"Have Very Ambitious Goals To Achieve In 3rd Term": PM Modi In New York

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that he has set very ambitious goals in his third term to make the country a developed nation and asserted that India today is a land of opportunities.

"After going through this tough election process, this long election system, something unprecedented happened in India (this year). What happened... "Abkibaar Modi Sarkaar," PM Modi said in his address to thousands of Indian Americans in New York.

"For the first time in 60 years, the people of India have given a mandate which has great significance. During my third term, I have very ambitious goals to achieve. We have to move forward with three times the strength," he said.

PM Modi said he has dedicated his life for good governance and for a prosperous India. Observing that destiny brought him to politics, he said he had never thought of becoming a chief minister or prime minister. Over the last 10 years, people have seen this model of governance and thus have voted him to power for a third term, he added.

The prime minister was addressing a packed Nassau Veterans Coliseum with more than 13,000 Indian Americans. While the majority of them were from the New York and New Jersey area, Indian Americans came in from 40 States, organisers said. Sixty charter buses were used for transportation purposes.

Applauding the role of Indian Americans in strengthening the relationship between India and the US, he called them as India's brand ambassadors. Referring to a Sanskrit shloka that "it is those who make sacrifices reap benefits", the prime minister said wherever the Indian diaspora lives, they contribute to the societal and national development in every field.

In his remarks, the prime minister touched upon the celebration of democracy across the world, in particular in India and the US.

"While the elections in India are over, it's under process in the United States. The elections that were just held in India were the biggest elections so far in human history. When we see the scale of India's democracy, we are even more proud," he said.

PM Modi applauded the role of Indian Americans in making the country and community proud.

"Just yesterday, President Biden took me to his home in Delaware. His affection, his warmth, it was a moment that touched my heart. This respect is for the 140 billion Indians. This respect is for you, for your achievements, for the hundreds and thousands of Indians living here," he said and called Indian Americans as India's brand ambassador.

He also referred to the recently concluded T-20 World Cup in the United States.

India, he said, is now aspiring to be the third largest economy of the world from the fifth position. "Today, people of India, he said, are full of self-confidence, they have resolve and determination to achieve their goal," he said, adding development in India has now become a people's movement.

"Every Indian has confidence in India, its achievements. India today is a land of opportunities. It's no longer waiting for opportunities. It is now creating opportunities," he said, adding that in just a decade 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty.

"This was possible because we changed our old way of thinking. We changed our approach. We empowered the poor," he told the Indian Americans. It is this new middle class, which is accelerating the development of India, he said.

An entertaining cultural performance was the main highlight of the event before the prime minister arrived. The Echoes of India - A Journey Through Art and Tradition, showcased 382 nationally and internationally known artists. Prominent among them including Grammy award nominee Chandrika Tandon, STAR Voice of India winner and superstar Aishwarya Majumdar, Instagram's Dancing Dad Ricky Pond, and singing sensation Rex DSouuza, in a seamless experience of India's cultural diversity.

There were unique performances by 117 artists, impressing and entertaining attendees as they enter the coliseum. Organisers said more than 30 classical, folk, modern and fusion performances will pay homage to the rich and diverse cultures of India.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Marxist Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka Wins Sri Lanka's Presidential Elections

Sri Lanka's election commission declared a previously fringe Marxist politician the country's president-elect on Sunday after a vote coloured by discontent over the island nation's response to an unprecedented financial crisis. 

Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, the 55-year-old leader of the People's Liberation Front, won the presidency with 42.31 percent of the vote in Saturday's election, the commission said.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa took second place with 32.76 percent.

Outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe -- who took office at the peak of the 2022 economic collapse and imposed tough austerity policies per the terms of an IMF bailout -- took a distant third with 17.27 percent.

Wickremesinghe has yet to concede, but Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said it was clear that Dissanayaka had won.

"Though I heavily campaigned for President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the people of Sri Lanka have made their decision, and I fully respect their mandate for Anura Kumara Dissanayaka," Sabry said on social media. 

Dissanayaka will be sworn in on Monday morning at the colonial-era President Secretariat in Colombo, election commission officials said.

IMF deal

Economic issues dominated the eight-week campaign, with widespread public anger over the hardships endured since the peak of the crisis two years ago.

Dissanayaka would "not tear up" the IMF deal but would seek to modify it, a party politburo member told AFP.

"It is a binding document, but there is a provision to renegotiate," said Bimal Ratnayake.

He said Dissanayaka had pledged to reduce income taxes that were doubled by Wickremesinghe and slash sales taxes on food and medicines.

"We think we can get those reductions into the programme and continue with the four-year bailout programme," he said.

Dissanayaka's once-marginal Marxist party led two failed uprisings in the 1970s and 1980s that left more than 80,000 people dead.

It won less than four percent of the vote during the most recent parliamentary elections in 2020. 

But Sri Lanka's crisis has proven an opportunity for Dissanayaka, who has seen a surge of support based on his pledge to change the island's "corrupt" political culture.

"Our country needs a new political culture," he said after casting his ballot on Saturday. 

