In his bid to make ‘Swachh Bharat’ a  people’s movement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today initiated a chain by inviting nine eminent personalities including cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, industrialist Anil Ambani along with several actors to spread awareness on cleanliness.

The Internet-savvy Prime Minister appeared inspired by the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which had gone viral in recent months, as he asked the celebrities to nominate nine more people to join the campaign and hoped that the chain would continue.

Among those nominated by the PM are film actors Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Kamal Hassan, industrialist Anil Ambani, Goa Governor Mridula Sinha and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, yoga guru Ramdev and the team of TV serial “Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chashma”.

Modi also administered a pleadge to thousands of people, including schools children and government employees at Rajpath for remaining committed to cleanliness to make the country clean.

“I will remain committed towards cleanliness and devote time for this…I will neither litter nor let others litter,” pledged all those present at a function to mark the launch of “Swachh Bharat” (Clean India) mission at India Gate by the Prime Minister.

Actor Aamir Khan also joined the PM in taking the pledge along with Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Venkaiah Naidu.

“I have invited nine people and asked them to come to public places and work towards a Clean India. I ask them to invite nine more people too…I am sure these nine people will do the work and each will invite nine more people to form a chain and clean the country,” Modi said.

The original ice bucket challenge where such a chain was created online was designed to raise funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis- also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease and motor neurone disease, which is a global viral phenomenon

Modi also announced starting a campaign on cleanliness through social media using his website MyGov.In and other such websites, including a new website dedicated to the clean India campaign.

The PM later joined the children in the Walkathon after flagging it off at Rajpath. The Walkathon is part of steps for creating awareness on cleanliness.

The party which originally started the jhadoo campaign, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal will join the conservancy staff in cleanliness drive Thursday at a slum – a stone’s throw from Prime MinisterNarendra Modi‘s official residence in the heart of the capital. “The former chief minister will reach BR Camp at 7 a.m. (Thursday) and join the safai karamcharis,” AAP spokesperson Nagendar Sharma said

Shastriji’s birthday on 2nd Oct, coincides with Father of the nation. However Shastriji is not much remembered and the fact the general public only consider Mahtma Gandhi’s birthday on 2^nd October.

Here are some facts to pay tributes to Shastriji for his contribution during a brief but turbulent period as Indian PM

In addition to the popular slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”, following are some of the important quotes of Shastriji.

In his first broadcast as Prime Minister, on June 11, 1964, Shastri stated:

“There comes a time in the life of every nation when it stands at the cross-roads of history and must choose which way to go. But for us there need be no difficulty or hesitation, no looking to right or left. Our way is straight and clear – the building up of a socialist democracy at home with freedom and prosperity for all, and the maintenance of world peace and friendship with all nations.

The chief problem for Shastri’s administration was Pakistan. Laying claim to half of the Kutch peninsula, Pakistan sent incursion forces in August 1965, which skirmished with Indian tank divisions. In his report to the Lok Sabha on the confrontation in Kutch, Shastri stated:

“ In the utilization of our limited resources, we have always given primacy to plans and projects for economic development. It would, therefore, be obvious for anyone who is prepared to look at things objectively that India can have no possible interest in provoking border incidents or in building up an atmosphere of strife… In these circumstances, the duty of Government is quite clear and this duty will be discharged fully and effectively… We would prefer to live in poverty for as long as necessary but we shall not allow our freedom to be subverted.”

The Indo-Pak war ended on September 23, 1965 with a United Nations-mandated ceasefire. In a broadcast to the nation on the day of ceasefire, Shastri stated:

“While the conflict between the armed forces of the two countries has come to an end, the more important thing for the United Nations and all those who stand for peace is to bring to an end the deeper conflict… How can this be brought about? In our view, the only answer lies in peaceful coexistence. India has stood for the principle of coexistence and championed it all over the world. Peaceful coexistence is possible among nations no matter how deep the differences between them, how far apart they are in their political and economic systems, no matter how intense the issues that divide them.”
 

