‘Deeply saddened’: PM Modi condoles death of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, July 14 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the demise of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, remembering his warm persona and steadfast dedication to strengthening India-Nigeria relations.

Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s President from 2015 to 2023, passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82. He had been undergoing medical treatment at a clinic in the British capital.

Taking to X, Prime Minister Modi wrote, “Deeply saddened by the passing of former President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari. I fondly recall our meetings and conversations on various occasions. His wisdom, warmth and unwavering commitment to India-Nigeria friendship stood out.”

“I join the 1.4 billion people of India in extending our heartfelt condolences to his family, the people and the government of Nigeria,” he added.

Born on December 17, 1942, Muhammadu Buhari held a distinguished position in both Nigeria’s military and civilian leadership.

He first led the country as a military ruler in the 1980s and returned to power as a democratically elected president in 2015, becoming the first opposition candidate in Nigeria’s history to defeat a sitting president.

Re-elected in 2019, Buhari completed his second term and peacefully handed over power to his successor, Bola Tinubu, on May 29, 2023.

Buhari’s presidency was primarily defined by his focus on enhancing national security, combating systemic corruption, and pushing for economic diversification.

His administration mounted significant campaigns against the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast and took substantial steps to recover embezzled public funds.

Under his leadership, Nigeria also saw investments in infrastructure and agricultural reforms.

In honour of the late statesman, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for the country’s former leader.

–IANS

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Gujarat: Encroachments cleared in Ahmedabad as AMC, police launch joint demolition drive

Ahmedabad, May 15 (IANS) Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and city police carried out a large-scale demolition operation in Rakhiyal on Thursday, clearing encroachments from a Gujarat Housing Board plot near Morarji Chowk.

The drive removed around 20 illegally constructed business units and a makeshift structure used for offering Namaz. Assistant Commissioner of Police R.D. Oza confirmed that the demolition was initiated at the request of the Housing Board and was carried out with full police support to ensure order throughout the operation.

The plot in question was originally part of a 1960 housing scheme reserved for mill workers. Despite a demolition conducted at the site in 2008, encroachments had gradually returned, prompting renewed action by the authorities.

To ensure a peaceful operation, over 350 police personnel were deployed, including senior officers such as Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and Police Inspectors. The massive police presence underscored the administration’s intention to avoid any disruption during the sensitive drive.

Officials said illegal commercial establishments, including shops and small factories, had mushroomed on the open land over the years. The presence of active electricity connections in many of these units raised concerns over how such services were extended to unauthorised structures.

Similar irregularities were recently flagged during the Chandola Lake clearance operation. Bapunagar Ward Corporator Prakash Gurjar stated that the operation covered three illegally occupied plots spread across 2,680 square meters.

Since the Housing Board lacks a dedicated estate wing, the AMC’s North Zone Estate Department stepped in to carry out the clearance. Gurjar also confirmed that the reclaimed area would be fenced off to prevent future encroachments. The cleared land is expected to be restored for community use, potentially benefiting over 5,000 residents in nearby Housing Board residences.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat government initiated a large-scale demolition drive in Ahmedabad’s Chandola Lake area in late April 2025. The operation, led by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) with substantial police support, targeted illegal encroachments that had proliferated around the historic water body over the years.

The drive resulted in the demolition of approximately 4,000 unauthorised structures, including both permanent and temporary dwellings, spread across 1.5 lakh square meters of government land.

Authorities reported that many of these settlements were occupied by individuals suspected to be illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. In the days leading up to the demolition, over 6,500 people were detained for verification, with 450 confirmed as illegal residents.

–IANS

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PM inaugurates Charlapalli Railway Terminal in Hyderabad for regional development

Hyderabad, Jan 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday virtually inaugurated the Charlapalli Railway Terminal in Hyderabad and said this would accelerate regional development.

It is the fourth terminal station in Telangana after Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Kacheguda.

The new terminal in the Medchal-Malkajgiri district on the eastern side of Hyderabad has been developed as a new coaching terminal along with the provision of second entry with a cost of around Rs 413 crore.

The Prime Minister highlighted its potential to accelerate regional development by connecting to the Outer Ring Road.

“This station, connected to the Outer Ring Road, will significantly boost development in the region,” he stated.

PM Modi also highlighted the station’s modern amenities including its platforms, lifts, escalators, solar-powered operations, saying, “This is a step forward in creating sustainable infrastructure.”

