New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said Republic Day celebration in 2018 would be “remembered through the ages” because the government for the first time in India’s history would host leaders of 10 Asean countries as chief guests on January 26.
“On January 26, the arrival of great leaders of 10 nations of the world as a unit is a matter of pride for all Indians,” Modi said in this year’s last edition of his monthly radio programme “Mann ki Baat”.
He said January 26 is a historic festival for all Indians but “January 26, 2018, will especially be remembered through the ages”.
“The Republic Day will be celebrated with leaders of all 10 (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Asean countries coming to India as chief guests. This time, not one but 10 chief guests would grace the Republic Day. This is unprecedented in India’s history,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the year 2017 was special for both Asean and India because the Southeast Asian bloc completed its 50 years of formation and the year also marked 25 years of India’s partnership with the grouping.
“India looks forward to welcoming leaders” from Asean comprising Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, delivering the inaugural address for the 85th Sivagiri Pilgrimage Celebrations at Sivagiri Mutt in Kerala via video-conferencing from here. prime minister said that muslim women in India have finally found a way out of the agony they have suffered for ages due to triple talaq.
“The age-long sufferings of Muslim mothers and sisters due to triple talaq were not hidden from anyone. After years of battle, they have finally found the way out to rid themselves of triple talaq,” Modi said.
This was Modi’s first comment after the Lok Sabha passed a bill that criminalises the practice of instant divorce with three-year jail.
The Prime Minister, however, didn’t mention about the Muslim women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill that was cleared by the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
The legislation, which has to be cleared by the Rajya Sabha, criminalises instant divorce with three years of imprisonment for Muslim husbands.
There is provision for subsistence allowance from the husband for the livelihood and daily needs of the wife and the dependent children. The wife will also be entitled to the custody of minor children.
The practice of instant divorce is not followed in major Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt.
In his address, Modi said the government had taken measures to curb black money, corruption, benami properties and terrorism. He said the battle against these would intensify the next year.
“We will take the country to new heights in 2018 with the mantras of reform, perform and transform, development for all.”