
PM's mantra to boost disaster-resilient infra
In a video address to the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2025, Modi said strengthening early-warning systems and coordination is another crucial aspect. He noted that India has established a tsunami-warning system benefitting 29 countries and that it recognises the Small Island Developing States (SIDA) as large-ocean countries and the need for special attention to their vulnerabilities. With the event being hosted in Europe for the first time, Modi thanked French President Emmanuel Macron and extended his best wishes to him for the upcoming United Nations Oceans Conference.
In his remarks, the prime minister noted that the conference's theme is "Shaping a Resilient Future for Coastal Regions" and underscored the vulnerability of coastal regions and islands to natural disasters and climate change.
He cited recent disasters, including Cyclone Remal in India and Bangladesh, Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean, Typhoon Yagi in Southeast Asia, Hurricane Helene in the United States, Typhoon Usagi in the Philippines and Cyclone Chido in parts of Africa. Modi emphasised that these disasters have caused significant damage to lives and property, reinforcing the need for resilient infrastructure and proactive disaster management.
Recalling India's past experiences with devastating disasters, including the super-cyclone of 1999 and the tsunami of 2004, he highlighted how the country adapted and rebuilt with resilience, constructing cyclone shelters across vulnerable areas and contributing to the establishment of the tsunami-warning system benefitting 29 nations.
Modi said disaster resilience requires innovative financing and called for the creation of actionable programmes to ensure that developing countries have access to the necessary funds. He highlighted the necessity of strengthening early-warning systems and coordination, noting their critical role in facilitating timely decision making and effective last-mile communication.
The prime minister called for the construction of infrastructure that remains steadfast against time and tide, emphasising the need for resilience in development. He called for global efforts to build a strong and disaster-resilient future for the world.
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India Today
21 minutes ago
- India Today
Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, a manifestation of Modi government's ambition for Indian sports
On July 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Union Cabinet ushered in a new era for Indian sports with the approval of the Khelo Bharat Niti, the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025. This visionary policy, replacing the outdated National Sports Policy of 2001, is a bold blueprint to catapult India into the ranks of global sporting on five dynamic pillars - Excellence on the Global Stage, Sports for Economic Development, Sports for Social Development, Sports as a People's Movement, and Integration with Education through NEP 2020 - the Khelo Bharat Niti weaves together ambition, inclusivity, and innovation. It builds on the Modi government's relentless efforts over the past 11 years to revolutionise sports infrastructure and nurture talent through initiatives like Khelo India. This policy isn't just a framework - it's a movement poised to make India a global sporting vision built on five pillarsThe Khelo Bharat Niti is a masterplan that touches every aspect of sports, from grassroots enthusiasm to elite performance. Its five pillars create a seamless vision that blends global aspirations with local impact, ensuring sports becomes a way of life for every Indian. India's dream of dominating international podiums drives the first pillar. The policy lays out a clear path to nurture talent early, equipping athletes with world-class coaching, sports science, and cutting-edge technology. From strengthening National Sports Federations to fostering competitive leagues, it's about creating a culture of excellence. With India eyeing the 2036 Olympics as a host, the policy encourages Indian-origin athletes abroad to represent the nation while building a robust pipeline of champions. It's a call to action for India to shine on the global stage, not just isn't just about medals - it's a catalyst for economic growth. The second pillar positions sports as an engine for job creation, tourism, and innovation. By promoting sports manufacturing, encouraging startups, and attracting global events, the policy taps into the economic potential of sports. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives invite private players to fuel this growth, transforming sports into a vibrant industry. Imagine stadiums buzzing with tourists, local businesses thriving, and India emerging as a go-to destination for international sporting events - this is the economic ripple effect the policy has the potential to truly unite and uplift, and the third pillar harnesses this power for social change. By prioritising underrepresented groups - women, tribal communities, persons with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community - the policy ensures no one is left behind. It also breathes new life into indigenous games, blending cultural pride with modern aspirations. This focus on inclusivity fosters social cohesion, breaks barriers, and builds a healthier, more connected India. It's about using sports to tell stories of resilience and unity across the as a people's movementThe fourth pillar ignites a nationwide passion for sports, turning it into a people's movement. Through community events, accessible infrastructure in rural and urban areas, and campaigns promoting fitness, the policy invites every Indian to embrace an active lifestyle. Schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods will pulse with sports activities, supported by volunteers and the Indian diaspora. This isn't just