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India Gazette
13-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Former Puri King objects to ISKCON performing Rath Yatra rituals
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], July 13 (ANI): The former King of Puri, Gajapati Dibyasingh Deb, has objected to ISKCON devotees celebrating Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra 'throughout the year' outside India, calling it 'inappropriate', thus against tradition and scriptures. He said talks are ongoing with ISKCON's head office in West Bengal to stop such practices. 'There is a specified date for that in our Sanatan Vedic culture, and it is celebrated only on Jyeshtha Purnima. We are seeing that the ISKCON is celebrating the birthday on different days abroad... This is inappropriate, against the scriptures and tradition. Shri Jagannath Mandir Puri is making efforts for this,' he told ANI. 'Whether it is the Rath Yatra or Snan Yatra of Lord Jagannath, the dates are decided by the Lord himself in Skanda Purana, Brahma Purana and different holy scriptures. The Snan Yatra is the day of his appearance,' he added. Earlier, Dibyasingh Deb said ISKCON had agreed to follow scripture-based traditions in India, and no violations were seen in recent years. 'After criticism, the Indian ISKCON agreed to celebrate the Snan Yatra and Rath Yatra as per the scriptures, and there has been no violation for two to three years. But outside India, ISKCON is celebrating Snan Yatra and Rath Yatra throughout the year. This is inappropriate, against the scriptures and tradition. Shri Jagannath Mandir Puri is making efforts for this,' he said. He added that discussions are underway with ISKCON's Mayapur head office to stop these practices abroad. 'Discussions are ongoing with the ISKCON head office in Mayapur, West Bengal, as to how to stop this. We hope that they get information and scriptural evidence from the Jagannath Puri temple and they stop this violation outside India, because this hurts the religious and spiritual sentiments of all the devotees of Lord Jagannath in the world,' the erstwhile king of Puri added. Asked about the long-standing restriction on non-Hindus entering the Jagannath Puri temple, he said any change must come from the Shankaracharya. 'Currently, there is no discussion regarding it. One needs to go to the Shankaracharya regarding this. This is a religious matter, and only a Dharmaguru can make any decision on it; only then can there be any changes. I cannot say anything about it. The established tradition is that only Hindus have the right to enter,' he said. The former Puri King also spoke about the increasing footfall at the annual festival and called on the government to provide better facilities. 'The number of devotees is increasing each year. This year, the no. of devotees during the Rath Yatra was nearly 15 lakhs. The government should make the required arrangements for accommodation, security and facilities. The no. of devotees this year was much more than expected. Lakhs of people attended the rituals during the nine days of the Rath Yatra. I am sure the state government will provide good facilities,' he said. His comments come after a stampede during the Rath Yatra on June 29, which left three people dead and several injured. On the decision to pull the chariots at night, he said there is no official restriction, but safety must be considered. 'As per the government directions, if the chariots reach near the temple, then they can be pulled during the night. According to the Skanda Puran, even in the night, the chariots should be pulled using thousands of torches, if needed and make the Rath reach the temple anyhow. There is no restriction on pulling the chariots at night. But for the safety of the devotees and to avoid mishaps, it is not appropriate to pull the chariots at night,' he said. On July 7, large numbers of devotees gathered in Puri for the sacred 'Adhara Panna' ritual, where Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, was offered a special drink on the chariot. The ritual is one of the most significant events of the Rath Yatra celebrations.(ANI)
India Gazette
04-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
"Our priority will always be Global South": PM Modi during joint session of Trinidad and Tobago's Parliament
Port of Spain [Trinidad and Tobago], July 4 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reaffirmed India's unwavering commitment to the Global South during his address to the Joint Assembly of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, stating that India sees its development as a responsibility towards others. Addressing lawmakers at the iconic Red House in Port of Spain, PM Modi said, 'India is the fastest growing major economy in the world... We see our development also as our responsibility towards others, and our priority will always be the Global South.' Expanding on India's development vision, he noted that as India builds Artificial Intelligence tools to drive growth in the Global South, Trinidad and Tobago would be a 'priority nation' for partnership. Highlighting the areas of bilateral support, he said, 'We will share our expertise in agriculture, horticulture and food processing. Machinery from India will support your agro industry, and since development is about dignity, we will organize an artificial limb fitment camp and differently abled citizens here. For us, there are no limits to our cooperation with you.' Reinforcing India's commitment to deepening regional engagement, he added, 'Building on the momentum of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit, we are eager to collaborate on initiatives that enhance trade and investment, build infrastructure and mobility, implement community development projects and, above all, support capacity building, training and skill development on a large scale.' In a broader global context, PM Modi pointed out the challenges facing international institutions and the growing aspirations of the Global South. 