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Meritocracy India International 3 October 2015 12 pracharak generate such ideas and visions ?) One Rank One Pension While the previous government had earmarked Rs. 500 crore, the Modi Government announced a package of Rs. 10,000 crore for Defence pensioners on 5 September 2015, on the eve of 50 anniversary of Indian Army's attack towards Lahore. A national issue pending since 1973 was taken forward. th th Military History Prodded by Prime Minister Modi, the Defence Ministry has launched an e-book which, for the first time, gives insights into various aspects of the Armed Forces. Graphics and pictures present key developments. Modi Government and Muslims National Madrasa Modernisation Scheme has been formulated. Higher budgets have been allotted for skill development of minorities in ancestral arts and crafts. Sab ka saath. Sab ka vikaas. Achche din for all. Prime Minister Modi took personal interest in the release of Indian Muslims from besieged Yemen in January 2015, ably assisted by his Minister, General (retd) V. K. Singh. Prominent representatives of the Muslim community urged Prime Minister Modi to end Wahabi influence and Wahabi terror in the country. (The Times of India, 8 April 2015). While speaking to envoys of Muslim nations, the Prime Minister said : “The Quran mentions the word 'ilm' 800 times. This is the importance of knowledge.” Prime Minister Modi and ex-President APJ Abdul Kalam Prime Minister Modi wrote the article “Bharat Has Lost Its Ratna,” published by The Times of India on its editorial page on 29 July 2015. Narendra Modi wrote of ex-President APJ Abdul Kalam : “Every child of deprivation is a realist… As a boy, he had to support his studies by earning money as a newspaper vendor…He is my marg darshak…. He combined the honesty of a child with the energy of a teenager and the maturity of an adult ….. he epitomized the three great virtues of our civilization : dama, self-restraint, dana, sacrifice, and daya, compassion…. Wisely he suggested that politicians spend only 30% of their time on politics, and 70% on development….. His contributions to our nuclear and space achievements have given India the muscle to be confident of her place in the region and the world.” INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY, 21 JUNE Prime Minister Modi, in his address to the UNO General Assembly in September 2014, suggested that the world should observe an International Yoga Day for the better health and mental wellbeing of humanity. 177 countries responded within days. On the first International Yoga Day, 21 June 2015, 193 countries took part in doing yoga asanas, including 47 Muslim countries. One hundred cities in USA and every city in Russia carried out yoga practices. Secretary General of the UNO, Ban Ki-Moon said: “Yoga promotes respect for one's fellow human beings and welfare for the planet.” In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a gathering of 35,985 on the Raj Path, citizens of 84 nations took part. It was a delight and an inspiration for the young to see the Prime Minister in his sixties leading from the front, doing yoga asanas and pranayam exercises. An NGo run by a Muslim couple led Muslim youth in the yoga event. The Prime Minister hailed the day as the beginning of “new era of peace.” “Yoga is more than only physical fitness……. We are training the

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