MUMBAI: “My husband was dying. His life was a struggle every single day. She gave her a second chance,” the wife of one of the benefactors of Kavita Karkare’s last act of generosity told TOI on Tuesday.

Slain ATS chief Hemant Karkare’s children donated the liver, kidneys and eyes of their mother, Kavita Karkare, after she was declared brain dead on Monday following a stroke. Hours later, her organs were used to give a new lease of life to three individuals, who have been waiting long for transplants.

“My husband was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. His health condition made it extremely difficult for him to work, but he continued going to office as he had to support us. We were told he had to be extremely lucky to get a liver soon,” said the wife of 49-year-old liver recipient. “We had seen Kavita Karkare only on television after the 26/11 terror attacks. Who would imagine our lives would be connected in this manner? My husband’s colleagues informed us about the donation,” said the Bhayander resident, adding that the family is now trying to raise money to pay for the transplant.

The transplant team at Kokilaben Hospital in Andheri said the surgery had gone off well and the patient may be taken off ventilator by Wednesday. “His liver condition would leave him with recurrent health problems like water retention in chest and abdomen. He suffered major breathing difficulties at times,” said Dr Vinay Kumaran, head of the transplant programme.

One of the kidney recipients had been on dialysis for over seven years and had registered for a cadaver donor way back in January 2007. “He has been coming to us for long. Karkare family’s gesture has saved a young life and an entire family,” said Dr Tarang Gianchandani, CEO, Jaslok Hospital.

The other 48-year-old kidney recipient at PD Hinduja Hospital in Mahim is also recovering well, said the doctors.

Over 3,000 patients are waiting for a kidney and 200 for liver in the Zonal Transplant Coordination Committee’s list.

A religious place of worship of the Muslims situated at Mahim Dargha in Mumbai has become a threat to the local residents of Mahim by the goons. According to a NC filed by Mr Samir Ansari of Kurla, Mumbai addressed to the Police Commissioner of Mahim, MR Ansari states that his life is threatened by Mr Aibani and his goons to worship him as the spiritual leader. The PEER-E- YADNI has a respectful person as their spiritual leader who is also one the founders of PEER-E- YADNI. Mr Aibani has been imposing on people visiting the Dargha to give him the status of a spiritual leader whereas the dicipiles and followers already have a respectful and honorable spiritual leader. The pilgrims and followers have also been threatened not to offer prayers. The people complain of their religious rights being deprived of because of MR Pravez Aibani. On one occasion the police were also supporting MR Aibani in his tryst to scare people of their lives.

According to the NC of MR Ansari he states that MR Pravez Aibani was involved in the 1993 bomb blasts of Mumbai and is a close friend of Tiger Meneon and his family. One of his goons MR Eliyas alias boli is the brother of Mr Aziz Bilakiya the top most accused in the 1993 bomb blasts who is till date absconding. One of the goons MR Ellyas Bilakiya was arrested in circulation of fake currency notes.

The people demand protection of their lives, to able to worship theKanka and to worship religious leader of their choice rather than to be forcefully imposed to worship somebody who is a criminal himself. About 150 local residents have signed an application for protection of their lives.

The Mumbai arm of the Aam Aadmi Party suffered a major blow on Tuesday after two of the party’s most prominent faces tendered resignations from their  party positions. State Convener Anjali Damania, who contested the Lok Sabha election unsuccessfully against Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur, and State Secretary Preeti Sharma Menon resigned citing personal reasons.

Both had put in their papers in June and had spoken candidly of their unhappiness with developments in the party in the aftermath of the Lok Sabha elections.  But soon after withdrew it.

Though AAP is not contesting the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the resignations of Damania and Menon from their leadership positions in the state executive committee indicate a churn within the party that is at present  supposed to be focusing on party-building. The official reason cited for the resignations is that the duo “could not cope with the multi-tasking” that was expected of them.