PM Modi didn’t just speak of modernising Anganwadis but delivered it: Smriti Irani

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) While the Modi government completes 11 years in power, ‘Garib Kalyan’ has remained at the core of governance as reflected in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s oft-repeated pitch of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas’.

Much like Ujjwala Yojana, DBT, Jan Dhan Yojana and others, Anganwadi centres have seen upgradation and transformation for the first time, under Prime Minister Modi.

Former Union Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday explained in detail how the Anganwadis remained “institutions of no relevance” during UPA rule but became digitised and modernised under the Modi government.

The Modi Story, a popular social media handle on X, shared a video of Smriti Irani shedding light on the differences between the BJP and Congress regimes in their outlook, focus and governance regarding Anganwadis.

In the video, Irani, the former Women and Child Development Minister, said there is too much of a difference between boasting about bringing change and delivering it on the ground.

“PM Modi didn’t just speak about modernisation but delivered it. He not just spoke about revamping old ways of working in the Anganwadis but also brought structural changes to ensure that the real change happens on the ground,” she said.

Lamenting the ignorance and negligence of Anganwadi centres during the Congress regime, she said that it remained in power for so many years, but Anganwadis were never on its list of priorities.

Recalling the range of initiatives to strengthen Anganwadis, Irani said that under Prime Minister Modi, more than 11 lakh Anganwadis received smart devices and 12 lakh growth monitoring devices, a first in the country’s history.

Over 10 lakh Anganwadi workers were trained digitally and offline, she further informed, calling it a true example of turning vision into action.

Notably, Anganwadi Services are one of the flagship programmes of the government providing early childhood care and development of the beneficiaries i.e. children in the age group of 0-6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers through a large network of Anganwadi workers (AWW) and Helpers (AWH).

Under POSHAN Abhiyaan, the Aanganwadi workers (AWWs) have been technologically empowered with smartphones. A total of 11.03 lakhs smartphones have been procured by States/UTs.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative this year, the Women and Child Development Ministry decided to extend childcare services through Anganwadi cum Creche (AWCC).

–IANS

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19-year-old woman gang-raped in Varanasi for seven days, six arrested

Varanasi, April 7 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested six individuals in connection with the alleged gang rape of a 19-year-old woman in Varanasi.

The incident reportedly took place over seven days after the victim went missing from her home on March 29.

According to the victim’s father, an FIR was registered at Lalpur Pandeypur police station following the complaint. The six accused, all from Hukulganj and Lallapura areas, were taken into custody the same night. The victim had left her home with a male friend on March 29, a routine she had followed in the past without any issues. However, she failed to return home, prompting her family to file a missing person report on April 4.

The victim was later found at the Pandeypur intersection, where the accused allegedly abandoned her.

Following her recovery, the victim disclosed the details of the ordeal to her father, who subsequently lodged a complaint, leading to the registration of a case of gang rape.

The assault reportedly took place at a hookah bar, a hotel, a lodge, and a guest house.

Chandra Kant Meena, DCP of Varuna Zone, confirmed that a case has been registered, and the six suspects are currently in custody.

“The case is under investigation,” said DCP Meena.

He further explained that on April 6, a rape complaint was received at Lalpur Pandeypur police station, adding that the incident occurred between March 29 and April 4.

“Victim’s family initially reported her missing on March 29. She was recovered by the police on April 4. Neither the victim nor her family had filed a complaint of sexual assault. The rape complaint was only lodged on April 6,” he said.

DCP Meena also addressed media reports suggesting the victim was a minor, clarifying that the victim is 19 years old.

“Six individuals have been detained, and interrogation is ongoing,” he added.

DCP Meena said that legal proceedings are underway as the investigation continues.

–IANS

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Centre should have called all-party meeting before announcing ceasefire: Karnataka CM

Mysuru (Karnataka), May 12 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated in Mysuru on Monday that the Centre should have called for an all-party meeting before announcing the ceasefire.

Speaking to the media at the H.D. Kote helipad, CM Siddaramaiah while answering a question, stated, “According to me, they should have called an all party meeting before announcing the ceasefire. They also have to call for a special Parliament session. This is a very serious matter.”

