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PM addresses programme commemorating Sri Aurobindo’s 150th birth anniversary via video conferencing

Published By : Admin | December 13, 2022 | 18:33 IST
Releases commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Sri Aurobindo
“1893 was an important year in the lives of Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi”
“When motivation and action meet, even the seemingly impossible goal is inevitably accomplished”
“Life of Sri Aurobindo is a reflection of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’
“Kashi Tamil Sangamam is a great example of how India binds the country together through its culture and traditions”
“We are working with the mantra of ‘India First’ and placing our heritage with pride before the entire world”
“India is the most refined idea of human civilization, the most natural voice of humanity”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed a programme celebrating Sri Aurobindo’s 150th birth anniversary via video conferencing today in Kamban Kalai Sangam, Puducherry under the aegis of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The Prime Minister also released a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Sri Aurobindo.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister underlined the importance of the occasion of Sri Aurobindo’s 150th birth anniversary which is being celebrated with great fervour throughout the year. The Prime Minister highlighted that the nation is paying tributes to Sri Aurobindo by releasing a commemorative coin and postal stamp. The Prime Minister expressed the belief that such efforts by the nation will give new energy and strength to India’s resolutions.

The Prime Minister said that when a number of great events take place simultaneously, often there is ‘Yoga-Shakti’ i.e. a collective and uniting power behind them. The Prime Minister recalled many great personalities who not only contributed to the freedom struggle but also gave fresh life to the soul of the nation. Among them, three personalities, Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi had many great events in their lives at the same point in time. These events not only changed the lives of these personalities but also brought far-reaching changes in national life. The Prime Minister explained that in 1893 Sri Aurobindo returned to India and in the same year Swami Vivekananda went to America to deliver his iconic speech at the World's Parliament of Religions. Gandhi ji went to South Africa in the same year, which marked the beginning of his transformation into Mahatma Gandhi, the Prime Minister added. He noted the similar confluence of events in the present time when the country is celebrating 75 years of Independence and starting its journey of Amrit Kaal as we are witnessing the 150th anniversary of Sri Aurobindo and the 125th Anniversary of Netaji Subhas. “When motivation and action meet, even the seemingly impossible goal is inevitably accomplished. Nation’s successes in the Amrit Kaal today and resolution of ‘Sabka Prayas’ are proof of this ”, he said.

The Prime Minister said that the life of Sri Aurobindo is a reflection of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ as he was born in Bengal and knew many languages including Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi, Hindi and Sanskrit. He spent most of his life in Gujarat and Puducherry and left a deep imprint wherever he went. Throwing light on the teachings of Sri Aurobindo, the Prime Minister remarked that when we become aware of our traditions and culture and begin to live through them, it is at that moment when our diversity becomes a natural celebration of our lives. “It is a source of great inspiration for Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal. There is no better way to explain Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat other than this”, he said.

The Prime Minister recalled the opportunity to take part in the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and remarked that the wonderful event is a great example of how India binds the country together through its culture and traditions. Kashi Tamil Sangamam showed that today’s youth is leaving behind the politics that differentiates on the basis of language and dress and is embracing the politics of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Today in the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and the Amrit Kaal, we have to expand the spirit of Kashi Tamil Sangamam, he said.

The Prime Minister pointed out that Sri Aurobindo was such a personality whose life had a modern scientific temper, political rebelliousness and a sense of the divine as well. The Prime Minister recalled his ‘no compromise’ slogan during the division of Bengal. His ideological clarity, cultural strength and patriotism made him a role model for the freedom fighters of that time. Shri Modi also dwelled on the sage-like aspects of Shri Aurobindo who used to hold forth on deep philosophical and spiritual issues. He added the element of social service to the Upanishads. The Prime Minister pointed out that we are embracing all views in our journey of developed India without any feeling of inferiority. We are working with the Mantra of ‘India First’ and placing our heritage with pride before the entire world.

The Prime Minister further added that it is the life of Sri Aurobindo that embodies another strength that India possesses which is also one of the five pledges -“Freedom from the mentality of slavery”. He further added despite heavy western influence, when on his return to India, Sri Aurobindo came in contact with the Gita during his time in prison and he emerged as the loudest voice of Indian culture. Shri Modi further recalled that he studied the scriptures and translated texts ranging from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Upanishads to Kalidas, Bhavabhuti and Bharathari. “People witnessed India in Sri Aurobindo’s thoughts, the same Aurobindo who was once kept away from Indianness in his youth. This is the real strength of India and Indianness”, the Prime Minister remarked.

“India is that immortal seed which may be suppressed a little under adverse circumstances, may wither a little, but it cannot die”, the Prime Minister continued remarking on the rich cultural history and said, “India is the most refined idea of human civilization, the most natural voice of humanity.” Talking about the cultural immortality of India, the Prime Minister said, “India was immortal even in the time of Maharishi Aurobindo, and it is immortal even today in the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal.” The Prime Minister concluded his address by noting the dire challenges faced by the world of today and underlined the importance of India's role in overcoming these challenges. “That's why we have to prepare ourselves by taking inspiration from Maharishi Aurobindo and create a developed India by Sabka Prayas”, he concluded.

Background

Sri Aurobindo, born on 15th August 1872, was a visionary who made lasting contributions to India's freedom struggle. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav - an endeavour to celebrate the glorious history of India's people, culture and achievements on the occasion of 75 years of independence - is commemorating Sri Aurobindo’s 150th birth anniversary by organising year-long activities and programmes across the country.