Around 76 percent of Sri Lanka's 17.1 million eligible voters cast ballots in Saturday's poll. 

Dissanayaka's party sought to reassure India that any administration he led would not be caught up in geopolitical rivalry between its northern neighbour and China, the country's largest lender.

New Delhi has expressed concerns over what it sees as Beijing's growing influence in Sri Lanka, which sits on vital shipping lanes criss-crossing the Indian Ocean.

"Sri Lankan territory will not be used against any other nation," Ratnayake told AFP. 

"We are fully aware of the geopolitical situation in our region, but we will not participate."

Austerity rejected

Wickremesinghe sought re-election to continue belt-tightening measures that stabilised the economy and ended months of food, fuel and medicine shortages during Sri Lanka's economic meltdown.

His two years in office restored calm to the streets after civil unrest spurred by the downturn saw thousands storm the compound of his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who then fled the country.

But Wickremesinghe's tax hikes and other measures imposed under the $2.9 billion IMF bailout he secured last year left millions struggling to make ends meet.

Official data showed that Sri Lanka's poverty rate doubled to 25 percent between 2021 and 2022, adding more than 2.5 million people to those already living on less than $3.65 a day.

Thousands of police were deployed to keep watch over voting on Saturday.

A temporary curfew was imposed after polls closed, despite police reporting that there had been no violence during or after balloting.

No victory rallies or celebrations are permitted until a week after the final results are declared. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Each Time We Sit Down...": Biden Posts Pics Of Meeting PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met US President Joe Biden on the margins of the Quad summit. PM Modi was welcomed by Mr Biden at his residence, where the two leaders hugged each other. Mr Biden held PM Modi's hand as he led him into the house.

"The United States' partnership with India is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history. Prime Minister Modi, each time we sit down, I'm struck by our ability to find new areas of cooperation. Today was no different," President Biden said in a post on X.

The United States' partnership with India is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history.

Prime Minister Modi, each time we sit down, I'm struck by our ability to find new areas of cooperation. Today was no different. pic.twitter.com/TdcIpF23mV

— President Biden (@POTUS) September 21, 2024

PM Modi's US visit is accompanied by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Ambassador of India to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra. The US team included Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs TH Jake Sullivan and Ambassador of the US to India Eric Garcetti.

PM Modi, who is on a three-day visit, will also hold separate bilateral meetings with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who are in the US for the Quad Summit.

The annual Quad summit being hosted by President Biden in his hometown Wilmington is expected to roll out a series of new initiatives to boost cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and explore ways to find peaceful solutions to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

The four-member Quad, or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, advocates upholding a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Beijing sees it as an anti-China grouping.

In his departure statement in New Delhi, PM Modi said he looked forward to joining his colleagues President Biden, Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Kishida for the Quad Summit.

"The forum has emerged as a key group of like-minded countries to work for peace, progress and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region," he added.

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"Our Children Working Like Slaves": EY Employee's Mother To Rahul Gandhi

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday spoke with the parents of Anna Sebastian Perayil, the 26-year-old Ernst & Young employee who died allegedly due to extreme work pressure. Over a video call, he offered them his sympathies and said he will ensure the tragedy becomes a catalyst for change.

"I spoke with the heartbroken parents of Anna Sebastian, a bright and ambitious young professional whose life was tragically cut short by toxic and unforgiving work conditions," wrote Mr Gandhi in an online post, sharing a video of their conversation.

I spoke with the heartbroken parents of Anna Sebastian, a bright and ambitious young professional whose life was tragically cut short by toxic and unforgiving work conditions.

In the face of unimaginable grief, Anna's mother has shown remarkable courage and selflessness, turning… pic.twitter.com/XY9PXbYAIK

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 21, 2024

He also praised Anna's mother for showing "remarkable courage and selflessness" and speaking up despite personal loss in the larger interest of improving working conditions of professionals.

During their conversation, Mr Gandhi asked Anna's parents how the atmosphere was at her workplace - "Was it very toxic? What was going on?"

Her mother replied with a "yes".

"She (Anna) used to always say that they had very long working hours. They have to work continuously. Night, Saturday, Sunday. No restrictions. Children are made to work like that. Mainly the young employees, new ones. She had no time even for her personal things," she said while sobbing on the video call.

"She called me every night and she would say 'Amma, I can't speak, I'm dead tired. I am going to sleep.' Even when she came back from office, she just (used to) drop on her bed. So exhausted," she added.

Anna's mother went on to say that children are subjected to torture and made to "work like slaves".

"Rahul ji, what I have to say is, only in India, children are subjected to such torture. If it is outside India, will they ask their employees to work like this? They say we have received freedom in 1947, but our children are still working like slaves. Even now they are working like slaves. Children who study so hard to reach where they are, being put through so much slavery, why? Why are our children made to suffer like this?" she added.

Mr Gandhi asked them if they want him to raise the issue in parliament. They said yes.

"We are fully with you. However we can support your cause, we are happy to do it," he said, assuring Anna's parents that he will fight for this cause in his capacity as the Leader of the Opposition.

