FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Monday, 30 March 2026 SPORTS PERSPECTIVE Ganga Girls – The river’s daughters EDITORIAL Redefining identity WORLD Mediators gather in Pak for talks on ending the month-long Iran war Page 7 Page 6 Page 9 PM Modi urges unity amid West Asia crisis, warns against misinformation STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 29 March P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged Indians to stand united amid escalating tensions in West Asia, cautioning that misinformation and political opportunism could weaken the country’s response to emerging global challenges. Speaking during the latest broadcast of Mann Ki Baat, Mr Modi said the conflict in India’s extended neighbourhood has triggered serious economic and geopolitical concerns, particularly due to the region’s importance in meeting global energy demands. “A fierce war has been going on in our neighbourhood for over a month,” he said, noting that the situation has led to a worldwide strain on petrol and diesel supplies. Highlighting the direct impact on India, Mr Modi pointed out that over 10 million Indians live and work in Gulf nations. “Millions of our family members and relatives live in these countries,” he said. “I am very grateful to the Gulf nations for providing all kinds of assistance to Indians living there.” He added that India’s strengthened global partnerships and diplomatic outreach over the past decade have helped the country navigate such crises with confidence. The Prime Minister also issued a strong warning against the spread of rumours, urging citizens to depend solely on verified information. “Those Sabalenka completes the Sunshine Double with Miami Open title who spread rumours are causing great harm to the nation,” he said. “I appeal to all citizens to remain vigilant and not fall prey to such misinformation. Trust the information being continuously provided by the government.” In a message aimed at the political class, Mr Modi stressed that national issues must rise above partisan interests. “This is a matter concerning the interests of 1.4 billion citizens. There is no place for selfish politics,” he said, emphasising the importance of unity during uncertain times. Referring to the lingering impact of the COVID -19 pandemic, Mr Modi said the world had anticipated a phase of recovery and growth, but recurring conflicts have hindered that progress. “March has been a very turbulent month globally,” he remarked. “We had expected that after Covid, the world would move forward on a new path of progress, but war-like situations have persisted.” Beyond the global situation, Mr Modi highlighted several domestic initiatives, focusing on public participation and cultural preservation. He spoke about the Gyan Bharatam Survey, which aims to document India’s vast manuscript heritage, and encouraged citizens to contribute through a digital platform. “This initiative reflects the spirit of public participation,” he said, citing contributions from across states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Ladakh. He also underscored the role of youth in nation-building, praising the ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’ initiative for engaging young people in meaningful activities. “When the strength of our youth is harnessed for nation-building, it becomes incredibly powerful,” he said. On sports, the Prime Minister celebrated India’s victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and Jammu and Kashmir’s first Ranji Trophy triumph, describing them as signs of a growing sports culture. “Those who play will flourish,” he said, noting that such achievements inspire wider participation among the youth. Mr Modi also called for healthier lifestyles, encouraging citizens to reduce sugar and oil consumption and to prepare for the upcoming International Day of Yoga. “We need to adopt healthier lifestyles to stay away from diseases,” he said. With summer approaching, he stressed the importance of water conservation through collective action, including rainwater harvesting and the rejuvenation of water bodies. Page 12 Two Indian ships with LPG cargo sail safely out of Gulf region Govt may unveil more relief for vulnerable sectors STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 29 March Two Indian LPG carriers, BW TYR and BW ELM, carrying a combined LPG cargo of about 94,000 metric tonnes, have safely transited the Gulf region and are moving towards Indian shores. BW TYR is proceeding towards Mumbai with expected arrival on 31 March, while BW ELM is en route to New Mangalore with an expected arrival date of 1 April, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on Sunday. A total of 18 Indian-flagged vessels with 485 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf region, the statement said. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), in coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies, and Indian Missions, is actively monitoring the situation. All necessary measures have been instituted to ensure the safety and security of Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the Gulf region. All Indian seafarers in the region are safe, and no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours, the statement said. DG Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of over 942 Indian seafarers so far, including four in the last 24 hours, the statement added. New Delhi: The government may announce more relief packages for vulnerable segments of the economy, including the MSME sector, and keep inflation under check in the domestic market if the West Asia crisis continues for a prolonged period, news portals quoted government sources as saying. The government has announced a slew of measures, including cutting excise duty on petrol and diesel during the month and will not hesitate to announce more to shield the vulnerable sectors of the economy, the sources are reported to have said. Meanwhile, the government said that it is maintaining close oversight and implementing comprehensive measures to ensure stability in energy supplies, safeguard maritime operations, and support Indian nationals in the region.