Constitution is the 'Holy Book' in democracy: Mamata Banerjee

"Our Constitution says India is a secular country. The Constitution is the Holy Book in a democracy," Banerjee said here reacting to Swaraj's remark that Bhagwad Gita would be declared as 'Rashtriya Granth' (national scripture).
  
"We respect all holy books equally. They are all our pride," Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress chief, said.   

"Quran, Puran, Ved, Vedanta, Bible, Tripitak, Zend-Avesta, Guru Granth Sahib, Gita - we respect all," she said.
  
Pressing for the Centre to declare Bhagwad Gita as a 'Rashtriya Granth', Swaraj said only a formality remained to be completed in this regard.
  
Swaraj was speaking at 'Gita Prerna Mahotsav', organized "to celebrate 5,151 years of religious book Gita" at the Red Fort Maidan in Delhi where VHP President Ashok Singhal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should immediately declare the sacred text of Hindus as a national scripture.

Source: Chhattisgarh Hindi News and MP Hindi News

SAARC: India terms terrorism as the biggest challenge for the region

Addressing the SAARC Foreign Ministers meeting here, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj strongly emphasised on improving road, rail, sea and air connectivity among the member countries to spur economic growth and asserted India's "neighbourhood first policy" to ensure overall development of the region.
  
Referring to a recent suicide bombing in Afghanistan that left more than 50 people dead, she said, "This cowardly act, of killing and maiming people watching a volleyball match, has shown once again that terrorism is the biggest challenge our region faces today, and requires a collective response."
  
She also conveyed condolences to the government and people of Afghanistan for the "terrible tragedy". Talking about making SAARC more effective, Swaraj said the new BJP-led government has been following the vision of "together with all; development for all" and it is also India’s vision for the regional grouping.

"My government and I are firm believers in the policy of Neighbourhood First. It was this vision that animated the invitation that Prime Minister Modi extended to the Heads of Government of all SAARC countries for his swearing in. It is the same vision that has made me travel to five of the seven SAARC countries in the six months that I have been in office.
    
"Another vision that my government is committed to is sabka saath, sabka vikas. Together with all; Development for all. This is also our vision for SAARC. "How together all eight member states can make faster progress and improve the quality of life for all our peoples.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

SAARC Summit to begin tomorrow in Nepal

The two-day 18th South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation summit will deliberate on a range of crucial issues such as defence and security, improving transport connectivity among the member states and ensuring greater flow of goods and services to boost trade and commerce.

Modi, after becoming Prime Minister, has been pushing for a stronger SAARC and there has been lot of enthusiasm among top diplomats of various countries about what he brings to the table to make the eight-nation grouping a regional powerhouse.

The theme of the summit is 'Deeper Regional Integration for Peace and Prosperity' and diplomats of a number of member countries said there have been expectations that the summit will have "breakthroughs" in some areas.

The leaders are also expected to deliberate on enhancing cooperation in the fields of education, health care, energy security and poverty alleviation.

Diplomats said there will be detailed discussion on removing hurdles for ensuring free flow of trade among the member countries.

Acting Foreign Secretary of Nepal Shanker Das Bairagi said strong commitment and decisive actions are required to fully and effectively implement South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement.

Prime Minister Modi leads a high-level delegation at the summit which includes External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and a number of senior officials of various ministries.

India sees SAARC as a regional cooperative framework for promoting active collaboration in economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields so as to accelerate regional growth and development.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News

INS Sudarshini sail to mark 50-yrs of Indo-Singapore bilateral ties

"To mark the completion of 50 years of diplomatic ties between India and Singapore, the Indian Navy has decided to set to sail INS Sudarshini to that country. We are planning to leave Kochi by the end of next month," Commander T Rajasekhar, Commanding Officer of INS Sudarshini said.
  
The ship would be open for visitors between January 19 and 23 next year in Singapore, he said.
  
Earlier this year, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj kicked off year-long celebrations to mark 50 years of establishment of India-Singapore diplomatic ties jointly with Singapore Foreign Minister K Shanmugam, who noted that India was one of the first countries to give diplomatic recognition to Singapore.
  
To mark the feat, President Pranab Mukherjee and his Singapore counterpart Tony Tan would exchange state visits next year.
  
Shanmugam had also said the year-long celebration would also include a Singapore festival in India and an Indian festival in Singapore.
  
The annual bilateral trade has flourished in the last decade from USD 4.2 billion in 2003-04 to around USD 19.4 billion in 2013-14, notably since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in 2005.
  
Belonging to the First Training Squadron at the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy, INS Sudarshini is primarily engaged in training naval and NCC cadets on the seamanship but also goes on historic voyages around the world.
  
Since its official launch in 2011, the three-masted sailing ship with a barque rig has been on significant voyages of national importance.

Source: MP News in Hindi and Chhattisgarh Hindi News