Melody queen Lata hums the Modi tune

“He is like my brother. I have spoken to him a number of times over the phone and even sent him recordings of Gujarati songs,” Lata said,adding,Modi’s name came to her mind first,when she was asked about whom to invite to inaugurate the superspecialty hospital.

In response,Modi said he felt honoured after the Mangeshkar family invited him as the chief guest for the inauguration. “I received a letter from Lata didi,six months ago. It was big gift for me,” he said.

The BJP leader applauded the efforts of the Mangeshkar family in setting up a hospital in memory of their father. “The Mangeshkar family could have offered their homage through their music,but they gave the best by setting up a hospital,as their father had died due to lack of proper medical facilities…,” Modi said.

He added that social power was a step ahead of political power in the country. “The health tourism sector has expanded in the country,” he said,however,stressed on the need for skilled workers in the sector.

“We get patients from across the world,but there is a need for skilled workers in the healthcare sector to connect with the people across the world,” he added.

Every citizen in the country,Modi said,needed health assurance,and not mere insurance. “The focus should be on preventive health care and if that is achieved,we can serve the society by ensuring good health,” he said,adding pure air,water and balance diet were a must for a healthy living.

Among those present at the inaugural function included Asha Bhosale,Usha Mangeshkar,Meena Khadikar and Hridaynath Mangeshkar.

The Deenanath Mangeshkar hospital was inaugurated by former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on the same day in 2001.

Modi brings city traffic to standstill

PUNE: Stringent traffic restrictions and security measures taken by the Pune police for Narendra Modi’s visit,caused traffic snarls in the city on Friday.

In the wake of the Patna bomb blasts,the police made extensive security arrangement at the Pune Airport,his route and rally venue. Traffic diversions were in place on two arterial roads of the city — Jangali Maharaj Road and Fergusson College Road.

A senior police officer of the Pune police said,“In the backdrop of the Patna incident,there was an increased threat perception. Senior officers from the Gujarat police had visited the city,two days back. We had to put stringent traffic restrictions in place that may have caused some traffic snarls.”

The officer added,“There was traffic on the approaching streets to the arterial roads in the afternoon and evening,during his movement in the city,for just around 45 minutes.”

ENS