Energy security, infra investments top on agenda during PM Modi’s UAE visit

Agencies
February 8, 2018

Dubai, Feb 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India's energy security and infrastructural investments from the UAE will be the key topics of his discussions with the Gulf nation's top leadership this week.

In an interview to Gulf News' XPRESS ahead of his two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates from Saturday, Modi said that he will meet Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Modi said energy security and infrastructural investments in India will be the key topics that he will discuss with the UAE's leadership.

The investment from UAE to India exceeds USD 11 billion.

A number of initiatives taken during his earlier visit to the UAE in August 2015 and during the visit of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed last year when he was the Chief Guest at India's Republic Day celebrations have come to fruition, he said.

"It is a matter of even greater happiness that new Government-to-Government and business-to-business initiatives promise to add even more strength and depth to the bilateral cooperation in various areas of economic activity," Modi said.

The prime minister noted that the UAE was home to over three million people of Indian origin. "The Indian community has acted as a bridge between the two countries and I hope my visit will further strengthen these ties," he said.

When asked whether he has had a holiday, Modi told the paper: "I have not been on a holiday either as Chief Minister or now as Prime Minister. However, my work does require me to travel across India and interact with people, learn about their joys, sorrows and aspirations. This is refreshing and rejuvenating for me."

On a question about his sleep habits and daily routine, the 67-year-old prime minister said, "My sleep cycle varies from four to six hours, depending on the workload. But I get a sound sleep every night. In fact, I fall asleep minutes after hitting the bed.

"I do not take any worry with me and wake up fresh every morning and welcome the new day in my life," he said.

Modi said his day begins with yoga.

"It refreshes me and keeps me agile through the day," he said, adding that he scans the newspapers, checks e-mails and makes a round of phone calls.

"I also spend time reading some comments and feedback shared by citizens on the 'Narendra Modi Mobile App' which he said was "a wonderful way to remain connected with people across India."

"Before hitting the bed, I read the documents sent to me during the day. I also prepare for the next day meetings and engagements," he said.

Asked about his favourite dish, Modi said, "I am not much of a foodie. I enjoy a simple vegetarian meal every day."

On his favourite day of the week, he said, "Today is my favourite day of the week! I believe in a simple tenet - make the most of today, live life to the fullest. Today is the only day on our hands to work hard and make things happen."

 He said he was a firm believer in the power of technology as it empowers people.

When asked the one person who inspires him the most, the prime minister replied that several people inspired him and listed Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhagat Singh, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar as well as Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States.

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News Network
November 18,2024

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Mangaluru: The Ullal police have arrested Manohar, the owner of Vazco Beach Resort, and its manager Bharath in connection with the drowning of three college girls from Mysuru at the resort’s swimming pool on November 17.

City Commissioner of Police Anupam Agrawal confirmed the arrests, stating that a case has been registered under Section 106 of BNS. The bodies of the victims, all in their twenties, have been handed over to their parents. The women had arrived at the resort for a weekend getaway on November 16.

Following the tragic incident, the resort was sealed by officials led by Mangaluru Assistant Commissioner Harshavardhan. The trade license of the resort, issued on June 13, 2024, has been suspended, and the tourism department has temporarily revoked the resort's registration. These actions prohibit the resort from engaging in any tourism-related activities until further notice.

Someshwara TMC Chief Officer stated that the suspension was due to the resort's failure to implement adequate safety measures, which resulted in the loss of three lives. Further investigations are underway.

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News Network
November 18,2024

Advisors to US President-elect Donald Trump have instructed his allies and associates to refrain from using the inflammatory language they previously employed when discussing issues related to migrants and the deportation of asylum seekers, in a bid to avoid “looking like Nazis.”

US media reports said that Trump’s associates had been asked to stop using the word “camps” to describe potential facilities that would be used to accommodate migrants rounded up in deportation operations across the country.

The reports said the US president-elect’s allies had been ordered to stave off such charged terms as they would bring to mind “Nazis,” and be used against Trump.

“I have received some guidance to avoid terms, like ‘camps,’ that can be twisted and used against the president, yes,” one Trump ally told American monthly magazine Rolling Stone.

“Apparently, some people think it makes us look like Nazis.”

The presidential advisers also cautioned surrogates and allies to keep racist terms, which have dogged Trump’s campaign, out of their remarks.

They said with Trump’s heated rhetoric that used to compare undocumented immigrants to “animals” and his slight that they are “poisoning the blood of our country,” detractors did not need to reach too far to find parallels to Nazi Germany.

Stephen Miller, who Trump tapped to be his deputy chief of staff of policy, specifically used the word “camps” to describe holding facilities that he hoped the military could put together for immigrants.

Tom Homan, who served as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is chosen by Trump to be in charge of the US borders, was no stranger to such language.

“It’s not gonna be a mass sweep of neighborhoods,” he said in an interview earlier this week. “It’s not gonna be building concentration camps. I’ve read it all. It’s ridiculous.”

Becoming a little more forthright about the new government’s aggressive deportation plans, Homan likened the early days of the Trump administration to the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003.

“I got three words for them – shock and awe,” he said. “You’re going to see us take this country back.”

Trump made immigration a central element of his 2024 presidential campaign but unlike his first run, which was mainly focused on building a border wall, he has shifted his attention to interior enforcement and the removal of undocumented immigrants already in the United States.

People close to the US president and his aides are laying the groundwork for expanding detention facilities to fulfill his mass deportation campaign promise.

The businessman-turned-politician deported more than 1.5 million people during his first term.

The figure do not include the millions of people turned away at the border under a Covid-era policy enacted by Trump and used during most of Biden’s term.

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News Network
November 25,2024

chamundeshwari.jpg

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed the Hindu Religious Endowment Department to submit a proposal for constructing a gold chariot for the presiding deity of the state, Chamundeshwari, official sources said on Monday.

The directive follows a request from Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Dinesh Gooligowda, who highlighted the historical and cultural significance of the Chamundeshwari Temple on Chamundi Hill in Mysuru, which dates back to the 12th century AD.

Gooligowda noted that the existing wooden chariot, donated by devotees from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, has deteriorated over time.

“Devotees have expressed their desire to organise a ‘rathotsava’ using a gold chariot for Goddess Chamundeshwari. This proposal has been under consideration for some time, with an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore,” the MLC said.

He emphasised that the government’s financial involvement would not be required, as devotees are willing to contribute towards making the chariot a reality.

Gooligowda proposed a deadline for the 2025 Dasara festival for the completion of the chariot, ensuring it is ready for the grand procession featuring the idol of Chamundeshwari.

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