about athletes - it's about families playing together, communities rallying around local tournaments, and a nation embracing fitness as a way of with Education (NEP 2020)advertisementThe fifth pillar weaves sports into the fabric of education, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. By embedding sports in school curriculums and training educators to champion physical education, the policy makes sports a viable career path. It creates dual pathways where students can chase academic dreams alongside athletic goals, fostering discipline, teamwork, and ambition. This integration ensures that the next generation sees sports not as an extracurricular activity but as a cornerstone of holistic development.A decade of building the foundationThe Khelo Bharat Niti didn't emerge in a vacuum - it's the culmination of the Modi government's unwavering commitment to sports over the past 11 years. Since 2014, the focus has been on transforming India's sporting ecosystem, with the Khelo India initiative leading the in 2018, Khelo India has been a gamechanger, identifying and nurturing young talent through grassroots programs, playfield development, and community coaching. It has given opportunities to rural youth, women, and persons with disabilities, ensuring talent knows no government has poured resources into world-class infrastructure, from National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) under the Sports Authority of India to state-of-the-art equipment like archery gear and weightlifting areas, often overlooked, now boast modern sports facilities, democratising access to training. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw captured this ethos, saying, 'The PM has given a different kind of emphasis to sports, especially in rural areas.' Meanwhile, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya's push to involve over 40 companies in adopting Olympic sports and promoting leagues signals a forward-thinking approach to professionalising sports management. These efforts have laid a solid foundation, and the Khelo Bharat Niti is ready to take it to the next level.A seamless path to global dominanceWhat makes the Khelo Bharat Niti a gamechanger is its clarity and ambition. Crafted through extensive consultations with ministries, NITI Aayog, state governments, athletes, and the public, it's a policy that reflects India's collective sets measurable benchmarks and time-bound targets, ensuring accountability and progress. By adopting a whole-of-government approach, it integrates sports promotion across all sectors, while encouraging states to align their policies for a unified national policy's focus on inclusivity, innovation, and global competitiveness positions India to not only excel in international arenas but also host landmark events like the 2036 Olympics. It's about leveraging sports science, fostering private sector partnerships, and building a culture of fitness that resonates from villages to cities. As Prime Minister Modi declared, 'Today is a landmark day for India's efforts to encourage sporting talent and become a hub for sports!'A new dawn for Indian sportsThe Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 is more than a policy—it's a clarion call to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse. Its five pillars weave together excellence, economic growth, social inclusion, mass participation, and education, creating a holistic vision for sports. Building on the Modi government's decade-long legacy of infrastructure development and talent nurturing through Khelo India, this policy sets India on a trajectory to rank among the top five sporting nations by 2047. It's a vision where every Indian, from a village athlete to an urban professional, plays a role in making sports a way of life. With the Khelo Bharat Niti, India isn't just chasing medals—it's chasing a legacy of unity, pride, and global leadership in A Sinha is a national spokesperson of the BJP, and an author)- Ends(Views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author)


India Today
21 minutes ago
- India Today
Ban Pak content: Film body to PM as channels and accounts reappear on social media
The All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) on Wednesday wrote a letter to PM Modi, demanding a complete ban on Pakistani channels and social media accounts in India. The development came the same day as several Pakistani YouTuber channels and Instagram accounts of celebs started reappearing on social letter appealed to the government to respect the lives lost in the Pahalgam attack earlier this year. It also mentioned that "Cutting off Pakistan completely will have zero negative impact on our economy or entertainment industry."advertisementThe note also referred to the "handful of sympathisers" who may try to "dilute" India's resistance against cross-border terrorism. "We, the people of India - all 140 crore citizens - stand united in our opposition to Pakistan. While a handful of sympathizers may try to dilute this stance, the collective voice of the nation is stronger than any lobby or appeasement group (sic)," it Pakistan's long-standing association with terrorism, the film body referred to the reappearance of Pakistani channels in India as "a direct insult to the sacrifice of our martyred soldiers and an emotional assault on every Indian who lost a loved on in terror attacks perpetrated by Pakistan.""As long as Pakistani blood is on the hands of our enemies, no trace of Pakistan shall be allowed on Indian soil — not on our screens, not in our films, and not on our social media," the film body said in a strongly-worded letter declaring the visibility of these banned accounts in India as "absolutely acceptable".advertisementAICWA shared that it will continue to represent India's strict stand against Pakistan-funded terrorism, which also includes not allowing any visibility to Pakistani artistes in the country."We will continue to