Barrackpore (West Bengal) [India], February 25 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda on Thursday asserted that people of West Bengal have blessed that party’s ‘Poriborton Yatra ‘ and have vowed to rout the Mamata Banerjee’s government from the state.
Launched ahead of West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP’s ‘Poriborton Yatra’ of Nabadwip zone culminated in Anandapuri of Barrackpore district.
“The people of Bengal have strengthened the voice of ‘Poriborton Yatra’. The people of Bengal have blessed this Yatra, supported it, and pledged to uproot Mamata’s government,” he said while addressing the Nabadwip zone Poriborton Yatra culmination rally in Anandapuri.
“This ‘Poriborton Yatra’ is ending today. By going from village to village, we have strengthened the voice of Yatra. I am happy that the people of Bengal have supported this visit and have vowed that we will uproot Mamata Didi’s government,” he added.
The purpose of the BJP’s ‘Poriborton Yatra ‘ has been to inform the public about the manner in which TMC has practised ‘corruption and violence.’
Nadda said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a major contribution to the development of West Bengal.
“Modiji has contributed Rs 8,575 crore for the East-West Corridor. Modiji has given Rs 721 crore for India’s connectivity with Nepal-Bangladesh,” he said.
During his visit to poll-bound state, Nadda had lunch at the house of a jute mill worker in Gouripur area of Naihati, North 24 Parganas district.
Earlier in the day, he visited Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Residence and Museum in Kolkata. (ANI)

Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) [India], February 25 (ANI): Tamil Nadu is making a major contribution to India’s industrial growth, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday while inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of various development initiatives.
Speaking at the event here, he said the Government of India’s commitment to port-led development can be seen through the Sagarmala scheme.
“Tamil Nadu is making a major contribution to India’s industrial growth. One of the basic needs for the industry to grow is a continuous power supply. Today I am happy to dedicate to the nation two major power projects and lay the foundation for one more power project,” he said.
PM Modi called Coimbatore a city of industry and innovation. “Today we begin many development works that will benefit Coimbatore and entire Tamil Nadu,” he added.
Speaking on the modernisation of the Bhavanisagar dam, he said this will irrigate over 2 lakh acres of land and would benefit farmers in the state.
“I am reminded words of the great Thiruvalluvar he said farmers are the ones who truly live and all others live because of them, worshipping them,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Tamil Nadu has a glorious history of sea trade and port-led development.
“I am happy to launch various projects related to V. O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port, Tuticorin. We recall the efforts of great freedom fighters VOC. His vision for vibrant Indian shipping industry and maritime development inspire us greatly. The projects launched today will further strengthen cargo handling of the port. It will even support green port initiative. Apart from this, we will take further steps to make port into a big transhipment port in the east. Whenever ports are more efficient, it contributes to India being Atmanirbhar and a global hub for trade as well as logistics,” he said.
“The Government of India’s commitment to port-led development can be seen through the Sagarmala scheme. About 575 projects at a total cost of over Rs 6 lakh crores have been identified for implementation during the 2015-2035 period. These works cover ports modernisation, new port development, port connectivity enhancement and coastal community development,” he added.
Emphasising that development and care for the environment are closely linked, PM Modi said the VOC port has already installed 500 KW rooftop solar plant.
“It makes me happy that VOC Port has taken up grid-connected 5 MW ground based solar power plant at a cost of Rs 20 crores,” he said.
The Prime Minister said at the core of development is ensuring dignity to every individual. “One of the ways to provide dignity is to provide shelter to every one. To give wings to dreams and aspirations of people, PM Awas Yojana was started. It is my privilege to inaugurate 4,144 tenements. They are built in several areas. The cost of this project is Rs 332 crore. These houses will be handed over to those who never had a roof over their heads even after 70 years of Independence,” he said.
The Prime Minister also paid his tributes to former Tamil Nadu CMs MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa. (ANI)

