Prime Minister call to protect nature

Modi also termed unity in diversity as the speciality and strength of the Indian culture. “This (Maha Shivaratri celebrations) symbolises a spirit of vigilance, that we have to protect nature and mould our activities in sync with our ecological surroundings,” he said addressing a gathering after unveiling a mammoth 112-foot bust of ‘Adiyogi” Lord Shiva at Isha Yoga Foundation here. 

Underlining the need for peaceful coexistence, Modi said, “Lord Shiva is everywhere” and referred to the bull, peacock and mouse that were the vehicles of the Lord and his sons - Ganapathy and Karthik. He also talked about the venomous snake Vasuki curled around Shiva’s neck to emphasise the importance of peaceful coexistence. 

Praising the ancient practice of Yoga, whose goal is to bring the practitioner’s body, mind and spirit in tune with each other, Modi told the gathering that by “practising Yoga, a spirit of oneness is created. Oneness of mind, body and the intellect, oneness with our families and with the society we live in, with fellow humans and with birds, animals and trees.” 

“This is Yoga, Yoga is a journey from me to we,” he said, emphasising India’s biggest strength was its diversity. Modi began his speech by greeting people in Tamil “Ungal Ellorukkum En Anbana Vanakkam,” (My loving greetings to all). Before unveiling the giant ‘Adiyogi’ bust, Modi lighted the ‘Maha Yoga Yagna’ and released the book ‘Adiyoga: The source of Yoga’, which deals with yogic sciences.

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisamy, who was in Coimbatore on Friday, said that he would be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi (February 27) to discuss a host of issues, including exemption for the State from the NEET.

Palanisamy was in the city on Friday to receive the Prime Minister, who was coming to Coimbatore to attend a private function on the outskirts of the city. After becoming the Chief Minister, this is Palanisamy’s first meeting with the Prime Minister. His next meeting with Modi would be on Monday. Palanisamy said that the government had already passed a resolution in the Assembly exempting the State from NEET. 

“We have sent copies of the resolution and necessary documents in this connection to the Union Government for approval,” he said. During the meeting, the CM will also discuss the hydrocarbon extraction project in Pudukottai district. He assured that the state would would not do anything against the interests of farmers. 

Palanisamy said that the AIADMK government would be fulfilling all the assurances of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to Coimbatore and the entire State during the next four years and three months. He assured speedy implementation of the Athikadavu-Avinashi groundwater recharge scheme to benefit Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode districts. The project designed at an outlay of Rs. 3,523 has been sent to the Centre for approval. 

“It will be implemented after the government gives the nod,” he said. He said the State has sanctioned Rs 2,204 crores as drought relief. The amount would be disbursed within five days. About the steps taken by the State Government to stop construction of check dams across Bhavani River by the Kerala Government, he said that the Tamil Nadu Government has filed an interim petition in the Supreme Court. But the apex court has asked to continue the case along with the Cauvery Water Management Board case. “We will not compromise on water sharing,” he said. 

The Chief Minister said that Rs 168 crore has been allotted for construction of the Aathupalam-Ukkadam flyover. The Mettupalayam-Saibaba Kovil Road would be converted to a four-lane stretch soon.  Conveying this, the Chief Minister added that the mono rail demand would also be fulfilled.