ideologies.

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi in December 2007 has long been linked to extremist groups, though the case remains unresolved.

Bilawal Bhutto’s comments have sparked wide condemnation across India’s political spectrum. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri suggested that Bhutto should undergo a mental health evaluation, while Congress MP Shashi Tharoor labelled the remarks “inflammatory.” Tharoor warned that any aggression from Pakistan would be met with an appropriate response, asserting, “If blood is going to flow, it will possibly flow more on their side than ours.”

Continue Reading

India News

India inks Rs 63,000 crore deal for 26 Rafale-M jets to strengthen naval fleet

India has signed a ₹63,000 crore deal with France to acquire 26 Rafale M fighter jets, strengthening the Navy’s capabilities aboard INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.

Published

on

India has finalized a major ₹63,000 crore agreement with France for the acquisition of 26 Rafale M fighter jets, enhancing its maritime strength significantly. This government-to-government deal, signed on Monday, includes 22 single-seater and four twin-seater trainer variants, with delivery expected by 2031.

The deal not only covers the procurement of the jets but also includes comprehensive fleet maintenance, logistical support, and training for Navy personnel. In a notable boost to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, indigenous manufacturing of several components will be undertaken under offset obligations.

The Rafale M, currently operated only by the French Navy, is renowned for its superior capabilities among naval fighter jets globally. It features Safran Group’s reinforced landing gear, folding wings, and a robust undercarriage designed to endure the tough conditions of carrier-based operations.

The Indian Navy plans to deploy these new Rafale-M fighters aboard its aircraft carriers, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, replacing the ageing fleet of MiG-29K aircraft. This move is expected to significantly bolster India’s maritime defense capabilities, especially amid rising security challenges in the Indian Ocean region.

In December, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi emphasized a strategic shift to “negate” any infringement in India’s operational areas, highlighting the preparedness to counter threats from neighboring regions.

India’s Air Force, which already operates 36 Rafale ‘C’ variant jets from northern bases, will also benefit indirectly through upgrades to systems like the ‘buddy-buddy’ aerial refueling capability, allowing fighter jets to stay airborne for extended missions.

Looking ahead, the Navy is also progressing toward the induction of indigenous fifth-generation, twin-engine deck-based fighters, being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These fighters will complement the Air Force’s upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), further strengthening India’s air and maritime security architecture.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com