 

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Cabinet approves two railway projects in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh worth Rs 24,815 crore
April 18, 2026

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today has approved 02 (Two) projects of Ministry of Railways with total cost of Rs. 24,815 crore (approx.). These projects include:

Name of Project

Route Length (in km)

Track Length (in km)

Completion Cost (Rs. in Cr.)

Ghaziabad – Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line

403

859

14,926

Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) – Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) 3rd and 4th Line

 

198

 

458

 

9,889

Total

601

1,317

24,815

The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion. The projects are in line with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji’s Vision of a New India which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area which will enhance their employment/ self-employment opportunities.

The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity & logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.

The 02 (Two) projects covering 15 Districts across the states of Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 601 Kms.

The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Dudheshwarnath Temple, Garhmukteshwar Ganga Ghat, Dargah Shah Wilayat Jama Masjid (Amroha), Naimisharanya (Sitapur), Annavaram, Antarvedi, Draksharamam, etc.

The proposed projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, foodgrains, cement, POL, iron and steel, container, fertilizers, sugar, chemical salts, limestone, etc. The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country lowering CO2 emissions (180.31Crore Kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 7.33 Crore trees.

Ghaziabad – Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line (403 Km)

  • Ghaziabad – Sitapur is an existing double line section forming a key part of Delhi- Guwahati High Density Network (HDN 4).
  • The project is crucial for improving connectivity between the Northern and Eastern region of the country.
  • The existing line capacity utilization of the section is up to 168% and is projected to be up to 207% in case the project is not taken up.
  • Transverses through Ghaziabad, Hapur, Amroha, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Sahjahanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri and Sitapur districts of Uttar Pradesh.
  • The project route passes through major industrial centres - Ghaziabad (machinery, electronics, pharmaceuticals), Moradabad (brassware and handicrafts), Bareilly (furniture, textiles, engineering), Shahjahanpur (carpets and cement-related industries), and Roza (thermal power plant).
  • For seamless transportation, the project alignment is planned to bypass congested stations of Hapur, Simbhaoli, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, and Sitapur and accordingly, six new stations are proposed on the bypassing sections.
  • Key tourist/religious places along/near to the project section are Dudheshwarnath Temple, Garhmukteshwar Ganga Ghat, Dargah Shah Wilayat Jama Masjid (Amroha), and Naimisharanya (Sitapur) among others.
  • Anticipated additional freight traffic of 35.72 MTPA consisting of Coal, Foodgrains, Chemical Manures, Finished Steel, etc.
  • Estimated Cost: Rs.14,926 crore (approx.)
  • Employment generation: 274 lakh human-days.
  • CO2 emissions saved: About 128.77 crore Kg CO2 equivalent to 5.15 Cr trees.

  • Logistic cost saving: Rs. 2,877.46 crore every year vis-a vis road transportation.

Ghaziabad – Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line (403 Km)

Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) – Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) 3rd and 4th Line (198 Km)

  • Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) – Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) section forms part of the Howrah – Chennai High Density Network (HDN).
  • The proposed project is part of quadrupling initiative of Howrah – Chennai High Density Network (HDN) route.
  • The project traverses through East Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalle and Vishakapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Visakhapatnam is identified as an Aspirational District in the Aspirational Districts Programme.
  • It provides connectivity to major ports along the East Coast such as Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Machilipatnam and Kakinada.
  • The project route runs along the eastern coastline and is among the busiest, predominantly freight-oriented sections of the East Coast Rail Corridor.
  • The line capacity utilization of the section has already reached up to 130%, leading to frequent congestion and operational delays. The line capacity is expected to increase further due to proposed expansion of ports and industries in the region.
  • Project section includes 4.3 km rail bridge over Godavari River, 2.67 km viaduct, 3 bypasses and the new alignment is around 8 km shorter than the existing route, improving connectivity and operational efficiency.
  • The proposed section will also boost tourism by improving access to key destinations such as Annavaram, Antarvedi and Draksharamam etc.
  • Anticipated additional freight traffic of 29.04 MTPA consisting of Coal, Cement, Chemical Manures, Iron and Steel, Foodgrains, Containers, Bauxite, Gypsum, Limestone, etc.
  • Estimated Cost: Rs.9,889 crore (approx.)
  • Employment generation: 135 lakh human-days.
  • CO2 emissions saved: About 51.49 crore Kg CO2 equivalent to 2.06 Cr trees.

  • Logistic cost saving: Rs. 1,150.56 crore every year vis-a vis road transportation.

 

आर्थिक सशक्तिकरण:

Aspirational districts - Visakhapatnam district will get improved connectivity

Additional economic opportunities in the region through tourism & industries.

Better healthcare and education for the citizens due to enhanced rail connectivity.


Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) – Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) 3rd and 4th Line (198 Km)

Prime Minister’s focus on railways:

  • Record budget allocation of Rs. 2,65,000 crore for FY 26-27.
  • Manufacturing more than 1600 locomotives- surpassed US and Europe in manufacturing of locomotive production
  • In FY 26, Indian Railways is expected to rank among the top three freight carriers globally, moving 1.6 billion tonnes of cargo.

  • India starts exporting metro coaches to Australia and bogie to United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, France and Australia.