With focus on Neighbourhood First policy, PM Modi to land in Bhutan on Thursday

With Focus On Neighbourhood First Policy, PM Modi To Land In Bhutan On Thursday

by Utkalika Mohanty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay as he lands in the Himalayan nation on Thursday, giving a further fillip to bilateral relations.

New Delhi, Mar 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay as he lands in the Himalayan nation on Thursday, giving a further fillip to bilateral relations.

The state visit from March 21-22 is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan, and the government's emphasis on its Neighbourhood First Policy.

"India and Bhutan share a unique and enduring partnership, which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding, and goodwill. Our shared spiritual heritage and warm people-to-people ties add depth and vibrancy to our exceptional relations," a Ministry of External Affairs release said on Tuesday.

The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership between the two nation, MEA said.

India's 'Neighbourhood First policy' guides its approach towards the management of relations with countries in its immediate neighbourhood.

These countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

As per MEA, the policy, inter alia, is aimed at enhancing physical, digital, and people-to-people connectivity across the region, as well as augmenting trade and commerce.

The visit comes after PM Modi accepted an invitation extended by his counterpart Tobgay last week, on behalf of the king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, to visit Bhutan.

PM Tobgay visited India from March 14-18, marking his first overseas trip after assuming office in January this year.

Sharing warm hugs and handshakes, he met PM Modi and discussed a range of issues to strengthen relations between the two neighbouring nations.

After meeting PM Modi, PM Tobgay wrote in a post on X handle: "Wonderful to meet my friend, Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi. I thanked him for his steadfast support to Bhutan, and we discussed a range of issues to strengthen relations between Bhutan and India. Prime Minister Modi Ji also agreed to visit Bhutan soon ... next week, in fact!"

Contributing to the socio-economic well-being of the people of Bhutan, India gave development assistance of Rs 5,000 crore to the country's 12th Five Year Plan (FYP).

India has also committed to stepping up support for the country's 13th FYP, including a request for the Economic Stimulus Programme.

India's further development assistance to Bhutan, as part of its Neighbourhood First Policy, will focus on road, rail, air, and digital connectivity, and sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, skilling, and cultural preservation.

(IANS)

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Lack Of Logs For Puri Raths Reflects Odisha Government's 'Negligence'

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Puri, Apr 27: Even after ruling the State for 24 years, the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD Government in Odisha has failed to ensure a regular supply of adequate wood logs for the construction of holy Raths of deities of Shreemandir here every year.

The much-hyped Jagannath Banikaran Prakalpa, which was started 20 years ago to avail logs for raths every year has virtually failed.

This year, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has faced difficulties in getting the logs required for the main parts of the three Raths- Nandighosh, Taladhwaja, and Debadalan.

Sources said the SJTA now depends on the donation of the devotees for availing 'Fasi' wood required for the construction of Tumba (hubs), the central point of wheels.

Sources said around 900 wood logs are required for the three cars every year. To meet the required quantity of wood, the State Government and the SJTA are still dependent on the donation of trees from the devotees' house backyards.

"The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is world famous. The temple has no shortage of land for taking of afforestation. However, after being in power for 24 years and doing politics in the name of Jagannath, the BJD government has not been able to do proper afforestation," said a resident.

According to a forest official, Dhaura, Asana, and Fasi trees have been planted under the Jagannath Banikaran Prakalpa.

However, they will take 70 years to grow to become the required size of 6ft round and 40 ft long. So, authorities have to depend on private persons to get the required quantities of logs. After 20 years, the problem will be solved, said the officials.

By now, Dhura and Asana logs required for 'Gayala' and 'Dhanda' have reached the Rath Khala.

Reacting to the lack of logs, Suryanarayan Rathsharma of Shree Jagannath Bhakta Parishad said crores of rupees spent on forestation for availing woods for Raths has been wasted due to lack of care.

"The government has taken up Jagannath Banikaran Prakalpa since the year 2000. Under this project, crores of rupees were spent on the planting of saplings and coverings around them. But trees are now found," said Rathsharma.

Sarat Rajguru, an intellectual, suggested that the government should plant around 2 lakh trees every year so that adequate logs would be made available regularly after 20 years.

With focus on Neighbourhood First policy, PM Modi to land in Bhutan on Thursday

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