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], February 25 (ANI): Renowned Malayali poet Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri passed away here on Thursday due to old-age ailments. He was 81.
Namboothiri breathed his last at his residence in Thycaud.
He was one of the most widely acclaimed poets and had won many awards. In 2014, he was honoured with Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honours from the Government of India.
Known for his elegant style and ease with he handled modern poetry, Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri carved a niche in contemporary Malayalam literature.
He was born on June 2, 1939, at Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district and he completed his postgraduation in English. He worked as an English professor in various colleges.
His famous literary works include ‘Swathantryathe Kurichoru Geetham,’ ‘Pranaya Geethangal,’ ‘Ujjayiniyile Raappakalukal,’ ‘Aranyakam,’ ‘Aparajitha,’ ”Bhoomigeethangal,’ and ‘Mukhamevide’, India Enna Vikaram’, ‘Asaahitheeyam,’ ‘Kavithayude DNA,’ and ‘Alakadalum Neyyambalukalum’.
He has received numerous awards for his works including Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, Vayalar Award, Vallathol Award, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award and Odakkuzhal Award.
He is survived by his wife Savithri and two daughters. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], February 25 (ANI): Days after the Indian Medical Association (IMA) demanded an explanation from Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan for promoting Patanjali’s Coronil Ayurvedic medicine, Patanjali Ayurved Limited spokesperson SK Tijarawala on Thursday condemned the IMA.
“IMA has problems accepting the truth. It would have been better if it focuses on putting an end to the spread of misinformation and commission in the profession of medicine,” Tijarawala tweeted.
Earlier in the day, Yoga guru Ramdev said, “Coronil tablets lived up to the protocols set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). 158 countries have certified their sale in their countries. This is historic. Coronil is scientific-evidence and research-based medicine. Any attack on Coronil suggests pettiness.”
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday demanded an explanation from Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan for promoting Patanjali’s Coronil Ayurvedic medicine.
“Being a Health Minister of the country, how justified is it to release such falsely fabricated unscientific product to people of the whole country and how ethical is it to promote the product in unethical, wrong and false ways?” Dr Jayalal, IMA national president, had said.
“Let us not adulterate Ayurveda on the pretext of market gain to some monopoly corporate and create a disaster for humanity,” IMA had said. (ANI)

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], February 25 (ANI): A housewife from Amritsar has won the first prize in a lottery worth Rs 1 crore from a ticket that cost her Rs 100.
As per a statement from the state government, the lucky winner, Renu Chauhan, on Thursday submitted the ticket and required documents to the State Lotteries Department for encashment of her prize.
Expressing elation for the godsend amount, Chauhan said that the blessing has come as a huge relief to her middle-class family.
“My husband runs a cloth shop in Amritsar and this bumper prize money will be a great help so that our family can lead a smooth life,” she said.
The results of the Punjab State Dear 100 + monthly lottery were announced in a draw on February 11, an official spokesperson from the Punjab State Lotteries Department informed.
“Renu, the winner of Ticket D-12228, has submitted the documents today and the prize money will be credited to the winner’s account soon,” the official said. (ANI)

Howrah (West Bengal) [India], February 25 (ANI): Raising concerns regarding the Government of India’s new guidelines for holding online/virtual international conferences and seminars for educational institutes and universities, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi whether the Centre is trying to impose “one nation, one thought”.
In her letter to Prime Minister, Banerjee said, “Our universities must enjoy the highest possible degrees of self-governance and the freedom to conduct their educational activities in regular interactions with their counterpart abroad. Knowledge is neither created by nor belongs to any single country or community.”
“Reasonable regulations and restrictions are understandable, however, the restrictions imposed vide the office memorandum under reference further highlighted the intention of the government of India towards centralization of the higher education system of our country. In other words, is it not the attempt of the central government to introduce thought policing in education institutions by trying to impose ‘One Nation, One Thought’?” alleged the chief minister.
Banerjee asserted that the digital platforms have proved to be a boon for teachers and students from remote and rural areas as well as from cities to get the benefit of interactions with scholars around the world.
Referring to the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution and sanctity of the federal structure, she said, “It will not be out of place to mention that education is in the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution and any non-consultation by the Government of India with the state governments before issuing any such instructions to the educational institutions will be against the spirits of the federal structure enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Such communication will only be seen as an example of contempt for the constitutional power of the states.”
“It may be pertinent to mention here that state governments are duly empowered under law to deal with any act committed by any educational institution, which violates any law or is contrary to the interest to the national security,” added Banerjee.
Banerjee urged Prime Minister Modi to give directions to scrap the new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education.
“I would, therefore, urge you to kindly issue directions to the Ministry of Education for withdrawing the said office memorandum with immediate effect and with suitable advice to consult the state governments before issuing any such directions/orders in the future,” she wrote. (ANI)