Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming foundation stone-laying ceremony for 12 railway stations marks a significant milestone in the Amruth Bharat station scheme. These initiatives, set to unfold in the Mysuru division of South Western Railway, signify a concerted effort to revolutionize railway infrastructure and connectivity.

Divisional railway manager Shilpi Agarwal elucidated the fundamental objectives behind these endeavors. The overarching goal is to elevate station infrastructure to world-class standards, seamlessly integrating them with urban landscapes. Moreover, emphasis is placed on fostering multimodal connectivity and ensuring inclusivity by providing facilities for individuals with disabilities.

At the heart of the Amrit Bharat scheme lies the comprehensive development of railway stations. This involves meticulous master planning and phased execution to introduce a plethora of world-class facilities. These revamped stations are poised for a remarkable transformation, boasting state-of-the-art amenities and multi-modal connectivity to enhance accessibility and convenience for passengers.

The strategic upgrade is not merely about enhancing aesthetics; it’s about catalyzing regional trade, commerce, and economic activities. By transforming these railway stations into bustling city centers and urban landmarks, PM Modi’s initiatives are poised to spur unprecedented growth and development in the region.

In parallel, efforts are underway to ensure safety and facilitate smooth transit for both rail and road traffic. The inauguration of numerous road over bridges and road under bridges underscores the commitment to enhancing overall infrastructure and connectivity.

In conclusion, PM Modi’s visionary initiatives under the Amruth Bharat scheme are poised to redefine the landscape of railway stations. Through a holistic approach encompassing infrastructure upgrades, multimodal connectivity, and inclusivity, these efforts are set to elevate the travel experience and drive socio-economic progress in the region.

Mysuru: Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Congress party, declared on Wednesday that the party has upheld its major pre-election commitments to the people of Karnataka. He further asserted that the accomplishments of the Siddaramaiah-led government would serve as a model to be replicated across the entire nation.

In a bid to fulfill another critical pre-election pledge, the Congress government in Karnataka introduced the ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ initiative on Wednesday. This initiative aims to provide monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,000 to approximately 1.1 crore women who head their households.

The launch of the ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ program took place at a public event held on the Maharaja College grounds and was attended by tens of thousands of individuals. AICC President M Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar were all present for the launch.

Gandhi, addressing the crowd, remarked, “We have upheld our commitments. We never make false promises. The work we have accomplished in Karnataka will be emulated throughout India.”

The ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ initiative, unveiled with great enthusiasm, is one of the five pre-election ‘guarantees’ of the Congress party, which wrested power from the BJP in the May Assembly elections.

Gandhi described the Congress party’s five guarantees as more than just schemes; they represent a governance model. He characterized the ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ initiative as “the world’s largest cash transfer program,” with Rs 2,000 being directly deposited into the bank accounts of millions of women beneficiaries.

The Congress party had pledged to implement five ‘guarantees,’ including ‘Shakti,’ ‘Gruha Jyothi,’ ‘Annabhagya,’ ‘Gruha Lakshmi,’ and ‘Yuva Nidhi.’ Shakti offers free travel for women on government buses throughout Karnataka, while ‘Gruha Jyoti’ provides 200 units of free electricity each month.

The ‘Anna Bhagya’ scheme provides 10 kg of rice, while ‘Yuva Nidhi’ (Youth Fund) promises to offer Rs 3,000 and Rs 1,500 per month to unemployed graduates and diploma holders, respectively, who remain jobless even six months after completing their exams in the 2022-23 academic year.

Gandhi clarified, “With the exception of the ‘Yuva Nidhi’ initiative, the other four guarantees (Shakti, Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, and Anna Bhagya) are designed to benefit the women of the state. There is a thoughtful rationale behind these four guarantees.”

Drawing a parallel between Karnataka’s women and the roots of a tree, Gandhi remarked that if the roots are robust, the tree can withstand any storm.

He also noted that while undertaking a 600-km journey in Karnataka during his ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ last year, he observed that women were concerned about the rising prices in the country. These challenges faced by women motivated the Congress to introduce these guarantees.

Taking a swipe at the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, Gandhi remarked that there is a current trend where the “government in Delhi” appears to primarily serve the interests of billionaires. He emphasized the Congress party’s belief that the government should work for the welfare of the underprivileged.

Kharge stated that no government in India has ever introduced such an extensive scheme, and many are eager to implement it in their respective states.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had previously affirmed that the government had already implemented three of the five pre-election ‘guarantees’— ‘Shakti,’ ‘Gruha Jyothi,’ and ‘Annabhagya.’ He highlighted that ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ represents the fourth guarantee. The government had allocated Rs 17,500 crore for the ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ program in the current fiscal year, with plans to implement the ‘Yuva Nidhi’ scheme in December or January, as announced during the event.

Mysuru: A 70-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly beating his daughter-in-law to death in Mysuru district, police said on Friday.

According to the police, Ghantaiah, a resident of Harohalli village, was against his daughter-in-law leaving the house for work.

As her husband’s income was insufficient, Kavitha (victim) joined a private college as an attendant.

The couple got married 15 years ago. Ghantaiah did not like daughter-in-law Kavita to go to work. He used to fight often to stop working.

Later, he expressed doubts about her character. Later on Thursday evening, he attacked with a hammer. The woman was injured and died.

The accused was arrested by the Varuna police and sent to judicial custody.

Further investigation into the incident is underway.