Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacting with saints and seers at Belur Math in Bengal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the second day of his visit to Kolkata, addressed students at the Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission and said that the opposition is spreading misinformation about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA. PM Modi said, "The citizenship law is not to snatch citizenship, but to give citizenship."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on a two-day visit to West Bengal capital inaugurated celebrations of 150 years of Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) at the Netaji Indoor Stadium today. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the upgraded Ship Repair Facility of Cochin Kolkata Ship Repair Unit at Netaji Subhas Dry Dock along with Full Rake Handling Facility while dedicating the upgraded Railway Infrastructure of Kolkata Dock System of KoPT for smooth cargo movement and improving turnaround time.
PM Modi on Saturday reached the Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission and is likely to meditate at the the Math as well as the temple of Swami Vivekananda today, the birth anniversary of the monk.
Here are the LIVE Updates on PM Narendra Modi's West Bengal visit:
Citizenship Act Not To Snatch Citizenship, Says PM Modi In KolkataPrime Minister Narendra Modi, on the second day of his visit to Kolkata, accused the opposition of spreading misinformation about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA. Addressing students at the Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, where he spent the night, PM Modi said, "The citizenship law is not to snatch citizenship, but to give citizenship." PM Modi later inaugurated the celebrations of 150 years of the Kolkata Port Trust. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also met him on Saturday in what she called a courtesy call, and asked him to reconsider enforcing the CAA, the National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register.
As soon as the West Bengal Government allows the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, people here will also get the benefits of these schemes, says PM Modi.
Centre trying to develop Bengal: PM Modi
PM Modi says: "This year there is an attempt to create a multimodal terminal in Haldia and a navigational lock in Farakka. The work to build the required depth is also in progress for the year 2021, so that big ships can also use the Ganga river."
Kolkata Port is connected to the industrial centers of eastern India due to the construction of river waterways facilities, trade has become easier for countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar, PM says.
Port-related development also enables growth of tourism, water-tourism, cruise and we as a country can achieve it. We currently have around 150 cruise ships, but are aiming to increase it to 1,000, he adds.
The Centre is trying to bring development to West Bengal, especially for poor, Dalits, the underprivileged, the exploited and the backward in a dedicated manner.
Coasts are gateways to development: PM
Our government believes that our coasts are gateways to development, says PM Modi. "Therefore, the government started the Sagarmala program to improve connectivity and infrastructure."
About 3,600 projects worth more than Rs 6 lakh crore have been identified under this scheme. Out of these, more than 200 projects worth more than Rs 3 lakh crore are underway and about one hundred fifty have been completed, he says.
PM Modi renames Kolkata Port Trust
"Will rename the Kolkata port as Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee port, who was the father of industrialization of India. Dr Mookerjee, the son of Bengal, has been very instrumental in the development of many large projects such as Chittaranjan Locomotive Factory, Hindustan Aircraft Factory, Sindri Fertilizer Factory and Damodar Valley Corporation," PM Modi says.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee was the founder of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, the predecessor of the ruling BJP.
"This port represents industrial, spiritual and self sufficiency aspirations of India. Today, when the port is celebrating its 150th anniversary, it is our responsibility to make it a powerful symbol of New India," the PM adds.
He says it was unfortunate for the country that after Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee and Babasaheb Ambedkar resigned from the government, their suggestions were not implemented as they should have been.
PM Modi felicitates two oldest pensioners
Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitates the two oldest pensioners of the Kolkata Port Trust.
PM Modi marks 150 years of Kolkata Port
PM Modi says: "Today, hundreds of crores worth of infrastructure projects have been inaugurated and the foundation stone for the expansion and modernization of Kolkata Port was laid. Foundation stone for a hostel and skill development center for education and skill development of tribal women was also laid."
"Pakistan has to answer": PM Modi
PM Modi at Belur Math says: "Pakistan has to answer why it committed atrocities on minorities for 70 years."
Happy that youth helping curb rumours on citizenship law: PM
"Many people, because of political reasons, are spreading rumours. I am happy that the youngsters are helping curb these rumours," he says.
PM Modi speaks on Citizenship Law:
- There are a lot of questions that have sprung up over the Citizenship Amendment ActThere are many youngsters who have been victims of rumours. It is important to make such youngsters understand... It's our responsibility
- It's not that we came up with a new law overnight. We should know that any person from any religion who has hopes from India, and who follows the constitution, can attain citizenship of India, there is no problem
- The new law is to provide citizenship, not to take it away
- We have just extended the citizenship law to those people who suffered after partition in other countries. The dignity of mothers and daughters was taken away... people were tortured there
- Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders had also said India should provide citizenship to people who are being attacked in Pakistan because of their religion. Should we send such people back just to be killed? Isn't it our responsibility to make them our citizens?
- We are not snatching away anybody's citizenship through this law
- The politicians are also intelligent but they just do not want to understand what the law is about
Energy of the youth will better this country: PM Modi
Every youngster in India is a part of Swami Vivekananda's resolve, whether they know of him or not, says PM Modi.
PM Modi quotes Swami Vivekananda: "We should always remember what he said: 'If I get 100 energetic youngsters, I'll change India.' That is, our energy, the passion to do something is necessary for change."
The energy of the youth is what will better India in the 21st century, he says. "A new India will only be possible with the help of our youngsters. They try to solve problems... and challenge the challenges."
Five years ago, there was disappointment among the youth of the country, but the situation has changed now, the PM says.
PM Modi addresses a gathering at Belur Math
I thank the people here and the government for letting me stay and spend the night at the Belur Math, says PM Modi.
Best wishes to all of you on this holy occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, on National Youth Day, he adds. "For the countrymen, visiting this holy land of Belur Math is no less than a pilgrimage, but for me it is always like coming home "
"The last time I came here, I had taken the blessings of Swami Atmasthanandaji. Today he is not physically present with us. But his work, his path, will always guide us in the form of Ramakrishna Mission."
PM joins morning prayers at Belur Math
Prime Minister Narendra Modi joins morning prayers at Belur Math in Howrah. PM Modi earlier paid tribute to Swami Ramakrishna Paramhamsa. Belur Math is the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.
PM Modi pays tributes to Swami Vivekananda
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary at Belur Math (headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission) in Howrah, West Bengal. PM Modi arrived in Kolkata yesterday for a two-day visit. He also interacted with saints and seers today.
PM Modi to participate in the sesquicentenary celebrations of the Kolkata Port TrustPrime Minister Modi will dedicate 4 heritage buildings to the nation today. These four structures include the Old Currency Building, the Belvedere House, the Metcalfe House, and the Victoria Memorial Hall.
The Culture Ministry has renovated these iconic galleries and refurbished them with new exhibitions while curating the old galleries.