Anna Perayil, a Chartered Accountant from Kerala who worked at EY India, died allegedly due to work-related stress, sparking a nationwide debate over work-life balance and corporate accountability.

In a statement on Wednesday, EY said that it is deeply saddened by Anna's untimely death and that it will continue to improve and provide a healthy workplace in its offices across the country.

The Union Labour Ministry has begun a probe into the circumstances that led to the EY employee's death.

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Rahul's Goofy Reaction Viral As Pant Gets Lifeline En Route To 6th Test Ton

Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill put on 167 runs in the second innings to give India a stronghold in the ongoing 1st Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. Pant slammed his 6th Test ton, which put on him on-par with MS Dhoni as the wicketkeeper with most centuries for India in the format. Gill, on the other hand, registered his 6th score of 100 or more, following a duck in the first innings. However, Pant got a huge reprieve after Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto dropped a sitter when the wicketkeeper batter was at 72.

The incident happened in the 49th over as the ball ballooned high in the air after Pant mistimed his pull. This led to a series of emotions from KL Rahul, who was sitting in the pavilion all padded up.

As the ball went in the air, Rahul left his chair in order to get ready for batting. However, fate had other ideas as Shanto dropped a sitter. Rahul had a wry smile on his face as he returned to take his seat.

Jab rishabh pant ki catch hawa me gyi to kl rahul ko laga out aur wo seat se khade hoke ane lag gye lekin catch chhut gyi aur unko phir se chair par baithna pada jaha siraj bhi has rhe the #INDvBAN #RishabhPant #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/e13Xb5BjP6

— CRICUU (@CRICUUU) September 21, 2024

Pant, who made 109, and Gill, unbeaten on 119, put on 167 runs for the fourth wicket to ram home India's advantage in the second session after they bundled out Bangladesh for 149 on day two.

Pant, a left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman, smashed the bowlers to every corner before a double off Shakib Al Hasan got him his sixth Test century.

The 26-year-old, who survived a near-fatal car crash in December 2022, took off his helmet and raised his bat to acknowledge a standing ovation from the weekend crowd.

He finally fell caught and bowled by spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz after his 128-ball knock that included 13 fours and four sixes.

Gill kept up the charge and raised his fifth Test ton before skipper Rohit Sharma called him and KL Rahul, on 22, back.

Bangladesh's chase of 515 is currently underway.

(With AFP Inputs)

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Denied A Birthday Leave Himself, CEO Introduces New Policy, Wins Applause

A corporate firm, is receiving widespread praise for its new "Birthday Plus One" leave policy. It allows employees to be off for an additional two days every year, one for a birthday and another for either a family member or a close friend.

The policy, introduced by company founder Abhijit Chakraborty, as a refreshing change in the corporate culture, where work is usually ahead of personal celebration, or maybe even synchronised with it, is an effort to address the same. Chakraborty, recalling the birthday leave request being disapproved early into his career, led off by stating that an employee should be allowed to celebrate without guilt.

"In one of my early roles, my boss once asked me, Why do you need a leave? I told him, It's my birthday. He shot me a strange look, as if a crime were committed," He noted on LinkedIn, "If it's someone's birthday, they deserve a gift. Not a leave deduction and weird reactions."

The post went viral online as the company announced the move, where most people welcomed the firm for its progressive approach to work-life balance as they celebrate a leave day during which a child or other loved one's birthday falls.

Chakraborty's post also reflects the company's commitment towards making a work-friendly space. He said that as the company grows further, possibly more birthday-related leave days will abound, furthering the dedication of the company towards employee happiness and personal milestones.

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What Lankan President, Seeking Re-Election, Said About India: 5 Key Quotes

1. "India and Sri Lanka have to have a close economic relationship. The vision statement that Prime Minister Modi and I had issued mentions this," Mr Wickremesinghe, who is seeking another term as President, told NDTV.
2. Speaking further about areas of shared investment and development, Mr Wickremesinghe said, "India has a huge demand of renewable energy, as do we. That is an area we seek to strengthen ties. When the Singapore-India pipeline (via Andaman and Nicobar Islands) is complete, we too can look for opportunity in it."
3. Other significant area that he said Sri Lanka aims partner with India for is to enhance port infrastructure and to get more tourists from India. "We want to encourage more investments from India and more tourists from India. We are working together with India on infrastructure projects like the Trincomalee Harbour," he said.
4. Speaking about the social and cultural ties shared by the two countries, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said, "that has been happening for thousands of years". He also said that the two nations share very strong people-to-people ties and that it is the people's mutual regard and appreciation that is the bedrock of India-Sri Lanka relations. "There will always be some groups who may make anti-India remarks, what needs to be done is to minimise it. As far as the India-Sri Lanka friendship is concerned, it is decided by the people and they have already decided it. So, let's further strengthen (the bond)."
5. India's economy has "taken off", the Sri Lankan President told NDTV, adding that Sri Lanka would also like to benefit from it, after all India is "just 20 miles away" and the two nations have shared deep cultural and historical ties. Mr Wickremesinghe further said that "Sri Lanka will deal with China as well to fulfill its national objectives, but at the same time, we will always keep India's interests in mind."

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