New Delhi Dec 25 PTI The Congress on Saturday took digs at the government over fuel prices and inflation through a series of Christmas-themed tweetsAll we want for Christmas is a government that listens the party tweeted with a Santa Claus image and message which read Thank God Santa is listening to everyones wishes because Modi ji is only listening to his Mann ki Baat In another tweet the Congress said Imagine dashing through the snow at Rs95litre This tweet was accompanied by an image of Santa riding a sleigh and a message which read Thank god Santa rides a sleigh he doesnt need to pay hefty prices for fuel Jingle bells Jingle bellsJingle all the way Oh what fun it would be to buy thingswithout burning all your savings away the Congress said in another Christmas-themed tweetIn another dig the Congress tweeted Jingle bells jingle bells ports airports roads railways are just a few things Modi ji sells The Congress said Hes not making a list The govts not checking anything twice They have no data on- whos naughty or nice Thank God Santa has a naughty and nice list because our government has no data a message with a Santa image on the partys Twitter handle readIn a dig att he government the party further said if youre BJPs best friend you dont need to wait for Christmas to get gifts PM Modis gifts to his crony capitalist friends -- ports airports railways mines roads the list is endless the party said in a message along with a Christmas themed image featuring ModiAnd if youre a common citizen these achhe din bring no joy no peace no prosperity the Congress saidPM Modis gifts to you unemployment rising prices gabbar singh tax demonetization exhorbitant excise duty on fuel the list is endless the party said in another message along with a Christmas themed image featuring ModiAre you on Modi jis nice list NoThen who is Only himself his crony-capitalist friends the party said in another tweetEarlier in the day former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi greeted people on ChristamasChristmas greetings to everyone Wishing you all health happiness and harmony he tweeted PTI ASK TIR TIR

Panaji Dec 22 PTI BJP president JP Nadda on Wednesday said that various governments at Centre except the ones led by A B Vajpayee and incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi were involved in profiting themselves Nadda was speaking after launching a report card on the performance of the BJP-led governments in Goa in the last 10 years Addressing a gathering the BJP chief said India has evolved from an under-developed nation to a new level under PM Modis leadership The current situation is such that the entire world listens when PM Modi speaks on international issues The governments in the Centre except of A B Vajpayee and Narendra Modi had been involved only in making profits for themselves Nadda alleged Atal Bihari Vajpayee had served as Prime Minister from May 16 to June 1 1996 and then from March 19 1998 to May 22 2004 Nadda said in the past India was considered one of the corrupt nations in the world We were an under-developed country From there we have risen to another level now On international issues what PM Modi speaks the world listens This is our situation now which we have to understand he said Assembly elections are slated to be held in Goa in February next year Nadda said Goa has grown in terms of infrastructure under BJP rule In the past people had to ferry their vehicles across rivers by ships in absence of proper bridges he said adding that the coastal state took a giant leap under the leadership of former chief minister Manohar Parrikar now deceased and his predecessor Pramod Sawant Nadda said the BJP has begun taking suggestions from people which would be included in the partys poll manifesto We will take Goa to a great height BJP wants to involve and evolve people in the journey of development he added PTI RPS NSK NSK

New Delhi Oct 23 PTI Olympic bronze medallist hockey players Rupinder Pal Singh and Birendra Lakra on Saturday said they were overwhelmed by the appreciation they received from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on their retirements and have pledged to give back to the game after being inspired by the leaders passion for sports Overwhelmed to receive this letter from our Honble PM narendramodi ji His constant support to athletes has motivated us to do our best at Tokyo2020 Sir I am inspired by your passion for sport and pledge to continue my contribution to Indian sports PMOIndia ianuragthakur Rupinder tweeted on Saturday Lakra added We athletes contribute our life to sport and when it is acknowledged by Honble PM of the country it feels like we have really done our bit for nation building Heartfelt thanks to Honble Narendra Modi ji for his warm gesture The time spent with you at the interaction after Tokyo 2020 will always remain memorable Lakra said it would be his primary focus to adhere to Modis suggestion about visiting 75 schools as part of the governments Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative Modi had sent letters of appreciation to Rupinder and Lakra earlier this month thanking them for their services to Indian hockey after they announced their retirements from the game on September 30 Rupinder and Lakra who played integral parts in Indias historic bronze medal feat in Tokyo quit the game to make way for youngsters In his letter Modi said Rupinder has been a source of inspiration for Indian hockey for the last decade and has played a key role in the resurgence of the sport in the country I would like to personally thank you for all that you have done Indian hockey Modi wrote on his letter dated October 12 read the letter posted by Rupinder I would want to say that the people of India will have great memories of your own magic on the fieldYou have been a source of strength for the Indian hockey team and have been integral to every major tournament India has won from 2010 be it the Asian Mens Hockey Championships Mens Hockey Asia Cup Commonwealth Games Hockey World League Finals and more In the Tokyo Olympics your performance was crucial to the teams historic success Modi termed the bronze medal in Tokyo as a watershed moment in Indian hockey The impact of this medal will not be restricted to the Olympics only It will contribute to the rebirth of India hockey The PM requested Rupinder to play his part in the Amrit Mahotsav by visiting various schools across India by August 2023 and interact with youngsters on ways to end malnutrition as well as popularise sports This would be a great service to the coming generations Modi wrote In his letter to Lakra Modi expresed his gratitude to the defender for his indelible contributions to Indian hockey One of the things the coming generation of athletes can learn from you is a spirit of resilience One cannot imagine how you would have felt when you missed the bus to Rio due to an injury You successfully overcame that and made it to Tokyo and thus became a part of the history that was scripted there Modi wrote to Lakra I can sense the pain when you wrote in your post that the thoughts of not sharing the dressing room with your teammates is unimaginable but I am confident you will remain connected to this beautiful game and encourage the coming crop of players PTI SSC SSC APA APA

New Delhi Sep 22 PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modis plane en route to the United States flew over the Pakistan airspace on Wednesday after the neighbouring country gave permission for the aircraft according to sources There was no official confirmation from the government on whether the prime ministers aircraft flew over the Pakistan airspace but sources confirmed that the route included Pakistan airspace According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24 the plane -- Boeing 777-337 ER -- took off from the national capital at a little past 1140 am and the route shows it flying over Pakistan and Iran among other countries The sources said the permission came late from Pakistan authorities for the prime ministers plane to fly over its airspace In case permission was not given there was an alternative plan for the prime minister and his entourage to make a stop at Frankfurt and then proceed to the US they added In October 2019 Pakistan had denied Indias request to use its airspace for Modis flight to Saudi Arabia The same year in September also Pakistan had denied overflight clearance for the prime ministers aircraft Modi emplaned for the US on Wednesday morning His office tweeted a picture of him just before boarding the plane for the US where he will take part in a wide range of programmes In a statement just before leaving for the US Modi said he will conclude his visit with an address at the United Nations General Assembly focusing on the pressing global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic the need to combat terrorism climate change and other important issues PTI IAS RAM BAL BAL