Ganga Fast: Sant Gopal Das critical on 121st day; no response from PM Modi

Agencies
October 22, 2018

New Delhi, Oct 22: Another associate of late Prof G D Agrawal (Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand)-- a young saint Brahmchari Atmabodhanand-, has announced to sit on indefinite hunger strike for pollution-free and richly flowing Ganga on October 24 even a condition of Sant Gopal Das continued to be serious at PGI Chandigarh on 121st day of his fast on Monday.

Informing the Centre of his resolve, the Brahmchari (22) on Sunday sent a four-page letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The young saint has stated that Prof Agrawal died while fasting for his demands for a clean river, another fasting saint Sant Gopal Das is critical following his 4-month long hunger strike for the sacred cause.

"If the government continued to maintain its apathy towards the stir and implementation of commitment by you(PM) even after sacrifice laid by Prof Agrawal and 121-day long fast by Gopal Das, I have no option but to sit on hunger strike on Wednesday", he wrote to the Prime Minister.

He also expressed regrets over reported stance of the government that described, undue and individual stubborn attitude of late Agrawal as root cause for stir and the prevailing deadlock.

He stated that it is not the stubborn attitude of an individual but the conflict between the government's insistence on imposing pure economic model based projects on the Ganga and saints' fight for preserving spiritual character of "Maa Ganga" and Gangtava of its pristine water(Ganga Jal).

Three saints from our Matrisadan ashram have already sacrificed their lives for the cause over recent years and we are determined to keep this "Ganga-Tapashya" going on, the Brahmchari wrote.

Meanwhile, a Ganga march was organised in Banaras on Sunday for paying tributes to late Prof Agrawal and generating awareness among people for the stir. The march, participated by local leaders of main political parties, began from the Town Hall passed through main roads before culminating in a meeting at the Rajendra Prasad Ghat. 

Former MP Rajesh Mishra, former Uttar Pradesh minister Surendra Patel, AAP leader Sanjiv Singh, Swami Avimukteshwanand, Waterman Dr Rajendra Singh and many dignitaries attended the programme.

The speakers at the meeting paid tributes to Agrawal and held the Centre responsible for his death amid hunger strike. "Apathy" of the government towards his stir and failure in implementing the promises made by PM Modi before elections in 2014, led to death of the octogenarian Ganga warrior, they concluded.

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News Network
December 24,2025

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New Delhi: Two new airlines - Al Hind Air and FlyExpress - are set to take to the skies, with the carriers receiving their no objection certificates from the Civil Aviation Ministry.

In 2026, apart from these two carriers, Uttar Pradesh-based Shankh Air, which already has a No Objection Certificate (NOC), is likely to start operations.

Al Hind Air is being promoted by Kerala-based alhind Group.

The ministry is keen to have more airline operators in the country, which is one of the world's fastest growing domestic civil aviation markets.

Currently, there are nine operational scheduled domestic carriers in the country. Fly Big, a regional airline, suspended scheduled flights in October.

IndiGo and Air India Group - Air India and Air India Express - together have over 90 per cent of the domestic market share.

Concerns about apparent duopoly in the fast-growing domestic airlines' industry got amplified this month in the wake of the massive operational disruptions at IndiGo, which has a market share of more than 65 per cent.

"Over the last one week, pleased to have met teams from new airlines aspiring to take wings in Indian skies- Shankh Air, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. While Shankh Air has already got the NOC from the Ministry, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress have received their NOCs this week," Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said in a post on X on Tuesday.

According to him, it has been the endeavour of the ministry to encourage more airlines in Indian aviation which is amongst the fastest growing aviation markets.

Schemes like UDAN, have enabled smaller carriers Star Air, India One Air and Fly91 to play an important role in the regional connectivity within the country and there is more scope for further growth, he added.

Apart from Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and state-owned Alliance Air, other scheduled carriers are Akasa Air, SpiceJet, Star Air, Fly91 and IndiaOne Air, as per latest data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

In the past years, many airlines, including Go First and Jet Airways, stopped flying amid debt woes.

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News Network
December 16,2025

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman, during which the two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, with the Prime Minister outlining an eight-point vision covering key areas of cooperation.

Describing the meeting as “productive”, PM Modi said he shared a roadmap focused on trade and economy, fertilisers and agriculture, information technology, healthcare, infrastructure, critical and strategic minerals, civil nuclear cooperation, and people-to-people ties.

In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister praised King Abdullah II’s personal commitment to advancing India–Jordan relations, particularly as both countries mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year.

“Held productive discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II in Amman. His personal commitment towards vibrant India-Jordan relations is noteworthy. This year, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of our bilateral diplomatic relations,” PM Modi said.

The meeting took place at the Al Husseiniya Palace, where the two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both sides agreed to further deepen cooperation in areas including trade and investment, defence and security, counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation, fertilisers and agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy, tourism, and heritage.

The MEA said both leaders reaffirmed their united stand against terrorism.

PM Modi arrived in Amman earlier on Monday and was received by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, who accorded him a formal welcome. Following the talks, King Abdullah II hosted a banquet dinner in honour of the Prime Minister, reflecting the warmth of bilateral ties.

Jordan is the first leg of PM Modi’s three-nation tour. From Amman, the Prime Minister will travel to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, marking his first official visit to the African nation. The tour will conclude with a visit to Oman.

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