26 INDIA
AsianVoiceNews
AsianVoiceNewsweekly
www.asian-voice.com
17 - 23 November 2018
PM Modi inaugurates first multimodal terminal in Varanasi Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's first inland port, in Varanasi, on the Ganga River as part of the Centre's push to develop inland waterways. The project which was unveiled as the PM, along with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, received the country's first container vessel that sailed from Kolkata on the inland waterway on October 30, carrying cargo belonging to food and beverage giant PepsiCo India. This is the first of four multimodal terminals being constructed on the River Ganga dubbed the National Waterway1 as part of the World Bank-aided Jal Marg Vikas project of the Inland Waterways Authority of India. At the launch, Modi said, “This is a historic day for Varanasi and India. For the first time since Independence, we are using our extensive river network for commerce at this scale. It should have happened decades ago but we have finally made it happen now.” The vessel received by Modi carried 16 truckloads of food and beverage consignments in containers. “The movement of this container vessel means the eastern Uttar Pradesh, Poorvanchal and country's eastern part have been linked to the Bay of Bengal,” Modi said. The Modi government is developing the entire 1,620 km between Allahabad and Haldia as National Waterway-1, which can be used for transport of goods and passengers throughout the year. Modi took digs at the previous government for neglecting the development of waterways in
Obituary Pravinbhai Varsani It is with great sadness that we announce the passing away of Shri Pravinbhai Laljibhai Varsani on October 29. Taking on several roles throughout his lives, his primary two roles were as husband to Jashodaben Pravinbhai Varsani, and father to Jitenbhai Varsani, Jainaben Panchani, and Varshaben Kerai. Born in Mombasa, Shri Pravinbhai was instrumental in commencing BAPS Satsang activities in Bolton, where he served as Centre Coordinator for many years. Those who wish to contact the family, may call Jitenbhai on 07812 111 839.
Gordhanbhai Patel
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the dedication of the India’s First Multi-Modal Terminal on river Ganga to the Nation, in Varanasi
the country. He said, “There was a time when big vessels used to ply on our rivers. But after independence we neglected these routes rather than develop them...The waterway will not only be used for transporting cargo but this will also promote tourism and will also connect the religious places in east India to the east Asian countries. Varanasi and other areas in the eastern region will also be popular for cruise tourism.” He also said that products including
handloom and textile products from Varanasi and nearby regions can be transported to other parts through the waterway. Historian Prof Rana P B Singh said, “As per English scholar James Prinsep, goods transportation through waterway up from Kolkata to Varanasi and other eastern destinations had remained till 1832. Wood, sandalwood, silk, spices and salt were mainly brought to Varanasi market by traders through the waterway.”
Modi unveils Sardar Patel's 'Statue of Unity' cement, 18,500 tonnes of reinforced steel, 6,000 tonnes of structural steel and 1,700 metric tonnes of bronze, which was used for the outer cladding of the structure. It has been described as the world’s tallest statue as it is 177 feet higher than China's Spring Temple Buddha, currently the world’s tallest statue. It was built by India's major infrastructure and engineering conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T), based on the design etched by Padma Bhushanwinning sculptor Ram V Sutar. It took about 250 engineers and 3,400 labourers to construct the statue in 33 months. The statue has a viewing gallery at a height of 193 metres from the sea level that can accommodate 200 visitors at a time. This gallery, at 153 metres height, will offer a view of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, its reservoir, and the Satpura and Vindhya mountain range.
Shri Gordhanbhai Patel of London passed away peacefully on October 31, at the age of 89. Born in Minakulu, Uganda, he subsequently moved to London where he settled for most of his life. A warm and approachable person, Gordhanbhai had dedicated most of his life to Satsang and seva in Uganda and UK. Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj resided at his house during his 1970 Uganda vicharan.
Shri Chhaganbhai Patel Shri Chhaganbhai Patel, fondly called Bhulabhai, passed away on November 1, at the age of 79. Based in AshtonManchester, he was the husband of Sardaben Patel, and father to Shailesh Patel and Yogesh Patel. Chhaganbhai was a dedicated devotee of BAPS and one of the pioneers of Ashton Satsang Mandal in the early 1970s. He was the purvashram uncle of Pujya Vimaljivan Swami (Gandhinagar). Shri Bhulabhai's funeral was held on November 10, in Stockport. Those who wish to contact the family, may call his son Shailesh Patel on 07884 495 959
Kanubhai Ambalal Patel It is with utmost regret that we announce the tragic demise of Kanubhai Ambalal Patel of East London. Husband of Pushpaben Patel, father to Dharmistaben, Jayminiben and late Jigneshbhai, and father-in-law to Harishbhai Desai. He passed away on November 5, at the age of 82. Those who wish to connect with the family, may call Harishbhai on 07932 598 790
PM Modi on 31st Oct 2018 dedicated to the nation a 182-metre statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
The tiny tribal hamlet of Kevadiya, settled between Satpura and Vindhya ranges, in Gujarat, has found its place etched in history as Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the world's tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, built in honour of India's Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, to the nation. The 182m tall statue of Sardar built on Sadhu Beyt near Sardar Sarovar Dam was conceptualised by Modi in 2010, when he was chief minister of Gujarat. The figure was built in a record 42 months and unveiled in a spectacular show that included fly past by Jaguar IAF planes colouring the skies in Indian tricolour, and MI-17 helicopter Dignitaries for the inaugural function remained limited to Gujarat leaders, including Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, Karnataka governor Vajubhai Vala, Madhya Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel and national BJP president Amit Shah. Modi, in his address to the nation following inauguration of the statue, said the
imposing structure will be a global inspiration and a reminder of Sardar's valour that had won over all pessimism and vanquished conspiracies to disintegrate India. He urged people to rise above caste, class, and religion and imbibe the sole feeling of “being Indian” to realise the dream of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'. Modi said it was the responsibility of the people to give a befitting reply to divisive elements who are trying to break the nation. “The world's tallest statue will remind the entire world, the future generations about the courage, capabilities and determination of the person who did this holy work of vanquishing the conspiracy to disintegrate India into pieces.” The PM also lashed out at his critics who questioned the construction of the monument. “We are criticised for praising the contributions of national heroes like Sardar Patel. We are made to feel as if we have committed a serious crime. Is it crime to commemorate national heroes?” The £298.3 million statue of Sardar Patel has been built using over 70,000 tonnes of
World War I memorial celebration at St. George church - Shahibagh Cantt. in Ahmedabad with war veterans and Geoff Wain, British Deputy High Commissioner in Gujarat.