'The old institutions are struggling to deliver peace and progress. At the same time, the Global South is rising. They wish to see a new and fairer world order,' he said. Reflecting on unmet expectations, he remarked, 'When the United Nations turned 75, there was great hope across the developing world that long-pending reform would be realised... that their voice would be heard. But that hope has turned into disappointment.' Outlining India's roadmap for future ties, PM Modi said, 'Our trade will continue to grow. We will encourage businesses to invest more in this country. Our development partnership will expand.' Recognising the importance of gender representation in governance, the Prime Minister lauded the composition of the Parliament. 'I'm delighted to see so many women members in this House. Respect for women is deeply rooted in Indian culture. One of our important holy texts, the Skanda Purana, says that one daughter brings as much happiness as ten sons. We are strengthening the hands of women to build our modern India. From space to sports, startups to science, education to enterprise, aviation to armed forces -- they are leading India to a new future in various domains.' He also spoke about the cultural ties between the two countries, tracing it back nearly two centuries. '...180 years ago, the first Indians arrived on this land after a long and hard journey, oceans away. The Indian beats blended beautifully with the Caribbean rhythm... From politics to poetry, cricket to commerce -- they contribute to every field.' Earlier in the day, PM Modi was conferred with The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT), the nation's highest civilian honour, becoming the first foreign leader to receive it. He described the award as a reflection of the 'eternal and deep friendship' between India and Trinidad and Tobago. President Christine Kangaloo presented the award at the President's House in Port of Spain. The Prime Minister noted the cultural ties reflected in President Kangaloo's own Indian ancestry. This recognition marks the 25th international honour bestowed upon PM Modi by any country. Ahead of the joint parliamentary address, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with President Kangaloo in the capital. PM Modi arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday (local time), where he was welcomed with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Piarco International Airport. Sharing a video of the warm reception on social media platform X, the Prime Minister wrote, 'May the friendship between India-Trinidad & Tobago flourish in the times to come! Highlights from a special welcome in Port of Spain.' The footage showcased traditional music, dance, and enthusiastic greetings from the Indian diaspora. This is PM Modi's first visit to Trinidad and Tobago as Prime Minister and the first bilateral Prime Ministerial-level visit since 1999. The visit is part of a broader five-nation tour from July 2 to July 9, aimed at deepening ties in sectors including digital finance, renewable energy, health, and IT. Following his engagements in Trinidad and Tobago, PM Modi is scheduled to visit Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. He will participate in the 17th BRICS Summit 2025 in Brazil from July 5 to July 8 before concluding the tour with a state visit to Namibia. (ANI)
India Today
04-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
We cheer for West Indies, except vs India, PM quips in Trinidad and Tobago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a joint assembly of Trinidad and Tobago's Parliament on his address to the joint assembly of Trinidad and Tobago's Parliament, he struck a chord with a light-hearted remark on cricket, saying, 'I must say, Indians are among the most passionate fans of the West Indies cricket team. We cheer for them with all our heart, except when they are playing against India.'The comment drew smiles and applause as PM Modi used cricket to reflect the warm ties between the two PM also highlighted the historical, cultural, and democratic ties between the two nations, while also appreciating the vibrant Indian diaspora's contributions to the Caribbean his speech, Prime Minister Modi drew attention to the role of the Indian community in shaping Trinidad and Tobago's political and cultural landscape."180 years ago, the first Indians arrived on this land after a long and hard journey, oceans away. The Indian beats blended beautifully with the Caribbean rhythm. From politics to poetry, cricket to commerce - they contribute to every field,' he Modi praised the leadership of Trinidad and Tobago for empowering women, especially by electing two women leaders to the country's highest offices. 'The people of this great nation have chosen two remarkable women leaders - the President and the Prime Minister. They proudly called themselves daughters of the Indian diaspora. They take pride in their Indian heritage. Both of our nations rose from the shadows of colonial rule to write our own stories with courage, as our ink and democracy as pen...' he also acknowledged the significant representation of women in the Trinidadian Parliament. 'I'm delighted to see so many women members in this house. Respect for women is deeply rooted in Indian culture. One of our important holy texts, the Skanda Purana, says that one daughter brings as much happiness as ten sons. We are strengthening the hands of women to build our modern India. From space to sports, startups to science, education to enterprise, aviation to armed forces - they are leading India to a new future in various domains.'Emphasising the deep-rooted democratic values of both nations, the Prime Minister said, 'For us, Indians, democracy is not just a political model but a way of life. We have a rich heritage spanning thousands of years. Many of the parliamentarians here have their ancestors from Bihar, which was a home to the Mahajanpads - ancient republics.'- EndsTrending Reel IN THIS STORY#Narendra Modi
