MAY 2015

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OUT
NATIONAL PANORAMA
» President , Pranab Mukherjee interacting with the accompanying media onboard on his way to Delhi with Minister of State for Railways, Manoj Sinha
INDIA-RUSSIA RELATIONS HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME
P
resident Pranab Mukherjee said his "successful" state visit to Russia has strengthened the ties between India and Russia.
He stated that the high-level bilateral talks stirred a "forward" movement on defence, nuclear energy and space cooperation.
Mukherjee, who was accompanied by union minister Manoj Sinha as well as senior offi cials, held bilateral talks with his
Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on May 9.
75-member Indian Army contingent from the Grenadiers also take part in the military parade in Moscow.
Pranab Mukherjee said the role played by Russia in defeating the forces of Nazism and Fascism, in particular the heroic contribution
of the Russian people, is widely recognized. Though we were yet to win our independence, India played an signifi cant role in World
War II. Thousands of our countrymen had paid the ultimate sacrifi ce while numerous others were wounded or maimed. For India,
this was thus an occasion both to commemorate the bravery and indomitable spirit of the Russian people and equally to remember
the sacrifi ces of Indian soldiers in the most defi ning struggle of the 20th Century. For the fi rst time ever, an Indian Army contingent
from the Grenadiers took part in the impressive military parade held on the 9th of May in the Red Square in Moscow.
ASSISTANCE TO EARTHQUAKE AFFECTED PEOPLE
U
nder the directions of the Prime Minister, all concerned Ministries of Government of India are contributing in the relief work
for the earthquake victims of Nepal. Indian Railways too has geared up its machinery to contribute in this effort. The Minister
of Railways Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu instructed railway offi cials to extend all
necessary help to affected people during this earthquake tragedy and took the initiative
of seeking suggestions from the public regarding the type of assistance the railways
could provide. Various suggestions were received on the social media platforms of the
Railway Ministry. The Railway Minister himself is monitoring the situation closely and
has directed respective Railway Board members to do the same.
The Railway Minister directed, Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation(IRCTC)
, the Railway PSU to dispatch Rail Neer Bottles through Indian Air Force to Nepal. IRCTC
has so far supplied 1.86 lakh litre Rail Neer water and is committed to supply more Rail
Neer bottles as per requirement. Indian Railways also provide Extra Coaches and Special
Trains to Clear Stranded Passengers from Gorakhpur and Raxaul Stations as well Free
Railway Ticket to Needy Passengers.
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maY 2015