Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted the growth of the Indian civil aviation sector and said air taxis will soon become a reality as the government prepares the country for advanced air mobility. 

Addressing the Second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation in the national capital, PM Modi suggested the idea of having an international Buddhist circuit.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the civil aviation sector has a major role in the growth and creation of jobs. PM Modi said efforts should be made to ensure that the skies remain open for all and that people’s dream of flying is fulfilled.

Under the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN, which has helped lower middle-class people to fly, 14 million people have travelled by air, PM Modi said.

According to the Prime Minister, a growing middle class and their demand are driving forces for the civil aviation sector, and UDAN has made air travel inclusive.

Furthermore, he said, “Today, India remains one of the strong pillars of the world’s top civil aviation ecosystems because the growth of our civil aviation sector is unprecedented. In just one decade, India has shown a huge transformation. In a few years, India has transformed from an aviation-exclusive country to an aviation-inclusive country.”

PM Modi said there was a time when air travel in India was exclusive to only a few people. Some big cities had good air connectivity, and some rich people used to take advantage of air travel regularly but today the situation in India has completely changed.

Speaking at Bharat Mandapam, PM Modi said under the UDAN scheme, 14 million passengers have travelled so far.

“Lakhs of these people have seen an airplane from inside for the first time. In 10 years, the number of airports in India has doubled. Airlines are also aware of this. This is the reason why Indian airlines have ordered more than 1200 new aircraft,” the Prime Minister said.

The two-day conference, which started on Wednesday, brings together transport and aviation ministers, regulatory bodies, and industry experts from across the Asia Pacific region. Around 300 representatives from 29 countries attended the conference.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and other political leaders across party lines condoled the death of CPI(M) senior leader Sitaram Yechury.

Stalwart Left leader Yechury, at 3.03 pm on September 12, 2024, passed away, at the AIIMS, New Delhi. The 72-year-old leader was suffering from a respiratory tract infection which developed complications.

PM Modi said Yechury was a leading light of the Left and was known for his ability to connect across the political spectrum. The Prime Minister added that Yechury also made a mark as an effective Parliamentarian.

Expressing his sorrow over his demise, PM Modi said, “My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti.”

Senior BJP leader Shah said the demise of the CPI(M) General Secretary Yechury is a loss to the political sphere.

“Saddened to hear about the passing of General Secretary of the CPI (M) and former Rajya Sabha MP, Sitaram Yechury Ji. His demise is a loss to the political sphere. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family members and friends. May God give them the strength to endure this difficult time,” the Home Minister said in a post on X.

In his condolence message, Gandhi called him a protector of the idea of India with a deep understanding of this country.

“I will miss the long discussions we used to have. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and followers in this hour of grief,” the Congress leader said.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari also expressed his condolences and said, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Sitaram Yechury Ji. His contributions to public life will always be remembered. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Om Shanti.”

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that Yechury’s death was an irreparable loss at a time when the country and its people are facing serious crises.

“Farewell, Comrade Sitaram Yechury. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void in the Communist movement and people’s struggles. I cherish the moments we shared and his unmatched ideological clarity, strategic brilliance, and dedication to the revolutionary cause. Amid rising inequality and threats to secular and constitutional ideals, his legacy will inspire us to keep fighting for a just India,” the CPI(M) politburo member Vijayan said in a post on X.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said Yechury was a very dear friend of his and India is now deprived of such a leader who spoke freely.

“His view was that this country belongs to all of us, no matter which language you belong to and it should be left like this. Everyone has to leave this country and this world. You came from there and you have to go back there. What all battles did Yechury not fight for us. Today I cannot believe that he is no longer among us,” he condoled the demise of CPI(M) leader.

On September 14, the body of Comrade Sitaram Yechury will be kept at the Communist Party of India (Marxist) headquarters, AK Gopalan Bhavan, Gole Market, New Delhi for public viewing and paying homage between 11 am and 3 pm.

Subsequently, the body of Comrade Yechury will be taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where it will be donated for medical research as per his wishes, the CPI(M) said in a press release.  

The Opposition on Thursday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he attended the Ganpati Puja celebrations at Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud’s residence and criticised his move.

Several opposition leaders and some lawyers of the Supreme Court reacted sharply to Modi attending the puja at the CJI’s residence.

“Ganpati Utsav is being celebrated and people visit each other’s houses. I don’t have information whether the Prime Minister has visited anyone’s house,” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said.

“However, the Prime Minister visited the CJI’s residence. They performed ‘aarti’ together. We think that people will have doubts if guardians of the Constitution meet political leaders,” Raut added.

Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday participated in the Ganpati Puja at the CJI’s residence here.

President of the Supreme Court Bar Association and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal criticised PM Modi for attending the Ganpati Puja at CJI Chandrachud’s residence saying the Prime Minister should not publicise a private meeting and should not make a spectacle of such events.

He added saying PM should never have shown his interest to go to such a private affair.

“My religion and my way of expressing myself in the context of my beliefs is a private affair. Therefore, there should be no videography or photography which are then made public. Especially in the context of people holding the highest positions in the country,” he emphasised.

In a post on X, senior lawyer Indira Jaising said the Chief Justice of India has compromised the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary.

“Lost all confidence in the independence of the CJI. The SCBA (Supreme Court Bar Association) must condemn this publicly displayed compromise of Independence of the CJI from the executive,” she said in her post.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan also criticised the move stating the CJI’s decision to host the Prime Minister sends a bad signal regarding the judiciary’s responsibility to safeguard citizens’ fundamental rights and ensure the government adheres to the Constitution. Bhushan emphasised the need for a clear separation between the two branches.

In another post, Bhushan quoted the ‘Code of Conduct for Judges’, “A Judge Should practice a degree of aloofness consistent with the dignity of his office. There should be no act or omission by him which is unbecoming of the high office he occupies and the public esteem in which that office is held.”