“The ceasefire has been declared and both the countries have agreed. The Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs)-level meeting is taking place. We have to see what happens there. The credit should go to our military and the security forces. No one political party should take the credit. It has to go to the Defence forces and the Army,” CM Siddaramaiah reiterated.

When asked whether all Pakistani nations have been sent back from the state, he stated, “In Mysuru, three children, who are Pakistani nationals are present and the rest have been sent back from across the state. Those three kids are below six years. The mother is an Indian and the husband is from Pakistan. They have three children. They had gone to the border but no one came to take them and they have come back.”

“It is 54 years since the 1971 war. I won’t comment much about the war. The ceasefire has been declared and let’s see what will be the outcome,” he stated while answering a question on talks about late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi taking harsher decisions to declare a war against Pakistan in 1971.

“I welcome the decision of a ceasefire and await the outcome of the meeting of the DGMOs of both the countries,” he stated.

When asked about celebration on completion of two years by the Congress-led government in Karnataka, CM Siddaramaiah stated, “We have decided to hold the event because, in the last Cabinet, the decision of a ceasefire was not made and we thought about postponing the event. We had informed AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi that the event is most likely to be postponed.”

AICC National General Secretaries Randeep Singh Surjewala and K.C. Venugopal had informed LoP Rahul Gandhi already about this and now they are saying that they will ask him and confirm the date of availability by the evening. We want to celebrate and hold the event.”

The Congress was planning to hold the event on May 20 in Vijayanagara.

When questioned on how he rates his government, the CM stated, “This government has delivered what it had promised.”

Answering a question on a Cabinet reshuffle, CM Siddaramaiah stated, “When I take the decision to reshuffle the Cabinet, I will inform media.”

CM Siddaramaiah stated, “The Buddha Purnima is celebrated from the government today and I want to convey Buddha Purnima wishes to the people of the state. In all states and throughout the country, I wish that peace is established.”

–IANS

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Gujarat Police deploys 3800 personnel & over 400 CCTVs for Coldplay concert

Ahmedabad, Jan 25 (IANS) Gujarat Police has implemented stringent security measures for the Coldplay concert at the Narendra Modi Stadium, scheduled for January 25 and 26 in Ahmedabad.

With lakhs of fans expected to attend the event, the British rock band’s performance will witness one of the most robust security arrangements in recent times.

An official said that over 3,800 police personnel have been deployed, along with a specialised contingent from the National Security Guard (NSG).

“In addition, more than 400 CCTV cameras have been installed to ensure round-the-clock surveillance of the venue and its surroundings,” he said.

He added that police teams equipped with metal detectors will be stationed at entry points, and plainclothes officers will be present for discreet monitoring.

The concert at the Narendra Modi Stadium is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 PM and conclude by 10 PM. To further strengthen the arrangements, a significant number of women police personnel have been assigned duties at various checkpoints and entry gates, ensuring safety and support for all attendees.

Senior police officials, including Ahmedabad Police JCP Neeraj Kumar, confirmed the deployment of specialised teams such as the Crime Branch and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

They said that quick response teams have also been mobilised to handle emergencies, while bomb detection squads, comprising 10 dedicated teams, will carry out proactive checks to prevent any untoward incidents.

“The NSG contingent will maintain a constant watch to ensure that no security lapses occur during the event,” said an official, emphasising the importance of foolproof arrangements given the anticipated crowd size.

In anticipation of medical emergencies, medical and paramedical teams have been stationed at strategic points around the stadium. These teams are prepared to handle any health-related contingencies during the event.

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik also conducted a security rehearsal at the Narendra Modi Stadium, inspecting all arrangements to ensure readiness for the concert.

Security measures extend beyond the venue, with metro stations and nearby public areas receiving enhanced surveillance.

On January 24 evening, Coldplay’s official Instagram handle treated fans to a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Chris Martin’s arrival in Ahmedabad. The video, shared via Instagram Stories, captures a back shot of the band’s frontman riding a pillion on a scooter down an empty street.

As the scooter accelerates, Chris can be heard exclaiming, “What the heck!” The caption accompanying the video read, “Arriving in Ahmedabad.”

In another post, Coldplay shared a front-angle photo of Chris sporting a casual look in a black T-shirt, olive green shorts, and white sneakers, seated on the white scooter.

–IANS

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