Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid the foundation stone of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bathinda, Punjab.
The 750-bedded AIIMS will be set up with an outlay of Rs 925 crore and it would be spread over 177 acres of land on the Bathinda-Dabwali road. The land has been given by the state government. It is expected to be completed by June 2020, officials said.
Heavy security arrangements have been made in the wake of Mr. Modi’s visit to Bathinda.
On this occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Union Health Minister J P Nadda, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister and Punjab BJP Chief Vijay Sampla, among others were also present.
Pakistan is damaging itself by fighting against India: Modi
While speaking at a rally, Mr. Modi said Pakistan was yet to settle from the setback of surgical strikes and was damaging itself by fighting against India.
“Earlier, soldiers were unable to show their valor despite having the strength. But now Pakistan has seen strength of our brave soldiers after they carried out surgical strikes in 250-km area across the LoC,” Mr. Modi said.
He said there were tremors across the border after these strikes and they have not yet settled.
Reaching out to Pakistani public, Mr. Modi said, “125 crore Indians eyes were wet with tears after killing of school kids in Peshawar. Every Indian felt the pain of Pakistani.”
Reiterating that Pakistani public should ask their rulers that fight should be against black money and corruption rather than fighting any country, Mr. Modi said, “By fighting against India they (Pakistan) are damaging themselves and killing innocents also.”
“Pakistani people also want freedom from poverty. For the sake of political benefits this atmosphere has been created by them,” he added.