Mint
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
PM Modi addresses Trinidad and Tobago Parliament on democracy, terrorism, role of women, cricket, more
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the joint Assembly of Trinidad and Tobago parliament on Friday during his two-day visit to the Caribbean nation. He also received the 'Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago', the first foreign leader to be honoured with the prestigious award. During his address, PM Modi spoke about democracy, India's growth, bilateral ties, the importance of women's empowerment, and the deep ties with the Indian diaspora. PM Modi emphasised that democracy for Indians is a way of life rooted in a rich heritage. He noted the ancestral ties of many parliamentarians to Bihar, known for its ancient republics. 'For us, Indians, democracy is not just a political model but a way of life. We have a rich heritage spanning thousands of years. Many of the parliamentarians here have their ancestors from Bihar, which was a home to Mahajanpads - ancient republics,' PM Modi noted. Emphasising India's growth and priorities, PM Modi was quoted by ANI saying, "India is the fastest growing major economy in the world.. We see our development also as our responsibility towards others, and our priority will always be the Global South..." PM Modi reiterated the need to stand against terrorism. 'We must stand united to deny terrorism any shelter or space.' His statement comes months after the deadly Pahlagam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives. In a speech to Trinidad and Tobago's parliament, PM Modi emphasises the importance of women and underscores their significant contributions to India's development in diverse fields, reinforcing the cultural respect for women in India. PM Modi said, 'I'm delighted to see so many women members in this house. Respect for women is deeply rooted in Indian culture. One of our important holy texts, the Skanda Purana, says that one daughter brings as much happiness as ten sons.' He further added, 'We are strengthening the hands of women to build our modern India. From space to sports, startups to science, education to enterprise, aviation to armed forces - they are leading India to a new future in various domains.' PM Modi expresses that Indians are passionate fans of the West Indies cricket team, supporting them wholeheartedly except during matches against India. 'I must say, Indians are among the most passionate fans of the West Indies cricket team. We cheer for them with all our heart, except when they are playing against India,' PM Modi said. Addressing the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago's parliament, PM Modi said, "180 years ago, the first Indians arrived on this land after a long and hard journey, oceans away. The Indian beats blended beautifully with the Caribbean rhythm... From politics to poetry, cricket to commerce—they contribute to every field..."
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'We cheer for West Indies cricket team except when ... ': PM Modi's cricket banter in Trindad & Tobago Parliament draws laugh
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi charmed lawmakers in Trinidad and Tobago with a mix of heartfelt diplomacy and light-hearted cricket banter during his address to the joint sitting of the country's Parliament on Friday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Highlighting the shared love for the game, joked, 'I must say, Indians are among the most passionate fans of the . We cheer for them with all our heart, except when they are playing against India.' His remark sparked laughter across the chamber. PM Modi, on his first bilateral visit to the Caribbean nation as Prime Minister, was conferred with The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, becoming the first foreign leader to receive the country's highest civilian honour. Accepting the award, he said, 'I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you, your government, and the people for honouring me with the highest national award, the 'Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago'. I accept this honour on behalf of 140 crore Indians as a shared pride.' During his address, PM Modi spoke of the enduring bond between the nations, forged over 180 years ago when the first Indian immigrants arrived in Trinidad. 'The Indian beats blended beautifully with the Caribbean rhythm... From politics to poetry, cricket to commerce – they contribute to every field,' he said. He also praised the country's representation of women in Parliament, saying, 'I'm delighted to see so many women members in this house. Respect for women is deeply rooted in Indian culture. One of our important holy texts, the Skanda Purana, says that one daughter brings as much happiness as ten sons. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now From space to sports, startups to science, education to enterprise, aviation to armed forces – they are leading India to a new future in various domains. ' President Christine Kangaloo, who presented PM Modi with the honour at a ceremony at the President's House, called his kindness and generosity 'legendary,' particularly recalling India's vaccine donation during the COVID-19 crisis. 'That act of kindness only further strengthened the longstanding relationship between the governments and people of both our countries,' she said. PM Modi was welcomed with traditional performances and enthusiastic cheers from the Indian diaspora upon arrival. His visit, part of a five-nation tour, also includes stops in Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia, culminating with the BRICS Summit in Brazil from July 5–8.