resist, protest, and oppose any attempt to normalise cultural ties with Pakistan. The ban on Pakistani artists and content will never be lifted as long as Pakistan continues to export terrorism to our land," they letter further mentioned a three-point list, urging the PM to announce a 'permanent cultural disconnect from Pakistan.'The letter mentioned:"Enforce an immediate nationwide digital blackout of all Pakistani social media accounts and media all future collaborations or promotions involving Pakistani citizens in Indian media, OTT platforms, and a permanent cultural disconnect from Pakistan, as a mark of respect to the Indian Armed Forces and the families of our martyrs."The note featured the film body signing off while evoking the 'nation first' RELEASEDate: 2nd July 2025From: All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA)Subject: Urgent Appeal to Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji Regarding the Reappearance of Pakistani Artists' Social Media & Channels in India – AICWA Demands Immediate and All Indian Cine Workers Association (@AICWAOfficial) July 2, 2025On July 2, the Instagram accounts of several Pakistani artists, including Saba Qamar, Mawra Hocane, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor, among others, started becoming visible in India. Even many YouTube channels like Hum TV, ARY Digital and Har Pal Geo were also made available to be streamed ban followed the ghastly Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 innocent lives, mostly tourists, earlier this year. India launched Operation Sindoor and destroyed terrorist centres in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and also banned all cross-border associations, including creative Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is yet to react to the reappearance of the Pakistani channels and celebrity accounts in India despite the ban.- Ends


Mint
33 minutes ago
- Mint
Kashmir Vande Bharat needs better timing, more frequency and onboard Wi-Fi: Omar Abdullah to Ashwini Vaishnaw
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has requested Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to increase the number of coaches, frequency and reschedule the timings of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat train that started operating last month. The Chief Minister also sought to provide onboard internet connectivity for the train, the first rail service connecting Kashmir with mainland India. The current coach configuration on the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is proving insufficient to cater to the growing passenger demand, especially during weekends, holidays, and the ongoing pilgrimage and tourism seasons, Abdullah said in the letter addressed to the Union Minister. 'Augmenting the train's capacity by adding one or more Chair Car and Executive Class coaches will go a long way in addressing this surge,' he said in the letter. Abdullah said he made the request based on the feedback from various stakeholders and commuters and his own experience after travelling by the train. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Vande Bharat Express train to Kashmir from Jammu on June 6, after the completion of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project. Modi flagged off the train services from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi(SMVD) railway station in Jammu's Katra to Srinagar, Kashmir. On the occasion, Modi also flagged off another train from Srinagar to Katra. Before the June 6 inauguration, trains operated between Banihal and Baramulla, north of Srinagar in the Kashmir valley, and between Jammu, Udhampur and Katra in the Jammu region. Given the 'overwhelming' response and the strategic importance of this route, the Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to increase the frequency of the train. 'This would greatly benefit local commuters and tourists and help unlock the full potential of this vital corridor,' he said in the letter. The Vande Bharat Express in Kashmir operates on two routes: Katra to Srinagar and Srinagar to Katra, with a total of four trips daily. The first train (26401) departs Katra at 8:10 AM and arrives in Srinagar at 11:08 AM, while the return train (26402) leaves Srinagar at 2:00 PM and arrives in Katra at 4:48 PM. The second service (26403) departs Katra at 2:55 PM and reaches Srinagar at 5:53 PM, with the return train (26404) leaving Srinagar at 8:00 AM and arriving in Katra at 10:58 AM. Both services operate six days a week, with the Katra to Srinagar service not running on Tuesdays and the Srinagar to Katra service not running on Wednesdays. Abdullah said, in the letter, that it has also been observed that the current departure and arrival timings are not optimal for the working population or for those intending to undertake day-trips for official, educational, medical, or pilgrimage-related purposes. 'In this regard, it is earnestly requested that the depafture from Katra be scheduled in the early morning hours, and the return journey from Srinagar be timed for the late evening. This would facilitate same day return travel and signiflcantly enhance commuter convenience,' the letter reads. In the last request, the CM pitched for an internet facility on board the train. In today's digital age, uninterrupted internet access has become a key expectation of passengers, especially on premium trains such as the Vande Bharat Express, the CM said. 'Provision of high-speed onboard Wi-Fi will greatly enhance the travel experience, allowing passengers to remain connected for work, communication, and entertainment during their journey especially in view of poor mobile connectivity in the long tunnels,' he said. Provision of high-speed onboard Wi-Fi will greatly enhance the travel experience. Abdullah said these measures will substantially improve passenger satisfaction, regional connectivity, and tourism promotion in Jammu and Kashmir.