NEW DELHI: Seeking to reach out to more people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the countrymen over radio for the first time, giving a pep talk about how to shed despondency and use their skills for betterment and prosperity of the country.

He advocated the need for use of khadi products as homage to Mahatma Gandhi and impressed upon the people to generate confidence among themselves, including the specially-abled children. 

Promising to make the radio broadcast a regular affair, Modi invited ideas from the citizens while noting that he had been receiving a number of suggestions since it was announced that he would be addressing the nation over radio. 

In his 15-minute address, he sought to motivate people to recognise their capabilities and use them. “You know, our scientists have undertaken the Mars mission successfully at minimum expenses. There is nothing lacking in our capabilities. We only have forgotten our strengths. We have forgotten ourselves as if we have become despondent. My brothers and sisters, this cannot be,” he said.

“We need to recognise our internal strengths,” the Prime Minister said while narrating a short story of Swami Vivekananda about how a lion brought up by sheep rediscovered his prowess after coming in touch with another lion. 

“If we move ahead with self-respect and right identity, we will emerge victorious,” he said.

He also referred to Mahatma Gandhi, whose birth anniversary was celebrated on Thursday, and impressed upon people to use at least one khadi product, may it be a handkerchief or even a bedsheet.

It will benefit the poor, he said. — PTI

NAGPUR: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat today came out in fulsome praise of the Modi government for initiatives on national security, economy and international relations in a short period of four months.

In his customary Dashera address to RSS workers at Reshmbagh Ground here, which was shown live on Doordarshan for the first time, he said, positive signs are emanating that give people the hope that India is emerging stronger on the international stage.

He said people should give some more time to the government for expedition and efficient execution of its policies.

Unless the last person in the country feels satisfied with welfare initiatives, security and safety, the government cannot complete its task, Bhagwat said.

"We don't have a magic wand to change but the government seems committed," he during the address.

Bhagwat said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the US has sent positive signals and has ushered a new enthusiasm among people of the country.

"A new ray of hope has entered in the hearts of the people. The entire country was feeling proud of the visit and the subsequent talks with the US government," he said, adding that the world needs India.

He also lauded the efforts of the Centre and volunteers of the RSS for undertaking rescue works in Jammu and Kashmir which has recently witnessed worst-ever floods.

While paying homage to those killed in the floods, Bhagwat said, "Our sympathies are with the families." The swiftness, efficiency and open-heartedness of the Central Government that has provided relief to the affected people, deserves appreciation, he said.

The Sangh patriarch today did not touch on issues like religious conversion, corruption, Naxalism, Indo-China relations, inflation, elections (in reference to Maharashtra and Haryana polls to be held this month).

Speaking on global terrorism, Bhagwat blamed the selfish interest of Western countries for procuring oil in West Asia for rise in terror activities of the Islamic State (IS).

"Self-centred collective greed gives rise to exploitation, suppression, violence and fanaticism. The basis of selfish interest by the western countries is fully responsible for a new incarnation of terror and fundamentalism that emerged in West Asia in the name of ISIS which is terrorising the world," Bhagwat said.

There is no doubt that most countries and religious groups of the world are unitedly fighting against the menace, he said at the annual RSS event which this year marks the 90th year of its existence.

The right-wing, volunteer Hindu nationalist organisation was formed on Vijay Dashmi in 1925 in Nagpur. 

Congratulating ISRO scientists for their successful Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), the RSS chief said it is a great achievement for Indian scientists.

"We have been successful in out first attempt to enter the Mars orbit. The whole world is praising our effort and Indian scientists," he said.

He also complimented Indian athletes for their outstanding performance in the ongoing 17th Asian Games at Incheon.

"I congratulate the scientists and all those players who have made the country proud," Bhagwat said. — PTI

NEW DELHI: Amidst a controversy over the national broadcaster telecasting live a speech of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Doordarshan on Friday said it was covered like any other news event and no special arrangements had been made.

“It was just like a news event to us. So we covered it,” Doordarshan’s DG (News) Archana Dutta said, after the DD’s hour-long live telecast of an RSS function for the first time came under attack from Congress and the Left which accused the government of misusing the state broadcaster.

She said that there was “no special arrangement” that had been made for the event and one of the several Digital Satellite News gathering vans (DSNG) that the broadcaster has in Maharashtra for coverage of the state elections was used for the event.

“We have several DSNG vans in Maharashtra and one such van was used for Nagpur,” Dutta said.

BJP has defended the telecast with party leader Shaina N C saying that the RSS is only a nationalist organisation which believes in ‘India first’ and the country above the interest of any individual.

“I am glad that this speech has been highlighted and people realise that if there is one cadre in the country today that has genuinely contributed to patriotism and nation- building, it is the RSS,” she said.

Congress spokesman Sandeep Dikshit termed the hour-long telecast as a “dangerous tradition”, saying RSS is a controversial religious and political organisation.

Condemning the live broadcast, CPI(M) said, “The RSS uses the occasion propagate its Hindutva ideology. The national public broadcaster has no business to telecast live the speech of the chief of an organisation like the RSS.” The CPI also condemned the live telecast. — PTI

Patna: Thirty-two people, most of them women and children, were killed and several injured in a stampede that broke out this evening at the Gandhi Maidan here shortly after the Dussehra celebrations there had ended.

The tragedy occurred when people were returning after watching the "Ravan Vadh" ceremony at the Bihar capital's main Dussehra event at Gandhi Maidan where a huge crowd had gathered to witness the event, police said.

"Thirty-two people have died," Bihar Home Secretary Amir Subhani said.

Officials said the dead were mainly women and children.

Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manji was present at the Gandhi Maidan where people watched an arrow setting the 60 feet tall effigy of Ravan into flames. -PTI 

Lausanne: Facing the prospect of a ban, Indian boxer L Sarita Devi on Friday offered an "unconditional apology" for refusing to accept her bronze medal during the Asian Games presentation ceremony, the International Boxing Association has said.

In a statement issued here, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) has said that the boxer has regretted her actions.

"The Head of the Indian Mission at the Incheon Asian Games 2014 Mr Adille J Sumariwalla has forwarded to the President of the International Boxing Association Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, a letter of apology of Woman boxer Sarita Laishram Devi (57-60kg) who had refused to receive the bronze medal at the Award Ceremony for the 17th Asian Games," the AIBA said in a statement.

"Mrs Devi expressed 'an unconditional apology' for her 'emotional outburst' at the ceremony yesterday, writing that 'I regret and apologise. Such an incident will never reoccur in the future'," it added.

A disconsolate Sarita had refused to accept her bronze medal during the medal ceremony to protest her controversial semifinal loss to South Korean Jina Park. Sarita (60kg) had lost the bout despite dominating the proceedings.

AIBA had taken a strict view of her actions, saying that the "whole incident looked like a well planned scenario by her and her team, and it is regretful to watch a boxer refuse the medal regardless of what happened in the competition." Her medal was reinstated yesterday after a hearing by the Olympic Co
uncil of Asia during which the Indian delegation expressed regrets over the incident.

AIBA said the India's chef-de-mission at the Asian Games, Sumariwalla, has claimed that the incident was not planned.

"The Head of the Indian Mission has furthermore asked the AIBA President to take into account this letter and the specific circumstances which led to such a 'spontaneous knee jerk reaction', which according to Mr Sumariwalla, was not 'a planned effort' of the Indian delegation," the AIBA statement read. -PTI