The Free Press Journal

With Patel in backdrop, PM talks Kashmir

Modi's wife offers puja at Kalyaneshw­ari temple

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Jammu and Kashmir seems to be on top of Prime Minister's mind, even on his birthday. In a direct reference, resurrecti­ng Sardar Vallabhbha­i Patel's vision, Modi basked in the glory of the recent abrogation of Article 370 ending special powers to Kashmir.

Standing in vicinity of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, Modi said, "Country is witnessing fulfilment of Sardar Patel's dream of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'." "Have a look at the majestic 'Statue of Unity', India's tribute to the great Sardar Patel," he tweeted.

In a direct reference to Kashmir and the abrogation, the Prime Minister said: "India is trying to complete the works that were left incomplete after Independen­ce. People of J&K, Ladakh faced discrimina­tion for 70 years and the country had to bear its consequenc­es in form of separatism and violence."

Modi spent his 69th birthday morning at Kevadia Eco Park, where Modi was overwhelme­d by the beauty of river Narmada. He said, its his privilege to start the day with this visit.

Talking about conservati­ons, he said: "In our culture it is believed that developmen­t can be done while protecting the environmen­t, and it is evident here. Nature is dear to us, it is our jewel."

The Prime Minister also visited the Ekta Nursery, situated in close proximity to the iconic Statue of Unity. The nursery manufactur­es various traditiona­l eco-friendly products and offers a live demonstrat­ion of their manufactur­ing process to the visitors.

Earlier, Modi offered prayers at Garudeshwa­r Dutt Temple in the Narmada district of Gujarat. The pooja he performed at the dam was part of the Namami Devi Narmada Mahotsav which is being organised by the Vijay Rupani government to mark the rise of water levels 138.68 metres in the Sardar Sarovar reservoir. KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's wife Jashodaben visited the Kalyaneswa­ri temple at Asansol of West Burdwan district and offered puja, a temple official said on Tuesday. Jashodaben, who was on a two-day trip to Dhanbad in Jharkhand, arrived at the famous temple at 12.45 pm on Monday and spent half an hour. Soon after she arrived with a relative, a big crowd gathered to see her. A large number of security personnel had been posted in and around the temple in view of the 67-yearold retired school teacher's visit.

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 ?? PIC: AFP ?? PM Narendra Modi interactin­g with his mother Heeraba on his birthday at her residence at Rysan village, about 30 km from Ahmedabad
PIC: AFP PM Narendra Modi interactin­g with his mother Heeraba on his birthday at her residence at Rysan village, about 30 km from Ahmedabad
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