He stated that this new terminal will ease the pressure on existing stations in Secunderabad, Hyderabad, and Kacheguda, making travel more convenient for the people.

This environment-friendly terminal, having good passenger amenities, will ease congestion on the existing coaching terminals in the city like Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Kacheguda.

Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Union Minister for Coal and Mines and Telangana BJP president G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna, Union Minister of State for Coal Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Telangana’s IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, South Central Railways (SCR) General Manager Arun Kumar Jain and others participated in the inauguration ceremony held at the new terminal station.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy participated virtually and made requests to the Prime Minister to sanction the Regional Ring Rail for Hyderabad.

The Charlapalli terminal can handle an additional 15 pairs of trains with four extra high-level platforms.

The existing five platforms were also extended to accommodate full-length trains.

Another 10 lines are available, taking the total capacity to 19 lines.

The new facility features spacious concourse areas, illuminated facade, two spacious foot-over-bridges and lifts and escalators.

A 12-metre-wide foot-over-bridge connects all the platforms directly from the concourse while a six-metre-wide foot-over-bridge is for inter-platform movement.

The station building comprises of six booking counters, separate waiting halls for men and women, as well as an upper-class waiting area and an executive lounge on the ground floor.

Additionally, the first floor houses a cafeteria, restaurant, and restroom facilities.

All nine platforms would have escalators and lifts that is total seven lifts and six escalators for facilitating passenger movement.

It will also have coach maintenance facilities for facilitating originating and terminating trains at the station.

–IANS

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We believe in Mahatma Gandhi’s Hindutva: CM Siddaramaiah

Belagavi (Karnataka), Jan 21 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the Congress party believes in Mahatma Gandhi’s Hindutva who was a true Ram devotee.

While addressing a gathering at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday following the unveiling of the Mahatma Gandhi Statue, the CM said, “Mahatma Gandhi, who was a true Ram devotee and an exemplary Hindu, was killed by the BJP Parivar’s Godse. We believe in Gandhi’s Hindutva, while the BJP Parivar follows the murderous ideology of Godse.”

“Gandhi’s Hindutva embraced love, harmony, and equality. On the contrary, the BJP Parivar opposes these values, harbours hatred for Gandhi’s principles, and acts against the Constitution and Ambedkar’s ideals,” Siddaramaiah stated.

He further said, “We aim to pass on Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophies to the next generation more meaningfully. With a vision to fulfil Gandhi’s dream of Gram Swaraj, we will move forward with the ‘Jai Bapu – Jai Bhim – Jai Samvidhan’ campaign.”

Siddaramaiah recalled that 100 years ago, Mahatma Gandhi presided over the Congress party session in Karnataka and kindled the flame of the Independence struggle on this very land.

On December 25 and 26, 1924, the historical Belagavi session was held and Mahatma Gandhi presided over it. On December 26, 1924, Mahatma Gandhi took charge as the President of the AICC. It was the first and last time that he became the President of the AICC. He did not become the president again, he noted.

“It is unforgettable that in Karnataka’s land, in Belagavi, Mahatma Gandhi took charge as the President of the AICC and ignited the freedom struggle in the country. In his speech, Mahatma discussed truth, non-violence, equality, rural development and other issues. He stressed up on women’s empowerment,” he said.

“However, the BJP is branding Mahatma Gandhi as anti-Hindu. This is a blatant lie. During his last breath after being shot, Mahatma Gandhi took lord Ram’s name. He uttered ‘Hey Ram’ before passing away. We do not need any other example. He is a true Hindu, we do not need more evidence to prove it,” the CM said.

“Mahatma Gandhi is not an enemy of Hinduism. He wanted reforms in Hinduism and wanted Hindus and Muslims to live like brothers,” he stated.

“Along with bringing Independence, he dreamt of how the governments and ministers in the country should function. Many seers, reformers and sages have condemned the caste system and tried to change society. These ideals are reflected in the Ambedkar’s Constitution. “We, the Congress are in favour of the Constitution and the BJP opposes us. We have to protect the democracy and the Constitution and in turn, we will be protected by them,” CM Siddaramaiah said.

“We should not let the BJP change the Constitution. It has been making attempts in this regard for years. The future generations must remember these challenges and do introspection,” he said.

–IANS

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