Latest news with #PreetiChoudhry
India Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Gadkari gets candid on why Delhi chokes, retirement plans and favourite toll meme
In an interview with India Today's Preeti Choudhry on the debut episode of UnPolitics, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari opened up about his personal journey, political icons, innovative projects and the unfiltered reality of running one of the country's most ambitious ministries."I am a grassroots activist," Gadkari said, introducing himself. "For me, politics is a tool for socio-economic reform. I do 90% social work and 10% politics."advertisementHe added that he works extensively in fields like education, agriculture, handicrafts, and organic farming. "I never thought I'd receive 13 honorary doctorates. I couldn't even qualify for engineering admission," he said, recalling how he secured 52% marks in Class 12 and was disqualified from pursuing engineering due to poor the formal accolades, he downplayed titles. "Don't call me Dr Gadkari," he chuckled. "If I've achieved anything, it is because of my mother."Asked about his political role models, Gadkari named George Fernandes as his icon. "I was close to him. He shaped my political thinking," he said, adding that he drew inspiration from leaders across parties, including AB Bardhan of the Communist Party and many stalwarts from the Congress and Socialist movements."Goodness is not the patent of any one party," he being widely liked even by political opponents, Gadkari said, "Whoever comes to me - ally or opponent - if their work is legitimate, I try to help. Vajpayee ji taught us that while ministers belong to parties, they also belong to the country."Gadkari didn't shy away from criticism either. On being trolled over toll fees, he said with a smile, "Yes, I've seen all the memes. My favourite one is from Gadar - 'Nikla Gadi Leke, Toll Aaya Samne'." He admitted public anger was real but defended toll policies as necessary for infrastructural also confirmed a quirky yet eco-conscious habit, "Yes, I once gave 72 litres of my own urine to my gardener. It's about turning waste into wealth," he explained, elaborating on various organic farming techniques and innovations in took pride in his green energy mission. "40% of Delhi's pollution is from the transport sector. That's why I've introduced electric vehicles, ethanol, bio-CNG, LNG, hydrogen, and flex-fuel engines,' he spoke of ongoing work worth over Rs 1 lakh crore in the Delhi-NCR region and ambitious goals to decongest the asked whether his 100 km-per-day highway target was realistic, Gadkari responded, 'It's difficult, but in my dictionary, 'impossible' means 'I am possible'.'advertisementHe noted that current highway construction averages 36–38 km/day and aims to ramp up significantly through better planning and criticism about faulty highways and rushed projects, Gadkari clarified, 'There are 72 lakh km of roads in India. I'm responsible for just 1.5 lakh km of national highways. If the issue is on my road, I won't spare the contractor or the officer. If the mistake is bona fide, I forgive. If it's fraudulent, I punish.'The minister also touched upon his relationships with Maharashtra's political families. 'I've had close ties with Balasaheb Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray. But politics and personal relationships are different,' he said, recounting humorous memories like Balasaheb once calling him 'Nitin Chaddi-Chhaap' for refusing to drink about his views on leadership in the BJP and the possibility of a woman president, Gadkari dodged a direct answer. 'Party leaders will decide. I don't aspire to become anything,' he said, reiterating his commitment to development over brushed off talk about being the party's 'vikas purush' (man of development). 'The real vikas purush today is Narendra Modi. Under his leadership, we've done what Congress couldn't in 60 years,' he said. 'I am just doing my work. Whether I'm good or bad, the people will decide.'advertisementAs the interview drew to a close, Gadkari opened up about family life. 'I speak to my grandchildren every morning. We take holidays together. Recently, we visited Spain. I live a simple life and enjoy the time I get with family,' he about retirement, the 67-year-old laughed, 'The problem is, I'm trying to do in a few years what I should have done in 25. There's no retirement date for me. As long as I'm fit, I'll keep working. I don't make long-term plans - I'm unorganised and undisciplined.'Refusing to fall into the trap of headline-friendly controversy, Gadkari said, 'Why should I give you a news line? That's your job.'- EndsMust Watch
India Today
13-06-2025
- India Today
Ground report: Plane horror unfolds, no bodies, no closure, only haunting memories
In this episode of To The Point, watch India Today's Preeti Choudhry's ground report from the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and all the latest updates about the crash. The black box of the crashed Air India flight AI171 has been recovered from the rooftop of the crash site in Ahmedabad. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an inspection of the AI Boeing fleet and implemented new maintenance protocols. Out of 242 passengers, 241 have been confirmed dead, with one survivor. Over 200 DNA samples have been collected for victim identification. The crash site spans about 600 meters, with the BJ Medical College hostel mess being the area of maximum impact. At the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, over 200 families have provided DNA samples to identify victims of the plane crash. Bodies are charred beyond recognition, with some reduced to body parts. The DNA sampling process is expected to take 72 hours. Families have come from across India and abroad, including the UK, to seek closure. The scene is one of grief and anger as loved ones struggle to cope with the sudden loss of life.
India Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Opposition's questions on Operation Sindoor justified? Panellists debate on Preeti Choudhry's show
One month after the Pahalgam terror attack, the hunt for the four terrorists responsible is still on. The National Investigation Agency is questioning witnesses and examining data using technical surveillance. Authorities have released sketches of three terrorists and announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh each for information. The attack has led to unprecedented diplomatic and military actions between India and Pakistan, including Operation Sindoor. Meanwhile, Opposition parties are raising questions about the ongoing search for the terrorists and the government's response to the situation. While the BJP has slammed the Opposition for raising questions on Operation Sindoor. So, are the Opposition's questions on Operation Sindoor justified? Watch as panellists debate on Preeti Choudhry's show.
India Today
20-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Is political consensus on Operation Sindoor over? Panelists debate on Preeti Choudhry's show
The big focus of this episode of To The Point is on the political war that has erupted between Congress and BJP over Operation Sindoor. The Congress has questioned the government's handling of the operation, citing External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's statement about informing Pakistan. While the BJP has accused the opposition of demoralising the armed forces and playing into Pakistan's hands. So, as both parties spar, we raised these questions on the show: Are Congress' charges justified or frivolous? Should the government clear air on certain pertinent questions? Political consensus on Operation Sindoor over? Why so much skepticism about the operation and the government's intent? Watch as panellists debate these and more with Preeti Choudhry.
