Postponement of UP Cabinet’s Ayodhya Visit Amidst Surge in Devotees

Posted on by Vividh Bharthi

Lucknow: The anticipated visit of Uttar Pradesh’s cabinet ministers to Ayodhya’s Ram temple, initially scheduled for February 1, has been postponed. Government sources indicate that a decision on rescheduling the visit will be made after February 10.

The decision to postpone the visit is a precautionary measure, considering the surge in the daily influx of devotees to the temple, averaging between 2 to 3 lakh people. With improved weather and open routes, authorities anticipate a significant increase in the number of visitors to Ayodhya in the coming days.

To avoid inconveniencing the general public, the government has temporarily halted all VIP visits, spacing them out to manage the growing crowds. Officials emphasize the need for VIPs to inform the government at least a week in advance of their intended visit to Ayodhya. As of Tuesday, no such intimation had been received, making it unlikely for any major VIP visits to be organized in the next week.

While individual VIP visits are still welcomed, organized government visits are deemed unlikely for the current week. The decision comes in the wake of an unexpected surge of five lakh devotees a day after the temple’s inauguration, prompting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to personally assess the situation and mobilize police and government officials for crowd management.

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KTR drives autorickshaw to Assembly to raise problems faced by three-wheeler drivers

Hyderabad, Dec 18 (IANS) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao reached the Telangana State Assembly by driving an autorickshaw to highlight the problems faced by autorickshaw drivers following the implementation of the free bus travel scheme by the Congress government in the state.

Other MLAs and MLCs of BRS also came to the Assembly and Council in three-wheelers wearing khaki shirts as a mark of solidarity with autorickshaw drivers.

The legislators of the main opposition party reached the Legislature complex in a rally from MLA Quarters. They were carrying placards and raising slogans, drawing the attention of the government.

They demanded that the Congress government implement the promises made to the autorickshaw drivers

Talking to media persons, Rama Rao said that during the elections, the Congress party made numerous promises to 8 lakh auto drivers but none of those promises have been fulfilled.

“The deaths of 93 auto drivers by suicide in the state are nothing short of government-driven tragedies,” said KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known.

The BRS leader said they provided the list of auto drivers who died by suicide during previous Assembly sessions but the state government remains indifferent.

KTR demanded that the government should immediately come to the rescue of the families of auto drivers who died by suicide.

“The government, which used auto drivers for election gains, has forgotten all the promises made to them,” he said, demanding that the financial aid of Rs 12,000 promised to auto drivers should be announced immediately.

The promise to establish a welfare board for auto drivers must be fulfilled without delay, the former minister said.

He appealed to autorickshaw drivers not to resort to suicide and promised that the BRS party would fight for their rights.

“In solidarity with auto drivers, we are heading to the Assembly in autos, wearing their uniforms. The BRS party stands with auto drivers and will continue to fight for their cause,” KTR added.

–IANS

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Opportunity to chalk out road map for futuristic partnership: PM Modi emplanes for Kuwait

New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplaned for his historic two-day visit to Kuwait on Saturday, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Gulf nation in 43 years.

“Today, I am embarking on a two-day visit to Kuwait at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait. We deeply value the historical connection with Kuwait that has been nurtured over generations. We are not just strong trade and energy partners but also have shared interest in peace, security, stability and prosperity in the West Asia region,” the Prime Minister said in his departing statement.

Informing about his scheduled meetings with the Amir, Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, and the Prime Minister of Kuwait, PM Modi said, “It would be an opportunity to chalk out a road map for a futuristic partnership for the benefit of our people and the region.”

“I eagerly look forward to meeting the Indian diaspora in Kuwait who have immensely contributed to the strengthening of bonds of friendship between the two nations,” the statement added.

PM Modi further expressed his gratitude to the leadership of Kuwait for the invite to the inauguration ceremony of the Arabian Gulf Cup, a premier sporting event in the Gulf region.

“I am confident that this visit will further strengthen and reinforce the special ties and bonds of friendship between the people of India and Kuwait,” the Prime Minister said in the statement.

The trip is seen as a significant step in bolstering India-Kuwait relations.

The visit will begin with PM Modi meeting members of the Indian workforce at a labour camp in Kuwait. This interaction underscores the Prime Minister’s focus on acknowledging the contributions of Indian expatriates and fostering deeper connections with citizens abroad.

“India and Kuwait share traditionally close and friendly relations rooted in history, underpinned by economic ties and strong people-to-people linkages. India is among Kuwait’s top trading partners,” stated the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) ahead of the visit.

The MEA also highlighted that the Indian community, the largest expatriate group in Kuwait, plays a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral relations.

“The visit provides an opportunity to further enhance the multifaceted ties between the two nations,” the MEA added.

Upon his arrival, PM Modi will receive a ceremonial guard of honour at the Bayan Palace, the official residence of the Amir.

He is scheduled to engage in high-level discussions with the Kuwaiti leadership on key areas such as trade, investment, energy cooperation, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA) at the MEA, highlighted the significance of the visit, noting that it marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Indira Gandhi’s 1981 trip. “India and Kuwait share excellent political relations, and this visit will further strengthen our bilateral ties,” he said.

Bilateral trade between India and Kuwait reached $10.47 billion in the 2023-24 fiscal year, with Kuwait serving as a key partner in India’s energy sector.

During the visit, PM Modi is also expected to address the Indian diaspora in Kuwait, further enhancing cultural and economic linkages between the two countries.

–IANS

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